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They are a very common way to connect things, and the standard for balanced signals in the audio industry. So, the XLR connector is used on the vast majority of professional microphones. Since then, XLR connectors have become a standard in the audio industry for passing signals between any kind of professional equipment for best XLR cables for microphones.
The External Line Return, or XLR, cable is a very important part of a microphone or any other source it connects. Having the best XLR cables for microphones will make a difference in your work and the results you get. They are used not only for audio equipment but also for video and professional stage lighting systems.
Best XLR Cables for Microphones
Rapco Horizon N1M1-15 Stage Series M1
Specifications
| Length | 1ft |
| Connectors | Neutrik NC3MX (male XLR)to NC3FX (female XLR), nickel shells w/ silver contacts |
| Conductors | (2) 24-gauge |
| Shield | pure copper spiral |
| O.D | .210″ |
| Capacitance | 37 pf/ft @ 1 kHz |
| Resistance | 23 ohm @ 20c/1000′ |
Rapco Horizon is a company in Missouri that sells cables to different sound and audio companies. These include recording studios and musicians, travelling theatre companies, sound contractors, and a lot of other people. They have become well-known because they make best XLR cables for microphones.
Not only are they good quality, but they are also priced very reasonably. This is not a cheap cable, but more of a “middle of the road” cable. Even though it is a lot less expensive than most of its competitors. They have three pins and go from an XLR-Female plug to an XLR-Male plug.
Pros
- Hand soldered connectors
- Black powder coated aluminum chassis
Cons
- Balanced cable get noise and interference
Pig Hog PHM15
Specifications
| Brand | Pig Hog |
| Connector Type | XLR |
| Package Type | Standard Packaging |
| Product Dimensions | 3 x 11 x 9 inches |
This makes it a good choice whether you need a lot of cables for a large operation or just a few for casual use. Its gauge of 14 AWG is much thicker than the average cable thickness in the industry. This makes it more likely to be able to handle being bent and twisted over and over again.
Even though the Pig Hog is one of the best XLR cables for microphones overall, users should know that its thickness and size make it harder to store, whether it’s hung on the wall or put in a bin.
Pros
- High performance microphone cable
- 8mm high quality PVC outer covering
- Lifetime guarantee
Cons
- get noise
Silverback Roar Premium XLR Cable
Specifications
| Brand | Sewell |
| Connector | Type XLR |
| Cable Type | XLR |
| Compatible Devices | Tablet |
| Color | Gray |
| Connector Gender | Male-to-Male |
| Model Name | SW-32835-6 |
The Silverback XLR cable is a step up in price and quality from the other cables. This comes in 50 feet, 15 feet, and 6 feet lengths. The length of 6 feet is perfect for an XLR patch cable. At the bottom of the steel plugs is a metal spring connector that looks old but works.
This helps keep the cable from wearing out where it connects to the connectors. This unit has gold contacts to improve the way information is sent. The outer cable is made of a nylon braid, which makes it stronger and more durable. The braided nylon is more like a strong rope than the rubber or plastic outer sleeves.
Pros
- It has contacts that are covered in gold and wear away over time.
- The silverback cable looks good and lasts a long time.
Cons
- It can cause damage if it is used in the wrong way or for something else.
- This cable produces a lot of noise, it seems to me that it is defective.
Mogami
Specifications
| Conductors number | 4 |
| Conductors material | OFC Copper |
| Conductors section | 4nos * 4mm² (12AWG) |
| Cable diameter | 14.5mm |
| Insulation/sleeve material | PVC |
| DC Resistance | (20°C) 0.005 Ohm/m |
| Inductance: | (1kHz, 20°C) 0.6µH/m |
Mogami has become a brand name for high-quality audio cables that don’t break the bank. Studio engineers, live sound engineers, and broadcast technicians all love the best XLR cables for microphones. Saburo was trying to figure out how different audio cables sounded, and Koichi set out to show him that they all sounded the same.
Koichi Hirabayashi saw this and set out to make the best audio connections in the world. His mission was, of course, mostly successful. Mogami XLR cables are some of the best for the money, and in many cases they are also the best.
Pros
- Low Loss Cellular Polyethylene Insulation
- Conductive PVC eliminates handling noise
- Oxygen Free Copper Core
Cons
- It can cause damage when you use wrong way
LyxPro Balanced XLR Cable 15 fit
Specifications
| Brand | LyxPro |
| Connector Type | XLR |
| Cable Type | XLR |
| Compatible Devices | Speaker |
| Color | Black |
| Connector Gender | Male, Female |
| Gauge | 24.0 |
New York City, LyxPro is a very new player in the world of music. They sell a lot of different kinds of audio gear and even make their own line of guitars. When it comes to their products, they seem to have a simple idea. Build the best XLR cables for microphones you can, within certain limits, and keep the price low.
This XLR is definitely a model that you could call “budget-range.” It is, however, well-made and made so that it can be used for many different things. The length of this cable is 15 feet. It will work well in a live performance, but some people might think it’s too short.
Pros
- Extremely durable
- Multiple color choice
- Supreme signal transfer and crystal-clear
Cons
- PVC eliminates handling noise
Mogami Silver Series XLR
Specifications
| Length | 7.6m |
| Cable Type | 3-pin XLR |
| Capacity | (1 kHz, 20°C): 130 pF/m |
| Warranty | 10 Years |
| Applicable temperature | -20°C – +60°C |
The Silver Series XLR Microphone Cable is 15 feet long. Mogami Silver is a real best XLR cables for microphones that is built to be less expensive than Platinum and Gold assemblies.
Even though the price is good, each Mogami silver cable is made with top-quality connectors without sacrificing quality. Before a cable leaves the assembly bench, it is put together by hand and tested to make sure it works. XLR to XLR cable that is guaranteed for life. There are different lengths.
Pros
- Oxygen-free copper core for the clearest picture.
- Handling noise is gone with carbon-infused PVC.
- Hand assembled
- Lifetime guarantee
Cons
- Some of these cables have female connector heads that don’t clip in tightly.
FAQs
Do high quality XLR cables make a difference?
From what I’ve seen, the answer is “no.” Even if some of your equipment is really high-end, you probably won’t be able to hear a difference if you buy cables for a normal home studio setup. You can hear for yourself what I’m saying.
Do XLR cables affect quality?
No, that’s not enough. It’s just a balanced cable, which means it sounds better than an unbalanced cable like a phono lead or TS lead, but only when it’s far away, like at a live event. If not, no. The quality of an XLR cable is not especially “better.”
Do longer XLR cables sound worse?
Balanced cables fix distortion and noise, so their length doesn’t affect them as much as it does with mono cables that aren’t balanced. XLR cables and TRS cables are the most common types of balanced cables. Balanced connections are made to get rid of noise and interference, so they can be any length in theory.