Instrument vs. Speaker cables

[got_metal]

Excuse my ignorance, but would I be doing any harm to my M-Audio BX5-a monitors by using instrument cables to hook them up to my mixer as opposed to speaker cables? Also, would xlr cables produce better results? Thanks!

 

[ermghoti]

Instrument cables would be the correct choice, speaker cables carry the amplified signal from a power amp to the speakers or crossover. If you were trying to cover more than 30 ft, I'd suggest any balanced cable, TRS or XLR, but for 3-6 ft that you're likely using, there should not be any real difference, provided the BX's are wired to accept unbalanced cabling. Worst case, you'll lose 6dB, and have to turn up a little more.

 

[treymonfauntre]

i'm pretty sure those monitors have balanced connections. so you just need 2 TRS cables.

 

[Nick98338]

The specs say the monitor will accept either balanced or unbalance 1/4", or they will accept XLR. IMHO balanced 1/4" (three wire) would better than unbalanced (two wire). Should be less noise. But I don't beleive there would be much difference between 1/4" balanced and XLR.

 

[Dani Pace]

Speaker cables generaly have heavier wire than instrument cables. Maybe because speaker cables carry more voltage/amperage? Reguardless of why, just don't use the same cables for both purposes, color code your cables so you know which are for instruments and which are for speakers.