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Thread: 5235 Crossover- XLR to RCA adaptors

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  1. #1
    Senior Member wpod's Avatar
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    5235 Crossover- XLR to RCA adaptors

    Greetings- The 5235 crossovers arrived safely a few days ago (Thanks again Dave) and now it's time to give them a test ride (first time for me). I looked through the 5235 manual and if I uderstand it correctly, if I want to use an XLR to RCA adapter ( in order to use my regular RCA interconnects), pin 3 (hot) on the XLR must be connected to the center pin (+) of the RCA connector (female).If memory serves me correctly, I thought that the AES standard was Pin #1= ground, Pin #2=HOT (non inverted), and Pin#3= COLD (inverted). A quick search of the internet and I found a few inexpensive (less than 5 bucks each) adapters, but I beleive that the ones that did specify their hookup, all listed Pin#2 as being hot. So, before I ramble on and confuse everyone further, is there an inexpensive source for these adapters (Two XLR male to RCA female, Four XLR Female to RCA female) that are oriented correctly for the 5235 crossover? If not, and I need to make them up myself, do I need to connect the third wire coming off of the XLR ,and if so, where is the best place to solder it?( to reduce/eliminate hum). Thanks very much, wpod Ps- I did try a search first , but could not find this explained anywhere.

  2. #2
    RIP 2011 Zilch's Avatar
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    Indeed, 5235 is from an era when JBL and the industry standard were out of sync.

    I believe the only consequence of using current standard cables would be phase inversion, though I've never done that. If ground loop problems develop (hum), return the cables.

    Same with the inputs, which I do all of the time.

    To be perfectly correct, you have to make up custom cables, yes. I don't mess with that....

  3. #3
    jkc
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    I will refer you to this article which explains connecting balanced to unbalanced equipment reasonably well.

    http://www.jensentransformers.com/an/an003.pdf

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    Administrator Robh3606's Avatar
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    It might be easier to use the screw down strips. You are going unbalanced anyway. You can get low capacitance phono cables at Radio Shack that are terminated with an RCA on one end and stripped and tinned on the other. If they are long enough they work just fine without going through the trouble purchasing loose XLR's and cables to make them up.

    I believe the only consequence of using current standard cables would be phase inversion, though I've never done that. If ground loop problems develop (hum), return the cables.
    Well no you short the outputs to ground if you go unballanced. Take a look in the 5235 manual.

    Rob
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    RIP 2011 Zilch's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Robh3606
    Well no you short the outputs to ground if you go unballanced. Take a look in the 5235 manual.
    Granted, if the standard balanced to unbalanced cable connects one of the output phases to ground of the unbalanced input, does it matter whether that is the Hi or Lo?

    Using the barrier strip screw terminal outputs on the 5235 seems the easiest and cheapest route to making the connection....

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    Administrator Robh3606's Avatar
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    Granted, if the standard balanced to unbalanced cable connects one of the output phases to ground of the unbalanced input, does it matter whether that is the Hi or Lo?
    I see your point on the inputs they invert but look at the outputs. If pin 3 is always hot+ with the 5235 balanced and unbalanced and you use an Unbalanced Standard XLR to RCA Pin 2 Hot cable on the outputs with pin 1 and 3 are tied to ground??? Looks like you just shorted the output to ground. It's odd because the outputs are pin 3 hot with 1 and 2 tied together. Take a look at it and see what you think.

    http://www.jblproservice.com/pdf/Vin...5%20manual.pdf

    Rob

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    RIP 2011 Zilch's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Robh3606
    Sure it does pin 3 is always hot+ with the 5235 balanced and unbalanced. If you put an Unbalanced Pin 2 Hot cable in it pin 1 and 3 are tied to ground so there goes your signal.
    ACK!!! I see that now. 5235 outputs are UNbalanced, pins 1 and 2 are connected internally....

    Rob's right, and I've learned something again here!

    Well, that makes it even easier using the barrier strip....

    [Hasn't THIS been fun? ]

  8. #8
    jkc
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    If you use the –ve out you will reverse the phasing to the next stage
    If the output is electronic and not fully floating it won’t work to good. It depends how they designed and built the balanced driver stage whether it works at all.
    It will work better with the +ve but not to good either if it is not a fully floating line driver.
    Fully floating line drivers are not so common as they cost more to make.
    Installing transformers or converting the next stage to balanced electronic input may be your best option if you are using it for a stereo at home.

  9. #9
    Senior Señor boputnam's Avatar
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    Hey, Heather...

    This looks exactly like what you were needing, and confirms my suspicion. If you don't have the full 5235 manual, now you do (me too!)!!
    Quote Originally Posted by wpod View Post
    I looked through the 5235 manual and if I uderstand it correctly, if I want to use an XLR to RCA adapter (in order to use my regular RCA interconnects), pin3 (hot) on the XLR (5235) must be connected to the center pin (+) of the RCA connector (female).


    Quote Originally Posted by Zilch View Post
    Indeed, 5235 is from an era when JBL and the industry standard were out of sync.
    , but the industry merely got it wrong - their intelligence was bad...
    bo

    "Indeed, not!!"

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    Moderator hjames's Avatar
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    Yeah - thanks - I thought I'd seen something about this last year - figured the Pro sound guys would know best ... so - I need to buy another 4 XLRs to convert into adapters and just give them away with the 5235 if I let it go and keep the (more flexible) 552 Active crossover.

    Off to my eBay source (rdana again)!

    Quote Originally Posted by boputnam View Post
    Hey, Heather...

    This looks exactly like what you were needing, and confirms my suspicion. If you don't have the full 5235 manual, now you do (me too!)!!

    , but the industry merely got it wrong - their intelligence was bad...
    2ch: WiiM Pro; Topping E30 II DAC; Oppo, Acurus RL-11, Acurus A200, JBL Dynamics Project - Offline: L212-TwinStack, VonSchweikert VR-4
    7: TIVO, Oppo BDP103D, B&K, 2pr UREI 809A, TF600, JBL B460

  11. #11
    Senior Member wpod's Avatar
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    Ditch the 5235

    Heather- Although I admit it was a great learning experience for me working with the 5235 crossover, if you have access to a 552 unit, you can't switch it in fast enough. Although I'm not using the 552 in my original setup anymore (4648A/2445/2380), it does a fine job biamping my 4343s running four identical IPC AM 1027 theatre amps. Enjoy it, regards, wpod

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    Moderator hjames's Avatar
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    Yeas - finding the 552 was like the joy you experience when you stop banging your head on the wall ... ahhhh.

    The point here is to test the 5235 that I bought just to be sure its in good shape before I post it to eBay. And finding my existing XLR adapters didn't work!
    So, I'll buy a second set of 6, modify them so they work with the 5235, then probably sell that set of "XLR connectors wired for JBL 5235" either here or ebay ...

    I just don't want to modify the connectors I will use with the 552 ...

    The joy of Standards is that there are so many to choose from!

    Quote Originally Posted by wpod View Post
    Heather- Although I admit it was a great learning experience for me working with the 5235 crossover, if you have access to a 552 unit, you can't switch it in fast enough. Although I'm not using the 552 in my original setup anymore (4648A/2445/2380), it does a fine job biamping my 4343s running four identical IPC AM 1027 theatre amps. Enjoy it, regards, wpod
    2ch: WiiM Pro; Topping E30 II DAC; Oppo, Acurus RL-11, Acurus A200, JBL Dynamics Project - Offline: L212-TwinStack, VonSchweikert VR-4
    7: TIVO, Oppo BDP103D, B&K, 2pr UREI 809A, TF600, JBL B460

  13. #13
    Senior Señor boputnam's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by hjames View Post
    So, I'll buy a second set of 6, modify them so they work with the 5235, then probably sell that set of "XLR connectors wired for JBL 5235" either here or ebay ...
    Skip it. Save yourself the hassle...

    Get a multi-meter, check continuity between Pin3 and the barrier-strip (+) - these are parallel inputs (see 5235 Manual excerpt, below). If it checks good, use some of your scrap RCA leads (I think that is what you are using? If not, take an end off the XLR cables...) and connect to the barrier strips and run it.

    I'm sure it will work fine - JBL built these really well.
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    bo

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