Allen & Heath AH-AH10885 CAT6 Cable Drum – 164ft Neutrik etherCON

Product Overview

The Allen & Heath AH-AH10885 is a 164-foot (50 m) CAT6 cable drum engineered for use with dLive, Avantis, SQ, QU, and ME series equipment in live sound and commercial AV installations. Both ends terminate in Neutrik etherCON locking connectors, providing a reliable, field-proven connection between stage boxes, DX expanders, and personal monitoring systems. This Allen & Heath CAT6 etherCON cable drum is the recommended cabling solution for dLive and SQ stage box installations. It is equally suited to enterprise AV infrastructure deployments where managed cable runs and secure connector locking are required.

Product Description

Routing audio-over-CAT6 networks across a stage or installed venue demands cable that can tolerate daily deployment and retrieval without connector fatigue or signal degradation. The AH-AH10885 addresses this with a full 50-meter run of CAT6 cable wound on a sturdy drum fitted with a built-in stand and carry handle.

The Neutrik etherCON connectors on each end lock into the corresponding ports on Allen & Heath stage boxes and DX expanders, preventing accidental disconnection during a show. The locking mechanism is compatible with standard RJ45 jacks as well, so the cable works with network switches and other gear that lack the etherCON chassis connector.

The cable drum itself is designed for practical use in touring and installed environments. The integrated base holds the drum upright on stage or in a rack bay, reducing tripping hazards, while the handle makes it straightforward to carry between locations. The 164-foot length covers most stage-to-FOH or stage-to-rack runs without requiring an additional coupler that could introduce signal issues.

All Allen & Heath digital systems that use a CAT5e or CAT6 connection — dLive, Avantis, SQ, QU, and ME — will operate with this cable. Using the manufacturer's own cable drum eliminates guesswork around cable specification and connector compatibility, which matters in rental and installation environments where technicians need verified interoperability.

Key Features

• 164-Foot / 50-Meter Length — Covers typical stage-to-rack and stage-to-FOH runs in medium to large venues without couplers.
• Neutrik etherCON Locking Connectors — Both ends lock securely to Allen & Heath stage box and expander ports, preventing accidental disconnection.
• CAT6 Cable Standard — Meets the specification required by dLive, Avantis, SQ, QU, and ME systems for full bandwidth and low error rates.
• Built-In Stand — Integrated base keeps the drum upright and stable during use, reducing cable management issues on busy stages.
• Carry Handle — Integrated handle simplifies transport between stage positions or storage locations.
• Compatible with ME Personal Mixing Systems — Works with ME-1 and ME-500 personal mixers connected to a stage box.
• Allen & Heath Verified — Manufactured to Allen & Heath's own specification, ensuring full compatibility across the product range.

Typical Applications

• Live Sound Touring — Connecting SQ or dLive stage boxes to the front-of-house console across a stage snake run.
• Commercial AV Infrastructure — Permanent or semi-permanent cable runs in theaters, houses of worship, and conference centers using Allen & Heath digital systems.
• Enterprise AV Cabling — Structured cabling deployments in boardrooms and multipurpose facilities where managed, locking connections are required.
• Installed Sound with DX Expanders — Linking DX32 or DX168 expanders to a dLive or Avantis system in a distributed audio installation.
• ME Personal Monitoring Systems — Carrying the ME network signal from a stage box to distributed ME-1 personal mixers at musician positions.

Technical Specifications

FAQ

Which Allen & Heath systems is this cable compatible with?

The AH-AH10885 is compatible with all Allen & Heath systems that use a CAT5e or CAT6 network connection: dLive, Avantis, SQ, QU, and ME series.

Can I use the Neutrik etherCON connectors with a standard RJ45 port?

Yes. The etherCON connector is designed to mate with both locking etherCON chassis connectors and standard RJ45 jacks. The locking function only engages when connecting to a compatible etherCON chassis port.

Is 50 meters sufficient for a typical venue stage-to-FOH run?

In most small to mid-size venues, a 50-meter run covers the distance between a stage box and the FOH mix position. For larger venues, Allen & Heath offers shorter drums that can be coupled, though a direct run without couplers is always preferable for signal integrity.

Does this cable work with DX expanders like the DX32?

Yes. The AH-AH10885 is the recommended cable for connecting dLive DX32 and DX168 expanders to a MixRack via the gigaACE port.

Is any special configuration required on the Allen & Heath console when using this cable?

No. It is a standard CAT6 cable with etherCON connectors. No firmware or network configuration changes are needed solely because of the cable.

What warranty does this product carry?

Allen & Heath products sold through Creation Networks include the manufacturer's standard limited warranty. Contact us for warranty registration and support details.

Can this cable drum be used in a fixed installation where the cable is permanently run through conduit?

The drum format is intended for deployment and retrieval rather than permanent conduit installation. For in-wall or in-conduit runs, a bulk CAT6 spool with field-terminated etherCON connectors is more appropriate.