One of the most common questions we receive from customers is whether they should use XLR (balanced) connections or stick with RCA connections for their subwoofers and power amplifiers. Since many of our high-end audio products offer xlr vs rca options, it’s worth understanding the differences and benefits of each approach.
Table of Contents
Understanding Balanced Connections
Balanced audio cables were originally developed for long-distance signal transmission—we’re talking thousands of feet of cabling. Imagine setting up sound systems in stadiums or concert venues. This balanced audio technology provides significant advantages over unbalanced audio connections in professional settings. They’re also widely used in recording studios where noise is a significant concern and where very small signals, such as those from microphones, need to be transmitted over considerable distances without degradation. The superior noise rejection capabilities of balanced audio cables make them essential in these environments.
But should you care about this for your home system? Is the difference between balanced vs unbalanced audio worth the extra expense and complexity for your setup?
The Importance of Matching Connections
First, it’s crucial to understand that balanced connections, like RCA connections, require the same type of connector at both ends. Connecting an XLR at one end and an RCA at the other makes no sense and provides none of the benefits of balanced connections. This is because, internally, one of the connections in the balanced connector becomes non-functional in such a setup. Save your money, as balanced connections and cables typically cost more.
XLR VS RCA Technical Difference
Let’s delve briefly into the science. In a typical RCA connection, there are two contacts or conductors: the center pin and the outer shield. The outer shield is always grounded, but in a two-wire system like RCA, this ground also serves as the return path for the signal. This means we need a complete circuit for the electrical connection to flow.
In balanced connections, an XLR connector contains a positive conductor and a negative conductor that are phase-inverted in a differential system. The ground in an XLR connector (comprised of the shield and pin 1) is separate from the electronics driving the positive and negative pins.
| Feature | RCA Connector | XLR Connector |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Unbalanced | Balanced |
| Pins | 1 (Signal) + 1 (Ground) | 3 (Pin 1: Ground, Pin 2: Positive, Pin 3: Negative) |
| Usage | Consumer audio, home theater, video | Professional audio, microphones, studio equipment |
| Durability | Less durable, prone to noise | More durable, resistant to noise |
| Cable Length | Shorter distances (prone to interference) | Longer distances (less interference) |
| Common Applications | Hi-Fi systems, TVs, gaming consoles | Live sound, studio recording, PA systems |
Read the RCA Cable vs. XLR Cable article for more details.
How XLR Provides Better Noise Rejection
At the receiving end (your amplifier or subwoofer), a differential amplifier only responds to or amplifies the difference between signals on the two pins. Since the two signals in an XLR connector are out of phase with each other, the amplifier amplifies this difference when the sine wave signals move with peaks and troughs occurring simultaneously.
However, when noise enters the system—whether radiated from the air or interference from other electrical equipment—it appears on both conductors in the same phase. When the differential amplifier examines these two noise signals, they’re identical and therefore cancel each other out.
This results in a connection with superior immunity to any type of noise. Note that this happens without involving the shield or ground conductor in signal transmission, which isn’t the case in an XLR or balanced system.
Solving Ground Loop Problems
If you encounter ground loops, which easily happen in home theater systems where subwoofers are often placed far from equipment racks and may be on different AC circuits through different breakers in your home, XLR connections can be lifesavers. Using balanced XLR connectors instead of RCA will break the ground loop.
For equipment like subwoofers with longer cable runs where ground loops are very likely to form, I always recommend using XLR connections. Unfortunately, balanced subwoofer outputs typically only appear on the highest-end (and most expensive) home theater receivers and processors.
Practical Advice
If you have XLR connections available, use them. If you don’t, don’t lose sleep over it. In most cases, if you have ground loop issues, there are other solutions available. And unless you’re in an extremely noisy environment, such as living next to a cell phone tower, the difference between the two cable types isn’t dramatic enough to worry about.
Some FAQs
What is XLR and RCA?
- XLR: Three-pin balanced connector used in professional audio equipment. Offers superior noise rejection.
- RCA: Two-conductor unbalanced connector common in consumer audio. Simple and cost-effective.
Can I go RCA to XLR?
Yes, rca to xlr adapters exist, but you won’t gain balanced connection benefits. The signal remains unbalanced since you need XLR at both ends for true balanced operation.
Is RCA balanced or unbalanced?
RCA is unbalanced. It uses two conductors (signal wire and ground/shield) which makes it more susceptible to noise interference than balanced connections.
What is XLR in amplifier?
XLR inputs/outputs on amplifiers provide balanced audio connections that reduce noise through differential signaling. Preferred for critical connections, especially over longer distances.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while XLR connections offer technical advantages in noise rejection and ground loop prevention, they’re not essential for most home audio setups. Use them if you have them available and can afford the additional cost, particularly for long cable runs or situations where you’re experiencing noise issues. Otherwise, standard RCA connections will serve most home audio enthusiasts perfectly well.
If you want to DIY your own audio cables or can’t find the right audio cable wire brand, I hope the following article can help you:
