View source for Balanced vs Unbalanced

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    <div><h2>Introduction</h2>
When talking about cables the terms Stereo, Mono, Balanced, Unbalanced refer to applications (how a cable is being used).

XLR, Tip-Ring-Sleeve, Tip-Sleeve are terms that refer to the physical connectors at the ends of the wires and how those wires are attached to the connectors.

It's important to use the correct connections to support your application or you may end up with poor results. For example, if you connect a stereo signal to a balanced input, you may hear very little, or just effects with none of the original signal.
            
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== Confusion About Plugs and Jacks ==

[[File:Headphone TRS Stereo.jpg|thumb|100px|Headphones with Tip-Ring-Sleeve plugs]][[File:14 to xlr male.jpg|thumb|100px|1/4 inch (6.3 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve to XLR]][[File:14 insert.jpg|thumb|100px|Insert cable]]

One source of confusion is that a cable with a {{1/4 TRS}} jack on one end may be used for several applications (examples)
* Stereo headphones (left and right sides of a stereo signal) 
* Mono balanced connection (hot and cold signals) 
* Insert (send and return) 

Whether or not a cable with a {{1/4 TRS}} plug is stereo or balanced (mono) or an insert cable depends on how it is being used and the electronic interfaces at both ends of the connection.

== Balanced Connections Preferred When Possible ==
; If both ends of a connection support balanced connections, then use a balanced cable (3 common options below).
*XLR to XLR 
*1/4 inch (6.3 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve
*XLR to 1/4 inch (6.3 mm) Tip-Ring-Sleeve 
;Note:
An unbalanced connection can be -6 dB lower signal level than a to balanced connection.
=== Background Information ===
:A balanced electrical signal runs along three wires: a ground, a positive leg, and a negative leg. Both legs carry the same signal but in opposite polarity to each other. Any noise picked up along the cable run will typically be common to both legs. Assuming the destination is balanced, the receiving device will flip one signal and put the two signals back into polarity with each other. This causes the common noise to be out of phase with itself, thus being eliminated. This noise cancellation is called '''Common Mode Rejection''' and is the reason balanced lines are generally best for long cable runs. XLR and Tip-Ring-Sleeve cables are used to transmit balanced audio from one balanced device to another.

:Unbalanced cables are less complicated, but they’re much more susceptible to noise problems. In general, unbalanced lines should be kept as short as possible (certainly under 25 feet) to minimize any potential noise that may be carried with the signal into the connected equipment.


Source: <ref>[https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/cable-buying-guide/ Sweetwater Cable Buying Guide]</ref>

== DO NOT Connect a Stereo Source to a Balanced Input ==
If you connect a stereo signal to a balanced input, you may hear very little, or just effects with none of the original signal. A balanced input will take the left and right signals from a stereo source and combine them with reversed polarity (this is how balanced connections work). The result is sounds that are panned in the center (typically, vocals, drums, bass) will be cancelled.

== Connections between Bose Portable PA Systems==
=== Overview: All Connections are Balanced===
All line-level connections between Bose Portable PA systems are balanced***. Where possible, use a {{1/4 TRS}} or XLR cable to make a balanced connection. Using an unbalanced connection may lead to up to -6 dB lower signal.
* ToneMatch mixers: The analog outputs (Main and Aux outputs) are balanced 
* Power Stands: The {{1/4 TRS}} inputs are balanced {{Model 1S}}, {{Model II}}, {{Compact}} channel 2 {{1/4 TRS}}
* {{S1}}: The channel 1 and 2 inputs are balanced
* For all [[:Category:Daisy Chain|Daisy Chain]] connections, use a balanced connection if possible. Most of the time that will be a {{1/4 TRS}}  
* ***Exception: All 1/4 inch (6.3 mm) inputs on the {{Classic}}/{{Model I}} are unbalanced

{{ToneMatch Mixer Inputs}}
=== {{T1}} ===
[[Image:T1_Inputs.png|200px|T1 Inputs|right]]
* Channels 1, 2, 3 XLR inputs are balanced.
* Channels 1, 2, 3 1/4" jacks are unbalanced (but will accept {{1/4 TRS}}) the connections are still unbalanced.
* Channels 4/5 are balanced, but will accept &frac14; inch jack Tip-Sleeve. <br>If you use a {{1/4 TRS}} cable from a balanced source, the connection will be balanced. <br>If you use a {{1/4 TRS}} cable from an unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.<br>If you use a &{{1/4 TS}} cable from a balanced or unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.

If you have a balanced source then using a balanced connection (XLR or &frac14; inch jack Tip-Ring-Sleeve) is preferable.

=== L1 Pro (all models) ===



[[File:L1 Pro32 Line Level Inputs.jpg|800px]]

=== {{Model II}} ===
[[Image:Analog Input 3.png|200px|Model II Analog Input|right]]
* Model II Power Stand  Analog input is balanced. <br>It will accept &frac14; inch jack Tip-Sleeve. <br>If you use a {{1/4 TRS}} cable from a balanced source, the connection will be balanced. <br>If you use a {{1/4 TRS}} cable from an unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.<br>If you use a &frac14; inch jack Tip-Sleeve from a balanced or unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.

If you have a balanced source then using a balanced connection (XLR or &frac14; inch jack Tip-Ring-Sleeve) is preferable.

=== {{Model 1S}} ===
[[Image:Analog Input 3.png|200px|Model 1S Analog Input|right]]
* Model II Power Stand  Analog input is balanced. <br>It will accept &frac14; inch jack Tip-Sleeve. <br>If you use a {{1/4 TRS}} cabe; from a balanced source, the connection will be balanced. <br>If you use a {{1/4 TRS}} cable from an unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.<br>If you use a {{1/4 TS}} cable from a balanced or unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.

If you have a balanced source then using a balanced connection (XLR or &frac14; inch jack Tip-Ring-Sleeve) is preferable.

=== {{Compact}} ===
[[Image:Compact Channel 2 Line Level.png|200px|Compact Channel 2|right]]
[[L1%C2%AE_Compact#Channel_2|Compact Channel 2]] {{1/4 TRS}} input is balanced. <br>It will accept {{1/4 TS}} cables. <br>If you use a {{1/4 TRS}} cable from a balanced source, the connection will be balanced. <br>If you use a {{1/4 TRS}} cable from an unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.<br>If you use a {{1/4 TS}} cable from a balanced or unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.


If you have a balanced source then using a balanced connection (XLR or {{1/4 TRS}} cable) is preferable.


=== {{S1}} ===
[[File:S1 Pro Settings for mixer.jpg|300px|S1 Pro Combo Inputs|right]]

S1 Pro Combo Inputs {{1/4 TRS}} jack and XLR are balanced. 

They will accept {{1/4 TRS}} or {{1/4 TS}} jacks. 
<br>If you use a {{1/4 TRS}} cable from a balanced source, the connection will be balanced. <br>If you use a {{1/4 TRS}} cable from an unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.<br>If you use a {{1/4 TS}} from a balanced or unbalanced source, the connection will be unbalanced.

If you have a balanced source then using a balanced connection (XLR or {{1/4 TRS}}) is preferable.

== References ==


<!--
[http://www.sweetwater.com/shop/cables/cables_buying-guide.php Balanced vs. Unbalanced Cables] - Sweetwater
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[http://www.whirlwindusa.com/ftp/tech/tech01.pdf  Unbalanced vs. Balanced Lines] - Whirlwind

[http://www.jensen-transformers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/an003.pdf Interconnection of Balanced and Unbalanced Equipment] Bill Whitlock, Jensen Transformers.

[http://www.rane.com/note110.html Sound System Interconnection] RaneNote 110

[https://www.sweetwater.com/forums/showthread.php?49024-Balanced-Unbalanced-Stereo-what-are-they  Balanced, Unbalanced, Stereo? what are they?] Sweetwater.com > Frequently Asked Questions

[http://www.audioholics.com/audio-video-cables/balanced-vs-unbalanced-interconnects Balanced vs Unbalanced Interconnects] audioholics.com

[http://www.aviom.com/blog/balanced-vs-unbalanced/ What's the Difference Between Balanced and Unbalanced] aviom.com

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