Speaker switcher recommendations

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Dubmaniac
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Speaker switcher recommendations

Post by Dubmaniac » Sun Jun 23, 2019 11:45 am

I want to add a second set of monitors to my control room, but when I search for speaker switchers, all I see are these janky looking boxes made of plastic. I don't have a ton of money to spend on one, but what's a good, reasonably priced speaker switcher (preferably rack mounted) that won't fall apart in two weeks?
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Re: Speaker switcher recommendations

Post by kslight » Sun Jun 23, 2019 1:15 pm

On a low budget...I've been using one of those Presonus Monitor Stations for years with no trouble. Can find them real cheap used as well. Internet suggests they might color the sound a bit, but I've never compared head to head with something reportedly better...they work fine for my purposes.

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Re: Speaker switcher recommendations

Post by I'm Painting Again » Sun Jun 23, 2019 2:09 pm

on the super cheap the old passive version of the SM audio M-Patch2

Magnetic Services
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Re: Speaker switcher recommendations

Post by Magnetic Services » Sun Jun 23, 2019 2:23 pm

"Monitor controller" might be a better search term to try, except instead of cheap plastic boxes you'll start seeing multi-thousand dollar boutique units :lol:

But in the middle range, the Radial MC3 looks like a solid choice: https://www.radialeng.com/product/mc3

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digitaldrummer
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Re: Speaker switcher recommendations

Post by digitaldrummer » Mon Jun 24, 2019 7:26 am

I looked at how nice the $1000+ Coleman' are, slapped myself, then built one. I wanted it totally passive and I did not need a volume control (my UAD Apollo 16 has that), so I got a heavy duty 4PDT toggle switch like this (not this exact one, I think I got mine from Mouser...):

https://smile.amazon.com/GAMA-Electroni ... way&sr=8-7

then get 6 1/4" TRS (or XLR jacks) and wire the "inputs" to the center poles and the +/- to each of the outer poles and to the "output" TRS/XLR. the grounds can all just be tied together. hopefully that makes sense. I used a 1U blank rack faceplate and drilled the front for the toggle, and then used another piece of metal (slightly narrower) for the rear and drilled for the 1/4" TRS. I used some standoffs to mount them together.

anyway, it was probably under $50 for all the parts and work great for my need. I may end up replacing the toggle switch - I've been using it for 6 or 7 years now and it might finally be wearing out, but it's a pretty easy fix.

edit: mine is very similar to this, except I used a toggle switch and it fits a 1U rack space. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R1XCNHG/re ... UTF8&psc=1
Last edited by digitaldrummer on Mon Jun 24, 2019 9:13 am, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: Speaker switcher recommendations

Post by vvv » Mon Jun 24, 2019 7:42 am

bandcamp;
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joninc
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Re: Speaker switcher recommendations

Post by joninc » Mon Jun 24, 2019 1:40 pm

I had one of those coleman plastic ones for about 6 months (while i couldn't use my board) and it worked great. I think it would have lasted a long time...

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Re: Speaker switcher recommendations

Post by The Scum » Mon Jun 24, 2019 5:43 pm

Keep in mind that there are two similar, but not totally equivalent products in this area.

The thing Vlayman linked to is designed to go between a power amp and speakers - they usually use chunky high-current switches to handle the load.

The pro-audio side of things usually switches before the amplifier (or an amplified speaker), switching at line level...and often including features like a volume control and mute or mono switch.
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Re: Speaker switcher recommendations

Post by vvv » Mon Jun 24, 2019 6:15 pm

Yes, I have the Samson C-Control thing between the DAW and the Technics receiver (SA800) I use to monitor. I have SPS-4 on one of the two Technics speakers out.
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Re: Speaker switcher recommendations

Post by Snarl 12/8 » Mon Jun 24, 2019 8:01 pm

In college I made one out of 3 parallel pairs of household wall switches. Screwed to a piece of plywood. This was after my Hafler power amp. I figured the Hafler could sort out the impedances and stuff. Just flip on the speakers you want. Kitchen, living room, bedroom "studio". It lived on top of my fridge, IIRC.
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Re: Speaker switcher recommendations

Post by Colorblind » Tue Jun 25, 2019 9:00 am

I'm Painting Again wrote:
Sun Jun 23, 2019 2:09 pm
on the super cheap the old passive version of the SM audio M-Patch2
+1. I've used one for close to 10 years. A bit scratchy at times, but still working.

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Re: Speaker switcher recommendations

Post by The Scum » Tue Jun 25, 2019 11:05 am

Wait, JBL now owns SM Pro Audio?

I blame Samsung.
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Re: Speaker switcher recommendations

Post by digitaldrummer » Tue Jun 25, 2019 11:19 am

The Scum wrote:
Tue Jun 25, 2019 11:05 am
Wait, JBL now owns SM Pro Audio?
JBL who? Everything is Harman/Samsung. AKG, Lexicon, DBX, Martin.... :(
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Re: Speaker switcher recommendations

Post by Dubmaniac » Sat Jun 29, 2019 10:37 am

Shortly after posting this, I saw an ad on Facebook Marketplace for an Adcom GFS-3 speaker selector. I now have my Tannoy Reveals and Realistic Minimus 7s hooked up to it, with room for one more pair of speakers. It doesn't seem to color the sound as far as I can tell. It's not rack mountable, but I can live with that. It works great and it only cost me $10! Thanks, Facebook marketing algorithm!
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