TRS versus XLR

Progbusters

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I got a TRS cable to hook up my amp to the studio monitor. It can also use the XLR cable, the kind that we use on mics. The XLR seems louder. why so?
 
Re: TRS versus XLR

What's the output on the amp? Models of amps and monitor?

Neither should be louder ASSUMING the amp has balanced 1/4" and both 1/4" and XLR outs are line level
 
Re: TRS versus XLR

I have always preferred to use XLRs in place of 1/4 connectors because they lock in
I have heard a hiss with 1/4 Inch cables that isn't present with the XLRs
Could have been cheap cables though

I have heard a hiss with bad mic cables as well
 
Re: TRS versus XLR

What kind of amp and monitors? Neither TRS or XLR are used for power that I am aware of, both are for low level signals. It should be speaker cables from a power amp to a monitor unless I'm missing something or reading this wrong.
 
Re: TRS versus XLR

Usually, you would use speaker cables. I use XLRs, but they are powered monitors. I would assume that if both cables are working properly, there would be no benefit of using one over the other (unless the lock of an XLR is a good thing).
 
Re: TRS versus XLR

Are the ohms rating of the TRS and XLR outs the same?

? No "ohms" rating on any of the cables we are talking about. I still don't think I've ever seen XLR or TRS cables used for power, their conductors are too small to run much power through.

And yeah, like Mincer I use powered monitors, but I'm using TRS because it was more convenient, but I've never noticed a difference between the 2, it's a Lo-Z, line level signal by that point (in guitar speak, it's well buffered), so there shouldn't be any loss.
 
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Re: TRS versus XLR

I got a TRS cable to hook up my amp to the studio monitor. It can also use the XLR cable, the kind that we use on mics. The XLR seems louder. why so?

When you say "it" are you talking about the amp or monitor? Is it possible that one has XLR and TS connections w/o the 3rd connection of a TRS.? Could that even make a difference? I have no idea.
 
Re: TRS versus XLR

I'm wondering if when he says "hook up my amp to the studio monitor", I'm wondering if he is talking about a cab sim out from his guitar amp to a powered studio monitor? That's the only thing that makes sense with a XLR or TRS cable, in which case, it still shouldn't make a difference in volume unless the 1/4" and XLR outputs on the amp are tapped from different places in the circuit.

Kinda need some clarification on what the OP is referring to.
 
Re: TRS versus XLR

TRS and XLR are the same, electrically; they just have different connectors. Depending on the circuit, a balanced (TRS, XLR) input or output can yield a 6dB increase over unbalanced (RCA, TS).
 
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Re: TRS versus XLR

Not really an impedance rating on a cable either, the resistance should be negligible unless there is a problem with the cable.
 
Re: TRS versus XLR

I have always preferred to use XLRs in place of 1/4 connectors because they lock in
I have heard a hiss with 1/4 Inch cables that isn't present with the XLRs
Could have been cheap cables though

I have heard a hiss with bad mic cables as well

Its a Positive Grid head, solid state. I can either use a passive guitar cab, or the other two outs. In my example I am sending to a powered studio monitor.. I think the TRS cable is kinda cheap but I got it new at guitar center. thanks
 
Re: TRS versus XLR

Its a Positive Grid head, solid state. I can either use a passive guitar cab, or the other two outs. In my example I am sending to a powered studio monitor.. I think the TRS cable is kinda cheap but I got it new at guitar center. thanks

I just went and looked it up, if the picture below is what you have, then the 1/4" outputs are unbalanced, so yes, they are different. And you only need to use TS cables with unbalanced outs, they only have 2 conductors, with a TRS one conductor is basically unused.

Some info on balanced vs unbalanced:
http://www.aviom.com/blog/balanced-vs-unbalanced/
http://thehub.musiciansfriend.com/tech-tips/unbalanced-versus-balanced-i-o-and-how-to-work-with-them

02-BIAS-HEAD-back.jpg
 
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Re: TRS versus XLR

Not really an impedance rating on a cable either, the resistance should be negligible unless there is a problem with the cable.

Sometimes we'll say that a certain cable has a "characteristic" impedance, which is the impedance of an infinitely long piece of that cable. A common example is cable TV coax wire, at 75 ohms.
 
Re: TRS versus XLR

Yes, but not really applicable to the cables in this discussion, it looks like the difference is that the 1/4" outputs are unbalanced.
 
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