SoundTools Cable Barrel Update: Commitment to Quality and Environmental Responsibility

SoundTools is committed to providing reliable, high-performance products while supporting environmentally sustainable practices. As part of this commitment we are transitioning to nickel-plated (silver) Neutrik etherCON connector shells and will no longer offer the black chrome plated etherCON shells on our SuperCAT cable product lines.

This change stems from a recent manufacturing update by Neutrik which replaced the conductive black chrome coated etherCON shells with an environmentally friendly black KTL coating. The new KTL coating eliminates the use of hexavalent chromium (chromium 6), a hazardous chemical. SoundTools fully supports this step toward safer manufacturing practices, RoHS/REACH compliance and reducing the use of environmentally harmful materials. 

While we applaud this environmentally conscious improvement, the new black KTL coating is non-conductive which can impact the electrical performance of the connector shells in adverse environments. Our rigorous testing has demonstrated that the conductive shells—whether black chrome or nickel plated—provide a second shield/ground connection through the shell in addition to the ground shield/ground connection provided by the metal RJ45 housing. This redundancy enhances ground connection reliability, particularly in demanding field applications such as portable sound systems and analog over CAT setups. To maintain the highest standards of performance we have decided to switch exclusively to the conductive nickel-plated etherCON shells and ensure optimal grounding and shielding connections.

We are confident this transition will maintain the reliability of our products while supporting environmentally friendly practices. At SoundTools your satisfaction and the performance of your gear remain our top priorities. For further information or assistance, feel free to contact our team. Thank you for your continued support of SoundTools!