XLR cables are basically electrical connectors that are used by professionals for any kind of lighting, video or audio equipment. These have 3-7 pins and are mainly known for giving a balanced audio connection.
These cables are available as male and female versions for cable and chassis designs, which makes it a total of 4 variations available. XLR cables were invented by the founder of Cannon Electric and hence, they are sometimes known as Cannon connectors. As already mentioned above, these cables are available as having 3 to 7 pins, that are respectively known as XLR3, XLR4, XLR5, XLR6, and XLR7.
To buy the best XLR cable can be quite a task. And if you are finding it difficult to select a brand for your XLR cable, then this article might help you out. Check out the reviews of the 7 Best XLR Cables of 2020 below, along with a Buyer’s Guide, with the help of which you will get your hand son the best XLR cable!
Mogami Gold STUDIO-15 XLR Microphone Cable
This is one of the most highly recommended XLR cable by Mogami, that is a highly trusted brand and is moderately priced as well. It is an extremely versatile cable that can be used for large recording purposes as well as small studio projects.
It provides the user with a completely silent recording environment and gives a professional-like audio sound. These cables have been wired with Mogami Neglex Quad High Definition Microphone Cable and is a 4 conductor cable that provides excellent clarity and efficiently cancels all sorts of noise and interference. On comparing it to a 2 conductor cable, it was found out that this is one of the best cables to reject noise. It can be used with almost any device, like, preamps, mixers, amplifiers, loud speakers, studio monitors, etc.
This cable is 15 foot in length and is available in a variety of sizes as well. It comes with a lifetime warranty, which makes it a more trusted and durable product.
Features
- Trusted brand.
- Reasonable price.
- Versatile.
- Can be used for large setups as well as smaller projects.
- Offers a quiet recording environment.
- Produces a professional sound.
- Wired with Mogami Neglex Quad High Definition Microphone Cable.
- 4 conductor cable.
- Excellent clarity.
- Eliminates noise and interference completely.
- Can be used with devices like preamps, mixers, amplifiers, loud speakers, studio monitors, etc.
- Length” 15 foot.
- Available in other sizes as well.
- Durable.
- Comes with a Lifetime Warranty.
Pros
- Amazing vocal clarity.
- Excellent build quality.
- Great price.
Cons
- A user has complained about receiving defective items.
Overall Ratings– 4.7/5 stars.
AmazonBasics XLR Male to Female Microphone Cable
These XLR cables by AmazonBasics are best for studio recordings and live sounds and is a high quality and reliable cable for audio connections. It features XLR male and XLR female connectors.
It comes in a variety of sizes, like, 6 foot, 10 foot, 25 foot, 50 foot. These are extremely versatile cables, and the different sizes can be used for different purposes. Like, the long ones are perfect for large platforms, while the short ones can be used for home studios or for small stages. It is a shielded cable, that eliminates noise and interference.
It features copper conductors and has an inner copper spiral shielding as well. These cables have an extremely durable design which makes it a long-lasting product, thanks to its protective metal housing. The sound quality is also excellent, which is natural and clear.
Features
- Suitable for studio recordings and live sounds.
- High quality.
- Reliable.
- Features male and female connectors.
- Available sizes are 6 foot, 10 foot, 25 foot, 50 foot.
- Different sizes can be used for different purposes.
- Versatile.
- Shielded cable.
- Rejects noise and interference.
- Copper conductors.
- Flexible PVC jacket.
- Inner copper spiral shielding.
- Durable design.
- Protective metal housing.
- Natural and clear sound is produced.
Pros
- Great price.
- Features both male and female connectors.
- Trusted brand.
Cons
- Doesn’t fully fit.
Overall Ratings- 4.7/5 stars.
LyxPro Balanced XLR Cable
LyxPro is a renowned brand for cables and this XLR cable is another one of their amazing products. These are high quality cables that are suitable for recording purposes, live gigs, and also allow connection of microphones to speakers or mixers.
It features PVC inner shields that are twin conductive in nature and are 98% braided shields. These cables are able to reduce noise and interference efficiently . It works perfectly for lighting applications as well, all thanks to the 98% braided shield. It features gold plated contact points and has black metal housing connectors.
These XLR cables are suitable for a variety of applications. They provide the user with supreme signal transfer and a high frequency transmission. They are also known for their maximum noise rejection. These cables come with a 5 year complimentary warranty.
Features
- Trusted brand.
- High quality.
- Best for recordings and live gigs.
- Can connect microphones to speakers and mixers.
- PVC inner shields.
- Twin conductive.
- 98% braided shield.
- Gold plated contact points.
- Cotton Yarn Wrap.
- Black metal housing connectors.
- Suitable for many applications.
- Supreme signal transfer.
- 24-Gauge OFC Conductors.
- Cable strain relief
- High frequency transmission.
- Available in many fun colors.
- Maximum noise rejection.
- RoHS Compliant.
- Durable.
- Comes with a 5 Year Warranty.
Pros
- Maximum noise rejection is provided.
- Multiple color choices are available.
- Highly durable.
Cons
- Cheap construction, according to a few users.
Overall Ratings- 4.7/5 stars.
Planet Waves Classic Series XLR Microphone Cable
D’Addario Accessories has been one of the most known and trusted brands for music devices, and these XLR cables do not disappoint as well. These cables feature an In=Out Technology through which the user is provided with low capacitance for signal transparency.
It features nickel-plated brass connectors that provide a reliable contact. They are also corrosion-proof, which makes these cables extremely durable. For noise rejection purposes, these cables use a certain kind of shielding, which helps in providing a quiet operation for the user. These cables feature XLR male and XLR female plugs, which result in a balanced I/O.
The conductors here are oxygen free copper conductors that give a pure signal transfer. It also features a flexible molded collar which is the reason for its amazing strain relief. It is a reliable product and comes with a Lifetime Warranty.
Features
- Trusted brand.
- In=Out Technology.
- Low capacitance for signal transparency.
- Nickel-plated brass connectors.
- Reliable contact.
- Corrosion-proof.
- Durable.
- Eliminates noise and interference through shielding.
- Gives a quiet operation.
- Features XLR male and XLR female plugs.
- Balanced I/O.
- Oxygen free copper conductors.
- Give a pure signal transfer.
- Flexible molded collar.
- Excellent strain relief.
- Comes with a Lifetime Warranty.
Pros
- Corrosion-proof.
- Gives a balanced I/O.
- Comes with a Lifetime Warranty.
Cons
- Slightly over-sized.
Overall Ratings– 4.6/5 stars.
Hosa HXX-030 REAN XLR3F to XLR3M Pro Balanced Interconnect Cable
Hosa produces the most high quality XLR cables and is reasonably priced as well. It is a 30 feet cable that has silver plated REAN connectors.
Through these cables, gear with XLR outputs can be connected to gear with XLR inputs. It is most usable for touring purposes or other live sound purposes. These are extremely high quality XLR cables that are absolutely loved by its customers. Hosa is also known to give excellent customer services and makes sure that the customers’ needs are fulfilled.
The cables features 90% OFC spiral shielding which provides flexibility. It has a 3 pin XLR female connector and a 3 pin XLR male connector, which also provides effective RFI and EMI rejection.The conductors are made with oxygen-free copper which gives a clear signal path.
Features
- Trusted brand.
- Reasonable price.
- 30 feet in length.
- Silver plated REAN connectors.
- Features a 3 pin female and a male XLR connector at each end.
- Gear with XLR outputs can be connected to gear with XLR inputs.
- High quality.
- Brand provides excellent customer services.
- 90% OFC spiral shielding.
- Flexible.
- RFI and EMI rejection.
- Conductors are made from oxygen free copper.
- Clear signal path is provided.
Pros
- High quality materials used for construction.
- Compact.
- Inexpensive.
Cons
- No complaints recorded yet!
Overall Ratings- 4.8/5 stars.
Cable Matters 2-Pack Premium XLR to XLR Microphone Cable
These XLR cables by Cable Matters is a 25 feet cable that is a pro-grade cord that can be used for purposes like professional recording and mixing, lighting purposes, etc. It is a 3 pin XLR connector.
It is a pack of 2 cables that are cost effective and are very convenient to use. It features a soft PVC jacket which is made from oxygen-free copper that are responsible for providing a very pristine sound. The cables have a copper braided shielding which make sure that noise is cancelled to a maximum level. They also feature Polyethylene insulation which results in a high frequency response.
The connectors are made with heavy duty metal that have molded strain relief along with grip treads which make this one of the most durable XLR cables you will find. It is also extremely easy to use, with easy plugging and unplugging. It is compatible with a number of appliances, such as, studio harmonizers, shotgun microphones, patch bays, mixing boards, preamps, speakers and lighting equipment.
Features
- 25 feet in length.
- Pro-grade.
- Suitable for professional recording and mixing, lighting purposes, etc.
- Features 3 pins.
- Pack of 2.
- Cost effective.
- Convenient to use.
- Easy plugging and unplugging.
- Soft PVC jacket.
- OFC connectors.
- Produces a pristine sound.
- Copper braided shielding.
- Maximizes noise cancellation.
- Feature Polyethylene insulation.
- High frequency response.
- Heavy duty metal.
- Molded strain relief.
- Grip treads.
- Extremely durable.
- Compatible with studio harmonizers, shotgun microphones, patch bays, mixing boards, preamps, speakers and lighting equipment.
Pros
- Extremely durable.
- Feature filled audio cables.
- Superior construction.
Cons
- Standard audio cable using the normal wire size- according to a user.
Overall Ratings- 4.7/5 stars.
Gearlux XLR Microphone Cable
These XLR cables by Gearlux are one of the most highly rated cables in this list. These are suitable for live applications as well as for studio recording purposes.
These are 3 pin XLR connectors that are extremely durable and come with a lifetime guarantee. The connectors are made with high quality rugged metal. They have a flexible construction and feature a black PVC jacket that is 6 mm in diameter. These cables also feature an oxygen free copper core.
These are easy to use and are fully balanced. They are 25 feet in length and come with a Lifetime Warranty. These cables are known to be extremely dependable and reliable.
Features
- Highly rated.
- Suitable for live applications and studio recordings.
- 3 pin XLR connectors.
- Extremely durable.
- Comes with a Lifetime Warranty.
- High quality rugged metals used for construction.
- Flexible construction.
- Black PVC jacket.
- 6 mm in diameter.
- Use oxygen free copper.
- Easy to use.
- Fully balanced.
- 25 feet in length.
- Dependable and reliable product.
Pros
- High quality construction.
- Reasonable price.
- Very quiet in use.
Cons
- Do not carry clean signals, according to a user.
Overall Ratings– 4.8/5 stars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does XLR cable length matter?
No, the length of the cable does not play a role in its performance. Different cable lengths are present just for ensuring that they can be used for various purposes as per the user’s needs. Though there might be a case of signal losses if you use an extremely long cable. This is just a possibility and not an assurance.
Does XLR cables carry power?
Yes, XLR cables carry phantom power. The 3 pinned cables carry audio signals, along with which they also carry phantom power voltage.
What does XLR cable stand for?
XLR cable stands for External Line Return. These are connectors that are used by professionals for audio, visual and sound equipment.
Why are XLR cables better?
XLR cables are better since they produce a better sound. They are fully shielded and hence are able to reduce interference and noise to its minimum level. It makes sure that the signals are received by the speakers without getting much affected.
Do XLR cables go bad?
Yes, like all other cables, XLR cables do go bad at some point. The life of an XLR cable is decided by the quality of its construction and the care with which it is used.
Buyer’s Guide
It isn’t an easy job to buy the best XLR cable.After all, you want your cable to go for a long period of time, and that would require proper researching before making a purchase.
First of all, the kind of XLR cable you should buy depends on the purpose for which you will be using them. For example, some people may need an XLR cable for their stage performances, while some might need them for studio recordings or other studio purposes. If you want a cable for the former option, you should go for one that features rugged shielding.The latter does not require ruggedness.
The core of the cable also needs to be checked. The most common core used is an oxygen -free copper (OFC) core. The core may or may not affect the cable’s performance, but since this is the most commonly used one, then you can go for it too!
The length of the cable would again solely depend upon your use. Do not for for excessively long ones, since there might be a chance of signal losses. Too long cables also cause potential interference. So, select cables that are long enough for your comfortable use, but not unnecessarily long.
The connector types that are available are gold and gold plated ones. Definitely, gold connectors would work the best but they are extremely costly. Gold-plated connectors are just as efficient as the gold ones, so you can simply go for these instead of paying an extra amount.
If you are a stage performer, then you should go for XLR cables that have a copper shielding which would provide you with 97% coverage and is also very flexible.
Summary
You are now ready to buy an XLR cable, thanks to our reviews and the buyer’s guide! Select a product from the reviews done by us, since all the brands mentioned above are the most trusted and the most commonly used brands you would find for XLR cables, so quality and durability is assured!
Just keep the points mentioned in the Buyer’s Guide in mind, and you are good to go!
Thanks for reading this article! Please leave your comments below.
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