You don’t must be an audiophile to arrange and revel in good music. However figuring out basic items such because the several types of cables is vital. With trendy soundbars and wi-fi subwoofers, all you want is an effective high quality HDMI Cable. However in true encompass sound audio, you should have a number of audio system and a number of subwoofers. You need to wire them correctly to benefit from the audio. A standard dilemma amongst first-time consumers is what kind 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 deal with the subwoofer a part of an audio setup. We’ll evaluate Subwoofer Cable vs RCA Cable. Lastly, we’ll weigh of their professionals and cons and discover which cable is best.
A Temporary Word on Subwoofer
One of many key facets 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 frequently 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 primary audio system. Because of the non-directional attribute of bass, we use just one subwoofer, normally beneath the TV or projector display screen, in entrance of the viewers.
There are several types of subwoofer applied sciences and designs however all of them come beneath Lively or Passive Subwoofers. An energetic subwoofer has an built-in amplifier constructed into the enclosure. A passive one doesn’t have one.
The vast majority of trendy subwoofers are energetic sorts. So, all it’s important 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 vital query. Which cable to make use of?
What’s an RCA Cable?
Do you bear in mind these pink, 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 consequence of these connectors, the cables acquired the identify 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 identify 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 sorts which can be nonetheless in use. The RCA Cable is a kind of coaxial cable. It will possibly carry a mono unbalanced sign. The sign could be analog video or audio.
The truth is, the pink, white, and yellow RCA Cables are generally often known as Composite Video RCA Cables. Right here, the yellow cable carries the video sign whereas the pink and white cables carry left and proper channel audio indicators.
One other well-liked software of RCA Cables is the Element Video. On this kind, we use three cables pink, inexperienced, and blue to hold three video indicators (R, G, B respectively). Element Video has the aptitude to transmit larger decision video.
Whereas Composite Video maxes out at 480i NTSC or 567i PAL, the Element Video can transmit as much as 1080P (and even larger).
One other vital attribute of RCA Cables is that they will carry each analog and digital indicators. Whereas the connector for analog and digital communication is identical, there’s a vital distinction within the precise cable itself. A standard type of RCA Digital cable is the S/PDIF kind 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 attention-grabbing half. We all know that the job of the subwoofer is to breed bass, which is actually 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.
Essential audio system obtain the common audio indicators over RCA Cables (or every other audio cables). The subwoofer then again receives the low-frequency sign. Which means that the cable between the AV Receiver and the subwoofer should be able to carrying this low-frequency sign with none points.
The everyday 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 additional steps so as to add further insulating layers and likewise shielding. This protects the low-frequency bass sign from interference and noise. In consequence, the subwoofer can reproduce a really clear bass.
Variations Between Subwoofer Cable vs RCA Cable
Allow us to shortly discover the variations between RCA cable and subwoofer cable. The next is a comparability between Subwoofer Cable vs RCA Cable with respect to vital 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 will possibly 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 should utilize a daily RCA Cable to transmit bass indicators from supply to subwoofer. | Though subwoofer cables can carry audio indicators, they excel at transmitting low-frequency indicators. |
| Should you use a daily 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 reduce noise and interference. |
| The principle downside with utilizing RCA Cables for subwoofers is AC Hum. | An excellent-quality subwoofer cable is not going to produce any AC Hum. |
| RCA Cables are very reasonably priced and simple to seek out. | Subwoofer cable is a little bit costly. |
Execs 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 outlets and electronics shops.
+ RCA Cables are a very talked-about selection for transmitting analog audio (and video indicators).
– Though they will 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 generally is a limiting issue. The common 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 a whole lot of {dollars} on audio system and subwoofers. You should utilize a Subwoofer cable to get rid of this hum.
+ The gauge of the wire is normally massive (thicker wires). Therefore, they will carry vital 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 have now seen the essential variations between RCA and Subwoofer cables, the vital 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. Should you don’t discover any noise, hum, or buzzing sound, then likelihood is you don’t must improve the cable.
However if you happen to hear any distortion of hum, then it’s important to put money into high quality subwoofer cable. Their additional insulation and shielding present wonderful audio transmission with out noise or interference.
Verify for all of the specs of each your audio units (AV Receiver, Subwoofer, and many others.) in addition to the Subwoofer Cable.
The impedance of the cable performs an vital function in clear transmission. Common RCA Cables won’t have the right impedance values to match with the subwoofer. However subwoofer cables are made for this function. So, the possibility of impedance mismatch may be very much less.
Conclusion
RCA Cables are one of the frequent and well-liked cables for audio in addition to video transmission. Subwoofer Cables, then again, are a kind of RCA Cable with some vital tweaks and upgrades. You should utilize a daily RCA Cable to attach AV Receiver and Subwoofer. However as a consequence 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 adequate for connecting the subwoofer or if you happen to want a particular subwoofer cable.
