Connection of the power amplifiers to the speakers

In the case of powered speakers, their power amplification facilities are

provided within the speaker enclosures. If all the speakers are of this type
then you can ignore this section as the connections between the power
amplification and sound-producing parts of the speakers are internal to them.
However, if you have slave speakers connected to the powered speakers then
what follows is equally applicable to those interconnections.

These connections require the use of cables having a suitably

heavy gauge of conductors and fitted with the kind of connectors needed to
suit the equipment − usually jack, XLR or Speakon connectors. Do not be
tempted to use instrument cables or microphone cables for this purpose − the
conductors in these types of cable are often quite thin and may overheat,
damaging power amplifiers or even starting a fire, if subjected to the
heavy currents drawn by speakers.

It is always recommended to keep the cables between power amplifiers and

speakers as short as possible, to avoid unnecessary loss of power and to
maintain a high damping factor.
In a multi-amped system (see the previous section), to avoid damage to the
speakers it is essential to ensure that each amplifier is connected to the
correct type of speaker (sub-bass, bass, mid etc).

Taking into account all the necessary factors when deciding how amplifiers
and speakers are to be selected and interconnected can be quite a complex
matter, especially in large systems. What's more, if you get it wrong there's a
danger of damage to the amplifiers or speakers − or both. See the Amplifiers
and Speakers page for further guidance on this subject.

Mains power connections

With the exception of microphones, passive speakers and DI boxes, most PA
equipment requires a source of mains power. Due to the
high voltage involved, and the consequent risk of electric shock, it is essential
that mains supply arrangements are made in a safe manner. Particular safety
precautions are required for systems located outdoors or in other hazardous
areas (see, for example, RCD). Additionally, it is essential to ensure that the
mains power arrangements are adequate for supply of the required amount
of current at each point, in order to avoid overheating and possible fire risks.
Power amplifiers (and lighting systems, if used) are usually the largest
consumers of power.

To ensure safety, fixed electrical installations in the UK should comply with BS

7671 and temporary distribution systems for entertainment purposes should
comply with BS 7909. Additional local requirements may be imposed in
connection with entertainment licence conditions. For further information on
safety see the Safety page.

Care must be taken in the cabling arrangements to ensure that mains

interference does not enter the audio signal chain. This will usually include:

 Keeping the mains cabling (whether for PA or not) spaced as far as

possible from signal cabling, especially on long cable runs.
 Powering the PA equipment from a separate mains outlet(s) (preferably
a separate mains distribution circuit) to those used by interfering
equipment (such as lighting).
  Using the same phase for all PA equipment (including any on-stage
equipment), and running interfering equipment from a different phase (if
the supply capacity per phase is adequate for this arrangement).
 Using balanced audio lines wherever possible.
 Keeping devices that contain audio transformers (e.g. passive DI
boxes and microphone splitters) away from mains-powered equipment,
especially amplifiers and video monitors.
 Keeping instruments that employ magnetic pick-ups (e.g. electric guitars
and basses) away from mains-powered equipment, such
as backline amplifiers.

What do I do now?
Once everything is safely and correctly connected, you are ready to begin the
necessary system adjustments and to mix your sound. For guidance on
mixing and system adjustments, see the Mixing Engineers page. If you need
some explanation of what all the mixer controls are for, see the Mixing
Facilities page.

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This page last updated 17-Jun-2019.