I have a Genos(1) and a pair of Bose S1 Pro speakers. I run the Line Out "Main R" to one Bose speaker and the Line Out "Main L/L+R" to the second Bose speaker.

I need to replace my 2 speaker cables, and I forget what I purchased 3 years ago.

I would like to get 25 ft long cables, Male 1/4 inch to Male 1/4 inch. Do I just need standard Unbalanced instrument cables? I would like to get very good ones to minimize interference, and possibly get the REAN connector.

Thanks, in advance, for your help.

Jim D.

Buy balanced.  See this video at about 11:30 minutes in for a simple explanation

https://youtu.be/H4S4g-kl7-4?si=XB1MV81FuaAyra0h

Thanks for the video and explanation. I watched the entire video.

But I am puzzled. Both of the Genos Main Line Outs are unbalanced outputs. So a balanced cable would still be your recommendation to connect the Genos to my Bose S1 Pro's?

Jim

Seems like you already knew your answer to your own question!  So now I'm not sure why you asked.

I use my old Genelec 8040 speakers with multiple devices so I always buy balanced.  Cost difference on Amazon between balanced and unbalanced cable is pennies.

Thanks, Chalky, for sharing your thoughts. I was just seeking everyone's recommendations, so I could make a decision on the best way to go.

Jim D.

@jdup
Hi Jim,

You essentially have two options for connecting the (unbalanced) Genos line outputs to balanced inputs (e.g., two Bose systems or an external mixer):

1. Unbalanced cables (TS to TS) of the required length (no longer than necessary, maximum 6 m).

or

2. Unbalanced cables (TS to TS) as short as possible (e.g., 1 m) to a stereo DI box (or two mono DI boxes) plus balanced cables (XLR female to TRS or XLR female to XLR male) to the Bose systems or the external mixer.

Important: It is not recommended to use balanced cables (TRS to TRS) here without a DI box. This is because the balanced inputs would then expect a balanced signal (signal plus phase and signal minus phase). However, Genos only delivers an unbalanced signal. (The RING contact is not connected on the Genos Line Output jacks, i.e. the negative phase connection of the balanced inputs does not receive a signal, which can lead to hum, and the signal is usually quieter than when using unbalanced cables.


Best regards,
Chris

Thanks, Chris. I appreciate your thoughts.

Jim D.

Hi Chris,

watch the video from this point on. (13:30)
I'm curious what you think about this approach to cable construction and does it have any positive effect on noise reduction?

Thanks, casper

Quote from: ckobu on Yesterday at 09:39 AMHi Chris,

watch the video from this point on. (13:30)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4S4g-kl7-4

I'm curious what you think about this approach to cable construction and does it have any positive effect on noise reduction?

Thanks, casper

Hi Casper,

An unbalanced "TS to XLR" cable for connecting an unbalanced synth output to a balanced XLR input is usually wired as follows:

TS tip >>> XLR pin 2 (signal + phase, "hot")
TS sleeve >>> XLR pin 1 (ground/shield) and pin 3 (signal - phase, "cold") bridged

When using a TRS plug (TRS to XLR cable), you can alternatively bridge the RING and SLEEVE contacts in the TRS plug (instead of bridging XLR pins 1 and 3).

With a balanced "TRS to XLR" cable (TRS tip >>> XLR pin 2, TRS ring >>> XLR pin 3, TRS sleeve >>> XLR pin 1), you can interrupt the connection of the SLEEVE contact of the TSR plug to avoid a ground loop (so that the shield is only connected to one side i.e. to XLR pin 1).

I havent't tried an unbalanced setup as shown in the video you linked (TRS sleeve >>> XLR pin 3 only, TRS ring >>> not connected, XLR pin 1 >>> shield, connected only on the XLR side). Whether it works as intended probably depends on the technical design of the balanced input used (transformer-balanced or electronically balanced).

I generally advise against this setup. If hum problems occur when using unbalanced cables when connecting to a balanced input, I recommend using a DI box. The hum loop should be eliminated at the very latest after activating the "Ground Lift" switch on the DI box.

It is important when using unbalanced cables that they are not routed near power adapters (to avoid hum interference) and, if possible, not parallel to power cables.


Best regards,
Chris

Hi Chris,

thanks for the detailed explanation.

regards, casper

Quote from: ckobu on Today at 09:03 AMHi Chris,

thanks for the detailed explanation.

regards, casper

My pleasure, Casper! 


Best regards,
Chris