There are several types and dozens of brands of audio cables. The choice depends on what one wants to hook up and how concerned is about sound quality. Generally speaking, 5-7percent of the total system cost is considered adequate to be invested in cables. If one’s just listening to background music, news shows, etc., or if sound quality isn’t all that important, one can use practically any cable - even the cheap ones that come packaged with many audio components.
People who want improved sound quality for listening can find something in their price range from cable specialists. Specialized cables provide optimum sound quality and are very sturdy. These are a better alternative to generic speaker cables which offer lower sound quality and aren’t as sturdy. Although the specialized cables may be affordable, the cost still could be several hundred dollars for the speaker cables or analog audio interconnects. Some people may find that the extra money spent is well worth the benefits of better sound and pride in owning the very best in audio equipment.
The four different types of cables are analog audio cables, audio video cables, audio speaker cable and digital cables. Their job is to move a signal from one point to another without unchanged. This is accomplished along with minimizing losses, through control of the amount of Resistance, Inductance and Capacitance at audio frequencies.
RCA audio cables have one connection for the left audio channel, and one connection for the right audio channel, as they are grouped in stereo pairs. The connections, RCA connections like audio cables connectors, are used for passing analog line-level audio signals between components. You need to use low capacitance, well shielded cables for line level analog interconnects so that interference and outside noise do not drift into the signal.
Video Cables may be the most important cables as the signals that are passed through these cables are at a very high frequency. The higher the frequency, more critical it is to have proper impedance, adequate shielding and solid terminations which audio video cables provide. Thus, a video cable should be well shielded and should maintain the proper characteristic impedance.
Audio speaker cables are usually fairly thick, and have two conductors; they can be tipped with spade lugs, metal pins, banana plugs or just bare wire. One needs to ensure that there is the tightest connection of the cable to amp and loudspeaker to minimize contact resistance. One should always remember to keep the speaker cable runs as short as possible and not to loop excessive cables as this may slightly increase cable inductance.
There are two basic types of digital audio cables, optical and coaxial. Digital audio signals are transmitted as pulses of light by optical cables, while coaxial digital cables transfer digital audio signals. Coaxial digital cables look like standard analog RCA cables, and are usually a single cable, but analog RCA cables have normally double plugs, providing stereo audio. These both, optical and coaxial are a special group of cables.
Although there are many types of audio cables, expensive ones are not necessary if listening to background music and radio broadcasts etc. The job of the cable is to pass the signal from source to output minimizing any interference. Paired RCA cables, preferably low in capacitance and resistance should be used for line level analog interconnects. audio video cables should have adequate shielding as a high frequency signal is used. audio speaker cable needs to be secured tightly to ensure low contact resistance. Special digital cables are available namely, coaxial and optical which transmit light pulses and digital signals respectively.
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