Why do powered cabs mostly have XLR inputs?

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Yes, indeed. I've also thought about using the XLR out on the Tri-112+, but I need to check the cab manual first. The nice thing about using the 1/4" to XLR cable is that I can control the volume to the cab through the Noble. If I just sent the XLR out from the Noble to the cab, then I'd have to be reaching around and adjusting the volume on the back of the cab.

Volume control from the preamp is important. The XLR signal from the Noble is one level. That's handy for not messing up FOH or a recording. But I want control over my cab's volume and don't want to have to reach around to the back of the cab and mess with the knob. My powered cab's 1/4" input jack is just the ticket.

 

[beans-on-toast]

It’s important to note that a ¼” jack may be unbalanced or balanced, depending on the design. Unbalanced is tip-sleeve, balanced is tip-ring-sleeve or XLR. As they demonstrate, use balanced whenever possible. If you jave to use unbalanced, keep the cable short and avoid ruNning the cable near sources of noise.

 

[frankie5string]

I know that some folks actually see those combo TRS/XLR jacks as a potential point of failure - the added complexity of the jack turns some people off. I've never had one fail on me, but I know people who have. I'm not really a fan of them myself.

Radial makes a transformer-isolated line splitter box.
Those come in really handy when you need to send balanced lines to more than one place at a time. Also, a bunch of recent bass preamps seem to come with dual XLR balanced line outs. So you really can send one XLR to the house and another to whatever you like. Handy.

 

[Ric Vice]

Mike Arnopols MAS cabinets have a Combo jack so you can use either a XLR or 1/4" Phone Jack.

 

[Aloe]

uhm, maybe because mixers usually have XLR out?

that is: main use case for a powered cab as a monitor, as viewed by manufacturers: you connect it not to your preamp, but to aux out from your mixer. so you'll have not only your bass in your monitor, but a touch of vocals and whatever else. and this connection is typically XLR-to-XLR.

 

[bucephylus]

I’m using a Bag End powered cabinet that has a 1/4” input within the speaker input jack.
I plug my Noble directly into that and use Noble XLR for FOH.
Great combo.View attachment 4719576

Three very nice preamps there!