JBL PRX500 User Manual

Also see for PRX500 Series: User guide

Contents

JBL PRX500 User Manual Manual pdf 29 page image

REFERENCEBalanced vs. Unbalanced LinesYour PRX500 series can accept either type of input. There are two basic types of audio system interconnections foraudio 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 audio signalcurrent. Outside interference (such as RFI - Radio Frequency Interference) is either shielded from the internal signalconductor, 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 type systemsand on the outputs of electronic musical instruments. These work well if the distance between the components isshort, the signal level is relatively high and all of the electronics used in the system are plugged into the same ACservice.29