XLR plug got stuck

[DanR]

Hi
Just a question regarding XLR male plugs. Did a gig last weekend with mine and the bass player’s equipment as usual but spent a good 45mins after the gig trying to release an XLR plug from a new RCF speaker.
Not convenient at all as it was outside, dark and the stage company was waiting to take down the stage. Also not my speaker so needed to get the plug out.
Managed to free it eventually by unscrewing the plastic conical section and lead, gripping the metal shell and pulling quite hard with long nose pliers.

Thing is I always use this particular Maplin mic cable for a Shure SM57 guitar mic into our Allen & Heath QU16 mixer.
Zero problems for over a decade.
Swapped it to a new RCF Art 910A for monitor use and it was locked in good.

Have been advised to use Neutrik connectors over cheaper copies. I notice too that these don’t seem to have the small gap for the spring latch but seem to lock anyway.
Some of my DIY PA signal cables have Cannon connectors too so maybe should change those to Neutrik. I doubt that the socket in the speaker was to blame so just a connector compatibility issue I presume.
Any help/experiences appreciated.

[James Perrett]

I would have thought that Cannon would be OK - after all, when I started out, XLR connectors were also known as Cannon connectors. It is probably the use of unbranded connectors from Maplin that are causing the problem. I've sometimes found that some XLRs are tight in my dB Technologies speakers - dB Technologies and RCF are part of the same company so may use the same connectors.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Cannon, Switchcraft and Neutrik are all fine as they are made to precise, small tolerances. I've been plugging them together without issue for 40+ years.

The low cost (mostly Chinese) alternatives tend to be very variable, though, and I've seen a lot of issues with latches that won't release and plugs that jam in sockets.

[DanR]

The low cost (mostly Chinese) alternatives tend to be very variable, though, and I've seen a lot of issues with latches that won't release and plugs that jam in sockets.

Thanks for the replies. Yes, that sounds about right.
It’s the first time it’s happened in 30+ years but I won’t use the Chinese copies anymore.

[Drew Stephenson]

Cannon, Switchcraft and Neutrik are all fine as they are made to precise, small tolerances. I've been plugging them together without issue for 40+ years.

The low cost (mostly Chinese) alternatives tend to be very variable, though, and I've seen a lot of issues with latches that won't release and plugs that jam in sockets.

Have you had any issues with the Rean stuff Hugh? I've got quite a few of their plugs and haven't had any issues to date but my experience is not exactly extensive...

[Hugh Robjohns]

I've used Rean jack plugs without problems. I dont think I've ever used Rean XLRs.... but I'd expect them to be okay as they are a sub-brand of Neutrik.

[Nazard]

I have a couple of unused Rean male and female 3 pin XLRs. I have just tested them and they insert and remove as expected, i.e. a good fit but not over tight.

[shufflebeat]

A bit weird that.

I find with cheap XLRs it’s the female chassis socket where the shortcuts manifest themselves, cheaply made release tabs bend and fail to reach where they should. Other issues tend to be apparent on the way in as much as the way out.

Did you manage to check the state of the chassis socket when you were done?

In my experience Rean jacks and XLRs are very good for one fitting, not suitable for removal/resoldering as the plastic doesn’t hold up.

[DanR]

A bit weird that.

I find with cheap XLRs it’s the female chassis socket where the shortcuts manifest themselves, cheaply made release tabs bend and fail to reach where they should. Other issues tend to be apparent on the way in as much as the way out.

Did you manage to check the state of the chassis socket when you were done?

In my experience Rean jacks and XLRs are very good for one fitting, not suitable for removal/resoldering as the plastic doesn’t hold up.

The plug chassis I removed was a tiny bit distorted around the locking slot. Not sure if that was due to pulling it out or was like it already.
I made a dual keyboard loom using slim plastic Rean jack plugs. Good quality and light. Didn’t want eight bulky alloy Neutrik plugs swinging about when coiling up after a gig.

[ef37a]

Funny you should mention Maplin Dan. Some years ago when there was a store in the town I had a couple of 3m XLR mic cables and one of the male plugs got jammed in an XLR socket. I ended up using gas pliers and big screwdriver to get it out.

The socket was a very old "RS Cannon" so I doubt that was to blame. I complained to Maplin HQ but never got a reply.

'Caveat emptor' is about all one can do?

Dave.

[DanR]

'Caveat emptor' is about all one can do?

Dave.

Yes, with the cheap stuff.
It’s taken over ten years for the problem to arise.
The cable male plug has probably never been used in a locking XLR socket before. Always in non locking mixer preamp ones.
It’s funny, as the speaker owner/bass player often mentions the cheap XLR connectors I use and that better quality doesn’t cost much more.

[sonics]

This has become an issue for me, too. Over the last few years the variation in quality has caused a few stuck plugs.

The latest fight is with a Canon (ironic, huh?) XA11 and some cheap imported XLR cables. Maybe the Canon socket is a little small, and the male plugs seems to be out of spec. Even worse it the fact that the camera has an awkward latch. (IMO it shouldn't have a latch since a pull on the mic cable is more likely to pull over the camera and tripod!) I'll have to change the plugs or use different cables.

I've had 40 years of not having to worry about this. I'm not happy. Thank you Chinese manufacturing tolerances!