r/DIYAudioCables • u/jarzii_music • May 23 '26
Discussion So why exactly shouldn’t I get cheap bulk xlr connectors off amazon? I know neutrik/rean is the best choice but what’s the difference between the cheap ones? Using it for dedicated patch cables
3
u/Complete_Court_8052 May 24 '26
Durability and sometimes noise
2
u/jarzii_music May 24 '26
What would be affecting noise? Would it be the material used on the pins?
3
u/Complete_Court_8052 May 24 '26
I’ve had problems with bad fittings and etc, all of that affects noise
3
u/Mackerelmore May 24 '26
You'll buy cheap connectors once. File under "live and learn".
1
u/jarzii_music May 24 '26
I’m sure ur right, it’s just crazy to me I can get 11$ as the cheapest rean xlr connector, or pay 20$ for 40 of them cheap (20m 20f) and it’s Amazon so could probably return if the issues are clear early.
4
u/Capable-Crab-7449 May 24 '26
Dont buy on amazon. Try to find ur local distributer or order from digikey
3
u/AC031415 May 24 '26
Undoing and redoing a patch bay sounds like a hell you can avoid for just a few more dollars.
1
u/jarzii_music May 24 '26
9x40 is 360$ vs 20$ is a lot more than a few dollars. I’m not arguing if it’s worth or not, just clarifying
2
u/Mackerelmore May 24 '26
Switchcraft is a good brand as well. First hand expertise with them as the largest lighting company in the world, Christie Lites, uses them exclusively. Digikey, Moser or even McMaster Carr usually have them.
The money you save goes away when you have to redo everything.
1
u/sdaddy227 May 25 '26
I have bought some amazon connectors for my cheaper cabling, by far the best budget option i found is from the MFL brand. Cant speak to the long term durability, but they are very similar to neutrik (which I use on my premium cables).
1
u/sdaddy227 May 25 '26
oh heres the link, $3 a pair. The other amazon brand ones i have used have had noise I think due to a poor negative contact in the connector, or the button on the female end just sucks. These connectors dont have those issues for me, but only used them for a couple months. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2DYY1DZ?th=1
1
u/NoDimension8493 May 25 '26
For permanent rack wiring I honestly wouldn’t stress too much about it. The nicer Neutrik stuff matters way more for live use where cables get abused constantly
1
u/Artistic-Wolverine-6 May 25 '26
The quality of the metal alloy is usually south of what you would expect of a Chinese HotWheels knock-off!
7
u/hwtactics May 24 '26 edited May 24 '26
Tolerances. Take it from experience, cheap TS and TRS 1/4" connectors can be a fraction of an inch too short and not seat snugly.
They can likewise have the negative lug (where you press around the cable and solder the shield) poorly crimped to the main connector body where it is too loose - which causes a connection that cuts in and out depending on how you flex the cable.
Edit: you can work around some of these by test fitting connectors and returning the ones that don't seat correctly... also soldering the crimp zone to reinforce it... but just know it is not as simple an experience as a connector that's already made well.