1. Home
  2. cables
  3. 134435-163

Balanced cables

Do different brands/levels of balanced XLR ended cables going to and from differentially balanced components make a difference?
stringreen
cleeds
2,065 posts
 
handymann
Balanced cables are a huge asset ... You have two separate signal wires, both shielded by the woven mesh. This eliminates possible 60hz hum, or IR interference, that can and sometimes will present itself, when using SE cables.
Again, this is mistaken. The ability of a balanced cable to reject interference isn't because of shielding, which many balanced cables completely lack. Rather, it is the nature of the balanced connection itself and the common-mode rejection ratio that results. Shielding can very much be a benefit with single-ended cables, however.
cleeds
2,065 posts
 
ronres
Do balanced interconnects, perhaps because of common mode noise rejection, tend to suppress even order harmonics?
I don't think so, or even understand how that could be possible.
gdnrbob
2,421 posts
 
At least for me, Atmasphere, and Almarg have given all the information needed regarding balanced interconnects.
I think nrenter summed it up nicely, too.
So, would I buy an expensive XLR cable?
Probably not.
B
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
Just last year I bought a $3,100 XLR cable.
Seven meter Kimber KS1116
Love it. just what I needed.

Prior I had 7 m Kimber PBJ
7m Kimber Hero
7m Cadas Parsec I returned (total fail as a long XLR, but excellent at one meter)
7m Kimber bulk made up by me.
gdnrbob
2,421 posts
 
@elizabeth,
Though I respect Kimber, I would have a hard time justifying $3K for interconnects. 
Do you notice such a significant difference in sound reproduction?
And, I only say this as a question.
Bob
More to discover