Noobie Question - connecting mbox to powered monitors with inst. cable?

[mainstayrock]

So this question is rather embarassing, but I have to ask it, lest I fry my speakers!

I have an Mbox2 and just got new, powered monitors. I am wondering:

1) If I should connect those powered monitors to my Mbox with instrument cable or speaker cable

2) Knowing the correct answer is probably speaker cable, is there any danger in using instrument cables?

Thanks guys!

JA

 

[gcapel]

Do not use a speaker cable. It is not shielded and you shoud know right off the bat if your were to plug it in.

You can use an instrument cable (TS(tip,sleeve) or a TRS cable(tip,ring,sleeve).

 

[gecko zzed]

^^ what he says.

Speaker cable is used to connect the high level output of an amplifier to unpowered speakers. Using a speaker cable of itself won't do any harm, but it is likely to pick up a whole mess of electrical interference from around the place. This will make for unpleasant listenig. You could also pick up a power spike which could cause mayhem to the powered speaker inputs.

Your powered monitors take a line-level signal, and for that you need shielded cable (such as an instrument cable).