From a high end PRO perspective, there is just as much difference between high end and low end XLR cables as there is in high end and low end unbalanced RCA cables. The cheapest XLR cables are absolute crap and roll off the top end and make the low end muddy, midrange cloudy- just like unbalanced cable.
The reason most pros use XLR is noise floor- having a shield that encloses the positive and negative audio cable inside to protect it from outside noise. In high density cities like New York, LA, Dallas, etc RF is everywhere and can make noise that shows up in the audio of an unbalanced system. If a RF tower is near you that can sometimes create issues.
Having a complete system balanced is key in high pressure environments, like a recording studio. All you need is someone drive by with a big output RF device and your recording would be completely ruined. This used to be common when CB radios where popular.
Some like unbalanced better because HOW many designers balance their audio devices inputs and outputs can affect the sound quality of an audio device or signal chain of multiple audio devices.
Some balanced cable is a spiral shield, and not 100% coverage of the audio cables within. 100% braided shield is the better method for RF protection but it can make the cable less flexible.
Electronically balanced input/output stages vary in sound quality depending on design. THAT corp designs a great electronic balanced stage called OUTSMARTS we use an output stage of a mic preamp. We still use a Jensen transformer on the mic input. Transformer vs electronically balanced outputs do sound quite different.
If you run balanced cable and balanced devices and then insert one unbalanced device in the middle, the system is unbalanced at that point and any noise present is now in the audio path regardless of balancing later. The shield just protects the audio cables within. Remove the shield or reduce its coverage and the noise is back.
High capacitance cable can be a problem, especially when used with a microphone. The top end is affected by this build up of capacitance over its length. Make sure you read the cable specs and avoid this high capacitance cable.
XLR cables in balanced rigs can be run long lengths noise free. That does not mean they sound good over long runs. There is HF loss or at least changes in HF audible with longer cable runs. But in some cases like broadcast, it does not matter so much, the noise avoidance is the goal.
Brad
The reason most pros use XLR is noise floor- having a shield that encloses the positive and negative audio cable inside to protect it from outside noise. In high density cities like New York, LA, Dallas, etc RF is everywhere and can make noise that shows up in the audio of an unbalanced system. If a RF tower is near you that can sometimes create issues.
Having a complete system balanced is key in high pressure environments, like a recording studio. All you need is someone drive by with a big output RF device and your recording would be completely ruined. This used to be common when CB radios where popular.
Some like unbalanced better because HOW many designers balance their audio devices inputs and outputs can affect the sound quality of an audio device or signal chain of multiple audio devices.
Some balanced cable is a spiral shield, and not 100% coverage of the audio cables within. 100% braided shield is the better method for RF protection but it can make the cable less flexible.
Electronically balanced input/output stages vary in sound quality depending on design. THAT corp designs a great electronic balanced stage called OUTSMARTS we use an output stage of a mic preamp. We still use a Jensen transformer on the mic input. Transformer vs electronically balanced outputs do sound quite different.
If you run balanced cable and balanced devices and then insert one unbalanced device in the middle, the system is unbalanced at that point and any noise present is now in the audio path regardless of balancing later. The shield just protects the audio cables within. Remove the shield or reduce its coverage and the noise is back.
High capacitance cable can be a problem, especially when used with a microphone. The top end is affected by this build up of capacitance over its length. Make sure you read the cable specs and avoid this high capacitance cable.
XLR cables in balanced rigs can be run long lengths noise free. That does not mean they sound good over long runs. There is HF loss or at least changes in HF audible with longer cable runs. But in some cases like broadcast, it does not matter so much, the noise avoidance is the goal.
Brad
