XLR vs RCA | Does It Really Make a Difference with External Amps? | Audio Cables

[@htenthusiast2897]

Great comparison. You’re absolutely right about cables and the difference to XLR, you’re paying for the upgraded technology that is made to prevent interference and noise. After almost 25 years enjoying home theater systems in my opinion cables are the biggest snake oil out there. In my experience there are good cables and not so good cables, as you concluded between the two RCAs. In the past there used to also be bad cables. Within the good cables you have reasonably priced and unreasonably priced cables whereas I could never tell a sonic difference. Therefore stopped paying absurd amounts for cables a long time ago. As long as the cables have good specs there is no need for overpriced cables. Cable dimensioning, mainly for speaker is important, whereas for signal cables ways to mitigate noise and interference is what matters.

[@summerforever6736]

Agree 100%

[@erod9088]

XLR from the processor to the amp is always a good idea. Keeps the signal clean going into the amplification stage.

[@GorhamWorks]

A buddy and me conducted an experiment along the same line and found the very similar results. We found actually going through the signals he has really noisy electric power at his house. But a good quality shielded rca and xlr are really good. Great info.

[@ealanosborne]

Exactly. You never know how clean or dirty your power is until you test out scenarios like this. 😁🤘

[@mwrightinsurance]

Yep! 👍 Great video! I use Guitar Center’s House brand Livewire XLR cables, nothing fancy. My reasons for using XLR: 1. Superior connector 2. 6db gain 3. Lower noise floor 4. Yamaha RX-A3080 uses ESS 384 khz/32 bit SABRE DACs with a ES9026PRO for the front 2 channels and ES9007S for all others. With the pair of balanced inputs and outputs of higher quality might as well use ‘em. I think my next unit will be a pre/pro.

[@bronstet]

Great overview, Ealan. I had no idea what XLR cables were until recently when I learned that they were the cables used to connect the gigantic speakers to the sound system at both my local movie theater 🎥 as well as at my gym. IMHO, XLR should also have been made the standard cable for home audio all along as well. In not doing so, the audio industry left the door wide open for groundless RCA cables and newer HDMI cables to set the standard for home audio connection. The major issue now is compatibility. You simply will not find common affordable speakers, soundbars and A/V receivers with XLR connectors. The window is now long closed for XLR to ever become a standard in the home.

[@ealanosborne]

Yeah, it’s a shame that XLR has been linked only to expensive pro audio gear and microphones. I’d love it if preamps and active speakers were more affordable so I could have an active home theater speaker system like a professional post production facility. 🤘

[@obi1cannoli777]

I'm currently using my av receiver with an external amp and my option right now is rca. I bought Monoprice Onix series 97% ofc for $7.99 a cable. They work fantastic!!! Eventually I want to get a processor and use xlrs.

[@imlilchilywily]

Bro 👋🏼, Thnx for the subjective review, unfortunately right now I only have the ability for RCA, hopefully in the future sometime I’ll be able to get a balanced ability preamp 👌🏼…..appreciate you taking the time to test 🤙🏼

[@halrichard1969]

A simple yet defining explanation of the most used connection cables. Well done. All of my audio sources from my PC with a Tos connection from PC to DAC then XLR connector from DAC to my 6-channel Equalizer, then to my powered speakers via RCA cables because there is no other matching choice between EQ and Speakers. The only extra expense over the Meta for all of these connectors was with the RCA cables. I went with the Triple shielded SKW High End Cables. Anyway thanks for making it all so clear.

[@ealanosborne]

Triple shielded for the win! 🙌

[@skypallman6169]

Quad RG6

[@jeffjefferson7384]

Good stuff. Not seen anyone else do a video like this with basic XLR cables. Would love a mega-list of your favoured demo scenes to test out kit.

[@hectic1219]

Love your videos… I wish you post more Often

[@ealanosborne]

I am definitely attempting to do that! 😁 Since I start every video with “I like to talk about movies, audio and music,” I thought it was high time I did more movie and music related videos. Stay tuned! 😁🤘

[@pgreen0001]

Great video. I’m using Mogami XLR cables.

[@ealanosborne]

Whoa! High quality!

[@pgreen0001]

@@ealanosborne I have a Marantz AV8805 so I needed 15 of them ugh!I have a 9.3.4 Dolby Atmos and a 7.3.6 Auro3D setup. The ATMOS doesn’t use the top center and VOG and the Auro3D doesn’t use the front wides.

[@LemonySnicket-EUC]

​@@ealanosborne 😎

[@rayking507]

When I buy my processor with XLR connections I think I will run my front stage (LCR) speakers with more expensive xlr cables than the surrounds and hight speakers. What do you think.

[@o.c.g.m9426]

Now there u go. That's what I want to do. I'm going for a 7.2.6 so an A7 for 6 height and XPA 7 GEN 3 for 7 bedlayer

[@danmarjenka6361]

The reviewer makes a great point: With XLR cables, the quality of shielding is not important. Noise will just get cancelled out.

[@0756rocketman]

Just because it is XLR does not mean it is ballanced, as in differential. Or pin 2 and pin 3 are signal pins of + and - audio hot. With respect to pin 1 GND. My Emotiva XMC-2 is pin1 GND, pin2 is signal +, pin3 is cold

[@robognu5000]

I went with those exact amazon basics rca because they were cheap and I had just purchased my avrx3600. I didn’t want to spend any more money at the time. I’m still using them 2 years later, but maybe it’s time to try something a bit more expensive. That would be sweet if I get a slight bump in dialogue intelligibility. Thanks, Ealan!

[@ealanosborne]

Yeah, man! Use code “EO10” for 10% off the Aperion RCA cables if you want! 😄

[@Saturn2888]

I find that cheap RCA cables introduce a hum which was rectified after buying the ridiculously expensive ones like you showed. Also, most receivers have double the output voltage over XLR.

[@marklazerson2281]

with any analog signal, regardless of cable endpoint method, If audio system is resolving enough, audio sounds are likely to differ, between many different brands

[@pastaman6099]

Don't have external amps, but I did have a really long run from the AVR to the back of the room for the subwoofer with a cheap monoprice $5 rca. I couldn't hear any hum with my old tinny HTIB 8" Sony, but the Klipsch r-112sw was so much more powerful and showed me how much 60 Hz hum the cable is picking up. A 35 ft Alpluto double shielded cable from amazon pretty much eliminated that and it was only $15. Since then when adding more subwoofers and some bass shakers, I've always gotten shielded splitters and wires.

[@ealanosborne]

Shielding is always the way to go nowadays! Good on ya! 🤘

[@jebo4jc]

Just bought myself an outlaw 7000x. But some normal monoprice " premium" cables. Hopefully they're up to the challenge

[@shaolin95]

They are. I am using all Monorprice ones

[@jimadair1247]

A little off subject but I watched this video right after watching you with outlaw amp and the other 3 channel amp. I am curious how when connecting the center channel using RCA cables you are only connecting the "left" or white jack on the receiver and the amp only has one input. Aren't we missing some of the signal here or is the center channel mono? I feel like I should know this, but I have only ever used one single amp processor in my previous media rooms. Thanks in advance.

[@ealanosborne]

Yes, all the channels are technically mono, even though they're labeled with red and white terminals. So each corresponding speaker label (L, R, C, etc) only has one designated RCA preout.

[@MrElchav]

I found out this morning that my Marantz AV8805 has an output voltage of 1.2V via RCA. This doubles to 2.4V via XLR! Surely this difference in output will reflect at the amplification stages? Upon this discovery, I have ordered some XLR cables.

[@ealanosborne]

Correct. Hence my usage of XLR cables whenever I possibly can. Although that's also because I come from a music recording background where balanced XLR and TRS cables are king. :)

[@H2OFSU]

Thanks for comparing them. Any chance you could test out cables that are RCA from the processor to XLR into your Outlaw? I have the Denon 3700 and will be buying a power amp with XLR only. Curious if you could hear a difference or if they just sound like RCA. Eventually I’ll upgrade the Denon to a processor with XLR outs.

[@ealanosborne]

If you have an adapter, or have a pre-made RCA to XLR cable, it’s still going to be as good as your weakest link. So even if you have one end that’s XLR, it’s still not going to be any better than RCA. But if it’s high quality RCA (double shielded, braided, etc) then that’s at least better than a cheap RCA cable. 😁

[@htenthusiast2897]

You won’t notice a difference between a good quality RCA with grounding and XLR. I run RCA from my Denon to the Outlaw and it’s clean and sounds great.

[@hdtvkeith1604]

I think the right way to test RCA cables is on a test bench’s with know frequencies and scope of some type. I would think if dialogue were impacted on the Amazon cables the highs would have likely been worse. I had thr Amazon cables at 8 feet and heard no difference from using internal amp. The on,y reason I switched out thr Amazon cables is I needed more and decided due to where the cables were going to route to get a better sheilded and braided cables. And again no sound difference that I could here.

[@rayking507]

Hi there, I just had a quick look at Amazon and Ebay for XLR cables and most of them are described as microphone cables. Are these the one we need for connecting power amp to processor. Many thanks.

[@ealanosborne]

Oh sure! An XLR cable is an XLR cable. They're mostly used with microphones since they are so good with rejecting noise and having a quiet noise floor to begin with, which is imperative when dealing with microphones. But there's no XLR for microphones vs XLR for home theater. They're all one and the same. :)

[@MaZEEZaM]

I've never seen a grounding wire used. Very interesting.

[@frostman9661]

What are your thoughts on doing XLR also to the speakers?? I've heard that's where the big difference comes with XLR is over distance. Rca diminish quickly with distance. Or so I've been told...

[@ealanosborne]

Correct! RCA diminishes significantly after 20 feet, whereas XLR is fine up to 200 feet. 😳 Although the only speakers that accept XLR are some higher end subwoofers and active speakers (like you see in a professional post production facility or music mixing/mastering studio). I hope to do tests on an active speaker home theater system, but active speakers are expensive! 😄

[@frostman9661]

@@ealanosborne that's a good point! Maybe good ol' speaker wire will have to do haha! But speaking of which, that could be another good comparison video at some pointin the future! 18 gauge vs 12 gauge wire, or cheapo vs high end wire etc. Thanks for the reply!

[@frostman9661]

@Douglas Blake That's a great point. Thanks!

[@wendellwendellb339]

I’m using the Amazon basic rca cables (I have the Emotiva 2,3, and 4 channel amps) that you described in the video. In your opinion, would it be better to try the Aperion rca cables?

[@ealanosborne]

I think so. As I said in the video, dialog was the one thing that stood out to me as being better with the Aperion RCA cables. Still subtle, but if that is worth it in your mind, go for it. 😁

[@wendellwendellb339]

You mentioned double braided cable, would a cable that is double braided work as well? I have to look at options to the Aperion cable. That’s 9 interconnect cables, and Aperion are a little more expensive!

[@wendellwendellb339]

I think I will look into the Emotiva rca interconnects, since I do have Emotiva amps!

[@thesaucynes]

thank u so much for taking the time to experiment and post content like this, this explained a similar problem I ran into this week with my DJ system

[@ealanosborne]

Sweet! Glad I could help! 😁

[@052RC]

This is somewhat of a messed up topic, and its not really your fault if you didn't get something completely right in your video. But there is a lot more to this topic than what was in the video. The biggest mistake you can make is assuming you have a balanced connection just because you have cables and components with xlr connectors. It means absolutely nothing. XLR is just a 3 pin connector. While you need a 3 pin connector to make a balanced connection, but is doesn't have to be xlr. TRS and DIN style connectors are also used to make a balanced connection. In order for a balanced connection to work, both components have to be able to handle a balanced signal, along with the cable. What you're plugging your xlr cables into determines if the connection is balanced, not the cable. If at some point in the connection, something is missing to make it balanced, it automatically defaults to single ended (unbalanced) operation. So you may think you have a balanced connection when you really don't. What I'm saying hear is very common. I don't have an exact percentage, but at least 50% of all connections made with a pair of xlr cables, are really not balanced. You just think it is. Also, when it comes to balancing, there are a lot of variables. You can have a legit balanced connection but the methods used to balance the signal may differ. And that's very important. Sometimes when you plug a balanced cable into a connection that's only single ended, you'll have a noise problem. If the connection is wired differently, you may not get a noise, but the connection is still unbalanced. In the video, you said some things that made me question if you really had a balanced connection. When a signal is balanced, the process used in making it balanced leaves you with an additional 4-6 db more than if the connection is single ended. When you switch between balanced and single ended operation, the balanced connection should be louder. It seemed like you thought that the differences between the 2 were subtle, and there wasn't a big effect sonically. If the balanced wasn't louder, then your connection wasn't balanced. Instead of using all 3 of the pins on your xlr cables, you were only using 2. The 3rd pin wasn't connected to anything. Using only 2 of the 3 pins is electrically identical to using non balanced, or rca cables. And I think that's what happened here. Its pretty clear that you were really paying attention when you did your listening. If one was louder, I think you would have definitely picked up on it.

[@o.c.g.m9426]

What about 6 feet of RCA with XLR Adapters...again only 6 feet, is there a difference?

[@ealanosborne]

RCA cables can exhibit interference beyond 20 feet, so six feet should be okay. Although rule of thumb is, your cables are only as good as your weakest link. Using XLR adapters still means they’re only as good as RCA. Voltage is another factor with XLR. You’ll get about +3 volts and a cleaner, louder signal compared to RCA. If I can use XLR, I do. I just prefer it if it’s an option.

[@kellmanmartinstainbank4920]

Hi Ealan, are you advocating using Coaxial RCA cables to connect preamp to power amplifier? Rather than using 'normal' RCA type cables? Thanks for your great videos.😁👍🇿🇦

[@ealanosborne]

Yeah! Analog RCA cables are almost obsolete at this point. Digital coax cables with RCA connectors is the better, more modern equivalent, since they’re better shielded, etc

[@kellmanmartinstainbank4920]

@@ealanosborne thanks for your reply, truly appreciated and keep up the great work you doing 👍 😀 👏 😁🇿🇦

[@bigjack79]

Great review. Did you experience any hiss at no volume with xlr?

[@052RC]

Hiss is a gain issue. It has nothing to do with volume. A volume control can't effect the signal, only gain can. When you adjust volume, the hiss is already part of the signal, so you're just noticing it more as the system gets louder. To correct it, you have to do a better job setting your gain structure. A volume control only shows you what's already there.

[@hometheaterjoe9489]

Love your work bruda, great work as usual, off topic… what’s your athletic back round? Do you ever lift weights? You’re 6ft tall or better yeah? Were you a swimmer? No disrespect intended just wondering 💭

[@ealanosborne]

Thanks, man! Yeah, I did swimming and water polo all 4 years in high school. Stayed in shape lifting weights throughout my 20’s and 30’s. Fairly recently started getting into calisthenics. Slow progress, but I’m enjoying the skill-driven goals associated with it, instead of just thinking, “I want bigger muscles.” 😄

[@hometheaterjoe9489]

@@ealanosborne keep it up bruda!! Really liking all the content, I feel like since you finished your home theater build you’ve been pumping out the continent and I appreciate it!! Now I’m going to have to get back in shape as well… can’t have you 1 upping me like that homie. 😂🤣👀 jk, I been trying to run lately, not doing so well, thinking about it a lot… running a little 😂🤣😂🤣

[@craigosterberg5045]

Thanks for the comparison.I buy the middle ground.

[@theeggman4806]

I use the basics on my Denon X8500HA for connecting my svs subs..for the money you cant fault them.if I went the separate amplifier route something more substantial would be bought..

[@Reggaebeatman]

I have Denon AvR X3800, problem is it only has RCA pre outs. I want to use the XLR connection on my amp. Any ideas 💡 how to do this? is correct way to send SOUND HDMI or Coaxial out from X3800 to a pre amp which has XLR OUT to the Power Amp?

[@ealanosborne]

Hmmm…I mean, yeah, you could technically do that, but probably more of a hassle, IMO. Might as well just save XLR connections for when you upgrade to a preamp with XLR outputs. 🤷‍♂️

[@Reggaebeatman]

@@ealanosborne after some reading on Internet there are RCA/XLR cables with one end RCA other XLR that might be worth trying .... not sure if that might be better. Thanks anyway for your help, your channel is pumping out some really good helpful videos.

[@ealanosborne]

@@Reggaebeatman Thanks! Although truth be told, a cable is only as good as its weakest link. An RCA to XLR cable will still only be as good as an RCA cable in the end. 😬

[@Reggaebeatman]

​@@ealanosborne yeah weak link, maybe only benefit might be better grounding ; some Noise hum reduction.

[@ItsVivekJ]

Are all XLR cables similar? I mean I'm looking to buy them for connecting preprocessor to amplifier. When I go to Amazon they're all advertised for microphone, mic mixer, recording studio, etc. Are they the same and can be used for home theater use?

[@ealanosborne]

Correct. An XLR cable is an XLR cable. Perhaps the materials used may be higher in quality than others, which might make a difference in price, but for the most part, the design and science behind it are all the same. 👍 I currently use multicolored XLR cables I got from Amazon and they work just fine! 🤘

[@ItsVivekJ]

@@ealanosborne great, thanks 🙏🏽

[@ItsVivekJ]

@@ealanosborne do you mind sharing which brand? I also noticed that some of the cheaper ones are nickel plated and read that they rust over time. Gold plated, Cable Matters, is gold plated and isn't too expensive as compared. Suggestions?

[@ealanosborne]

@@ItsVivekJ Eh, I honestly don’t know how true that is. I’ve had some basic, regular ol’ XLR cables for over 20 years that have never rusted, but aren’t gold-plated. 🤷‍♂️ These are the ones I picked up for my home theater 👇 amzn.to/3Yeh9IT

[@SidVidZid]

The Quiet Place made me upgrade my audio equipments. It wasn’t a big budget movie but it’s my favorite after Ready Player One in terms of audio.

[@ealanosborne]

Right?! That movie is such a unique test on how big your system can get, but also how it can handle almost complete silence. It’s now one of my go-to films. 🤘

[@SidVidZid]

@@ealanosborne it sounded amazing when I streamed it through Amazon Prime on my 12 year old Onkyo, then I decided to get the Denon 3700H which I thought was expensive, BUT after watching lot of KZbin videos I ended up buying pre amp processor and an amplifier, it was over budget but I told myself, “Man plans, God laughs”

[@ealanosborne]

@@SidVidZid 🤣

[@shaolin95]

Now build a Hovereze and take your experience to a whole new level!

[@HarryM2022]

Great videos as usual! Keep up the good work! Quick question; is the same using RCA analogue or Digital RCA coaxial between AVR and external amp?

[@ealanosborne]

Pretty much the same. Although “digital coax” is the more modern term, because digital signals are so commonplace now. That, and digital coax has better shielding since it’s an updated version of your typical old school analog RCA cables like from the PlayStation 1 days. 😄🎉

[@HarryM2022]

@@ealanosborne many thanks for the reply! So I can use any type between avr and external amp with no issues.

[@ealanosborne]

@@HarryM2022 Analog RCA (being the older version) can still be susceptible to electronic interference or buzzing potentially. Digital coax is better shielded, so interference is rare. Even Amazon sells inexpensive digital coax patch cables that I’ve used before and had no issues with. 👍

[@Fliptechmed]

Premium cables are like premium tires. The basic performance tires/cables will get the job done, but the premium tires/cables will assure you that you have the best possible traction/isolation for your vehicle/audio. 😎

[@ealanosborne]

I like that analogy! 🤘

[@shaolin95]

Well not really cause that will imply better performance from premium cables which is snake oil provided you are not using dollar store cables

[@guyhickey3343]

I’m new to your channel and your so helpful in so many ways.Thanks again!

[@slapndbass]

I blew out the little rear speakers for my vizio m series 5.1 surround sound bar. The wireless subwoofee has rca out. I have 2 jbl studio monitors. So rather than replace the same speakers for $70 I bought rca to1/4 plugs to input into the jbls. I got hissing on the right side. I then ordered some rca to xlr and the quality was dramatically improved 👌🏽 highly recommend some good quality rca to xlr to upgrade.

[@ealanosborne]

Nice! Excellent troubleshooting, my friend!

[@slapndbass]

@ealanosborne I couldn't believe how well the rca to xlr worked. It even balanced itself out. I love it for the ps5 I'm hearing things in games I wasn't hearing before and Spotify sounds brighter

[@sanjeefonseka103]

@Ealan Osborne Does this apply to wires running from the amp to subwoofers ? I have no option of XLR and the distance between sub to the amp/processor is about 30feet (wiring distance) ? Do I have to get subs closer to amp or does this impact sounds coming from subs ? Thank you.

[@ealanosborne]

Typically it's not good to have an RCA subwoofer cable run of more than 20 feet, or else 60 Hz humming or electromagnetic interference could potentially be an issue. XLR runs can go up to 200 feet without signal degradation.

[@sanjeefonseka103]

@@ealanosborne If I can convert XLR to RCA on both ends and run XLR cables, would that solve the issue ?

[@ealanosborne]

@@sanjeefonseka103 Not exactly. It’s worth a try, but ultimately, the signal is only as strong as its weakest link 😬

[@sanjeefonseka103]

@@ealanosborne you are correct. I will setup my equipment closer to the front stage where subwoofers/LCRs are located.

[@damianjackson5055]

Smart move Ealan, you might be better off with the Emotiva RMC-1 AV processor because with the RMC-1, you get what you’ve paid for and DIRAC Live room correction which is the best room correction that you can get from an AV processor.

[@ealanosborne]

No kidding. I need me some Dirac, for sure. 🤘

[@damianjackson5055]

@@ealanosborne And just remember, Ealan, keep saving up until you get one for sure, and I guaranteed that you’re not even going to want to go back to a budget receiver or processor!!!!

[@M0D60]

XLR on one end, RCA on other. Does it really work? If so, is their a Noticeable sound difference??

[@ealanosborne]

Eh, doesn’t really work, just because your audio “chain” is only as strong as your weakest link. So since RCA is unbalanced, ultimately the signal will remain unbalanced even if one end is XLR. And I wouldn’t say there’s a noticeable sound difference between RCA and XLR (there is, but very slight), it’s more of a cleaner/grounded signal that is much less susceptible to electronic interference. That and RCA signals start to degrade over 20 feet, whereas XLR can reach up to lengths of 200 feet without signal loss.

[@M0D60]

U saved me money and Time. Tx

[@o.c.g.m9426]

@Ealan Osborne So Captain E.O my Processor & Amps are 6 feet apart. Think I'll notice the difference between XLR & RCA?(I have Mogamie 6 ft $52 a piece cords). If not then I can stick with Emotiva 13 channel MC1 and if I want to upgrade I'll get a 16 chan with both xlr & rca

[@Barleyleg]

How about those RCA (receiver out) to XLR (amp in) cables? Those don’t make sense to me. I mean, unbalanced out to balanced in is still technically (somewhat) unbalanced in the chain, right? Gimmick?? Cheers!

[@ealanosborne]

Correct. Your signal chain is only as strong as your weakest link. It’s a gimmick to me, if you’re doing to think it might improve your sound. But if you NEED an adapter like that because on one end is ONLY XLR inputs, then sure, an adapter is necessary. 🤷‍♂️

[@Barleyleg]

@@ealanosborne Ahhh…..good point. See, this is why you have a channel and I don’t! Thanks as always, brother!

[@kyogen666]

That was super clear explanation, thank you

[@ealanosborne]

You’re welcome! 🤘

[@2081calin]

I have been using my Marantz av 8805 processor , 2 marantz 8077 power amps and svs pb4000 with XLR‘s , I can’t complain at all it sounds amazing on movies and games

[@ealanosborne]

Oof! I want some SVS subs with XLR inputs someday. 🤘

[@2081calin]

@@ealanosborne , Believe me they’re worth it every penny

[@LemonySnicket-EUC]

What brand of XLRs?

[@psyphonyxaudio]

Great comparison and topic. I have a feeling a lot of the tech is made based on measured specs .. not listened differences. True .- it might be visible on a chart from a scientific test.. but is it actually blind listened audible? .. ( gotta love audio debates) Cheers! ... Lemme know when those Dragon's Milk Chocolately Smooth Unicorn Hair cables come in... I bought a pack of GIANT marshmellows to use as cable risers... =) ... #Smores

[@danmarjenka6361]

Just use cheap XLR cables, since that is probably what was used by the recording studio who recorded and mixed the music you are listening to.

[@toorop111]

What do i use for a ground?

[@ealanosborne]

Any copper wire will do. I personally took a standard copper speaker wire for my ground. 🤷‍♂️

[@toorop111]

@@ealanosborne i am receiving x2 audiolab 8300MB’s i am wanting to hook them up to my paradigm bookshelf lol. I will be upgrading to newer speakers would love some recommendations……

[@danieldelgado8153]

Totally made a big difference going from RCA to XLR and I have 62 yo ears. Big difference……. Anthem AVM 70 going to Macintosh Monoblocks, Tekton Encore speakers. My best. Dan Albuquerque

[@ealanosborne]

Macintosh monoblocks?! And Tekton Encores?! All those tweeters! Jealous! 😮

[@scottwrezenski2356]

Great video

[@RahzAlGhul]

I’ll be using RCA for my height channels and XLRs for the base level 7 channels reason being cause I got lucky on buying another amp for $300 lol and this amp didn’t have XLRs however my Arcam did come with XLRs which was also $300

[@ealanosborne]

Sweet deal! 🤘

[@WeeWeeJumbo]

In my stereo setup I run a DAC + preamp + power amp with Mogami XLR interconnects, which is funny, because I’m still using bare wire between my amp and speakers. Look don’t judge me, Rome wasn’t built in a day, one step at a time, etc.

[@ealanosborne]

Exactly. No rush. 😁🤘

[@richmax13]

Great review!! Thanks

[@willmahoney2452]

I finally went the separated route a few months back and switched over to XLR and have the same ones you do. I have an Emotiva RMC-1L and the Emotiva XLR cost about the same as the colorful ten pack so I knew I didn’t have to go crazy. It maybe placebo but I can hear better separation in the channels 7.1.4 and improved clarity at lower volumes even before I did room correction.

[@ealanosborne]

It could be your brain REALLY wanting your investment to indeed sound better. 😄 But then again, it HAS to be better right?! It sounded better to me too when I went separates with XLRs. 😁🤘

[@willmahoney2452]

@@ealanosborne A little bit of A, a little bit of B??? 😱😂

[@chevalde31]

BTW the bare copper side of the ground wire on the processor nut is reversed (ccw) to normal convention (same rotation as compressing the wire) as the wire strands will unwind themselves with time. A crimped round lug at the end of the bare wire side would have solved the issue.

[@shaolin95]

It IS placebo...the difference will be in noise levels if you were getting any noises before. Everything else is just your brain

[@vinhphan86]

thank you! its a very video. keep it up

[@AT-wl9yq]

Some of the information in the video isn't correct. I'm not faulting you for it, because when it comes to balanced operation, there's far more misinformation then real information. The industry turned balancing into a disaster, and because of that, very few people actually understand what's going on. The way you connected everything in the video, none of it was balanced, even when you used the XLR cables. Balanced operation is a very specific thing, and certain requirements need to be met. The type of connectors don't mean anything. Balanced cables need to be 3 conductors. You can use xlr, din, trs, rj45, etc..., as long as there are 3 conductors, anything will work. Same thing for single ended connections (non-balanced), except they just need 2 conductors. What matters is the components. They have to be balanced, and not all balancing is the same. Sometimes the whole component is balanced. Thats when all the components in the signal path are doubled up to accommodate the signal on the 3rd pin of the xlr/balanced cable. Or the component can be balanced from connection to connection. A regular single ended signal is converted to balanced at the output of a component, and the input of the receiving component converts the balanced signal back to SE. Its much cheaper to do it this way, and allows you to get some of the features as a fully balanced system, like long cables runs. At this point, I'm sure you're confused about some of this, and its not your fault. Its a large topic, and I'm just scratching the surface. To go over all the details, I would need to write a small book. What I can do is give you some quick information that you can use to determine if your components are balanced, or are just regular components with xlr connectors. In order for you to make a balanced connection, the 2 pieces you are connecting have to be balanced. If everything isn't just right, you don't get in. Even though you were using xlr cables in the video, only 2 of the 3 conductors were being used. Its exactly the same as using rca cables. There's some marketing tricks certain manufacturers use when they put xlr cables on a component, and label it balanced. I'm not going into that now, but you can't trust it. You need to look at the specs. If you have a balanced component, you'll see 2 sets of specs. One set for balanced and the other for single ended. When you look at the numbers, the output for the balanced connection will be 6db higher (sometimes its 4dd, mostly with pro gear.). Without those specs, its highly unlikely your component is balanced. Your amp isn't fully balanced, but it probably accepts a balanced signal and converts it to SE. That's why the switch is there. Check the specs, but the other components probably isn't. You can also listen for conformation. The 6db increase output I mentioned above, is clearly audible. If the balanced connection is louder than the rca connection, it should be balanced. If its not louder, try using rca cables for everything and remove the ground strap. You probably won't need it. I wish I could have gone into more detail, but if you're interested, you should have no problem finding publications that go into far more detail than what I'm giving you hear.

[@kongwee1978]

Both end have to be differential signal to consider true balance. Sometime you can cheat the input with passive component and degrade the signal.

[@AT-wl9yq]

@Douglas Blake You're full of crap. All you do is follow my posts just to start an argument. You don't even reference what I supposedly got wrong. You would write all that just because I spelled a word wrong. If you want to show how someone is wrong, this is how its done. "Have you ever wondered why pro-audio doesn't do "fully balanced" ... It's because that would defeat the noise cancelling properties of the overall audio chain." I don't have to wonder because I know the answer. It costs too much to make fully differential components in most applications. But it is done. Here's a short list of a few companies that do make pro audio components that are fully balanced. Bryston, dCS, Nagra, Antelope, Dangerous Music. "They use 2 signal wires, one in phase (hot), the other inverted (cold), for a reason... noise will invade both wires about equally." I know exactly how it works. On a balanced signal, the + and - symbols don't signify positive and negative like they do on a single ended design. They signify polarity on the conductors that carry the signal. Its not "hot" and "cold". If you wanted to use that same terminology for balanced, both signal conductors are hot, and the ground/shield is cold. Its a forgivable mistake because most textbooks use similar diagrams that are correct, but don't do enough to point out the differences in the terms, so its easy to overlook. We need to have a talk. Why don't you stop acting like a complete jackass and live your own life? Don't you have anything better to do than follow a complete stranger around the internet just to start an argument? You have a choice to make. You can take the companies I listed above and search through white papers all night, hoping to find any little scrap of information you can use to make an argument, or you can have some respect for yourself and do something more productive. And, just to be clear, stop doing this to everyone, not just me. I've seen some of the comments you made to other people, as well. You should be ashamed of yourself.

[@AT-wl9yq]

@Douglas Blake You haven't done any of that and you know it. You're delusional, and you want to disagree with me so bad, you'll fabricate information. As always, you write pages of information, but you will refuse to answer a simple question. How do I know this? Its the same story every time. "As I explained ... you got it all wrong. It is obvious to anyone with technical skills that you simply do not understand this topic." Typically, I wouldn't respond at this point, but you've forced yourself into another conversation where most of the people reading this information are not experts in the field and won't know who to believe. Like I said before, you should be ashamed of yourself. This is going to work like all the other times. I will ask you a simple question based on a claim you made in your in your first post, and you will not answer it. And sense you can't answer it, I'm not responding to you after this. And to anyone else that's reading this, I apologize for dragging you through all the garbage. You claim manufactures of pro gear don't make products that are fully balanced/fully differential because they won't have common mode noise rejection. Aside from me proving you wrong by giving a list of companies that make products like this, can you show us where we can look that information up for ourselves? Its a very simple question. That's such a ridiculous claim, even I tried to look that one up. So, are you lying, or does this information exist somewhere? And remember, I'm done responding unless you give a real answer.

[@armarra]

Sorry.. but you're giving bad advice.. Here's why. An xlr cable is a compromise. It's designed to be used on long cable runs like stage microphones or distant speakers , electronic key boards, guitars..etc in a noisy environment. So the idea is that the balanced cables remove the noises introduced by these sorts of environments but it comes at a cost .yes you don't get the noise removal for free. The cost is the signal to noise of the xlr is actually worse. How can that be?? Well the unbalanced RCA cables are designed to be used in non noisy environments over short cable lengths like in a typical home rather than long runs past a diesel generator powering an outdoor concert for example. So if the environment is far from perfect from an electrical noise perspective then xlr removes that noise but it'll never being back the same signal to noise of an RCA used in a "quiet" environment like a domestic home. I use the term quiet to describe low electrical noise rather than clashing and banging of domestic life home improvements..cooking kids playing etc . XLR are NOT superior to RCA when used in quiet environments in fact they lose about 6 dB of signal to noise ratio through the extra circuitry alone. To properly compare the xlr and RCA you need to have long lengths and turn on a device that creates electrical noise like a drill or angle grinder that are plugged to a power lead . You'll find that the XLR cables will not pickup any of the electrical noise of the drill or Mixmaster or angle grinder because the amplifier is filtering it out through extra circuitry which degrades the signal to noisea little bit (6dB or so) compared to a clean signal going into the RCA inputs without the drill noise because the drill isn't turned on. So in short an xlr will NEVER sound better than an RCA in an electrically quiet environment like watching a movie at home without ba mixmaster or a drill or similar appliance that causes electrical noise through.

[@ealanosborne]

Cool! 👍

[@easymike7176]

XLR outputs usually have a higher output voltage. On my DAC the XLR output is double the output as the RCA.

[@michaelwilburn1001]

"This isn't like a 75 dollar XLR cable" me who spent 400 on a pair from audio quest. 👀

[@ealanosborne]

Wow! Still, though, I wanna test XLR vs XLR, just out of curiosity’s sake, especially if I’m going to an active speaker like Adam Audio or something 👍

[@gwine9087]

Pretty academic seeing as about 99% of us have equipment with RCA only.

[@dfalekulo9138]

Xlr is even more susceptible to interference so if you had to focus on quality, even more so on xlr

[@BradleyAshley]

How so?

[@dfalekulo9138]

@@BradleyAshley not sure if the actual science but if it's cheap xlr, simply being on the floor will introduce issues and they break more easier. Rca on the other hand won't really have an issue like that regardless of quality so the quality is much more Important with xlr. He could have compared an expensive xlr also. I'm sure channa on daily hifi will let him know if he's on on monday

[@BradleyAshley]

@@dfalekulo9138 I don't think that's correct at all, XLRs are designed to reject noise. I agree that cheap things made poorly are susceptible to breakages but i don't think an XLR cable is more prone to this than anything else is.

[@dfalekulo9138]

@@BradleyAshley hmm I see. Loads more research to do for me then

[@BradleyAshley]

@@dfalekulo9138 no problem, we are all always learning

[@johnviera3884]

I hate insurance. And people without insurance seem to always be happier Seriously though. Just like the metric system vs imperial. XLR is better (metric) but you will always run into more RCA connections.

[@ealanosborne]

😄😄🤘

[@johnviera3884]

Let’s just switch everything to XLR!!!

[@byronhadley9662]

Watched this video right after I bought an Amazon basics cable 😭

[@ealanosborne]

Hey, they’re still great for the price. Just not the best, but still that why I bought them! 😄

[@nickloss2377]

WTF? XLR vs RCA interconnects are not in the same ballpark. XLR is always the way to go if your hardware supports it. Common mode noise rejection (XLR) vs chassis grounding (RCA) will always give XLRs the superior result. Some hardware doesn't actually use the differential noise rejection that XLR connections allow and will simply hardwire the ground to the chassis (but this tends to only be implemented in home hifi and home theater hardware; never in pro-audio applications). BTW: when you say "RCA coaxial", you know that is a digital cable that carries 2 channels of audio (aka SPDIF). RCA cables are analog, and only allow 1 channel of audio... so I don't think your comparisons are on the same page here.. for one, the Amazon cables are analog and the other one seems to be coaxial. RCA, XLR, TRS etc don't identify a cable, they are only identifying the connector. The cable assembly can vary dramatically even if they have the same connectors. Apples to oranges.

[@nickloss2377]

PS. you're completely wrong with your statement that only a slight difference in audio based on the cable. for example, you have a problem with a ground loop and RF interference, then using a star quad cable like mogami 2534 or canare star-quad will have a huge improvement in noise rejection. if the distances are short, plain old analog RCA cables are just fine and will even work for SPDIF applications. longer distances, get a RCA coaxial cable (75ohm impedance) for SPDIF, and XLRs.

[@RobZelinka]

Very informative videos. Good source to understand things related to home theater. If you can endure some awkward mannerisms and voice inflections you won’t be disappointed

[@shaolin95]

Was there any need for that stupid last comment? How would you like it if someone said...if you can endure his bold head and slightly weird smile, he is a nice guy...

[@RobZelinka]

@@shaolin95 it’s not my business what other people think so I would be fine with it. That aside I was complimentary of his content and he responded with appreciation. Thanks for your input. Enjoy the weekend

[@garyharper2943]

NO!