XLR Balanced Cables

Our XLR cables carry balanced analogue signals between components with XLR sockets, such as a preamplifier and power amplifier, a DAC and an amplifier, or a processor and a subwoofer, with a few AES/EBU digital designs alongside. The range covers Kimber Kable, Inakustik, Montaudio, Zavfino, AudioQuest and SVS, in lengths from 0.5m to 12m.

How a balanced XLR cable works

A balanced XLR cable uses three conductors: two signal legs carrying the same signal in opposite polarity, plus ground. At a balanced input, noise picked up along the way appears equally on both legs and is designed to cancel out, which is why balanced connections are the usual choice for longer runs. It only works end to end, so the output and input both need to be balanced designs.

Conductors and construction across the range

Kimber Kable's braided interconnects, from Tonik, PBJ and Timbre to Hero and Silver Streak, come in balanced XLR versions as well as RCA. AudioQuest Yukon, Mackenzie and Red River are offered XLR to XLR, with Mackenzie using triple-balanced geometry and solid Perfect-Surface Copper+. Montaudio's Wairoa AP is hand-terminated in solid walnut housings, and the Bowen AH-1 is a silver hybrid with silver-plated conductors.

Inakustik's NF-204 and NF-404 Micro AIR and NF-1205 and NF-2405 AIR hold their conductors in air, with the aim of keeping capacitance low, and the XLR plugs on the NF-2405 AIR rotate 45 degrees to line up with the socket. Zavfino covers silver with copper in the Fusion Pure MkII and all copper in the Arcadia MKII. For simpler runs, the Inakustik Premium XLR uses double-shielded OFC copper, and SVS SoundPath Balanced XLR comes as a single or pair from 1m to 12m, handy for runs to subwoofers across the room.

AES/EBU: digital audio over XLR

Not every XLR audio cable carries analogue. AES/EBU is a balanced digital format that uses the same plug with a 110 ohm cable, and Kimber Kable's Orchid is an AES/EBU design, with the ADGL also built for balanced digital. Check whether your DAC or transport's XLR socket is analogue or digital before you choose.

Questions we get asked

Are all XLR cables balanced?

Audio XLR cables are almost always wired with two signal conductors and a ground, so the cable is ready for a balanced connection. Whether the signal is truly balanced depends on the components at each end, so check the specifications or ask us.

XLR or RCA: which should I use?

If both components have balanced XLR connections, that is usually the first choice, particularly over longer runs. If either end only has single-ended outputs or inputs, our RCA cables are the right fit, since an XLR to RCA adaptor turns the link back into an unbalanced one.

Can I use XLR to connect a preamp to a power amplifier?

Yes, and it's one of the most common uses, since many power amplifiers have balanced inputs. If you're choosing between our power amplifiers, check the input options alongside the length you'll need.

Tell us what you're connecting and how far apart the components sit, and we'll talk through the construction and length that suit. Call the team or visit our Murarrie showroom, and call or message first if you'd like a demo arranged.