-
WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!
twsecrest
Addicted to Fun and Learning
RCA is fine for most people using consumer audio electronics.
XLR would just increase the cost of an electronics device, over RCA, for consumer level products.
XLR is better for audio professionals, they are willing to pay more.
XLR would just increase the cost of an electronics device, over RCA, for consumer level products.
XLR is better for audio professionals, they are willing to pay more.
Neither is a common connection for passive speakers (I have seen both though). That's why the speakers you mentioned don't have XLRs
For electronics XLRs are better in most cases , especially to avoid ground loop problems.
Last edited:
MakeMineVinyl
Major Contributor
The RCA plug is very old and was originally called the RMA (Radio Manufacturers of America) plug. It was intended as a cheap method of connecting turntables to table radios. It was never intended for high fidelity use. Kind of like cassettes where an inferior technology was shoehorned into the mainstream in a capacity for which it was not originally intended, with predictable results. RCA plugs are utterly terrible for purpose but have hung on in audio by sheer brute force.
XLR was always a professional connector and is utterly reliable but is unfortunately expensive in the context of most consumer audio. XLRs also take up a load of real estate on a chassis, which means a bigger and more expensive box.
If I ruled the world, I'd standardize on BNC connectors for audio. They are completely reliable, and very importantly, are captive and won't pull out by accident like an RCA will. Some high end gear uses them and they try to make them seem 'Oh sooo exclusive'. but in reality they are very reasonably priced.
XLR was always a professional connector and is utterly reliable but is unfortunately expensive in the context of most consumer audio. XLRs also take up a load of real estate on a chassis, which means a bigger and more expensive box.
If I ruled the world, I'd standardize on BNC connectors for audio. They are completely reliable, and very importantly, are captive and won't pull out by accident like an RCA will. Some high end gear uses them and they try to make them seem 'Oh sooo exclusive'. but in reality they are very reasonably priced.
OP
regan
Active Member
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2022
- Messages
- 207
- Likes
- 107
- Thread Starter
- #5
How come brands like Edifier (more focused on casual consumer) use XLR and brands like KEF (more focused on demanding/audiophile consumers) don't? That's what's confusing to me and makes me wonder if the XLR makes a real difference.
For example Kef Reference 1 (10k usd) does not have XLR while Edifier S3000PRO (500 usd) does. And there are many examples, many high end passive speakers don't use XLR.
There is more than the connecter at play here. XKR is typically balanced and low impedance. RCA are high impedance. The XLR can provide long distance connecting where the RCA is typically short distance.
First ask the question "is the speaker passive or active (amps built in)". In most case the XLR is only used with active speakers. RCA is rarely used with either and is not a good choice period.
MakeMineVinyl
Major Contributor
That's actually not accurate. With modern gear, the outputs which use RCA can have the same low output impedance as anything using XLRs and usually consists mostly of the value of buildout resistor in-line with the output. Being a low source impedance, both RCA based and XLR based cables can be long or short.
Where XLR shines is its balanced nature. This makes pickup of hum and EMI much less of an issue since these are cancelled by the common mode rejection of the receiving component. It is much more common to use XLR for long cable runs because of this. That being said, I have unbalanced runs of cable over 30 feet long in my studio with no problems.
XLR connector cannot accommodate thick cables.
MakeMineVinyl
Major Contributor
Passive speakers usually have higher current demands than an XLR will support, since XLR is used for microphone level and line levels.
For speakers, speakON connectors are what is being used when banana plugs are not.
My simple rule is - if your equipment stack is free of wires/cabling clutter and max run length is 6ft, go with RCA, else stick to XLR. Also, when using XLR - make sure ground is isolated, and be aware that not all XLR cables are made equal, see images in review by elviscera.
Last edited:
I was unaware of that. Thanks.
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2016
- Messages
- 21,897
- Likes
- 40,053
Man no love for Camac/Lemo connectors like they use at CERN?
OP
regan
Active Member
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2022
- Messages
- 207
- Likes
- 107
- Thread Starter
- #15
@MakeMineVinyl So would it be safe to say that the connectors don't affect the audio quality when it comes to passive speakers? Be it banana plug or others. There are no superior connectors for modern passive speakers
Another reason is simply 2 wire Vs 3.
That is very likely the bottom line.
I'm not casting a vote.
The question is click bait, I clicked.
XLR or TRS has 3 poles to allow for a balanced connection with one pole at ground and the other two poles swinging opposite signals referenced to ground.
These balanced signals operate at +4dBU nominal, single ended signals nominally operate at -10dBV. Which one is preferred depends on a highly technical simulation model of Taco Bell vs. Burger King.
Draw your own conclusions.
The question is click bait, I clicked.
XLR or TRS has 3 poles to allow for a balanced connection with one pole at ground and the other two poles swinging opposite signals referenced to ground.
These balanced signals operate at +4dBU nominal, single ended signals nominally operate at -10dBV. Which one is preferred depends on a highly technical simulation model of Taco Bell vs. Burger King.
Draw your own conclusions.
twsecrest
Addicted to Fun and Learning
Passive speakers are connected to the output of an amplifier.
Active speakers are connect (to the source) with a line signal.
Similar threads
- Poll
- Poll
