XLR Balanced

Balanced XLR interconnects for equipment with true balanced circuitry, and for runs where noise rejection matters more than cable length.

121 products Award Winning Dealer Since 2013 Free expert consultation

When balanced is the right connection

A balanced connection carries the signal twice, once inverted, and the receiving component cancels anything common to both. Noise picked up along the run disappears in that cancellation, which is why XLR is standard in studios and why it holds up over long distances.

The benefit depends on the equipment rather than the cable. Where both components are balanced from input to output, XLR usually gives a lower noise floor and often a slightly different tonal balance from the same manufacturer's RCA equivalent. Where one component simply provides an XLR socket on a single-ended circuit, the advantage largely disappears and RCA may be the better connection. Check the manual or ask the manufacturer if you are unsure.

XLR also carries a higher output level on most equipment, so expect to use less volume for the same loudness. Cables here can usually be made to order in the length you need with no making charge, and burn-in is available free on request. Comparing XLR against your existing RCA run in your own system is the only test that settles it.

4.95/5 from 20,650+ reviews Award Winning Dealer Since 2013 UK Specialist since 2005

12 of 121 products

  • QED

    QED Reference XLR 40 2 XLR to 2 XLR Audio Cable Pair

    SKU: QED Reference XLR 40

    (66 reviews)
    From
    £157.50
    Ex. VAT
    Reference XLR 40 builds on the multi-award winning audio 40 range of products, now available in XLR form.
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  • AudioQuest

    Audioquest Red River 2 XLR to 2 XLR Audio Cable Pair

    SKU: AQ Red River XLR

    (20 reviews)
    From
    £212.46
    Ex. VAT
    Red River’s solid Long-Grain Copper allows a smoother and clearer sound than cables using regular OFHC (Oxygen-Free High-Conductivity) copper.
    View Available Worldwide Shipping Available
  • Tellurium Q

    Tellurium Q Ultra Black II XLR Balanced Interconnect Pair

    SKU: TQ Ultra Black II XLR

    (18 reviews)
    From
    £570.00
    Ex. VAT

    These are a significant step up from the old Ultra Black XLRs (as you would expect from any of tellurium Q's developments by now). What they found in their listening tests is that the Ultra Black II's are smoother, more accurate and more detailed with more depth / 3 dimensionality. Built to complement the astounding Ultra Black II speaker cable but also stands alone with its performance profile.

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  • QED

    QED Reference XLR 40 2 XLR to 2 XLR Audio Cable - Custom Length Pair

    SKU: QED Reference XLR 40 Custom

    (14 reviews)
    £149.17
    Ex. VAT
    Reference XLR 40 builds on the multi-award winning audio 40 range of products, now available in XLR form.
    View Available Worldwide Shipping Available
  • AudioQuest

    Audioquest Mackenzie 2 XLR to 2 XLR Audio Cable Pair

    SKU: AQ Mackenzie XLR

    (8 reviews)
    From
    £295.00
    Ex. VAT
    Mackenzie's Perfect-Surface Copper+ has an astonishingly smooth and pure surface. Proprietary metal-processing technology protects the wire’s surface at every stage of drawing and fabrication.
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  • Tellurium Q

    Tellurium Q Black Diamond XLR Balanced Interconnect Pair

    SKU: TQ Black Diamond XLR

    (7 reviews)
    From
    £1,338.33
    Ex. VAT

    The Black Diamond XLR uses Tellurium's own TeCu connector and is the most natural sounding cable in the range, which is saying something. These XLR interconnects have been designed to have the lowest capacitance that Tellurium could build in and the highest possible bandwidth with enhanced shielding.


    PLEASE NOTE: 1m usually ships next day.

    View Available
  • QED

    QED Reference 40 Analogue Audio Cable - Custom Length XLR or RCA Pair

    SKU: QED Reference 40 Custom-1

    (5 reviews)
    £110.37
    Ex. VAT

    QED's Reference 40 builds on the multi-award winning audio 40 range of products, available with both XLR and RCA plugs.

    View Out of Stock Worldwide Shipping Available
  • Chord ShawlineX ARAY 2 XLR to 2 XLR Audio Cable Pair
    SALE

    Chord Company

    Chord ShawlineX ARAY 2 XLR to 2 XLR Audio Cable Pair

    SKU: Chord ShawlineX XLR

    (5 reviews)
    From
    £326.25 £362.50
    Ex. VAT ✓ Save £36.25

    The Chord Shawline Analogue interconnect is a ground breaking cable in this price range, sharing many of the characteristics that made the Sarum Tuned ARAY such a special cable. These new cables are fitted with XLPE insulation.

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  • AudioQuest

    Audioquest Yukon 2 XLR to 2 XLR Audio Cable Pair

    SKU: AQ Yukon XLR

    (4 reviews)
    From
    £407.50
    Ex. VAT
    Yukon's Perfect-Surface Copper+ has an astonishingly smooth and pure surface. Proprietary metal-processing technology protects the wire’s surface at every stage of drawing and fabrication.
    View Available Worldwide Shipping Available
  • AudioQuest

    Audioquest Red River Analogue Audio Cable - Custom Length XLR or RCA Pair

    SKU: Red River Custom

    (4 reviews)
    £166.62
    Ex. VAT

    Custom terminated by Future Shop's engineers, the AudioQuest Red River offers one of the best performances for its value with the introduction of Long-Grain Copper. This alternative to Oxygen-Free Copper introduces fewer impurities and smoother boundaries, resulting in greatly improved performance.

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  • Chord Company

    Chord Shawline Analogue Audio Cable - XLR - RCA Pair

    SKU: Shawline XLR / RCA

    (3 reviews)
    From
    £250.00
    Ex. VAT
    The Chord Shawline Analogue interconnect is a ground breaking cable in this price range, sharing many of the characteristics that made the Sarum Tuned ARAY such a special cable.
    View Available Worldwide Shipping Available
  • AudioQuest

    Audioquest Mackenzie Analogue Audio Cable - Custom Length XLR or RCA Pair

    SKU: Mackenzie Custom

    (3 reviews)
    £245.00
    Ex. VAT

    Custom terminated by Future Shop's engineers, the AudioQuest Mackenzie utilises AudioQuests Solid Perfect-Surface Copper+ (PSC+) for greatly improved dynamics and reduced distortions for a cleaner sound signature. The smoother surface on the solid conductors lowers distortion and produces higher performance.

    View Available Worldwide Shipping Available

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RCA cables carry unbalanced signals, while XLR cables carry balanced signals that reject noise and interference. XLR is preferred for longer runs and professional-grade audio systems.

If you have a system which accepts both XLRs and RCAs, we would typically recommend using the XLR connections, as they offer a lower noise floor. However, if you system is pre-dominantly RCAs, then we would recommend sticking with RCAs throughout your system, rather than mixing and matching.

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