Identifying fake Neutrik XLRs

[backwater]

Hi Folks,

I've been sorting through the heap of cables lying in my store and I came across a multicore cable I bought second hand a while back for the cable. On one end were XLR connectors.

 

Two I am sure are genuine Neutrik (Neutrik Logo on back, NC*MX on top, Swiss Made on insert)

Ten I know are fake (no markings other than the pin numbers, only a superficial resemblance to a real Neutrik)

 

There are another 4 male and 4 female which I am not sure about. They have Neutrik Logos on the back, NC*MX (or NC*FX) and NEUTRIK on the top but there are no markings on the insert. I had a look at some of my (known) Neutriks and they are all marked Lichtenstein on the insert.

 

My question is simple - is there a way of identifying fake Neutrik connectors? Were Neutrik connectors ever manufactured with no markings on the insert?

 

Thanks for any help with this

 

Andy :D

[ChazHS]

My question is simple - is there a way of identifying fake Neutrik connectors? Were Neutrik connectors ever manufactured with no markings on the insert?

 

Some of the older NC-MX XLRs had 'swiss made' on the inserts, but apart from that then they should be as you describe. It's possible they are Rean connectors (licenced by Neutrik to be made in China) although Neutrik did bring in that hologram system on their new XLRs so you can tell they are genuine.

 

So quite possibly what you have are rip offs mate! Although as long as they do the job the phrase 'if it aint broke don't fix it' springs to mind!

[Rob_Beech]

The phrase "if it aint broke it soon will be" is one to watch though.

 

There are lots going about, I'm not sure about the hologram thing, seems a bit silly, surely the other people will just copy the hologram, like they do on mobile phone batteries for example.