Go online today, and you will meet a large collection of XLR cables. If you have just bought a brand-new gaming microphone, I bet you are looking for a good cable. And this should be easy.
But for a studio microphone, you may need something more than just the ordinary products on the market.
Of course, you will have to invest a bit of your time and money into the searching and buying process. Or just take a short cut into the products I have reviewed here.
Which XLR cable is the best?
I have been recording music for a very long time now. Hence, I know a bit more when it comes to the best accessories.
Recording music can be a costly process if you get to the studio. Luckily, technology has made it easy for many artists to do this from their homes.
You will need a computer installed with a good DAW software. You will also need your instruments and the microphone.
But one important accessory that many drummers seem to forget is the XLR cables.
You can connect your microphone to the recording equipment with any cable. But have you thought about the quality of sound you are expecting?
This is where you need to begin. There are a lot of cables you can connect your mic with. But some of them cause too much latency and noise in the audio signals. As such, you need to consider your options carefully.
The best XLR cable should be made from the best materials. Certain characteristics can make these cables functional.
One of them is the cable length. You don’t want a cable that is too long or too short. In other words, you want something that will meet your needs.
Then consider durability, flexibility, and noise cancellation features. This is where shielding comes in. It may look like just something to protect your cables from physical damages. But shielding plays a bigger role than that.
Best XLR Cable for home Studio – Top Picks
If you are still not sure what to look for in a good XLR cable, look at the review below and make your choice. You don’t have to go through too much pressure.
Cable Matter 2-Pack Premium XLR to XLR Mic Cable
Cable Matter Premium XLR to XLR Microphone Cable is a great cord for any user. It has a solid overall build at a reasonable price.
You get this cable in eight different sizes ranging from 0.9 to 15m. It is one of the best cords for connecting microphones, mixing boards, speaker systems, and many other devices.
This product is designed for both regular and professional use. It is equipped with a 3-pin XLR connector to fit easily into your microphone.
One thing that makes this cable worth the coin is its sturdy build, among other features. It is made with gold-plated pins and metal connectors.
As you can see, this cable will serve you for a long time. The gold-plated pins do no rust easily, and the metal connectors will serve for a long time without breaking.
Most importantly, it comes with copper conductors, along with copper braided shielding. This feature ensures high-quality sound free from hum and noise.
The XLR comes in packages of two cables and gives the user incredible versatility. It is one of the most affordable cables on the market, making it great for home use.
Pros
- Good value
- Sturdy construction
- Variety of sizes
- Versatile
Cos
- Connectors a bit lose
GLS Audio 25 Foot Mic Cable
When choosing XLR cables for home use, many people don’t think about quality. This is why they end up with substandard products.
But one thing you may not know is that you don’t have to spend too much on a quality cable. In other words, you can keep money in your pocket and get a great quality XLR at the same time, which is a winning scenario.
Thanks to GLS Audio XLR to XLR cable, this is possible. The cable measures 7.5m in size and comes with a solid construction, featuring 21g dual copper conductors that produce clean sound transmission.
The thick, flexible rubber shielding takes care of the durability and longevity of the cord. These are features you won’t easily get in other products at this price range.
This cord is a useful XLR option. It has proved functional in a variety of occasions, among them recording vocals and performing live.
In a nutshell, you have the best combination of price, usability, and overall great noise-free performance. The GLS Audio XLR cable can be more than what you could be expecting.
Pros
- One of the most affordable options
- Durable and sturdy construction
- Noise-free performance
- Excellent sound transmission
Cons
- It does not come with the best quality control
AmazonBasics XLR Male to Female Mic Cable
Many of us get to think of very low expectations when cheap products are mentioned. But affordability does not always mean poor quality – though on many occasions it is. But not with `Basics XLR cable.
This is one of the most affordable XLR cables you can find for your home recording needs. Yet, it is designed to give you a long time of service.
The cable is built specifically for home use, and available in sizes between 1.8m and 15m. It also features a one-year warranty, making a perfect choice for this case.
But that is not all; it is equipped with flexible PVC shielding and protective metal jackets. They inside are made from copper conductors, with spiral copper shielding for durability and noise-free sound.
This cable will be giving you great performance and reliability. It is a good reason to try it out, especially for its affordability.
The black finish confirms it’s a great value-for-money product. They are not perfect; hence, you should expect minor issues. But that is expected at this price range.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Durable
- Good performance
Cons
- Some users have complained that sometimes their movement creates and unpleasant crackling sound.
- It would be better with some improvement on the build.
Mogami Gold Studio – 15 Male to Female XLR
Just because you are working in a home studio, it doesn’t mean you pick-up low-quality gear. You want your sound to come out as though it was produced in a studio.
And in this case, Mogami Gold Studio XLR to XLR cable is all you will ever need.
The cable lets you turn your room into a professional studio. You should be sure to get impressed with its great performance and amazing durability. And the repel, with its price tag, makes a really good product.
If you are after a good quality XLR cable, it will not take long to realize Mogami Studio XLR cable is exactly that.
This cord comes with eight different lengths, ranging between 0.6m and 30m. It is designed for professional use, which is why it may be a bit bulky and hard.
But as soon as you start using, you will realize its reliability is unquestionable.
In terms of build, this XLR features gold-pin connectors and black metal jackets, as well as a 4-conductor cable. This is the main reason you can expect zero noise interference and zero RF interference.
In a nutshell, Mogami Gold Studio XLR is among the best microphones for streaming. If you are looking for the best cable, you cannot afford to miss out on this one.
You can be sure the cable will not disappoint.
Pros
- A variety of lengths
- Limited life warranty
- Durable
- Reliable
Cons
- It is a bit bulky
- Expensive
LyxPro 15 Ft XLR Mic Cable Balance M/F
This is another excellent cable you should try out from your home studio. It is a highly versatile and usable product available in nine different colors and lengths (between 0.5m and 12m).
The cable is designed for live performance, studio recording use with other applications. One thing that impresses many users is its durability. It features 24 AWG copper braided shielding and twin conductive PVC shielding inside. It also comes with gold-plated pins and metal housing connectors. With these, you can count on its overall stamina.
LyxPro Balanced XLR Cable comes with a 5-year warranty. That is how confident the company is, and they are not wrong.
The cable offers noise-free operations, at a reasonable price. It can easily be welcomed as the best XLR cables for recording and gigging.
Home recording has to be fun since you have all the space and time. Investing in a good cable should be a problem.
Pros
- The cable comes with a five-year warranty
- A variety of lengths and colors
- Noise-free performance
- Sturdy construction
- Reasonable price
Cons
- The connectors seem a bit tight when connecting
Hosa XLR – 115 X: R3F to XLR3M Balanced Cable
In many cases, price is the indicator of quality. But that is not the case with Hose XLR-115. It comes at a low price, yet offers performance similar to that of high-quality products.
It is not easy to get an XLR cable with reliable performance and overall great shielding at this price range. This makes it a cable dedicated to a wide range of users. Professionals will find its flexibility, noise cancellation functionality, and reliability quite useful. It is all thanks to the OFC spiral shielding and XLR connectors internal relief.
The cable is available in 6 lengths, ranging between 0.6m and 6m. It is fitted with XLR3F to XLR3F connectors, presenting the best value-for-money options.
Pro
- Good quality product
- Affordable
- Different lengths
- Great on performance
Cons
- Some users have complained that the connectors fit a bit too tight.
Planet Waves Classic Series XLR Mic cable – 25 ft
It is always right to consider the manufacturer when buying XLR cables, and Plate Waves is one of the best. The evidence is in this solid, basic XLR cord with good noise cancellation that comes at an affordable price.
Normally, you would expect a lot of issues with products at this price range. But this is not the case with Planet Waves Classic Series XLR cables for microphones.
The inside is built from, shielded oxygen-free copper that offers a useful noise cancellation performance, and reliable operations. It is backed by a lifetime warranty that lets you sleep with any worries.
It is fitted with nickel-plated brass connectors and available lengths between 3m and 15m. You can pick between the packages of one, two, three, or four cords.
Most importantly, this cable provides the best value for money option. It is one of the best cables for the home studio out there.
If your main expectation is quality sounds from a home studio, you have come to the right place. Here is a cable that will give you exactly that, and more.
Pros
- Cheap
- Reliable
- Lifetime warranty (limited)
- Good value-for-money
Cons
- There are not shorter cables
MonoPrice Premier Series XLR Male to Female Cable
This is one of the best-performing cables on the market. It is a well-built XLR cable, made for budget-oriented uses who care about their investment. Yet, it is offering good quality to match with price.
Sizes range from 0.5m to 45.5m. And because of the excellent built quality, it delivers a well-balanced audio transmission.
The sturdy connector housing shielded copper on the inside, and the gold-plated connector makes sure you are not disappointed.
One thing that makes this cable stand out is the purity of the sound signal. It also reduces EM and RF noise, which is really impressive at this price range.
The cable comes with a lifetime warranty. And this proves just how much the brand is confident about its products.
If you are looking for a strong cable with great usability, you can rely on this one. It is thick, durable, and does a good job. There are a few issues, but nothing you cannot handle.
Pros
- Lifetime warranty
- Affordable
- Durable
- a variety of lengths
cons
- It does not offer the best quality control
Mogami Gold Stage
Mogami is a great brand that has been on the radar of many users for many years. These products are considered the market standard, and the best at what they do.
And Mogami Gold Stage cables do not disappoint. It uses a 4-conductor cable that is popular for reducing unwanted noise and RF interference better than 2-conductor cables.
You can buy any length between 2 feet and 100 feet.
If you are looking for a quality XLR cable to use at home for a long time without upgrading down the line, go for this cable. The company offers a great warranty, in case of anything.
Pros
- Best quality
- High-end
- Sturdy build
- Best performance
Cons
- Pricey
RapcoHorizon N1M1
If you don’t have the money to invest in the Mogami above, perhaps a mid-range XLR cable should be your target. It offers almost the same quality performance, and it’s easy to upgrade.
In this, the RapcoHorizon N1M1 can be a great option. This cable uses Neutrik connectors, copper conductor and shield, and durable PVC jackets. They will serve you well both in-studio and stage use.
Pros
- Good quality
- Affordable
- Strong
cons
- Some users have complained it fits a bit too tight.
Best XLR Cable Buying Guide
If you want studio-quality sounds from your home studio, the need for high-quality XLR cable arises. There is no way you can buy a high-end microphone and connect it to a crappy XLR cable.
You will need the cable for recording, and for balancing the signal path. We all want to record noise-free audio signals.
But choosing the right cable can be tough, especially if you are new to the industry and don’t understand a lot of technicalities.
Here are some of the things you need to look at:
Shielding
XLR cables require proper shielding. This is the layer that surrounds the cable’s conductors. This section protects them from physical damage and is also responsible for reducing EM and RF interference.
Shielding also lowers noise that comes for RF radiations. Such radiations are in the surrounding environment and can make your audio sound bad.
The best shielding materials include:
- Copper braided shielding. This type of shielding offers high conductivity. It is the best and most superior shielding technology. This is why the cables are rigid and costly.
- Foil. This is good material when it comes to blocking RF interference. Other than that, it is less durable than copper. It’s not highly recommended unless you are using a specialized application and stationary cables.
- Spiral copper shielding. This is good material for stage cables. It is more flexible than the braided cable. But it does not offer the best coverage.
You should always go for the best shielding.
Balancing
This is another good consideration you should not take lightly. It is applied to reduce electromagnetic noise. This principle is pretty basic. You simply create a phase-inverted copy resembling the original signal. The noise comes in from the cables.
The inverted signal will get shielded to normal. This is how the noise signal is canceled out. A quad conductor cable is used to achieve more excellent noise cancellation.
Go for a cord that is well-balanced. If you manage to get rid of as much noise as possible, you will enjoy the sound quality that comes from your recording.
Core conductors
Another issue lies with the core conductors. And here is how you should look at them,
- Material. Many people don’t know that conductivity is part of the cable. It is how the cable carries an audio signal. The best conductors are made from gold. It comes with the highest ductility, conductivity, and cost-effectiveness. The most superior material is OFC due to its high inductance. Some manufacturers add cotton between the shielding and the conductors to reduce static charge.
- Cable Lay. Many XLRs come with two or four conductors. They are weaved on each other spirally. Cable lay is the required distance for the conductor to reach a 360-degree revolution. Short cable lay means more revolution per distance, hence more effective balancing.
- Stranded vs. Solid. The stranded conductor offers more clarity to solid ones. They are more reliable.
- Capacitance. Cables with low capacitance encounter low-pass filters on the audio signal. Such distortion happens in guitars.
Connector quality
The quality of your cable’s connector matters a lot. Low-quality means poor performance. The best connectors feature gold plating, which is also corrosion-resistant.
Silver contacts are not bad, either. They offer more conducting power than gold, but less corrosion-resistant.
Length
You need to get a cable that is not too long or too short. Too long cables lead to signal degradation. They are like an antenna, bringing in more RF interference.
It is more advisable to maintain the shortest distance possible.
Warranty and pricing
Different manufacturers offer different warranty terms. Some are lifetime, while others are limited. Go for the best warranty.
Pricing also plays a vital role in determining the value of your cable. But don’t assume that higher pricing is a guarantee for high quality. Just take the time to do your research.
Frequently asked questions
Do XLR cables sound better?
Not all XLR cables sound good. It all depends on the design. A good design will eliminate noise and reduce signal interference. The right cable should, therefore, feature proper shielding and connectors.
Do XLR cables sound different?
Yes. Different XLR cables come with different sounds. You indeed connect them to the microphone for signal transmission. But the quality of the material used determines the quality of sound that comes out.
Is there a difference between XLR mic cable and XLR speaker cable?
There is a big risk for sharing cables. You may look at microphone XLR cables and speaker XLR cables and think they can be used interchangeably because they share a standard connector.
However, the speaker cable is unshielded by two conductors. Its conductors match an amplifier speaker with speaker output jacks.
Microphone XLRs have a two-conductor wire. They also feature shielded ground wire. You will need a 3-pin connector to create an audio connection.
These differences should be noted to avoid confusion.
Conclusion
Many musicians spend a lot of time and money to get the best productions. You should do the same, too, even from your home studio. It is all about getting a cleaner sound, free from any interference. But you may end up with the wrong products.
You can get the best XLR on the market. The Mogami Gold Studio XLR Cable if a market leader. It will serve you in a studio or a live gig.
