"Combo" jacks?

**Tim2723** · Nov-04-2009, 10:54am

I've been looking at amps and mixers lately, and I realized that for the last several years a lot of manufacturers have been using combo jacks that will connect to both XLR and 1/4" phone plugs. I've never owned anything with those. How do they hold up? They seem pretty fragile looking to me.

**talbotpat** · Nov-04-2009, 11:11am

I have used these on usb and firewire computer interfaces, Shure IEM transmitters, etc., and have seen no issues at all with respect to reliability.

Pat

**mandroid** · Nov-04-2009, 11:15am

Channel 2 on my Roland AC60 amp , uses a duplex jack. seems fine ,
switch between TRS and XLR for my 2 Dyn pickups.

Of course can allow shrinking the devises panel size and upping the connector density.

One of the sources, Nutrik, as a manufacturer of a wide range of connectors ,
produces good quality parts.
some manufacturers use their components , though as with other things there are look-alikes.

their bayonet secured speaker connectors are a good piece, some gear uses those exclusively ,
as opposed to 1/4" plugs, banana plug pairs , etc.

I have a couple adaptors from Nutrik to use 1/4'' plugs in XLR jacks that are not duplex.

**Rob Gerety** · Nov-04-2009, 12:46pm

I have them on a powered speaker and they seem great to me.

**Andy Miller** · Nov-04-2009, 7:07pm

I've got 'em on some powered speakers and on a Presonus Firestudio interface, no issues with them. Seems like a smart use of space to me, a bit more flexible, less critical that you have 'exactly' the right cable to get the job done.

**GTG** · Nov-04-2009, 7:10pm

No issues with the jacks on my audio interface (Edirol). I've only had it a couple months, but it seems solid and secure.

**James P** · Nov-05-2009, 11:42am

I've abused the jacks on my Firebox for three years now. I thought one was getting scratchy the other day, but it turned out to be a problem with a vsti.