Best way to hook-up monitors???

[Brentunc]

I have a pair of Event PS 8's and they give me the option of either running 1/4 in. cable to hook them up or xlr. My question is, which way is better??? Also, do both ways call for TRS style cables, or is TRS only for 1/4 in. cables??? Thanks.

[djui5]

XLR is a balanced connection, as is TRS. XLR is a microphone cable, and TRS is a 1/4" cable, Tip Ring Sleve. You have to be carefull that you don't use an instrument cable..which is 1/4" also but only Tip Sleve. They are both good connections, but I'd go with XLR if possible. It will give you a cleaner signal and a better quality connection. I think there might be some kinda impedence difference, but I can't remember exactely.

[Brentunc]

Oh, that's what I thought, but wasn't exactly sure. My only problem here is that I am connecting them to a Digi 002, which has no xlr outputs for monitors, only 1/4 in. for trs cables. I guess I will just go with the TRS route then. Thanks for your help again Randy.

[michaelhoddy]

For all intents and purposes, for non-mic XLR and 1/4" balanced connections, impedance is identical. TRS is simply shorthand for the balanced 1/4" connector (with "Tip" corresponding to pin 2 of the XLR, "Ring" to pin 3, and "Sleeve" to pin 1).

XLR connections are less prone to dirt and "scratchiness," and are a little more solid than1/4" connections. I'd get a good set of 1/4" TRS-to-XLR cables for your setup.

[Brentunc]

oh, I see, I have a pretty decent pair of 1/4in. TRS to 1/4in TRS laying around the house, if I was to use this instead of 1/4in. to xlr, my only concerns are quality of sound, do I loose any pure quality of sound to my monitors going this way???

[michaelhoddy]

Not really. The integrity of the connection is a bit less, but nothing that's likely to make any appreciable difference.

[Brentunc]

Thanks Michael.