You don’t should be an audiophile to arrange and luxuriate in good music. However figuring out basic items such because the several types of cables is essential. With trendy soundbars and wi-fi subwoofers, all you want is an efficient high quality HDMI Cable. However in true encompass sound audio, you should have a number of audio system and a number of subwoofers. It’s a must to wire them correctly to benefit from the audio. A typical dilemma amongst first-time consumers is what sort of cable to make use of for various audio system? What are the variations between Subwoofer Cable vs RCA Cable?
On this information, allow us to give attention to the subwoofer a part of an audio setup. We’ll examine Subwoofer Cable vs RCA Cable. Lastly, we are going to weigh of their execs and cons and discover which cable is healthier.
A Temporary Notice on Subwoofer
One of many key features to reproducing film theatre-like sound in a house theatre is the bass, or subwoofers to be particular. A Subwoofer is a loudspeaker that produces (or reproduces) low-frequency sound that we regularly name Bass. Talking of frequency, a typical subwoofer has a frequency vary of 20Hz to 200Hz.
In a standard multichannel audio system, the subwoofer is a separate enclosure from the principle audio system. As a result of non-directional attribute of bass, we use just one subwoofer, normally beneath the TV or projector display, in entrance of the viewers.
There are several types of subwoofer applied sciences and designs however all of them come beneath Energetic or Passive Subwoofers. An lively subwoofer has an built-in amplifier constructed into the enclosure. A passive one doesn’t have one.
Nearly all of trendy subwoofers are lively varieties. So, all you need to do is join a cable between the AV receiver and the subwoofer, whereas the sub takes care of the ability provide and amplification. Now the essential query. Which cable to make use of?
What’s an RCA Cable?
Do you bear in mind these purple, white, and yellow cables that we used to attach DVD Gamers to TVs? These cables are literally RCA Cables. Technically, the connectors are RCA Connectors and as a result of these connectors, the cables acquired the title RCA Cables.
Radio Company of America created these connectors within the Nineteen Thirties to attach phonograms (or gramophones) to radio receivers. Therefore, you typically see / hear the title Phono Connector. The male connector (with a pin) is the RCA Plug and the feminine connector (with a gap) is the RCA Jack.
RCA Connectors are one of many oldest varieties which can be nonetheless in use. The RCA Cable is a kind of coaxial cable. It may carry a mono unbalanced sign. The sign could be analog video or audio.
In reality, the purple, white, and yellow RCA Cables are generally often called Composite Video RCA Cables. Right here, the yellow cable carries the video sign whereas the purple and white cables carry left and proper channel audio indicators.
One other common software of RCA Cables is the Part Video. On this sort, we use three cables purple, inexperienced, and blue to hold three video indicators (R, G, B respectively). Part Video has the potential to transmit increased decision video.
Whereas Composite Video maxes out at 480i NTSC or 567i PAL, the Part Video can transmit as much as 1080P (and even increased).
One other essential attribute of RCA Cables is that they’ll carry each analog and digital indicators. Whereas the connector for analog and digital communication is identical, there’s a important distinction within the precise cable itself. A typical type of RCA Digital cable is the S/PDIF sort with RCA Connector.
What’s a Subwoofer Cable?
Technically, a Subwoofer Cable is one other type of RCA Cable. It’s designed particularly to hold low-frequency audio indicators from the AV Receiver or Amplifier to a Subwoofer.
The connectors, each female and male of a Subwoofer Cable use RCA Kind. If each common RCA Cable and Subwoofer Cables use RCA Connectors, then what’s the distinction between them?
Now comes the fascinating half. We all know that the job of the subwoofer is to breed bass, which is basically a low-frequency audio sign. The AV Receiver, with its built-in cross-over circuit, separates common audio indicators (vocal and instrumental) and low-frequency indicators.
Primary audio system obtain the common audio indicators over RCA Cables (or some other audio cables). The subwoofer then again receives the low-frequency sign. Which means the cable between the AV Receiver and the subwoofer have to be able to carrying this low-frequency sign with none points.
The standard frequency {that a} subwoofer reproduces is between 20Hz and 200Hz. That is awfully near the Mains AC Frequency (50Hz or 60Hz). If the cable doesn’t present correct shielding, it causes interference with the AC Mains frequency and also you get a ‘hum’ from the subwoofer.
To get rid of or reduce the sign distortion and AC Hum, producers take further steps so as to add further insulating layers and in addition shielding. This protects the low-frequency bass sign from interference and noise. Consequently, the subwoofer can reproduce a really clear bass.
Variations Between Subwoofer Cable vs RCA Cable
Allow us to rapidly discover the variations between RCA cable and subwoofer cable. The next is a comparability between Subwoofer Cable vs RCA Cable with respect to essential parameters.
| RCA Cable | Subwoofer Cable |
| RCA Cable has RCA Connectors at each ends. | Subwoofer Cable additionally has RCA Connectors at each ends. |
| Can carry each Audio and Video indicators. | It may carry solely audio indicators. |
| Audio RCA Cables can transmit all frequencies from the AV Receiver to the audio system. | They’re designed to usually carry low-frequency bass indicators from AV Receiver to Subwoofer. |
| You need to use an everyday RCA Cable to transmit bass indicators from supply to subwoofer. | Although subwoofer cables can carry audio indicators, they excel at transmitting low-frequency indicators. |
| In the event you use an everyday RCA Cable with a subwoofer, there’s a chance of noise and interference. | Subwoofer Cables, regardless of having RCA Connectors, use further insulation and shielding to attenuate noise and interference. |
| The principle downside with utilizing RCA Cables for subwoofers is AC Hum. | -quality subwoofer cable is not going to produce any AC Hum. |
| RCA Cables are very inexpensive and straightforward to seek out. | Subwoofer cable is a bit of costly. |
Professionals and Cons
RCA Cable
+ The principle benefit of RCA Cables is they’re very low cost.
+ You possibly can simply discover RCA Cables in all audio tools retailers and electronics shops.
+ RCA Cables are a very fashionable alternative for transmitting analog audio (and video indicators).
– Though they’ll carry all audio indicators, RCA Cable would possibly wrestle to transmit bass audio. They don’t have any further shielding or insulation.
– Even if you happen to use RCA Cable for subwoofers, the size could be a limiting issue. The typical size of RCA Cables is smaller than Subwoofer cables.
– As a result of decrease gauge wires (thinner wires), the ability capabilities of RCA cables are much less.
Subwoofer Cable
+ They’re specifically designed to hold low-frequency indicators. However they nonetheless use the RCA Connectors.
+ Excessive-quality Subwoofer Cables have further insulation and shielding to cut back interference and noise.
+ It is going to be irritating to listen to AC Hum after spending lots of of {dollars} on audio system and subwoofers. You need to use a Subwoofer cable to get rid of this hum.
+ The gauge of the wire is normally massive (thicker wires). Therefore, they’ll carry important energy to the subwoofer.
– They’re barely dearer than regular RCA Cables.
– It can save you some huge cash if common RCA Cables do the job.
Which Cable is Higher? Subwoofer or RCA
Now that we’ve got seen the fundamental variations between RCA and Subwoofer cables, the essential query is which cable to decide on?
The connection between AV Receiver and subwoofer is utilizing RCA Connectors. You possibly can check the standard of sound with common RCA Cables. In the event you don’t discover any noise, hum, or buzzing sound, then likelihood is you don’t should improve the cable.
However if you happen to hear any distortion of hum, then you need to put money into an excellent high quality subwoofer cable. Their further insulation and shielding present wonderful audio transmission with out noise or interference.
Examine for all of the specs of each your audio units (AV Receiver, Subwoofer, and so on.) in addition to the Subwoofer Cable.
The impedance of the cable performs an essential function in clear transmission. Common RCA Cables won’t have the proper impedance values to match with the subwoofer. However subwoofer cables are made for this objective. So, the possibility of impedance mismatch may be very much less.
Conclusion
RCA Cables are one of the vital widespread and common cables for audio in addition to video transmission. Subwoofer Cables, then again, are a kind of RCA Cable with some essential tweaks and upgrades. You need to use an everyday RCA Cable to attach AV Receiver and Subwoofer. However as a result of its poor insulation and shielding, they carry noise and have interference.
Subwoofer cables have the benefit of additional insulation later and floor shielding. This eliminates the annoying AC Hum from subwoofers and different noise.
On this information, we noticed the fundamentals of RCA Cables and Subwoofer Cables. We in contrast Subwoofer Cable vs RCA Cables and listed the variations between them.
Lastly, we checked out whether or not RCA Cable is enough for connecting the subwoofer or if you happen to want a particular subwoofer cable.
