Decent inexpensive (relatively) XLR cables

[Charles_b]

Hello guys, another cable thread I'm afraid!
I am looking for some decent XLR cables for my hifi system. Some of the prices for the "higher end" audiophile cables are just crazy. Is there anyone in China who reverse engineers, for example, what audioquest produce or similar? Has anyone here purchased any XLR cables from China and had good results? Is there anyone specifically who reviews XLR cables?

My budget is £100/$100 (ish per pair) (I need 2 pairs so 4 cables in total).

Many thanks,
Charles

 

[zermak]

Have you tried with bluejeanscables.com or ghentaudio.com to name two?
Thye both use quality cable from known brands and same for the terminals.

 

[Charles_b]

I haven't zermak-this will be my first proper hifi system (previously I used a yamaha receiver for music). I will definitely check them out, thanks,
Charles

 

[Jinjuku]

I use Cable Matters XLR with my JBL setup. I think they were $24 US for two 12 footers (3.6 meters)

 

[Swtoby]

I've liked Mogami:

http://www.mogamicable.com/category/products/gold_studio_2-3-6-15-25-50.php

 

[Charles_b]

Thanks Jinjuku. I only need 2x0.5 metres and 2x1metre to connect my dac, pre and power amps. From the power amps to speakers, it will be regular speaker cable-I will definitely check them out

 

[Inner Space]

Blue Jeans gets my vote - good materials, well assembled, exact lengths, customer support, reasonable prices. Paying more is dumb, paying less is dumb.

 

[Charles_b]

Thanks franspambot and Mogami. Defiantly something not to expensive to have a look at. I wonder what is so special about the cable that costs as much as a small family car?

 

[DonH56]

I use a lot of Pro-Co from Sweetwater: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/se...rams=eyJmYWNldCI6eyJCcmFuZCI6WyJQcm8gQ28iXX19

Mogami and Canare are good, and of course Blue Jeans Cable.

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Even worse than the price, at least one “high end” audiophile cable maker I know of uses cheap XLR connectors (I don’t know if I’m allowed to name names). Make sure any cable you buy uses name-brand connectors like Neutrik, Switchcraft or Amphenol.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[Charles_b]

Thanks guy's, really appreciate it. The audiophile gods have delivered again! It's getting late here so I will check back here in the morning,
Charles

 

[stunta]

I have multiple runs adding up to more than 200 feet of monoprice XLR cables. Haven't had any issues.

 

[DonH56]

I would avoid Hosa based on (much) previous experience. And the cheaper Monoprice cables. Both use shoddy (IMO) connectors and do not properly strain-relieve the wires. I have no experience with more expensive Monoprice; I bought a few of the cheaper (though not cheapest) ones with an order of other parts, and ended up doing a rush order with Sweetwater for something I would trust. I have read reviews elsewhere (e.g. AVS) where folk have liked their Monoprice XLRs so maybe I got a bad batch or didn't go for their higher-end'ish cables. Or they've improved.

Edit: I was typing when @stunta posted... Could you post or link exactly which ones (model) you purchased? Mine were junk but that was also several years ago.

 

[PaulD]

Charles, if it was me I'd go to my local pro-audio shop and ask them to make me a couple of XLR cables. They will have Canare and Mogami cable, high quality (e.g. Neutrix) connectors, and they will make what you want. There is no down-side, it's cheaper, supports local suppliers, the quality is superb, etc etc. [Yes, avoid Hosa cables!]

 

[Hemi-Demon]

I stick with Benchmark cables, to make sure the wiring is always correct

https://benchmarkmedia.com/collections/cables/products/benchmark-starquad-analog-xlr-cable

 

[Chrispy]

Thanks franspambot and Mogami. Defiantly something not to expensive to have a look at. I wonder what is so special about the cable that costs as much as a small family car?

Marketing and profit margin.

 

[Matias]

Design a Cable (UK) builds star quad balanced Van Damme cables with Neutrik XX gold connectors with good prices.

https://www.designacable.com/studio...neutrik-gold-xlr-to-xlr-microphone-leads.html

Or star quad balanced Mogami 2534 with Neutrik XX gold as well.

https://www.designacable.com/studio...iophile-neutrik-balanced-xlr-to-xlr-lead.html

 

[Blumlein 88]

Also, you are talking rather short runs. Unless you are sure you want no more than the short length adding length doesn't cost very much. The connectors are most of the cost. Might give you some flexibility in the future. Or if using a tight space the extra cable might just get in the way.

Monoprice Premiere XLRs are those I've used without any problems. They are a bit thicker than other XLR cables. So in this case with such short lengths they may be less flexible than desired. They have ends like this:

 

[Typevii]

Another vote for Bluejeans. Not the cheapest, but quality Canare star quad cable (thin and flexible) and Neutrik connectors, custom lengths and fast shipping.

 

[Racheski]

I just went through this nonsense to find 1 ft XLR Male > XLR Female cables to connect my DAC to Amp and scoured the interwebz:

• I would avoid buying from Blue Jeans Cable because you are paying an extra premium, and I'm not sure what you are getting other than relatively fast shipping. Same thing with ordering the cables from Benchmark.
• Ghent Audio has the best prices and variety for Mogami/Canare/Belden cables and Neutrik connectors, but if you are shipping to the US its going to take 3-4 weeks. I ordered a pair of 1 ft cables for $23 total on June 9th and am still waiting for them to arrive.
• These are Mogami/Neutrik for under $20 each and arrive quickly; you are not going to find a better price shipping to the US except for Ghent Audio. I have been using them for a week and they work great: Mogami Neutrik Ebay
• If you want to customize the colors on the rings and boots of the Neutrik connectors and don't mind waiting a little longer, this rando shop in LA has Mogami 1 ft cables starting at under $20 each: https://www.proaudiola.com/product-p/1-m2552-nxlrf-nxlrm-1.htm

However, if you want the best of the best, the Kimber Kable Select 1136 is a steal at $3.3k/meter per pair: Kimber Kable Select . Shipping is free as well. They will raise your IQ, cook you dinner once per week, and grant you 1 wish.