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Audio Connectors

Audio connectors here are the plugs, sockets and chassis parts that terminate microphone, instrument and speaker cables: XLR line connectors and panel sockets, Speakon speaker connectors, jack plugs, RCA phono plugs and sockets, and multi-pin female connectors. Examples include the Neutrik NC3FXX XLR line connector, the NL4FXX Speakon cable connector, the QTX 750.352UK right-angle jack plug and the Mercury 777.018UK phono plug with screw terminals.

Choosing Audio Connectors

Pick the connector family first, then decide between a cable end and a panel, and check the cable diameter. Neutrik and QTX make most of the connectors on this page.

XLR for microphones and balanced lines

The Neutrik NC3FXX and NC3MXX are 3-pole XLR line connectors in a standard metal version, each with a rubber cable protector for cables up to 8mm in diameter. The QTX 761.627UK plug and 761.657UK socket have strain relief and a plastic cable protector. For a box or rack panel, the NC3FD-LX socket and the NC3MD-LX chassis plug mount with two screws and have solder terminals.

Speakon for loudspeakers

The Neutrik NL4FXX is a 4 pole Speakon cable connector with a twist lock and a 37 A rms current rating; the 763.481UK version has screw terminals and a chuck type strain relief. The NL2FXX is its 2 pole counterpart, compatible with both 2-pole and 4-pole chassis connectors. The NL4MPXX is a 4-pole square chassis socket with a 25 x 30mm flange. The QTX 764.900UK is a 4 pole latched speaker plug with an integral reducer for 6-10mm cable.

Jack plugs

The Neutrik NP2X is a 6.3mm mono jack plug and the NP3X a 6.3mm stereo plug with a metal body. From QTX, the 750.152UK has a chromed metal body and spring cable protector, the 750.352UK is a heavy duty right-angle 6.3mm plug, and the 752.687UK is a 3.5mm threaded stereo plug with a gold stereo connector.

Phono and multi-pin

The Neutrik NYS373-2/-9 RCA phono plugs carry a red or white ID band. The Mercury 777.018UK plug and 777.019UK socket use twin modular terminals, so 2 core speaker cable connects without soldering, and the Mercury 765.042UK multi-pin female connectors have a locking ring and solder connections.

TypeExampleDetail
XLR line connectorNC3FXXCables up to 8mm
XLR panel socketNC3FD-LXTwo-screw mount, solder terminals
Speakon cable connectorNL4FXX4 pole, 37 A rms
Speakon chassis socketNL4MPXX25 x 30mm flange
Right-angle jack plug750.352UK6.3mm, heavy duty metal
Threaded jack plug752.687UK3.5mm stereo
RCA phono plug777.018UKScrew terminals
Multi-pin connector765.042UKLocking ring

Related categories

Finished leads are in AV cables and adapters and bulk cable in speaker cable. Connect to power amplifiers, PA speakers and microphones, see Neutrik products and QTX products, or read our Help & Support guides.

Brands we stock in Audio Connectors

LEA Professional, Mercury, Neutrik, Opus Technologies, QTX and Vanco.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an XLR line connector and a panel socket?

A line connector terminates a cable, while a panel socket or chassis plug is fixed into a box, rack panel or cabinet. The Neutrik NC3FXX and NC3MXX are line connectors for cables up to 8mm, and the NC3FD-LX panel socket and NC3MD-LX chassis plug each mount with two screws and have solder terminals. QTX also has 3-pin XLR connectors such as the 761.627UK plug.

Will a 2 pole Speakon connector fit a 4 pole socket?

Yes, the Neutrik NL2FXX 2 pole cable connector is compatible with both 2-pole and 4-pole chassis connectors. The QTX 764.900UK 4 pole latched speaker plug is compatible with most 2 and four pole speaker sockets and suits 2 pole or 4 pole wiring. For 4 pole runs there are the NL4FXX cable connector and the NL4MPXX 4-pole chassis socket.

What cable size will a jack plug take?

Check the maximum cable diameter printed for the plug, because it varies between bodies. The QTX 752.685UK 3.5mm plug takes cables up to 5mmØ, the 750.152UK and 750.165UK 6.3mm plugs take cables up to 6mm, and the 750.352UK right-angle plug takes cables up to 8mmØ. Measure the cable before choosing the plug.

Do I need a mono or a stereo jack plug?

Fit the type the socket and the cable are wired for. The Neutrik NP2X is a 6.3mm mono jack plug, while the Neutrik NP3X is a 6.3mm stereo plug with a metal body and the QTX 752.687UK a 3.5mm threaded stereo plug. The QTX 750.165UK 6.3mm plugs are gold plated with an aluminium cover and a soft cable protector.

Can I fit an RCA phono plug without soldering?

Yes, the Mercury 777.018UK phono plug and 777.019UK phono socket have twin modular terminals, so no soldering is needed. They are intended for connecting 2 core speaker cable to amplifiers and speakers. For soldered audio leads, the Neutrik NYS373-2/-9 professional RCA phono plugs have a red or white ID band for identification.

Which Speakon connector suits a thick speaker cable?

The Neutrik NL4FXX 763.481UK suits thicker cable, because its chuck type strain relief handles cable diameters of 6 to 12 mm and 10-16mm. The NL2FXX takes cable diameters from 6 to 12 mm, and the QTX 764.900UK plug has an integral reducer for 6-10mm cable. Each NL4FXX and NL2FXX connector is rated to 37 A rms.

  • Established 1975
  • Birmingham trade counter
  • UK-only supply

Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

Updated

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