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XLR connector

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The XLR connector is a style of electrical connector, primarily found on professional audio, video, and stage lighting equipment. The connectors are circular in design and have between 3 and 7 pins. They are most commonly associated with balanced audio interconnection, including AES3 digital audio, but are also used for lighting control, low-voltage power supplies, and other applications. XLR connectors are available from a number of manufacturers and are covered by an international standard for dimensions, IEC 61076-2-103.^[1] They are superficially similar to the older and smaller DIN connector range, but are not physically compatible with them.
 
 
 
Who here finds that products using XLR inputs/outputs are implied as being truly balanced? Most of us? Good.
 
Questions for the audiophile community about XLR:
 
1) Do you find any products using this descriptor outside of the definition and design?
2) Would you like additional, more specific descriptions of products that use XLR outside its intended design?
 

Balanced audio

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Balanced audio is a method of interconnecting audio equipment using impedance-matched balanced lines. This type of connection is very important in sound recording and production because it allows for the use of long cables while reducing susceptibility to external noise.
Balanced connections use three-conductor connectors, usually the XLR or TRS connector. XLR connectors, for instance, are usually used with microphones because of their durable construction, while TRS jack plugs are usually used for mixer inputs and outputs because of their smaller profile.
 
Questions for the audiophile community about Balanced Audio:
 
1) Do you find any products using this descriptor outside of the definition and design?
2) Would you like additional, more specific descriptions of products that use Balanced Audio outside its intended design?
 

Differential signalling

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Signals are often transmitted over balanced connections using the differential mode, meaning the wires carry signals of opposite polarity to each other (for instance, in an XLR connector, pin 2 carries the signal with normal polarity, and pin 3 carries an inverted version of the same signal).
Despite popular belief, this is not necessary for noise rejection. As long as the impedances are balanced, noise will couple equally into the two wires (and be rejected by a differential amplifier), regardless of the signal that is present on them.^[1][2] A simple method of driving a balanced line is to inject the signal into the "hot" wire through a known source impedance, and connect the "cold" wire to ground through an identical impedance. Due to common misconceptions about differential signalling, this is often referred to as a quasi-balanced or impedance-balanced output, though it is, in fact, fully balanced and will reject common-mode interference.
 
Question for the audiophile community about Differential signalling?
 
1) Do you find any products using this descriptor outside of the definition and design?
2) Would you like additional, more specific descriptions of products that use Differential Signalling outside its intended design?