Unbalanced vs Balanced connections

Unbalanced and balanced refer to two different analog audio signal-carrying methods.

Unbalanced (RCA, 3.5mm TRS jack)

• 2 wires per channel: signal + shield ground
• Simpler, cheaper
• Picks up noise on longer runs (over 3-5m)

Balanced (XLR, 6.35mm TRS jack)

• 3 wires per channel: signal+, signal- (inverted), ground shield
• Receiver flips signal- and sums with signal+; noise picked up on both cancels out
• Cleaner over long runs (20m+ without issue)
• Higher signal level (+4 dBu vs -10 dBV)

Do you need balanced at home?

For typical short (1-3m) hi-fi runs, no. RCA is transparent. For desktop hi-fi close to a computer (RF noise) or long cable runs to another room, yes. See detailed Balanced XLR entry.