Cable Types: Balanced vs Unbalanced
The cables used in audio systems and how they're put together can have a major impact on the sound of the system. An unbalanced cable uses just two conductors and is susceptible to picking up noise. RCA cables, used in many AV components such as DVD players and MP3 players, are unbalanced and can be susceptible to noise, especially over long distances. For short distances, RCA cables and standard tip-sleeve cables commonly used for guitar amplifiers are sufficient. A balanced cable, by contrast, has three conductors in the connector and three wires in the cable. In this case, the ground wire surrounds the signal wire and is used as a shield against interference. Balanced cables are usually XLR type and can support longer cable runs, from 50 to 100 feet.