XLR Connectors as speaker connectors?

[sbisheff]

I have a whole bunch of really nice Neutrik XLR connectors that were laying around the office and I don't have any balanced equipment that could use these things so I was trying to come up with another way to use them. So I was thinking maybe I could use them as speaker connectors (on the speaker end) for some of my speakers. I'd obviously have to change out the plugs on the speakers themselves to an XLR style female plug but I could solder it all up and make it work. They just look so cool but if it makes no sense to do it I wouldn't.

Any thoughts?

[HAL]

skeeter,
The XLR's are not designed to handle high currents like in speaker connections. They will work for low voltage, low current applications like power supplies for preamps.

You can always use them for unbalanced applications just using two leads of the three. The standard is + on 2, - on 3 and gnd on 1. Just leave pin 3 open for single ended.

Just a thought.

[sbisheff]

skeeter,
The XLR's are not designed to handle high currents like in speaker connections. They will work for low voltage, low current applications like power supplies for preamps.

You can always use them for unbalanced applications just using two leads of the three. The standard is + on 2, - on 3 and gnd on 1. Just leave pin 3 open for single ended.

Just a thought.

Hal,

That's what I thought. It looked like the largest size conductor they would take would be a 16awg and that would be pushing it. Figures ... maybe I'll just sell them or something. Maybe I could change out the connectors on a CD player and Amp I have to use these. It obviously isn't necessary but its kinda fun at the same time.

I know I could use Speakon connectors for speakers but unfortunately I don't have any Speakon connectors laying around ...