A Carefully Selected Selection of XLR Microphone Cables! A Detailed Explanation of How to Choose Them and the Differences in Sound Quality
XLR cables are essential for connecting audio equipment such as microphones, mixers, and audio interfaces. Used not only in professional settings but also for home streaming and recording, these cables are an important item that can affect sound quality.
However, many people may be worried, wondering, "I don't know which one to choose," or "Do expensive cables really sound good?"
In this article, we'll thoroughly explain how to choose the right XLR microphone cable, the differences in sound quality between cables, and our recommended carefully selected models . Find the one that's perfect for your needs!
XLR Cable Basics: Balanced Connections Are the Golden Rule for Microphone Cables!
XLR cables are primarily used for transmitting microphone and line-level signals and feature a circular, three-pin connector.
High noise immunity thanks to balanced connections
The biggest feature of XLR cables is that they are " balanced connections ."
Unlike typical shielded (unbalanced) cables, this cable consists of three conductors: two signal wires (positive and negative phase) and a shield wire (GND) that protects against noise.
This mechanism cancels out noise generated within the cable, making it resistant to noise and maintaining clear sound quality that is less likely to deteriorate, even when run over long distances. This is why XLR cables are the standard choice in professional settings.
How to Choose the Right XLR Microphone Cable
There are four important points to check when choosing an XLR cable:
Point 1: Cable "length"
Home recording/streaming: 1.5m to 3m
It is easy to handle and minimizes noise pollution.
Studio/Live: 3m to 10m
Consider the distance between connected devices. If the distance is longer than necessary, the risk of noise increases.
The basic rule is to choose a cable that is the minimum necessary length . The longer the cable, the more likely it is to pick up noise, so a cable that is too long can cause a deterioration in sound quality.
Point 2: Differences in sound quality depending on the conductor (material)
The sound quality of a cable is largely determined by the material of the conductor that transmits the signal.
OFC (oxygen-free copper) is particularly recommended as it is easy to obtain clear sound and has good cost performance.
Point 3: Cable structure (number of cores)
2-core cable: Common. Standard microphone cable. Standard.
4-core cable: Uses two pairs of conductors (total of four cores). It has better noise resistance and durability than 2-core cables.
If your budget allows, you can achieve more stable, high-quality sound by choosing a 4-core cable (e.g., MOGAMI 2534), which is more resistant to noise.
[Carefully Selected] Recommended XLR Microphone Cable Models
Here are some of our recommended XLR microphone cables.
MOGAMI 2534 XLR Microphone Cable, NEUTRIK Gold Plated
Recommendation: It has no particular flavor, so it is recommended for all genres.
price: From 3,520 yen
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The sound is well-balanced from high to low frequencies, with particularly good extension in the high range, producing a clear, well-defined sound.
■OFC (oxygen-free copper)
recommendation: Its high-quality sound design makes it ideal for recording applications, especially microphone recording.
price: From 3,520 yen
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CANARE L-4E6S XLR microphone cable
Features: It has a straightforward tone that does not emphasize any particular range, making it suitable as a reference. The twisted wire structure uses extremely fine wires, making it resistant to bending, sturdy, and easy to handle.
■ 4-core
recommendation: It is widely used in professional settings such as on stage, in studios, and for broadcasting and reporting.
price: From 3,320 yen
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ONKODO 88760 XLR Microphone Cable
Recommended genres: It is acclaimed as a perfect, neutral cable that can be used with any musical genre, but due to its monitor-like flatness and clear sound quality, it has an established reputation for use in professional environments where accuracy of sound quality is required, such as recording and sound adjustment, as well as for pure audio applications.
price: From 3,790 yen
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summary
XLR microphone cables do more than just connect sound; they play an important role in clearly transmitting your performance .
We recommend starting with a standard model such as CANARE , choosing the appropriate length . If you want to further improve the sound quality, you can upgrade to a high-grade model such as OFC or a 4-core cable .
Find the perfect one and enjoy clearer, richer sound!
>>Click here for all Onkodo XLR microphone cables
