RCA to XLR cable question

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bajaed

Well-Known Member
Jun 9, 2014
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run a pair of IC cables from RCA variable output on my amp to the XLR input on my Legacy Calibre XD speakers. This runs the woofers only off the internal speaker amps while the midrange and tweeters are run by speaker cables from my tube amp. Currently I have some budget cables that are rca to a double female rca adapter then a shorter rca to XLR Male cable into the speakers.
Looking at getting new cables for that and was wondering what the best cable configuration would be, or if it matters?
Rca cable to an FRCA/MXLR adapter at the speaker.
Xlr cable with FRCA/MXLR adapter at the amp.
Find or have made a pair of cables with MRCA at amp end and MXLR at speaker.
Or: it doesn't matter.

Here is what I currently have:

Belden 1505F Stereo Audio Cables, 10 foot, XLR Male to RCA, Black
pin3 not connected

Is it important to have pin 3 not connected since it's an unbalanced signal going to an XLR connector?
 
Hi! I was considering the Calibre XD after demoing the passive version.

The dealer said the active versions sounded different and better.

How would you describe the sound of the speakers?
 
shawnf said:
Hi! I was considering the Calibre XD after demoing the passive version.

The dealer said the active versions sounded different and better.

How would you describe the sound of the speakers?
Click to expand...
I absolutely love them! I biamp them running the 8" woofers off the internal amps and using my Rogue Cronus Magnum to power the mids and ribbon tweeters. I initially had the passive versions but, despite being 90.5 db, they need a lot of current to drive them properly. That's not as true with the Focus which I hear can rock with less power.
For anyone getting the passive version, I'd reccomend 200w + and they will perform incredibly well. I upgraded to the XD and they are amazing to me with all types of music. Pretty neutral and revealing without being harsh. Big, ballsy sound but also great with jazz which is about 70% of what I listen to.
If you think about it, these are fairly good sized floorstanders manipulated into a large and heavy standmount speaker weighing over 50lb. An 8" woofer with a full inch of displacement, two passive 8" bass radiators, a 7.5" custom midrange/midwoofer with a huge magnet and a 4" AMT ribbon tweeter.
If you liked the passive model I'm sure you'd be thrilled with the XD'S.
 
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bajaed said:
run a pair of IC cables from RCA variable output on my amp to the XLR input on my Legacy Calibre XD speakers. This runs the woofers only off the internal speaker amps while the midrange and tweeters are run by speaker cables from my tube amp. Currently I have some budget cables that are rca to a double female rca adapter then a shorter rca to XLR Male cable into the speakers.
Looking at getting new cables for that and was wondering what the best cable configuration would be, or if it matters?
Rca cable to an FRCA/MXLR adapter at the speaker.
Xlr cable with FRCA/MXLR adapter at the amp.
Find or have made a pair of cables with MRCA at amp end and MXLR at speaker.
Or: it doesn't matter.

Here is what I currently have:

Belden 1505F Stereo Audio Cables, 10 foot, XLR Male to RCA, Black
pin3 not connected

Is it important to have pin 3 not connected since it's an unbalanced signal going to an XLR connector?
Click to expand...
Have you talked with Legacy about running a non-grounded RCA into a grounded XLR? That usually isn't a good thing.
 
Yes. I had the 3 pin disconnected on the XLR per the cable makers suggestion. I talked to him today and he said it was only necessary to ground it if it was balanced out running to rca in. But if you know that to be incorrect please let me know. I've not had any issues in 3 plus years and they sound great.
 
bajaed said:
run a pair of IC cables from RCA variable output on my amp to the XLR input on my Legacy Calibre XD speakers. This runs the woofers only off the internal speaker amps while the midrange and tweeters are run by speaker cables from my tube amp. Currently I have some budget cables that are rca to a double female rca adapter then a shorter rca to XLR Male cable into the speakers.
Looking at getting new cables for that and was wondering what the best cable configuration would be, or if it matters?
Rca cable to an FRCA/MXLR adapter at the speaker.
Xlr cable with FRCA/MXLR adapter at the amp.
Find or have made a pair of cables with MRCA at amp end and MXLR at speaker.
Or: it doesn't matter.

Here is what I currently have:

Belden 1505F Stereo Audio Cables, 10 foot, XLR Male to RCA, Black
pin3 not connected

Is it important to have pin 3 not connected since it's an unbalanced signal going to an XLR connector?
Click to expand...
Usually one leaves pin 3 open from a balanced (XLR) source (output) to prevent shorting the (-) output. Pin 2 (+ output) goes to the center pin of the RCA input, and pin 1 goes to the shield (ground).

From an RCA output to XLR input, the RCA center pin goes to XLR pin 2, and the RCA shield goes to pin 1 and perhaps to pin 3. The optimum pin 3 connection depends on the load (receiving device input) configuration; it may be better to leave floating for inputs that are self-biased to improve common-mode rejection.

The best way is to use a transformer or active converter (e.g. DI box) at the RCA output to provide a balanced (differential) signal to the balanced amplifier inputs.

There is a thread discussing single-ended and differential operation here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...nced-unbalanced-and-all-that-jazz.1352/page-2
 
Last edited:
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bajaed said:
run a pair of IC cables from RCA variable output on my amp to the XLR input on my Legacy Calibre XD speakers. This runs the woofers only off the internal speaker amps while the midrange and tweeters are run by speaker cables from my tube amp. Currently I have some budget cables that are rca to a double female rca adapter then a shorter rca to XLR Male cable into the speakers.
Looking at getting new cables for that and was wondering what the best cable configuration would be, or if it matters?
Rca cable to an FRCA/MXLR adapter at the speaker.
Xlr cable with FRCA/MXLR adapter at the amp.
Find or have made a pair of cables with MRCA at amp end and MXLR at speaker.
Or: it doesn't matter.

Here is what I currently have:

Belden 1505F Stereo Audio Cables, 10 foot, XLR Male to RCA, Black
pin3 not connected

Is it important to have pin 3 not connected since it's an unbalanced signal going to an XLR connector?
Click to expand...
It doesn't matter, but a good xlr cable run is not expensive.
You don't have to use pin 3 when converting to xlr except when you experience a ground loop, then you use pin 3 instead of pin 1.
 
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