Which is better longer xlr or speaker cable

You know Rodman the mystery to me is why you have to be so belligerent. You have a set of beliefs, any challenge to them threatens you.

Fact is that everything you could possibly want to playback in your home environment is done balanced - everything - except home audio.

Beyond the considerable reduction of RFI/EMI from a balanced design, balanced runs at +4db VU compared to single ended -10db VU. That is 14 db difference in noise level - more then many preamps put out.

Home audio is single ended because it is cheaper. In fact the computer guys have tried to make it cheaper yet with 3.5mm instead of RCAs...

But there is a larger point. Balanced with XLR is the global professional standard. So (almost) no matter where in the world you go, and no matter what production environment you work in it is the same.

No one wonders when they plug their Nagra master tape into a Studer through a Neves deck if there is going to be synergy. No one wonders if there Neumann mike will sound good on a DigiBeta dub.

Your music is done that way. Your TV is done that way. Your movies are done that way. And your studio recording and mixdown is done that way.

There is no logic to support your contention that a mixdown requires something different then a source recording. What do you suppose can be different? Magically more bandwidth? From where?

In fact the more times you mix down, process, dub, master etc the worse the signal gets. Not by the way because of the cables alone, but because of the electronics and recording media. That is why one take 2 track is the cleanest audio you can find. And the new cool thing at the high end audio shows.

I believe that this superstitious worship of cables we audiophools all engage in comes from the fact that enthusiast manufacturers do not pay attention to any standards whatsoever.

The reason people spend forever talking about YMMV and synergy is because every system is unshielded, unbalanced, and has an unknown output and input requirement.

How is it that anyone who deals with audio professionally uses tones, yet all too few in our august hobby even know what they are... and absolutely no one uses them?

Cables matter a lot when there is no zero.

If you run long lengths of RCA - say 10 feet or more - then be careful if you use
consumer Hi-fi grade equipment. Consumer Hi-fi equipment preamplifiers may
not have the power supply and solid design to drive long interconnect lengths
properly. (Capacitance can be a problem) The general recommendation is for
low capacitance cables but it is safest to get a pro audio quality component with
XLR to go really long interconnect lengths.

Alternatively you can get one of these

CK- Belligerent? I merely stated a fact. Of course I acknowledge that everything produced(whether audio or video software) is processed via balanced circuitry. Every live(reinforced) music venue, recording, engineering, or production facility that I've worked has contained a plethora of power transformers, signal cables, power cords, etc, each a potential RFI/EMI(and now digital interference) generator. The whole concept of balanced circuitry was to combat the induced hum and noise that these sources can and will produce. I've yet to encounter a home environment that is that hostile to an audio signal(with even minimal care toward proper interconnect/cable/cord routing). How many home audio pre-amps are manufactured with fully differential circuitry? All but the best that are marketed today with "balanced" ins and outs will convert a balanced input to an unbalanced signal for the pre's gain stages, then back to balanced via active circuits(transistors or ICs). Most power amps with "Balanced" inputs are not fully differential either, which means yet another conversion(and more degradation) for the signal. With all that signal manipulation and additional electronics in the signal path, one cannot assume that a piece of home audio gear will inherently perform better in a "balanced" configuration than "unbalanced". You mentioned the processing and signal manipulation that is so rampant in the industry today(I'd only add "compression" to your list), and I agree completely. It's something we do have to live with though. The cable thing: Hopefully our recorded material was minimally processed and by producers/engineers that did as little damage to the signal as possible. Corrections and EQ's are unavoidable though, and all performed before the stamping process. I've found that the amount correction/EQ necessary depends largely on the quality of the mics and cables in use. Using the same mics: Audioquests in the studio DO make a difference too. From the outs of my BAT VK-D5 to the ins of my TacT RCS 2.2X(both fully differential), I've got a 1m pair of balanced interconnects. My first were Kimber Silver Streaks, then KCAGs and now KS-1130s. Each step yielded better tonal balance, focus, and a wider/deeper sound stage(none were slouches). If a change in a 1m pair of interconnects can provide an improvement in presentation, I have to assert that not going "cheap" on a 5m pair of cables would be a wise decision. YES- Two track: I'll take a pair of B&K 4133's and a Studer A-30 running at 30IPS please! My favorite recordings have always been direct-to-discs. For CDs- AAD made from 2 track masters like the Sheffield Labs(recorded during D-T-D takes) or Dead Can Dance material.

Whatever is "best" theoretically, I suggest you do two things. First, some pricing research to see how both scenarios play out. Generally speaking, interconnects cost more per foot than comparable-quality speaker cables. So you might -- MIGHT -- be better off in terms of bang for the buck by going with the longer speaker cables.

Second, be careful not to lock yourself into something you can't easily change or experiment with down the road if you should want to. For example, if you could split the difference (2- 3-meter ICs and equivalent length speaker cables -- not sure this will work in your layout) you'll leave open more options down the road, since those lengths are plentiful in the used market. Once you get into 5M interconnects, you get pretty short on options.