speakON NL8 pinout
speakON NL8 Pinout (8-Pole)
The 8-pole speakON NL8 carries four speaker circuits, 1± through 4±, so one multicore feeds a multi-way cabinet or a group of array elements. Circuit-to-driver assignments are set by each loudspeaker system, not by the connector.
| Pin | Signal | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1+ | Circuit 1 positive | First amplifier channel hot. |
| 1− | Circuit 1 negative | First amplifier channel return. |
| 2+ | Circuit 2 positive | Second amplifier channel hot. |
| 2− | Circuit 2 negative | Second amplifier channel return. |
| 3+ | Circuit 3 positive | Third amplifier channel hot. |
| 3− | Circuit 3 negative | Third amplifier channel return. |
| 4+ | Circuit 4 positive | Fourth amplifier channel hot. |
| 4− | Circuit 4 negative | Fourth amplifier channel return. |
What it’s used for
NL8 is the loom connector of line array systems: amp racks send four circuits up one cable to a breakout at the array, where short NL4 jumpers distribute circuits to individual cabinets.
Which circuit drives LF, MF, or HF is defined by the loudspeaker manufacturer’s system design. Mixing looms between systems without checking the circuit map is how HF drivers meet LF amplifier channels.
Wiring & termination notes
- NL8 and NL4 shells are different sizes and do not intermate; adapters and breakouts are wired assemblies, not passive shells.
- Multicore speaker cable is heavy (8 × 13 AWG and up); support the connector at panels and use the locking ring, the strain is real.
- Test looms circuit by circuit with a cable tester after every re-termination; a swapped pair inside an 8-core is invisible from outside.
Frequently asked questions
What is NL8 used for?
Feeding four amplifier circuits through one cable, typically from amp racks to a line array breakout or to multi-way cabinets that accept all four circuits.
Is there a standard NL8 circuit assignment?
No universal one: each loudspeaker system defines its own circuit map (which pair is subs, LF, MF, HF). The connector standardizes contacts, not meaning.