RCA-XLR cables to 8330SAM speakers or not? - Forum
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RCA-XLR cables to 8330SAM speakers or not?
laparn, modified 7 Years ago.
RCA-XLR cables to 8330SAM speakers or not?
Padawan Posts: 39 Join Date: 6/20/15 Recent Posts
Now, the signal source I use (will use) do only have RCA output. The speakers XLR. The F Two utilises RCA and XLR on both input and output side. What cabling is best in this setup?
-Do I benefit the most of RCA-RCA between signal source and F TWO and XLR-XLR between F Two and speakers or can I use a RCA-XLR cable in any of the "positions"? Why RCA-XLR? Well, when using the speakers "on the road" I will leave the F Two at home and therfor need RCA-XLR cables or any kind of RCA-to-XLR adaptor/transformer. Can such an RCA-XLR cable be used in home setup as well without any sound quality loss? If so, I can spare me an extra pair of cables.
-Will the internal F Two electronics handle any voltage differences between RCA-RCA cable input and XLR-XLR output?
The F Two sub is preferentially matched with a G Three (8330 "equivalent"). The DIP switch "LEVEL +10dB" should be enabled on both F Two and G Three to match the levels. The 8330SAM doesn´t have this DIP switch. Is there any corresponding setting I can enable using the GLM software?
During the limited time I have tested the F Two and 8330 in combination, I set the "LEVEL +10dB", "BASS ROLL-OFF -6dB" and "SUBWOOFER LEVEL" at MIN . These DIP switch positions gave a natural blend-in between the 8330 and F Two levels. Is this a good way of experimenting? Is there any "generic" 8330/F Two setting to be used as a start?
Many thanks!
ilkka-rissanen, modified 7 Years ago.
Re: RCA-XLR cables to 8330SAM speakers or not?
Yoda Posts: 2564 Join Date: 3/23/09 Recent Posts
Now, the signal source I use (will use) do only have RCA output. The speakers XLR. The F Two utilises RCA and XLR on both input and output side. What cabling is best in this setup?
-Do I benefit the most of RCA-RCA between signal source and F TWO and XLR-XLR between F Two and speakers or can I use a RCA-XLR cable in any of the "positions"? Why RCA-XLR? Well, when using the speakers "on the road" I will leave the F Two at home and therfor need RCA-XLR cables or any kind of RCA-to-XLR adaptor/transformer. Can such an RCA-XLR cable be used in home setup as well without any sound quality loss? If so, I can spare me an extra pair of cables.
-Will the internal F Two electronics handle any voltage differences between RCA-RCA cable input and XLR-XLR output?
You can use RCA-XLR cables without any problems.
The F Two sub is preferentially matched with a G Three (8330 "equivalent"). The DIP switch "LEVEL +10dB" should be enabled on both F Two and G Three to match the levels. The 8330SAM doesn´t have this DIP switch. Is there any corresponding setting I can enable using the GLM software?
During the limited time I have tested the F Two and 8330 in combination, I set the "LEVEL +10dB", "BASS ROLL-OFF -6dB" and "SUBWOOFER LEVEL" at MIN . These DIP switch positions gave a natural blend-in between the 8330 and F Two levels. Is this a good way of experimenting? Is there any "generic" 8330/F Two setting to be used as a start?
Many thanks!
With those settings, you will get the minimum output from the subwoofer. This is of course okay, but typically we recommend to set the subwoofer at similar level with the speakers. Where is the subwoofer located? If it's near a corner, then -6 dB roll-off maybe required. Are you using the GLM to adjust the level of the 8330 speakers? Or are they set to maximum level and you control the volume from the source?
laparn, modified 7 Years ago.
Re: RCA-XLR cables to 8330SAM speakers or not?
Padawan Posts: 39 Join Date: 6/20/15 Recent Posts
Now, the signal source I use (will use) do only have RCA output. The speakers XLR. The F Two utilises RCA and XLR on both input and output side. What cabling is best in this setup?
-Do I benefit the most of RCA-RCA between signal source and F TWO and XLR-XLR between F Two and speakers or can I use a RCA-XLR cable in any of the "positions"? Why RCA-XLR? Well, when using the speakers "on the road" I will leave the F Two at home and therfor need RCA-XLR cables or any kind of RCA-to-XLR adaptor/transformer. Can such an RCA-XLR cable be used in home setup as well without any sound quality loss? If so, I can spare me an extra pair of cables.
-Will the internal F Two electronics handle any voltage differences between RCA-RCA cable input and XLR-XLR output?
You can use RCA-XLR cables without any problems.
Great news. But after my post I realised that my preffered brand of cables, Vovox, do not supply an RCA-XLR alternative. Will RCA-XLR still be more beneficial than RCA-RCA (source->F Two) and XLR-XLR (F Two->8330)? I.e. is RCA-XLR preffered over RCA-RCA when possible?
I guess there is no real need of shielded cables in home environment using 3 meter cables? Right?
laparn, modified 7 Years ago.
Re: RCA-XLR cables to 8330SAM speakers or not?
Padawan Posts: 39 Join Date: 6/20/15 Recent Postslaparn, modified 7 Years ago.
Re: RCA-XLR cables to 8330SAM speakers or not?
Padawan Posts: 39 Join Date: 6/20/15 Recent Posts
The F Two sub is preferentially matched with a G Three (8330 "equivalent"). The DIP switch "LEVEL +10dB" should be enabled on both F Two and G Three to match the levels. The 8330SAM doesn´t have this DIP switch. Is there any corresponding setting I can enable using the GLM software?
During the limited time I have tested the F Two and 8330 in combination, I set the "LEVEL +10dB", "BASS ROLL-OFF -6dB" and "SUBWOOFER LEVEL" at MIN . These DIP switch positions gave a natural blend-in between the 8330 and F Two levels. Is this a good way of experimenting? Is there any "generic" 8330/F Two setting to be used as a start?
Many thanks!
With those settings, you will get the minimum output from the subwoofer. This is of course okay, but typically we recommend to set the subwoofer at similar level with the speakers. Where is the subwoofer located? If it's near a corner, then -6 dB roll-off maybe required. Are you using the GLM to adjust the level of the 8330 speakers? Or are they set to maximum level and you control the volume from the source?
I will follow the installation guide as soon as a correct set of cables have been purchased. The first attempts were of most temporary use. Still, pretty good performance. Impressive, really, from such a small subwoofer volume. The living room is somewhat +100m3 volume (approx. 45sqm) with an open corner. Can´t wait for fine tuning.

The sub is located 1 meter from a corner and Close to the backwall. Slightly to the right of the right speaker. Typical offset inefficient living room position. But...estetics. You know...

I will use the GLM to adjust the freq. response. If possible to adjust the level as well that would be a way. Haven´t even touched GLM yet. Kids, time...

I noticed a weak white noise from speakers when cabling through F Two. With speakers alone, XLR:d (Vovox Sonorus 2m) from DAC, it´s dead quiet. Will the extra route add noise or might the temporary cabling be an explanation? The temporary cabling from F Two to 8330 is of cheapest mic. cable type but is also consist of two 1.5 meter XLR:s to each speaker. I.e. means an extra XLR contact.
I also noticed a degradation in sound clearity with "muddled" presence. The 8330:S really impressed me over the 8030b:s I had Before. More detailed and very precise. This caracteristics disappeared once F Two was included. Might the cheap and temporary cables be a cause to this as well?
Many thanks!
ilkka-rissanen, modified 7 Years ago.
Re: RCA-XLR cables to 8330SAM speakers or not?
Yoda Posts: 2564 Join Date: 3/23/09 Recent Posts
I noticed a weak white noise from speakers when cabling through F Two. With speakers alone, XLR:d (Vovox Sonorus 2m) from DAC, it´s dead quiet. Will the extra route add noise or might the temporary cabling be an explanation? The temporary cabling from F Two to 8330 is of cheapest mic. cable type but is also consist of two 1.5 meter XLR:s to each speaker. I.e. means an extra XLR contact.
I also noticed a degradation in sound clearity with "muddled" presence. The 8330:S really impressed me over the 8030b:s I had Before. More detailed and very precise. This caracteristics disappeared once F Two was included. Might the cheap and temporary cables be a cause to this as well?
Many thanks!
Hi,
It is not because of the cables. It is because the signal processing inside the F Two isn't as high quality as signal processing in 8300 series speakers. F Two is our home audio range subwoofer and meant to be used with G series speakers. 7350 is the correct subwoofer to be used with 8320 and 8330 speakers. It includes distributed bass management which means that the signal doesn't go through the subwoofer at all which preserves the highest quality possible.
laparn, modified 7 Years ago.
Re: RCA-XLR cables to 8330SAM speakers or not?
Padawan Posts: 39 Join Date: 6/20/15 Recent PostsThe noise is somewhat too high to my taste when playing acoustic music with a quiet noise floor in general. You kind of loose the spacious feeling of a recording environment. Still, it is within tolerance of acceptable and I really enjoyt the performance of the 8330+F Two combo beside the noise. Even without 8330 GLM adjustment nor F Two phase correction or else fine tuning. The blend is seamless and I must say I am impressed. Once there is acceptance (at home) to a chunky black box on the floor, the 7350SAM will for sure be on the purchase list.

mirbg, modified 2 Years ago.
RE: RCA-XLR cables to 8330SAM speakers or not?
Youngling Posts: 4 Join Date: 4/30/21 Recent PostsI resolved the white noise (have g three + f two) by changing power cords with better ones - LoRad MKII resolved my white noise problems completely. You need 3 -2 for the 8330 and one for f two. The one for f two is crucial.