Neutrik NC3FRX Right-Angle Female 3-Pole XLR Connector – Nickel Housing, Silver Contacts
Build professional XLR cables for tight spaces and controlled cable routing with the Neutrik NC3FRX Right-Angle Female 3-Pole XLR Connector, featuring a rugged nickel-plated metal housing, silver-plated contacts and five selectable cable outlet positions.
Part of Neutrik’s professional RX Series, the NC3FRX is the right-angle counterpart to the widely used XX Series female XLR cable connector.
It is specifically designed for applications where a conventional straight XLR connector would:
- Project too far from equipment
- Create an awkward cable bend
- Interfere with nearby connectors
- Take up unnecessary space
- Place additional strain on the cable
The NC3FRX combines a slim right-angle body with five selectable cable outlet positions, allowing technicians and cable builders to choose the direction the cable exits the connector during assembly.
This makes it particularly useful for:
- Professional microphone cables
- Stage equipment
- Audio racks
- Broadcast systems
- Recording studios
- Pedalboards
- Theatre
- Touring production
- Film and television
- AV installations
- Equipment racks
- Custom cable manufacture
- Confined connection points
Like Neutrik’s straight XX Series connectors, the NC3FRX incorporates professional features including a female cage-contact design, solder barrier, solid-metal latch, shell-ground spring contacts, chuck-type strain relief and a polyurethane cable gland.
Neutrik RX Series Right-Angle XLR
Neutrik’s RX Series is the right-angle version of its established XX Series cable connector platform.
The series was designed to provide the reliability and electrical performance expected from a professional Neutrik XLR while allowing the cable to leave the connector at 90 degrees rather than directly from the rear.
This can dramatically reduce the space required behind connected equipment.
Instead of forcing a cable into a tight bend immediately behind a standard XLR connector, the RX Series guides the cable away from the connection point in a controlled direction.
Five Selectable Cable Outlet Positions
One of the most important features of the NC3FRX is its:
5 selectable cable outlet positions.
During assembly, the technician can select the direction in which the cable exits the connector.
This means the same NC3FRX can be configured to suit different equipment layouts.
For example, the cable can be directed:
- Up
- Down
- Left
- Right
- At an intermediate position
depending on the orientation of the connector and the equipment.
This makes the NC3FRX significantly more adaptable than a fixed-position right-angle connector.
Better Cable Routing
Correct cable routing is particularly important in professional production environments.
Poorly routed cables can:
- Obstruct neighbouring connectors
- Create sharp bends
- Place unnecessary strain on cable
- Interfere with equipment controls
- Make racks difficult to close
- Create untidy installations
The selectable outlet positions of the NC3FRX allow cable builders to configure each connector specifically for its intended application.
Ideal Where Space Is Limited
A straight XLR connector and the cable immediately behind it can require a substantial amount of clearance.
In tight installations, this may be difficult or impossible.
The NC3FRX reduces the rearward projection of the connection by turning the cable through a right angle.
This makes it particularly useful around:
- Equipment racks
- Audio interfaces
- Stage boxes
- Mixing equipment
- Broadcast systems
- Pedalboards
- Wall-mounted equipment
- Custom enclosures
- Compact installations
Professional Microphone Cables
The NC3FRX can be used to manufacture professional microphone leads where a right-angle female connector provides better cable routing.
Potential applications include microphones mounted in:
- Tight stands
- Podiums
- Instrument setups
- Broadcast desks
- Installed systems
- Stage environments
The right-angle cable exit can reduce the amount of cable projecting directly away from the microphone connection.
Whether a right-angle connector is appropriate depends on the microphone, stand and application.
Stage Microphones
On busy stages, the direction a microphone cable leaves the connector can make a meaningful difference.
A controlled right-angle exit can help route the cable:
- Down a microphone stand
- Away from performers
- Away from instrument hardware
- Toward the stage floor
- Into an organised cable path
This can make the cable installation cleaner and reduce unnecessary movement around the microphone connection.
Broadcast and Recording Studios
Broadcast and recording environments often use equipment installed within tightly packed desks, racks and workstations.
The NC3FRX can be useful where a standard straight female XLR would:
- Interfere with furniture
- Contact the rear wall of a rack
- Require excessive cable bending
- Obstruct adjacent connections
Its slim right-angle body allows professional XLR connectivity in places where rear clearance is restricted.
Equipment Racks
Rack-mounted equipment can create challenging cable-routing conditions.
Rear rack space may contain:
- Audio cables
- Network cables
- Power cabling
- Patch panels
- Multicores
- Cable-management hardware
Using a right-angle XLR where appropriate can reduce the distance a cable projects behind the equipment.
This can be particularly useful in:
- Shallow racks
- Fly racks
- Touring racks
- Broadcast racks
- AV racks
- Custom road cases
Pedalboards and Musical Instruments
The NC3FRX is also useful in pedalboards and music-production equipment where an XLR connection sits close to other hardware.
A straight connector may occupy unnecessary space or force the cable into a tight bend.
The right-angle RX design can help keep:
- Pedalboards compact
- Cable routing tidy
- Connectors away from foot controls
- Cable strain under better control
Always verify that the selected outlet position suits the particular equipment before final cable assembly.
Theatre
Theatre sound systems frequently require custom cabling to fit into:
- Stage boxes
- Orchestra-pit systems
- Technical racks
- Wireless racks
- Installed infrastructure
- Playback systems
- Compact equipment positions
A configurable right-angle female XLR can solve cable-routing problems that are difficult to address using standard straight connectors.
Touring Production
Touring cables experience demanding day-to-day use.
They are repeatedly:
- Connected
- Disconnected
- Coiled
- Packed
- Transported
- Redeployed
The NC3FRX combines a space-saving right-angle form with the mechanical features expected from Neutrik professional XLR connectors.
Neutrik specifies a mechanical lifetime of:
More than 1,000 mating cycles.
Film and Television
Film and television production often involves compact and highly customised audio systems.
Potential uses include:
- Location sound
- Audio bags
- Production carts
- Camera-support systems
- Rack systems
- Custom audio interfaces
- Studio infrastructure
Where a female 3-pole XLR connection requires controlled cable direction, the NC3FRX can provide a useful professional solution.
Professional AV
Professional AV installations may use XLR connections throughout:
- Conference systems
- Presentation equipment
- Installed audio
- Auditorium systems
- Rack infrastructure
- Control rooms
Right-angle connectors can be particularly useful inside cabinets and rack systems where cable depth is restricted.
Female 3-Pole XLR Connection
The NC3FRX is a:
3-pole female XLR cable connector.
Typical professional audio applications include:
- Balanced analogue audio
- Microphone cables
- Line-level audio
- Interconnects
- Equipment connections
- Custom audio cabling
Always follow the pin assignment required by the connected equipment.
For conventional balanced analogue audio, the commonly used XLR arrangement is:
Pin 1 – Shield / ground
Pin 2 – Positive / hot
Pin 3 – Negative / cold
Cable assemblies should always be wired consistently and tested before service.
Not Primarily a Professional DMX Connector
Three-pole XLR connectors are sometimes found on lighting equipment using 3-pin DMX connections.
However, professional DMX512 installations conventionally use 5-pole XLR.
The NC3FRX should therefore be positioned primarily as a professional audio XLR connector.
Where 3-pin XLR is being used on equipment carrying DMX, use suitable DMX data cable and follow the equipment manufacturer’s pinout.
Do not assume that an ordinary microphone cable is an appropriate substitute for dedicated DMX cable.
Nickel-Plated Zinc Die-Cast Housing
Neutrik specifies the NC3FRX shell as:
Zinc die-cast ZnAl4Cu1
with:
Nickel plating.
The correct product description is therefore:
Nickel housing
rather than “silver body”.
The nickel-plated metal shell provides the rugged construction associated with professional Neutrik XLR cable connectors.
Silver-Plated Female Contacts
Neutrik specifies:
Contact Material: Bronze CuSn8
Contact Plating: 2µm silver
The precision female contacts form the electrical connection with the corresponding male XLR pins.
Female Cage Contact Design
The NC3FRX uses Neutrik’s unique:
Female cage contact design.
This architecture is designed to provide:
- Low contact resistance
- Reliable mating contact
- High contact integrity
Neutrik specifies maximum contact resistance of:
≤3mΩ.
Integrated Solder Barrier
Each female contact incorporates a:
Solder barrier
designed to prevent molten solder from flowing into the mating portion of the contact during assembly.
This is a useful professional workshop feature.
Excess solder entering a contact area can compromise:
- Contact geometry
- Mating reliability
- Connector performance
The barrier helps reduce that assembly risk.
Solder Contacts
The NC3FRX uses:
Solder termination.
Correct cable assembly should include:
- Proper conductor stripping
- Clean conductor preparation
- Suitable solder
- Controlled soldering temperature
- No solder bridges
- Correct pin identification
- Suitable cable strain relief
Neutrik specifies solderability in accordance with:
IEC 60068-2-20.
Maximum Conductor Size – 2.5mm² / 14 AWG
Neutrik specifies a maximum conductor size of:
2.5mm²
or:
14 AWG.
Most professional microphone and balanced-audio cable will use significantly smaller conductors, but this specification defines the maximum supported conductor size for the connector.
Cable O.D. 3.5–8.0mm
The standard NC3FRX strain-relief system is designed for cable outside diameters of:
3.5mm to 8.0mm.
This covers a wide variety of professional:
- Microphone cable
- Balanced audio cable
- Instrument/control cable
- Custom multicore-derived cable
Always confirm the actual cable diameter before assembly.
Larger Cable Option
Neutrik offers the optional:
BXX-14
large bushing and chuck-type strain-relief accessory for:
8–10mm cable O.D.
This can be useful when an application requires a larger cable than the standard NC3FRX bushing accommodates.
Select the correct bushing and strain-relief components for the actual cable being used.
Improved Chuck-Type Strain Relief
The RX Series incorporates Neutrik’s:
Improved chuck-type strain relief.
This system clamps around the cable jacket as the connector is assembled.
Its purpose is to transfer mechanical pulling forces into the connector housing rather than directly into the solder joints.
Effective strain relief is especially important in:
- Touring cables
- Stage cables
- Hire inventory
- Broadcast cabling
- Repeated-use production cables
Polyurethane Cable Gland
Neutrik uses a:
Polyurethane boot / gland
at the cable entry.
This provides support where the cable exits the connector and helps protect the cable from repeated bending stresses.
Right-angle routing reduces rearward projection, while the polyurethane gland helps manage bending at the cable exit itself.
Solid-Metal Latch
The female RX connector incorporates an improved:
Solid-metal latch.
Neutrik describes the latch as larger and easier to handle than the previous RC-Series design.
The latch provides positive mechanical locking with a compatible male XLR connector.
Latch Lock
When the female NC3FRX mates with a compatible male XLR connection, the latch engages automatically.
The user presses the latch to release the connection.
This positive locking mechanism helps prevent accidental disconnection during professional use.
Additional Ground Spring Contacts
Neutrik incorporates:
Additional ground spring contacts
to improve continuity between the mating connector shells.
This contributes to the overall shielding arrangement of a properly assembled professional audio cable.
Grounding performance still depends on:
- Correct cable shield termination
- Mating equipment
- Connector assembly
- Overall system design
Low Contact Resistance
Neutrik specifies:
Contact Resistance: ≤3mΩ.
This forms part of the connector’s electrical performance specification.
Low Contact Capacitance
Neutrik specifies:
Capacitance Between Contacts: ≤4pF.
Low inter-contact capacitance helps characterise the connector’s suitability for professional signal transmission.
Rated Current
Neutrik specifies:
16A per contact.
This is a component electrical rating.
It should not be interpreted as permission to use the NC3FRX for Australian 230/240V mains power.
Rated Voltage
Neutrik specifies:
Rated Voltage: <50V.
The NC3FRX is intended for professional low-voltage signal applications such as audio.
It is not a mains-power connector.
Dielectric Strength
Neutrik specifies:
1.5kV DC.
This is an electrical test specification rather than a working-voltage recommendation.
Insulation Resistance
Neutrik specifies:
>2GΩ initial insulation resistance.
Insertion and Withdrawal Force
Neutrik specifies:
Insertion Force: ≤20N
Withdrawal Force: ≤20N
for the NC3FRX.
These values characterise the mechanical mating performance of the connector.
More Than 1,000 Mating Cycles
The NC3FRX is specified for:
More than 1,000 mating cycles.
This makes it appropriate for professional production environments where connections are made and removed regularly.
Actual service life will also depend on:
- Handling
- Contamination
- Mating connector condition
- Cable strain
- Maintenance
IP40 Protection
Neutrik specifies:
Protection Class: IP40.
The NC3FRX is therefore intended primarily for protected professional environments.
It should not be promoted as:
- Waterproof
- Weatherproof
- IP65
- Outdoor sealed
For harsh outdoor environments requiring weather-resistant XLR connectivity, select a connector family specifically designed and rated for that use.
Operating Temperature
Neutrik specifies:
-30°C to +80°C
for the NC3FRX.
The completed cable assembly may have a narrower operating range depending on the cable used.
UL94 V-0 Flammability
Neutrik specifies:
Flammability: UL94 V-0
for the connector materials.
IEC 61076-2-103 Compliance
Neutrik lists compliance with:
IEC 61076-2-103.
This standard covers professional circular connector requirements associated with the XLR format.
PA66 Insert
The contact insert is manufactured from:
Polyamide PA66.
This material supports and electrically isolates the connector contacts.
POM Strain Relief
The internal chuck-type strain-relief component is manufactured from:
Polyacetal POM.
Five Positions Should Be Set During Assembly
The cable outlet direction should be selected to suit the intended equipment before final connector assembly.
Consider:
- Connector orientation
- Equipment socket orientation
- Cable direction
- Nearby connectors
- Rack clearance
- Cable bend
- Latch accessibility
For custom cable builds, marking the intended connector orientation before soldering and final assembly can reduce errors.
Right-Angle vs Straight XLR
The right connector depends on the application.
NC3FRX Right-Angle Female
Best suited where:
- Rear clearance is restricted
- Cable direction needs to be controlled
- Connector projection should be reduced
- A selectable cable outlet is useful
NC3FXX Straight Female
Best suited where:
- Maximum flexibility of cable direction is preferred
- Rear clearance is not an issue
- Standard straight cable construction is desired
Both are professional Neutrik female 3-pole XLR cable connectors, but the physical cable-routing requirements are different.
NC3FRX vs NC3FRX-BAG
Neutrik also manufactures:
NC3FRX-BAG
which uses:
- Black metal housing
- Silver contacts
The standard NC3FRX on this page uses:
- Nickel housing
- Silver contacts
This gives users a choice between nickel and black exterior finishes while retaining silver-contact construction.
NC3FRX vs NC3FRX-B
Neutrik additionally offers:
NC3FRX-B
which uses:
- Black housing
- Gold-plated contacts
Therefore, customers should pay attention to the exact suffix when ordering:
NC3FRX: Nickel housing / silver contacts
NC3FRX-BAG: Black housing / silver contacts
NC3FRX-B: Black housing / gold contacts
These are distinct variants.
Colour Coding and Identification
Neutrik supports optional coloured:
- Coding rings
- Boots / bushings
for the RX/XX connector system.
This can be useful for identifying cables by:
- Length
- Department
- Signal type
- Stage position
- Equipment
- Production
- Ownership
Neutrik also offers transparent coding options that can accommodate customised identification.
Touring Cable Identification
Production companies and hire businesses may use colour-coded connector components to differentiate:
- Microphone cable lengths
- Loom groups
- Department stock
- Special-purpose cables
This can make cable sorting significantly faster during bump-in and pack-down.
Cable Assembly
A professional NC3FRX cable should be assembled carefully.
Typical process:
- Select the required cable outlet orientation.
- Slide the required rear connector components onto the cable.
- Strip the cable according to appropriate dimensions.
- Prepare the shield and signal conductors.
- Tin conductors if appropriate to the assembly method.
- Identify pins 1, 2 and 3 correctly.
- Solder each conductor without excessive heat.
- Inspect for solder bridges.
- Assemble the contact insert into the housing.
- Ensure the chuck strain relief engages the cable jacket correctly.
- Tighten the bushing securely.
- Confirm the selected right-angle cable outlet direction.
- Test the completed cable before use.
Always follow current Neutrik assembly guidance when manufacturing production cable inventory.
Test Every Completed XLR Cable
After building or repairing an XLR cable, test:
- Pin 1 to pin 1 continuity
- Pin 2 to pin 2 continuity
- Pin 3 to pin 3 continuity
- No pin-to-pin shorts
- Shield continuity
- Latch operation
- Cable retention
A cable tester can identify wiring errors before the cable reaches a production environment.
Product Specifications
Brand: Neutrik
Model: NC3FRX
Series: RX Series
Connector Type: Right-angle female XLR cable connector
Number of Poles: 3
Gender: Female
Cable Outlet Positions: 5 selectable positions
Housing: Zinc die-cast ZnAl4Cu1
Housing Finish: Nickel plated
Contacts: Bronze CuSn8
Contact Plating: 2µm silver
Termination: Solder contacts
Cable O.D.: 3.5–8.0mm standard
Maximum Conductor Size: 2.5mm² / 14 AWG
Locking: Latch lock
Contact Resistance: ≤3mΩ
Capacitance Between Contacts: ≤4pF
Dielectric Strength: 1.5kV DC
Insulation Resistance: >2GΩ initially
Rated Current: 16A per contact
Rated Voltage: <50V
Insertion Force: ≤20N
Withdrawal Force: ≤20N
Mechanical Life: >1,000 mating cycles
Insert: Polyamide PA66
Strain Relief: Polyacetal POM
Boot: Polyurethane
Protection Class: IP40
Flammability: UL94 V-0
Standard Compliance: IEC 61076-2-103
Solderability: IEC 60068-2-20 compliant
Temperature Range: -30°C to +80°C
Optional Large-Cable Accessory: BXX-14 for 8–10mm cable O.D.
Why Choose the Neutrik NC3FRX?
Choose the NC3FRX where a professional female 3-pole XLR cable requires:
- Genuine Neutrik quality
- Right-angle cable routing
- Five selectable cable outlet positions
- Extra-slim RX Series design
- Nickel-plated metal housing
- Silver-plated female contacts
- Solder termination
- 3.5–8.0mm cable compatibility
- Up to 2.5mm² / 14 AWG conductors
- Low ≤3mΩ contact resistance
- Cage-style female contacts
- Integrated solder barrier
- Improved solid-metal latch
- Ground spring contacts
- Chuck-type strain relief
- Polyurethane cable gland
- More than 1,000 mating cycles
- Optional colour coding
It is particularly useful where a standard straight XLR connector creates excessive cable projection, awkward cable bends or poor cable routing.
Why Buy Neutrik NC3FRX from GigLife?
GigLife supplies professional connectors, adaptors, cables, tapes, consumables and technical accessories specifically for the entertainment and production industries.
With more than 25 years of hands-on live entertainment industry experience, GigLife understands the difference that small design details—such as cable exit direction and connector clearance—can make in real-world production systems.
Products are selected by people who work in production and understand the requirements of:
- Audio engineers
- FOH engineers
- Monitor engineers
- Theatre technicians
- Touring crews
- Production companies
- Recording studios
- Broadcast facilities
- Film and television departments
- AV technicians
- Festivals
- Schools and performing arts centres
- Conference production
- Exhibition contractors
- Equipment-hire businesses
Whether you are building a specialised microphone cable, solving a tight rack connection, wiring a pedalboard, maintaining venue infrastructure or restocking the production workshop, GigLife supplies genuine professional components selected by people who understand the job.
Orders are dispatched from Brisbane, with Australia-wide shipping available.
GigLife is proudly by the professionals… for the professionals.
