Topic: Neutrik "XX" vs the regular kind

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

Anyone tried the new Neutrik "XX" XLR connectors?   Any reason to like those over the standard ones that everyone uses?

[Todd R]

You'll make Neutrik happy if you do.   Seriouisly, I haven't tried them, so maybe they are the bees knees.  But I'm betting it was mainly some minor changes to allow Neutrik to make a new patent.  The patent for the X series must have expired, since I've come across two other manufacturers making exact copies of the X series.  And I mean exactly the same, only difference is the missing neutrik logo.

[Brian]

from the product description.  looks like some minor upgrades for ease of soldering as well as housing upgrades...

"The next generation of the worldwide accepted standard. Female connector with cage type contacts, "solder stop" for ease soldering and additional ground contact for best contact integrity between chassis and cable connector. Male connector without locking "window"; more stringent housing. Rugged diecast shell in sleek and ergonomic design."

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

Yeah, what the hell does 'without locking "window"' get you?  The photos on the Neutrik website show that, so how do these lock into place?  Why would one want an XLR that does not lock?  Seems like a bad choice for our application but it just didn't seem plausible to me that they would eliminate that basic feature from the connector.

[leegeddy]

Yeah, what the hell does 'without locking "window"' get you?  The photos on the Neutrik website show that, so how do these lock into place?  Why would one want an XLR that does not lock?  Seems like a bad choice for our application but it just didn't seem plausible to me that they would eliminate that basic feature from the connector.

there is a machined out groove inside the shell that serves as a locking mechanism. you can see the groove in this photo.



marc

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

Marc, I think that one is the X-HD series.  The XX series connector looks like it has no way for the lock to retain the connector shell.

[leegeddy]

Marc, I think that one is the X-HD series.  The XX series connector looks like it has no way for the lock to retain the connector shell.

yes, the photo i posted is the HD series, but i was using that as an example.  i'd bet that the new XX series has the same machined out groove for the locking mechanism.

marc

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

Not satisfied with the photo, I wrote to Neutrik and this is the response:

Dear Michael:

The male XX-series connector has a detent to accept the female latch and
does indeed lock.  The XX series is compatible with the rest of our XLR
products and other manufactures as well.

Thank you for your inquiry.

I can see that the detent would not be visible in that photo.

Maybe it's time to try something new.

[leegeddy]

Not satisfied with the photo, I wrote to Neutrik and this is the response:

Dear Michael:

The male XX-series connector has a detent to accept the female latch and
does indeed lock.  The XX series is compatible with the rest of our XLR
products and other manufactures as well.

Thank you for your inquiry.

I can see that the detent would not be visible in that photo.

Maybe it's time to try something new.

nice!

marc