- Automation & Control Gear
- Cables & Wires
- Enclosures & Server Racks
- Fuses & Circuit Breakers
- HVAC, Fans & Thermal Management
- Lighting
- Relays & Signal Conditioning
- Switches
- Batteries & Chargers
- Connectors
- Displays & Optoelectronics
- ESD Control, Cleanroom & PCB Prototyping
- Passive Components
- Power Supplies & Transformers
- Raspberry Pi, Arduino, ROCK, STEM Education & Development Tools
- Semiconductors
Speaker Cable
Speaker cables are used for the transmission of audio signals. These cables are so important that you will hardly get an ultimate experience from a device without them. Apart from that, they can help in minimising noise as well as interference. Despite being designed or built to be connected to audio sources like a microphone or stereo, there are still certain things you need to understand about these cables.
Types of Audio Cables
There are different types of audio and speaker cables in the market. In order to purchase the best audio cord that can meet your expectations, you need to have in-depth knowledge about each of these cables. To help you understand them much better, we will explore the various speaker cables below for your convenience.
- TRS: The letters TRS stand for tip, ring, and sleeve, and refer to the parts of the jack plug that the different conductors are connected to. These audio cables are useful for connection of sources such as audio interfaces, outboard gear, and headphones, and are a perfect replacement for XLR connectors.
- XLR: This is a very popular 3-pin audio cable that is commonly used by many people. They are most effective when used on speakers, preamps, microphones and more, and are characterised by their locking connectors which is important since it can prevent loose connections. You can choose between male XLR connectors and female XLR connectors.
- TS: TS audio cables are also called guitar or instrument cables. While the first two cables mentioned above are balanced, TS are unbalanced cables - meaning the wire has 2 conductors which will be connected or linked to the jack.
- RCA: When it comes to consumer-grade stereo equipment, this audio cable is one of the best options to choose from. In most cases, you will find RCA cables which have 2 jacks (white and red). While one is positioned on the right channel, the other will be on the left.
- Speakon: This audio cable is useful in the aspect of connecting amplifiers and speakers. Apart from being characterised by a 2-conductor connection, you can also find the versions that come with 8 or 4 conductors. If you are planning to set up any kind of bi-amped configuration, audio cables like these are a great option to explore.
Digital Audio Cables and Connectors
There is no doubting the fact that technology has advanced significantly in recent years. This has made it possible for upgraded audio cables to be available in the market. Whether you want to admit it or not, the truth is that most of these audio cables are more effective in terms of features and functionalities. Some of them are Midi cables, Adat cables, Dante, and USB. Before purchasing, it is important to ensure that you have understood the pros and cons of these cables and know what each cable is typically used for. This will help you make the right decision about which kind of audio cable to purchase.
Buy Audio Cables at RS
If you're in search of a reliable audio cable, there is no need to rack your brains about where to find high-quality speaker wires. Shop our wide selection at RS today or contact us for more information about our full range of cables and wires.
