What Is a Balanced Line?

The balanced line is an audio signal line with the best transmission effect. Although it also transmits analog audio signals, the structure and transmission principle are different. Each ordinary audio cable is a single-core transmission signal, and the shielding layer doubles as a "ground wire." Each of the balanced lines is a dual-core transmission signal. A core is used as the ground wire independently and works separately from the shielding layer, which can minimize the transmission loss and effectively eliminate various external interference to achieve the purpose of transmitting audio signals with high fidelity.

The analog audio cable is actually a common audio cable commonly used, because it transmits analog audio signals, not digital audio signals, so it is formally called an analog audio cable, which is usually used in low-end audio, and can also be used in other video Devices (such as cameras). The balanced line also transmits analog audio signals, but because of its structure and transmission principle are different from analog audio lines, the transmission effects of the two are different. Compared with the same level, the transmission of the balanced line will be higher fidelity, so it is mostly used in advanced or "fever" level audio.

Balanced line output

XLR three-pin terminals are used for balanced output. Pin 1 is grounded. Pins 2 and 3 transmit positive and negative signals respectively, with the US standard being 2 positive and 3 negative and the European standard being 2 negative and 3 positive. Because the positive and negative signals of the balanced output are transmitted separately and are grounded, the anti-interference ability is very strong, and they are mostly used in professional fields. It is not necessarily better than unbalanced output in the field of HIFI ^[1] .

The unbalanced output usually uses RCA terminals to transmit the positive and negative signals together. Generally, the center of the RCA plug is the positive phase and the outer phase is the negative phase.

XLR three-pin terminals are used for balanced output. Pin 1 is grounded. Pins 2 and 3 transmit positive and negative signals respectively, with the US standard being 2 positive and 3 negative and the European standard being 2 negative and 3 positive. Because the positive and negative signals of the balanced output are transmitted separately and are grounded, the anti-interference ability is very strong, and they are mostly used in professional fields. It is not necessarily better than unbalanced output in the field of HIFI.

The unbalanced output usually uses RCA terminals to transmit the positive and negative signals together. Generally, the center of the RCA plug is the positive phase and the outer phase is the negative phase.