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riverrick
December 5th, 2014, 12:30 PM
I have a pair of Mackie MR 5 studio monitors. One of the speakers cuts out from time to time. I have adjust the plug pull in out and put it back in again. I'm using guitar cables to connect them to my computer. Is that a BIG no-no. Should I be using speaker cable??? Input greatly appreciated.
oldguy
December 5th, 2014, 06:20 PM
I have a pair of Mackie MR 5 studio monitors. One of the speakers cuts out from time to time. I have adjust the plug pull in out and put it back in again. I'm using guitar cables to connect them to my computer. Is that a BIG no-no. Should I be using speaker cable??? Input greatly appreciated.


As I understand it, you should use unshielded speaker cables for speakers. Guitar cables are a no-no.
riverrick
December 5th, 2014, 07:06 PM
OK then....Thanks for setting straight oldguy.
Robert
December 6th, 2014, 11:51 AM
Big NO-NO!

Get some balanced cables for your monitors.

http://www.homemusicstudio1.com/balanced-vs-unbalanced-cables/
riverrick
December 8th, 2014, 05:47 PM
Big NO-NO!

Get some balanced cables for your monitors.

http://www.homemusicstudio1.com/balanced-vs-unbalanced-cables/

Man I'm a bit confused now Robert. Oldguy says unshielded cables and you say balanced cables. Are they altogether different or will they both work equally well???
Robert
December 8th, 2014, 10:05 PM
Read that article I posted.

From the manual of your Mackie MR-5 monitors:


There are three types of input connectors: XLR (balanced), 1/4-inch (balanced), and RCA (unbalanced). Since all three of them are connected together electrically, do not connect more than one signal at a time to the input jacks.
• The XLR connector and 1/4-inch TRS (tip-sleeve-ring) connector accept a balanced signal while the RCA connector accepts an unbalanced signal. A balanced signal provides better noise rejection and is the preferred method, especially if using a cable longer than 20 feet (6 meters).
• The 1/4-inch TRS jack can also accept an unbalanced signal from a 1/4-inch TS (tip-sleeve) plug.

Unbalanced cables for your monitors will be more prone to noise.

Shielding is not quite the same thing.

Here is a good explanation for guitar cables vs speaker cables: http://www.fender.com/news/why-instrument-cables-and-speaker-cables-arent-interchangeable/
riverrick
December 9th, 2014, 08:25 AM
Thanks for the info Robert...BIG help!!!