ToneMatch® Cable

Overview

The T4S and T1 ToneMatch Audio Engine uses a digital connection to the L1 Pro and L1 Model 1SL1 Model II Power Stands. This is labeled ToneMatch®. The T8S can connect to only the L1 Pro systems via the ToneMatch port.

The connecting cable has a male Ethercon connection at each end that looks like this.

CAT5 or CAT6 or CAT7 or CAT8 cable

If your ToneMatch® cable gets damaged or lost  you can use a computer network cable type CAT5 or CAT6 or CAT7 or CAT8 cable. There's no compelling reason to choose higher category cables. All should work.

The T4S and T1 ToneMatch Audio Engine come with a Pro Ethercon cable, with robust metal connector shells and an almost memoryless 18' black cable.

However, in a pinch, should you forget the cable, or if say a huge Hammond B3 gets dropped on the cable and severs it, you can use and ordinary Ethernet cable and it will work fine.

Later in that discussion Hilmar-at-Bose tells us:

Any CAT5 (or CAT5e, CAT6, or CAT7 or CAT8) cable will work just fine without any degradation at least initially. The downsides are that most ethernet cables don't coil particularly well and that the connectors wear out over time. After a a few hundred uses you may notice the occasional drop out, at which point it's time to get a new one.

It's certainly a quick and cheap way to get a spare for an emergency.

Bose recommends you do not exceed a fifty foot cable run.

Convert Cat-5/6/7/8 to Ethercon

NE8MC EtherCon® Cable Connector Carriers (retrofit over an existing RJ-45 Connector).

Example vendor http://www.fullcompass.com/product/255589.html

Cable Length

Up to 50 feet

A technical note from Bill-at-Bose

A 33 or 50 footer will not cause any problems, either with the digital audio (ones and zips) or the power.

The technical reason follows, for those who are interested : A 24 gauge wire (the size typically used in ethernet cables) has about 2.5 Ohms of resistance per 100 feet. The T1 draws roughly 1/4 Amp on each of two supply wire pairs (+/-18V nominal).

For a 50 foot run, each pair of wires (made up of a plus and minus lead) totals 100 feet. A quarter Amp of current across 2.5 Ohms gives, per Ohm's law, a voltage drop of less than one volt (V=IR = 0.625 Volts). Because of the margin we built into the system, it can handle this voltage drop easily.

In fact, although we don't recommend it and can't guarantee it, the digital audio has been tested up to 100 feet in average conditions (for example, no undervoltage on the AC supply at the gig), and quite happily continued to make music.

Over 50 feet

MikeZ-at-Bose added in a later discussion:

Bill at Bose stated you could run 50' of ethernet cable no problem at all. Success at distances longer than that would start to depend on outside factors, for instance the voltage of your power source.

Another option for you is to run the T1 ToneMatch Audio Engine off of the optional power supply, and then run a balanced line from the Master Out on the T1 ToneMatch Audio Engine to the balanced 'analog input' on the L1 Model II. This method would be able to transmit over a hundred feet, perhaps much more.

¼ Inch Tip-Ring-Sleeve (balanced) to ¼ Inch Tip-Ring-Sleeve (balanced)

A balanced connection is preferred and will provide better noise rejection over greater distances than the unbalanced connection.

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