I'm looking to build an Cat5/Ethercon Snake for my Allen and Heath QU16 and I was curious what type of Cat5 cable people like to use for that. I'm going to run 2 lines of cat (main and spare) along with AC for the snake. I can do the terminations myself, I'm just curious what type of cable people have been using for this.
FOH CAT Snake
- Thread starter Scott Nye
- Start date
Here's what A&H recommend: http://allen-heath.helpserve.com/Knowledgebase/Article/View/367/0/recommended-cables
Having used the TMB ProPlex cable, I highly recommend it. You can buy it in bulk, but just as easily get it pre-terminated. It's not inexpensive, but is definitely rugged and holds up to (ab)use pretty well.
Having used the TMB ProPlex cable, I highly recommend it. You can buy it in bulk, but just as easily get it pre-terminated. It's not inexpensive, but is definitely rugged and holds up to (ab)use pretty well.
I gotta look into some ethercon FOH runs as well. Have been using standard cat 5e cable without issue but it definitely gives me one more thing to worry about. Thanks for the suggestion.
It looks like they do suggest pre made stuff. Im hoping Audiopile comes out with a ethercon series.
It looks like they do suggest pre made stuff. Im hoping Audiopile comes out with a ethercon series.
[h=1]This is a really nice cable:
LINK CUS LKSPKAL 12/3 2C6A2 Multisignal cable[/h]
LINK CUS LKSPKAL 12/3 2C6A2 Multisignal cable[/h]
- Two digital audio pairs
- Two CAT6 cables
- One 3x3,5 mm2 power cable
Proplex is good for up to 100m runs on any system that requires shielded cable, but is costly. I've also sold & used shielded, stranded cables from CBI and Rapco (duraflex, durashield) for shorter runs 150' or less that have performed fine. Behringer offers a shielded 50m Neutrik cable on a plastic reel that is a good value. CBI also has a good deal on reel packages. In my experience the A&H systems perform fine using unshielded solid core CAT5, and Rapco Duracat is robust and less expensive than most of the shielded varieties. For what these companies charge to deliver a finished cable I would not mess around terminating them myself.
I've had really good luck with Elite Core SUPERCAT5E. It's not super expensive, and the pairs are individually jacketed, which makes it really durable. I've had excellent results with X32/M32 systems with this cable.
They sell plently of pre-made lengths, and they'll do custom work as well.
If you're going to terminate it yourself, use the Platinum Tools EZ-RJ45 connectors (100020) and the EZ-RJPRO crimper.
The Elite Core guys are super easy to deal with, although some of their products are difficult to find online (other than on their website). If you need something or have questions about anything, give them a call. I'm sure they'll be happy to help you out.
They sell plently of pre-made lengths, and they'll do custom work as well.
If you're going to terminate it yourself, use the Platinum Tools EZ-RJ45 connectors (100020) and the EZ-RJPRO crimper.
The Elite Core guys are super easy to deal with, although some of their products are difficult to find online (other than on their website). If you need something or have questions about anything, give them a call. I'm sure they'll be happy to help you out.
While the crimper is nice (mostly because it has a cheat sheet inscribed on it), I've had mixed results with the ends. Sometimes the little nubs of wire prevent the plug from properly seating into a jack, and the exposed wire ends are (at least theoretically) more prone to corrosion than the standard ends.
Last edited:
Its not that difficult to make your own with some patience. But the best value and quality in a pre made snake in my opinion is the Behringer/Klark-Teknik Ncat5e-50m. It uses Neutrik cable, Neutrik ethercons and Hirose shielded rj45's The combined quality of components is unsurpassed anywhere else period. No garbage parts at all. You also get a Schill storage reel-not plastic by the way, its synthetic rubber based. You might even cut it up for shorter runs. Get some shielded rj45's and some ethercons to make your own. 164 feet will yield a lot of shorter "patch" sections. It would end up about $1.50/ft but that is ialso ncluding the reel.The cable is said to be Neutrik Etherflex if you can locate a source for it in bulk it would be obviously much cheaper, I could not find a supplier. Of equal quality or maybe even better, and is available if you look around, is Canare RJC5ES-4P-BS, it is also about $1/ft in bulk. The EZ rj45's are great in my opinion and well worth using with regard to ease of termination.. There is a certain satisfaction level you get when you make your ownl. Not for everyone I agree.