XLR vs TRS - Which is Better?
The short answer is: It makes no difference. The XLR vs TRS comparison is unnecessary as they are exactly the same cable with different connectors on the end. So get one that’s compatible with your studio monitors and audio interface and call it a day.
Since both of these cables have balanced connections with three pins: ground, hot, and cold (also known as “tip,” “ring,” and “sleeve”), there are no ground loops that can affect signal quality; and both cables provide protection from electromagnetic interference.
If You Can, Go With The XLR
XLR cables are a lot more common for studio monitors in a professional recording studio mainly due to the preference of their connectors. Studio monitors are usually mounted and connected once, then just sit there for years to come. The type of connectors on XLR cables is optimal for this.
Though to be fair, sometimes, especially with budget models, you may not have any options. In that case, just find the cable with the connector that fits both sockets and you’re good to go.
XLR vs TRS Examples for Most Audio Interfaces
Let’s take an example. The most popular audio interface, the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, offers only TRS line output. This is also the case for the overwhelming majority of audio interfaces.
Yamaha HS5 / KRK Rokit 5
The most popular studio monitor spot is shared between the KRK Rokit 5s & Yamaha HS5s. Both of these studio monitors offer the flexibility of using either XLR or TRS. Meaning the best cable to buy to connect a Scarlett 2i2 to a Yamaha HS5 or KRK Rokit 5, would be an XLR (male) to TRS (male) cable.
PreSonus Eris E3.5
Another popular choice for home studio monitors is the PreSonus Eris E3.5. This model, as well as a lot of other affordable monitors only offers a line input in the back for balanced audio, so you would need a basic TRS (male) to TRS (male) cable.
Avoid the other input in the back, which is the RCA cable. That would be what is called “Unbalanced” sound, which, to simplify, means it is susceptible to noise interference, and thus lower quality.
XLR vs TRS for Mixers
Unlike most audio interfaces, mixers can tend to come with XLR outputs. If that is the case for your mixer, then you’ll most likely need an XLR (female) to XLR (male) cable, or XLR (female) to TRS (male) cable, depending on the input available on the back of your studio monitors.
Either of these two options will work perfectly fine for your setup!
Avoid TS Cables
At first glance, TS cables may look identical to TRS cables. But the wiring inside is different, making it “unbalanced”, and as we mentioned above, susceptible to noise interference. This makes them not recommended for use with studio monitors. You can differentiate a TRS cable from a TS cable simply by the two rings at the tip of their connectors.
Is XLR better for studio monitors?
When it comes to monitors, XLR connectors are often preferred by professionals because they provide better signal quality, However, TRS connectors are typically easier to find and use with consumer audio equipment.
Should you use an XLR mic for gaming?
XLR microphones are typically used for professional audio applications, such as recording studios and live performances. They use a balanced signal transfer which can provide a higher level of signal integrity and noise reduction. This can result in a cleaner and clearer audio signal.
For gaming, an XLR microphone may provide better audio quality, but it would require additional equipment to use with a computer or gaming console, such as an audio interface. Whereas this equipment may not be necessary if you’re using a USB microphone which can plug directly into your computer or gaming console. Additionally, XLR microphones tend to be more expensive than USB or TRS microphones, and may not be necessary for most gaming setups.
If you’re looking for a microphone for gaming, a USB or TRS microphone that connects directly to your computer or gaming console may be more convenient and easier to use. However, if you’re looking for the best audio quality and you’re willing to invest in the necessary equipment and have a little more technical knowledge, an XLR microphone would be a good option.
Is TRS Balanced or Unbalanced?
A TRS connector can be used to transmit a balanced mono signal when the tip and ring are used to carry the audio signal and the sleeve is used as the ground.
On the other hand, unbalanced TRS can be used to transmit a stereo signal. This is more common for consumer audio such as high-end headphones.
To conclude, TRS connectors can be both balanced mono or unbalanced stereo, it depends on how they are wired and used.
To Sum It Up
It really doesn’t make a difference, but if your studio monitor does offer both options, then go with the XLR cable. If your studio monitors only have a line input, then the TRS will work just as well. You do not need to shop for studio monitors based on their input type.
As long as you avoid TS or RCA cables you’ll be grand. As those can cause introduce unwanted noise in your signal chain due to ground loops that are created when two unbalanced lines connect together at one end.