At PLASA in London, Sommer Cable featured the NL4FX-SOM cable socket, a special version designed in close cooperation with Neutrik.
More details from Sommer Cable (www.sommercable.com):
Sommer Cable SP-BOXX
Systematic loudspeaker cabling
Modern high performance power amplifiers deliver current peaks of up to 125 A and maximum voltages of up to 190V. This power needs to be carried to the loudspeakers with as little loss as possible. In this context, it has to be noted that more and more power amp channels must be assigned to the loudspeaker systems. Very often, large line array systems have three or even four active ways per cabinet.
For a better adaptation to the area that is to be filled with sound, the “bananas” are also subdivided into several zones. Often, subwoofers are flown as well to achieve a better radiation and range of the low frequencies. In most cases, the front-stage subwoofers are also driven in a multiway mode to adapt the sound radiation to the venue, to keep the low frequencies off the stage as best as possible and, of course, to carry the energy from the power amplifiers to the loudspeakers without considerable losses. Likewise, on stage, a large number of amplifier channels must be distributed over the entire stage area to the monitor loudspeakers.
All this should be cabled in a preferably clean, loss-free, simple, fast and nevertheless flexible manner. Furthermore, it is advisable to use as few cables as possible to keep e.g. traffic ways free. These goals are now achievable with the cabling systems around the Sommer Cable SP-BOXX.
The connection boxes LA-1 to LA-6 offer great connectivity for maximum flexibility. Three NL4 sockets are available per channel pair: one fully wired (1+/1–/2+/2–) plus two partly wired (1+/1–). The clearly readable lettering is silkscreen printed on the robust housings of 2mm steel panels. For flying, an M10 insert nut has been provided. The internal construction is completely modular based on 2-channel pc boards; thanks to the sealed crimping blade terminals, a replacement can be made without requiring the use of a soldering gun.
The 4-channel units LA-1 to LA-4 are equipped with Neutrik NL8 or Hicon PA-COM8 multi-pins (plug-compatible with CA-COM and LK connectors), and the 8-channel units LA-5 and LA-6 have HI-SOCA19 multipins (plug-compatible with the Socapex 419 series). The modular design for the housings allow for easy customization.
Suitable for the boxes, Sommer Cable provides different splice solutions. These can be either configured individually according to customer request or as standard solutions, e.g. also manufacturer-related (L-Acoustics, d&b and many more). Here the new NL4FX-SOM is also put into service. This special version of the widespread speakON cable socket is available exclusively from Sommer Cable, through a close cooperation with Neutrik.
The benefits include a transparent, 6mm-wide ring for writing labels; they can also be attached later. The socket housing is entirely charcoal grey. The bulkware version comes without a wire protection, enabling a direct configuration of 4mm line ends with ferrules. Combined with the flexible and rugged Sommer Cable speaker cables, the NL4FX-SOM is designed to be rugged enough for the road.
