Cables & Adapters

Audio Cables and Audio Adapters

Even as wireless and Bluetooth technology improves, cables will always be an essential part of your audio signal chain. Whether you’re an instrumentalist, vocalist, or audiophile, check out all the best audio cables and adapters you need right here.

Audio cables for live sound

Instrument cables, also known as ¼” cables because of their jacks’ width, form the link between your electric instrument, amplifier, and any additional effects units you have. They are designed to carry fairly weak electrical signals, and are “shielded” to prevent outside electrical interference. Nonetheless, if you connect too many of these cables or audio adapters together, your signal will start to degrade.

Speaker cables are for use between an amplifier and external speakers. While they also have ¼” jacks, don’t confuse them with instrument cables. They’re designed for higher-power signals and their wires are unshielded. If you use a speaker cable for an instrument, you may get a bit of unpleasant noise, but if you use an instrument cable for a speaker, it may destroy your amp.

XLR audio cables are most commonly used for microphones, and are easily identified by three-pronged jacks that have distinguishable male and female ends. They are well-shielded from outside interference, can carry signals over long distances, and can even deliver auxiliary “phantom power” to microphones.

Audio cables for stereos

TRS audio cables have small ?”/3.5mm jacks. If you’re of a certain age, you may call them “walkman” cables, since they’re the same size as the small headphone jacks on portable audio players. Although wireless bluetooth technology has replaced some of these jacks, they are still very common for connecting computers, some smartphones, and mp3 players to speakers.

RCA cables, also called “coaxial cables,” are easy to identify by the metal sleeves around their recessed jacks. They are useful for delivering audio and video signals to TVs, as well as for signals being split into stereo to two or more speakers.

Accessories and audio adapters

If you need to connect two different types of jacks such as ¼” to TRS or XLR to ¼”, you may need a jack adapter. Or, look for cables with two different ends. Common dual-ended audio cables include the ¼” to XLR cables and single TRS to double RCA.

Also, consider the details of what you need in a cable. Many instrumentalists prefer jacks with a 90-degree bend for saving space, or you may want a traditional coiled cable. Shop Adorama for sturdy, dependable Audio Cables & accessories from brands like Canare, Comprehensive, Hosa, and more.