Mackie FRS-2800 Owner's Manual - Page 14

FRS SERIES AMPLIFIERS Appendix B: Connections, math and stuff Use a high-quality 3-conductor shielded cable to connect the signal between the signal source (mixing console, equalizer, etc.) and the balanced inputs to the amplifier. If you are using unbalanced inputs, use a high-quality 2-conductor shielded cable. Here are some common audio connectors and their internal wiring: XLR Connectors XLR connectors are commonly wired as follows (according to standards specified by the Audio Engineering Society): SHIELD 2 HOT 1/4" TS Phone Plugs and Jacks "TS" stands for Tip-Sleeve, the two connections available on a mono 1/4" phone jack or plug. They are used for unbalanced signals. SLEEVE SLEEVE TIP TIP TIP SLEEVE 1/4" TS Unbalanced Wiring Sleeve = Shield Tip = Hot (+) COLD 3 1 SHIELD 1 Speakons XLR Balanced Wiring Pin 1 = Shield Pin 2 = Hot (+) Pin 3 = Cold (-) COLD 3 2 HOT 1 3 2 SHIELD COLD HOT When using the Speakon outputs in stereo or mono modes, wire the Speakon connectors as shown below: 1- 1+ COLD HOT 1- 2+ 1+ 2- 1/4" TRS Phone Plugs and Jacks "TRS" stands for Tip-Ring-Sleeve, the three connections available on a stereo 1/4" or balanced phone jack or plug. TRS jacks and plugs are used for balanced signals and stereo headphones. RING SLEEVE SLEEVE RING TIP TIP RING TIP SLEEVE 1/4" TRS Balanced wiring Sleeve = Shield Tip = Hot (+) Ring = Cold (-) Stereo and Mono Speakon Connection Loudspeaker Cable Use loudspeaker cables with a minimum conductor size for the length you need, as listed in these tables. This will minimize power losses to less than 0.5 dB. The cable lengths listed are "up to" lengths. For in-between lengths, use the next larger conductor gauge. Using larger than the recommended conductor size is always permissible. Using smaller than recommended conductor size will result in higher power losses. Minimum AWG 18 16 14 12 10 4 ohm 10 ft 25 25 50 100 8 ohm 25 ft 50 75 125 200 Min Metric WG 4 ohm 12 3 m 14 8 16 8 20 15 25 30 8 ohm 8 m 15 25 40 60 The recommended conductor gauges are listed for AWG (American Wire Gauge) and Metric WG (Metric Wire Gauge). Note that smaller AWG numbers = larger 14 FRS SERIES AMPLIFIERS