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XLR, phono, coaxial, or optical
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s0ft
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
42
Posts :
825
Posted : Nov 12, 2004 20:07
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can someone please explain the difference between these types of speaker connections. is one better? which connection do most computers accept? do you need a special output to connect to these types? sorry if my words dont make sense, im not familiar with the lingo. |
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Trip-
IsraTrance Team
Started Topics :
101
Posts :
3239
Posted : Nov 12, 2004 21:20
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coaxial is reffered to digital cable made of coax. It comes with the phono cable heads - one might say it's the same cable as phono. There's a debate wether the golden ones help the digital transfer or not.
optical is an optical cable that transferes light - digital information.
XLR is a 3wire cable - with one wire opposite phase. Most monitors work with this strong and reliable cable connection.
 Crackling universes dive into their own neverending crackle...
AgalactiA |
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s0ft
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
42
Posts :
825
Posted : Nov 12, 2004 21:45
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same quality and connectability? (not refurring to the golden ones) |
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Trip-
IsraTrance Team
Started Topics :
101
Posts :
3239
Posted : Nov 13, 2004 11:46
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I cannot talk about quality,
but if you connect a simple phono/rca to your coaxial digital i/o it'll work.
Crackling universes dive into their own neverending crackle...
AgalactiA |
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s0ft
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
42
Posts :
825
Posted : Nov 13, 2004 17:18
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sorry for the ignorance and thanks for the information! |
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UnderTow
Started Topics :
9
Posts :
1448
Posted : Nov 14, 2004 03:53
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Hi s0ft,
Coaxial cables are called that way because one of the signal bearing cables is wound arround the axis of the other. There is no such material as coax. Lol.  Also, coaxial cables are not limited to carrying digital signals nor do they always have RCA/phono connectors. TV and video cables are often coaxial.
You can only use coaxial digital cables if your speakers have the right digital input.
You shouldn't use phono cables instead of coaxial cables because they don't have the same physical properties. Mainly the resistance is different. This can and will cause digital jitter in the signal. Epecially over longer distances. You might not notice it but the signal is being degraded.
Trip is right about the XLR cable. There are two signal bearing cables one is in opposit phase to the other. Both cables are surrounded by shielding which is also the ground/earth connection.
Trip is also right about the optical cables. Only speakers with digital optical inputs can be connected with these cables.
For analogue signals, XLR cabling is the best choice for connecting active speakers with as any electrical interference will be amplified within the monitors. XLR cables minimise electrical interference.
And no, not all computers have all these connections. Typicaly they only have minijack connections but some come with RCA/phono connections. If you want other connections like XLR, you need a sound card with XLR output connectors.
I hope this helps,
UnderTow |
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s0ft
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
42
Posts :
825
Posted : Nov 14, 2004 14:35
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Quote:
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On 2004-11-14 03:53, UnderTow wrote:
I hope this helps,
UnderTow
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very very much. thank you |
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