Balanced XLR to 3.5mm audio jack? Possible?

[panos_lympe]

Hi all,



I recently purchased two KRK rokit 5 g4 monitors…



I want to connect these monitors to my laptop using XLR to 3.5mm audio jack…



I found this cable,

11.5US $ |OFC Audio Cable 3.5mm to 2XLR 3 Pin for PC Mobile Phone Mixing Console Gold Plated 1/8" mini Jack Cable 1M 2M 3M 5M 8M 10M| | - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

a.aliexpress.com

but it nowhere mentions that is balanced..



how do I tell if it is?

Is it possible to be?



thanks in advance

 

[lovinthehd]

No, the 3.5 to XLR won't be balanced, can't be with one end unbalanced. You'd need XLR to XLR, or other balanced connection....you could get an external dac for your computer that has XLR/balanced outputs though if you want a balanced input....You might want to review this thread for the connectors https://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/rca-to-xlr-wiring.108362/.

 

[Swerd]

I recently purchased two KRK rokit 5 g4 monitors… I want to connect these monitors to my laptop using XLR to 3.5mm audio jack…

I found this cable,

11.5US $ |OFC Audio Cable 3.5mm to 2XLR 3 Pin for PC Mobile Phone Mixing Console Gold Plated 1/8" mini Jack Cable 1M 2M 3M 5M 8M 10M| | - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

a.aliexpress.com

but it nowhere mentions that is balanced..

how do I tell if it is? Is it possible to be?

Those cables do have XLR connectors, but no cables are balanced. It is the devices these cables connect that can be balanced.

However, it takes more than XLR connections to achieve a balanced system. A balanced electronic device requires balanced internal circuitry, and a truly balanced connection requires balanced circuitry on two devices. For example, a balanced pre-amp and a balanced amplifier.

I doubt if those speakers have truly balanced inputs, but I might be wrong. But, I'm rather certain most laptops do not have balanced audio outputs.

 

[panos_lympe]

So , what you are guys saying is that I can’t have a balanced audio with just a cable … whatever cable that is ..

ok fair enough…

so what would you suggest buying to achieve my goal? (both sound card and cables)… if those are budget solutions , even better!!!

all I have a laptop and KRK’s..

I can’t thank you more for your time! I am really grateful

 

[lovinthehd]

When I needed a cable like that for my active speakers (JBL LSR305) I used a 3.5 to rcax2 I had on hand then made separately two rca to xlr cables. I'd try the simplest solution first, using an adapter type cable between the dissimilar ports. As was mentioned, the speakers may have an XLR input but may not be balanced otherwise, so don't sweat it too much. How long a cable do you need? Unbalanced should be fine unless you have need for a very long cable....

ps Monoprice has a lot of choices, too....or even Amazon.

 

[shadyJ]

Hi all,



I recently purchased two KRK rokit 5 g4 monitors…



I want to connect these monitors to my laptop using XLR to 3.5mm audio jack…



I found this cable,

11.5US $ |OFC Audio Cable 3.5mm to 2XLR 3 Pin for PC Mobile Phone Mixing Console Gold Plated 1/8" mini Jack Cable 1M 2M 3M 5M 8M 10M| | - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

a.aliexpress.com

but it nowhere mentions that is balanced..



how do I tell if it is?

Is it possible to be?



thanks in advance

A cable like that will transmit the signal, but it isn't at all optimal for speakers like the KRKs. One problem is that the analog output on your laptop is almost certainly garbage. The KRKs' inputs are very sensitive and are going to make the noise very audible. What makes matter worse is that balanced inputs expect about 14dBu more input voltage than what normal unbalanced consumer outputs deliver. That means the noise from your laptop 3.5mm output is going to be amplified by 14dB going to a balanced connection with no compensation, like what a passive adapter would do (such as that cable). You need an audio interface or a DAC that has clean, balanced outputs for those speakers. Look at PreSonus, FocusRite, MOTU, etc. (skip Behringer, those can be fairly noisy). You can also just get a DAC with a USB input and balanced outputs like some of the Topping DACs.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yeah one advantage my JBL LSR305s have is the ability to accommodate the different input levels, don't see that on the Rokit.

 

[Speedskater]

On a balanced interconnect system:
balanced output stage >> balanced cable >> balanced input stage.
it takes all three.

 

[panos_lympe]

@lovingthehd nah my krks have balanced inputs it says so under the input itself..

last question kinda out of topic..

As a total newbie that I am , I disconnected the speakers while they were ON , and a friend of mine saw me and told me “DONT YOU EVER DO THAT AGAIN”..

I have done this 4-5 times..

you think that I maybe damaged permanently my /very/ expensive monitors?

 

[lovinthehd]

Many subs say they have a "crossover" but only have a low pass filter. It may or may not be a balanced unit despite the label....and it really doesn't matter anyways.

Yes, I would not connect/disconnect gear under power, just no reason to. Bad things can happen....

 

[panos_lympe]

Bad thing /can/ happen… but bad things DID happen? I mean… it’s something That you can rely on luck? Or I destroyed my KRKs without noticing?

 

[lovinthehd]

Do the speakers still work properly? Then they're not destroyed. If they stopped working or dropped level significantly then maybe worry.