JBL PRX500 Series User Manual

Also see for PRX500 Series: User guide

Contents

26REFERENCEBalanced vs. Unbalanced LinesYour PRX500 series can accept either type of input. There are two basic types of audio system interconnectionsfor audio signals: Balanced and Unbalanced.Balanced LinesIn audio, a balanced line is a three-conductor system in which the two signal wires carry an equal, but oppositevoltage with respect to the ground wire. The ground wire acts only as a shield and does not carry any audiosignal current. Outside interference (such as RFI - Radio Frequency Interference) is either shielded from theinternal signal conductor, or if it gets into the cable is cancelled out by the opposite signals at the receivingend. Balanced connections are preferred for any longer cable runs.Unbalanced LinesUnbalanced cable is a two-wire system where the shield (ground wire) acts as one of the current carrying signalconductors. The center conductor enclosed by the shield is commonly known as the “hot” conductor. Unbalancedaudio cables do not reject noise as well as balanced lines. Unbalanced lines are typical in home hi-fi typesystems and on the outputs of electronic musical instruments. These work well if the distance between thecomponents is short, the signal level is relatively high and all of the electronics used in the system are pluggedinto the same AC service.