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How do the balances cables work?

post #1 of 9
7/27/08 at 6:41am
Thread Starter 
Can anybody explain what's the advantage of using a "balanced" calbe for headphones if two of the 3 are still connected together? How does it work?
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post #2 of 9
7/27/08 at 6:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nopietns View Post
Can anybody explain what's the advantage of using a "balanced" calbe for headphones if two of the 3 are still connected together? How does it work?
Did you do a search?
This question is being asked WAY to often imo.
Beside +20040556998855968837 posts on HeadFi on this subject, read the Headroom site, they give a good explanation.
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post #3 of 9
7/27/08 at 8:40am
Thread Starter 
The search engine on this forum is terribly weak, the link seems ok though.
Thanks.
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post #4 of 9
1/20/11 at 8:17pm
Ironically, my search brought me here smily_headphones1.gif
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post #5 of 9
1/20/11 at 8:51pm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balanced_audio

 

Instead of one incoming wave, you get two with one inverted before sending and after receiving. Any interference in the cable is canceled by recombining the original, and twice-inverted signal.

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post #6 of 9
1/21/11 at 7:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JerryLove View Post

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balanced_audio

 

Instead of one incoming wave, you get two with one inverted before sending and after receiving. Any interference in the cable is canceled by recombining the original, and twice-inverted signal.

 

Here's a slightly less complicated explanation.

http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/unbalanced_vs_balanced_lines

It's hard to explain without drawing pictures.


In essence it's only useful if you have issues with audible external interference and noise which can occur if you are using large amounts of cable.

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post #7 of 9
1/21/11 at 11:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slackboy72 View Post

In essence it's only useful if you have issues with audible external interference and noise which can occur if you are using large amounts of cable.


Exactly. They are used in pro-audio because it's not uncommon to have an interconnect a few hundred feet long. That doesn't really happen often in the consumer world.

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post #8 of 9
1/21/11 at 12:16pm

Or if you are trying to cancel certain types of distortion, particularly in amps without much (or any) global feedback.

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post #9 of 9
1/21/11 at 2:36pm

The OP wanted to know the point of a four-wire HP cable when it's terminated with a three-way TRS plug.  Answer: no point, except it allows easy retermination.

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