What is Balanced and Unbalanced Audio Cables？

  Balanced audio cables can transfer an audio signal while optimum noise rejection and interference picked up along the length of the cable with least two conductors and sheilded ground, providing they are connected to balanced inputs and outputs.
The positive(one conductor) carries the original signal, and the negative(another conductor)carries an inverted copy of the signal that is 180° out of phase. The ground doesn’t have any signal; it is just used for shielding to protect the cable from external interference.
Balanced cables will have XLR  connector、 6.3 mm TRS phone plug、3.5 mm TRS plug and Mini XLR connector.  Microphone cables is type of balanced cables. They can carry either a microphone level signal (Low-Z,-60 dB to -40 dB) or a line level (balanced line) signal.

3 pole female XLR connector3-pin male xlr connector6.3 mm TRS phone plug3.5 mm TRS phone plugBalanced Microphone bulk cable black color SMC20Star-Quad braided shielding Microphone cable SMC251

  Unbalanced audio cables can transfer an audio signal while optimum noise rejection and interference picked up along the length of the cable with one conductors and sheilded ground, providing they are connected to unbalanced inputs and outputs.
The positive(one conductor) carries the signal, the ground doesn’t have any signal; it is just used for shielding to protect the cable from external interference.
Unbalanced cables will have 6.3 mm TS plug、3.5 mm TS plug and RCA connector. Instrument cables and RCA cables are both types of unbalanced cables. An instrument cable carries a Hi-Z signal(+4dBu), while an RCA carries a consumer line level signal(-10dBV).

6.3 mm TS phone plugRCA male plug

1-conductor Low Noise Microphone Cable SMC1124AWG low noise Instrument cable with vintage tweed SGC116

Why use a balanced audio cable?
Electrical and radio interference (EMI and RFI) is everywhere, and it becomes most noticeable when there’s a lot of electrical equipment and power cables around. Mic level signals are also very weak (in comparison to unbalanced guitar signals) making any noise picked up more noticeable. The longer the cable, the more susceptible it is the picking up noise also.Its most significant advantage is that its anti-noise ability is outstanding, which is very suitable for long-distance transmission of low-level signals.

CXX02 Classic Balanced 3P XLR Microphone Cable black CXJ01 classic series Balanced Microphone link Cable XLR female to JACK CJJ019 Classic 6.35mm Stereo JACK Balanced Audio link Cable Black

When the balanced signal reaches its destination balanced jack at the other end of the cable, the inverted signal becomes reverted to the same as the original.
Now the electrical noise of the reverted signal is now an inverse of the electrical noise of the original, and when the two signals are combined, the electrical noise cancels itself out; thus we have no electrical hum.

balance signal

Why use a unbalanced audio cable?
While unbalanced cables tend to have more restrictions, they still find use. Many instruments, especially guitars and such still find a use for many musicians.Also it will be more cheaper than balanced cable.
They are typically used by guitar and bass players to connect the guitar to the amp or pedalboard, as well as connecting the pedals on the pedalboard itself.
RCA cables are typically used to connect devices like VCRs and DVD players to a TV, as well as connecting CD players to the stereo receivers.

CJJ009 Classic 6.35 mm mono JACK Guitar Lead blackBXJ03 Basic Unbalanced Microphone Cable XLR female to mono JACKBXR02 Basic series XLR Female to RCA Male Patch CableBYJ25 Basic Dual RCA Interconnect Dual Cable

Connecting unbalanced cables with equipment that has balanced inputs, you need to convert unbalanced signals into balanced ones.
There are instances where you need to send an unbalanced signal like the one from an electric guitar or electric bass for long runs. In such a case, all you have to do is use a DI Box to convert to the right type of connector. You can convet the Hi-Z impedance to lower impadance by DI BOX.

Knowing the difference between balanced and unbalanced signal cables plays a crucial role in choosing the right cable. That will prevent signal loss and noise introduction during recording or performance. Using the wrong cable can even damage your device.
If you have a balanced-signal device and a balanced-signal mixer, only balanced-signal cables can guarantee an excellent balanced-signal connection.
But if you can’t use balanced signal connections, make sure the cables are as short as possible.