Greetings mate and Welcome aboard!
Stuart Charles here, HomeStudioBasics.com helping YOU make sound decisions leading to a beautiful audio experience that will make you fall in love with music (NOT gear) all over again, so…
Today we’re going to take a look at balanced cables vs. unbalanced ones.
We’ll discuss the science behind it and I will personally share with you whether or not I believe there are any real sound differences between them.
In other words, does music actually sound better if you use balanced cables?
Let’s dive in and find out.
Audio Cables
Balanced XLR cables; a staple in studio.
Audio cables, vital for the transmission of sound, are primarily categorized into two types, balanced and unbalanced.
Both of these cables play an important role in maintaining sound quality and signal integrity.
Balanced cables, regularly found in professional-grade equipment, have three wires: two conductors and a shield.
Here, the audio signal is transmitted across both conductors and a technique called “common-mode rejection” is utilized to effectively cancel out any noise.
On the other hand, unbalanced cables, often found in home audio systems, are made up of two wires.
One wire carries the audio signal (conductor), and the other is used for minimizing external interference (shield).
However, these cables are typically used in short-distance applications where noise interference is not a significant concern, such as connecting a guitar to an amplifier.
Benefits of balanced audio cables
Balanced audio cables offer several advantages including:
Noise reduction
Balanced cables use two signal conductors that carry the same audio signals but with opposite polarities.
This design helps cancel out any outside disturbance or noise that may be picked up along the cable’s length, resulting in a cleaner and clearer audio signal.
Increased signal integrity
Owing to the effective cancellation mechanism to tackle external interference, the original sound is accurately transmitted without distortion, resulting in a reliable and more exact reproduction of the recorded or live sound.
Longer cable runs
These cables are capable of transmitting audio signals over longer distances without significant signal degradation.
The noise protection properties of balanced cables help maintain the signal quality, making them ideal for setups where the audio source is far away from the audio system.
Common use in professional environments
Universal Audio’s Volt 2 interface utilizes balanced TRS outputs.
Balanced audio connections are widely used in professional audio environments, such as recording studios, concert venues, and broadcast studios.
This prevalence makes balanced cables readily available and compatible with a variety of professional audio gear.
Flexibility and adaptability
Moreover, they can often be converted to unbalanced connections with the use of adapters or converters.
This flexibility allows for compatibility with a wider range of audio devices, ensuring that balanced cables can be used in a variety of setups.
Limitations of balanced audio cables
While balanced cables are a good option for many audio settings, they have certain limitations which are important to consider.
Higher Cost
Balanced cables require additional components which can increase the overall cost compared to unbalanced setups.
Limited consumer-level options
Balanced connections are mainly found in professional audio equipment, while consumer-level devices like laptops, smartphones, and portable media players usually don’t have balanced outputs.
This means that balanced cables may not be compatible with these devices, restricting their use to a certain extent.
Complex setup requirements
Balanced cables often require specialized equipment which may involve additional knowledge and expertise to properly set up and configure the audio system.
Bulkier and less flexible
These cables typically consist of three wires, making them thicker and less flexible compared to unbalanced cables.
This can make them less convenient for situations where cable management and flexibility are crucial.
Benefits of unbalanced audio cables
Unbalanced audio cables possess many valuable benefits. Some of them are as follows:
Wide compatibility
Unbalanced cables are widely supported by consumer-level audio devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops which makes it easy to connect to these devices without the need for additional adapters and converters.
Sony’s MDR-V6 utilizes a standard unbalanced 3.5mm jack.
Cost-effective
These cables are significantly less expensive due to their simpler design and fewer components.
They provide a cost-effective solution for connecting audio devices and systems without compromising on sound quality within shorter distances.
Compact and lightweight
Unbalanced audio cables tend to be more compact and lightweight compared to their balanced counterparts.
This feature makes them portable and suitable for on-the-go audio setups, such as connecting headphones to a portable music player.
Quick and easy connections
They feature single connectors which are simple to plug and unplug.
This ease of connection makes them convenient for quick setups, temporary installations, or situations where frequent cable swapping is required.
Lower power requirements
Lastly, these cables require less power to operate compared to balanced cables.
This can be advantageous in situations where power conservation is a priority or when using battery-powered audio devices.
Limitations of unbalanced audio cables
Just like balanced audio cables, unbalanced cables also pose some disadvantages.
Susceptibility to noise and interference
Unbalanced cables are more susceptible to picking up external noise and interference due to their single-conductor design.
This can result in audible background noise or hum, especially when used in environments with high electromagnetic interference.
Signal degradation over longer distances
As the distance increases, the audio signal can weaken, resulting in a loss of high-frequency details, clarity, and overall audio quality.
This limitation restricts their effective use in setups requiring extensive cable lengths.
Signal loss over longer cable runs
Unbalanced cables experience a higher degree of signal loss over longer cable runs compared to balanced cables.
This can result in a decrease in signal strength and audio quality, particularly in situations where the audio source is located far away from the audio system.
Which is better: balanced or unbalanced audio cables?
FiiO’s K9 Pro provides 2 balanced options: XLR and 4.4mm. The third is unbalanced 6.35mm (1/4″).
Determining whether balanced or unbalanced audio cables are better depends on the specific audio setup and requirements.
Balanced cables are ideal for long cable runs and critical applications where audio fidelity is paramount.
On the contrary, unbalanced cables are suitable for shorter distances, everyday audio setups, and situations where cost and convenience are prioritised.
Ultimately, the choice between balanced and unbalanced cables boils down to the specific needs and preferences of the user; it is crucial to assess factors such as the desired audio quality, the equipment being used, the environment, and the budget to determine which type of cable is better suited for the intended purpose.
Audio Quality
FiiO’s K7 added a 4.4mm balanced headphone input.
I’ve been listening with balanced cables for quite a long time dating back to around 2014.
Back then, I used the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and JBL LSR305s in conjunction with an XLR to TRS balanced protocol.
In recent years I’ve had a ton of experience with over 60+ Amps & DACS; many of them utilizing balanced headphone inputs as well as some with balanced outputs.
Do I perceive a difference in quality?
It’s hard to say definitively one way or another, but I lean towards yes; there is a subtle distinction between the 2.
Aside from obvious interference/static issues at times with cheaper unbalanced RCA to 3.5mm cables/less-than-ideal environments, balanced can provide a slightly better, more refined sound and a cleaner overall presentation.
Keep in mind this is incredibly subtle to me.
In other words, I don’t go out of my way to ensure I’m always listening with a balanced connection.
To me, it’s not enough of a difference to obsess over, but the discrepancy is certainly there to a small extent.
Final Words
To recap, users can make an informed decision about selecting the right cable which is tailored to their requirements by understanding the strengths and limitations of both types, instead of viewing them as competing options.
Whether it’s a professional studio, a home audio system, or a live performance setup, selecting the appropriate type of cable plays an important role in ensuring optimal satisfaction and an enjoyable listening experience.
Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this article on Unbalanced vs. Balanced Audio Cables and came away with some valuable insight.
Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!
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Do you perceive a difference between unbalanced vs. balanced? I would love to hear from you. Until next time…
All the best and God bless,
-Stu
