Audio Cable FAQ & Buying Guide
Choosing the correct audio cable for your Hi-Fi, home cinema or AV setup can be confusing, especially with so many analogue and digital audio connection types available. This guide explains the most common audio cable types, what they are used for, and how to choose the right cable for your equipment.
Analogue Audio Cables
What is an RCA Phono Audio Cable?
RCA phono cables are one of the most common analogue audio cable types and are used to carry left and right stereo audio between audio and visual equipment.
Typical uses include:
- Connecting TVs to amplifiers or stereo systems
- Linking DVD/CD players to AV receivers
- Connecting older Hi-Fi and home cinema equipment
- Routing audio between AV devices
RCA audio connections are normally colour coded:
- Red = Right Audio Channel
- White / Black = Left Audio Channel
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What is a 3.5mm Jack Audio Cable?
A 3.5mm jack cable carries stereo audio and is commonly used for AUX and headphone connections.
Common uses include:
- Smartphones and tablets
- PCs and laptops
- Portable speakers
- Car AUX inputs
- Hi-Fi systems
A 3.5mm audio cable is ideal for connecting portable devices to speakers, amplifiers or stereo systems.
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Digital Audio Cables
What is a Digital Coaxial Audio Cable?
Digital coaxial (SPDIF) cables transmit digital surround sound using an RCA-style connector.
Supported audio formats include:
- PCM Stereo
- Dolby Digital
- DTS Surround Sound
Unlike standard RCA cables, digital coaxial cables should feature:
- 75 Ohm impedance
- Shielded construction
- Digital audio rated design
Using a standard RCA cable may cause signal degradation or dropouts over longer distances.
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What is an Optical Audio Cable?
Optical audio cables (also known as TOSLINK cables) use fibre optic technology to transmit digital audio signals as pulses of light.
They support:
- PCM Stereo
- Dolby Digital
- DTS Audio
Optical cables are commonly used with:
- TVs
- Soundbars
- AV Receivers
- Games Consoles
- Blu-ray Players
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Standard TOSLINK vs Mini TOSLINK
There are two optical connector types:
Standard TOSLINK
The most common optical audio connector used on TVs, amplifiers and AV receivers.
Mini TOSLINK
A smaller optical connector found on some:
- Apple devices
- Older laptops
- MiniDisc players
Although Mini TOSLINK resembles a 3.5mm jack, it is not compatible with standard 3.5mm audio sockets.
Optical vs Coaxial – Which is Better?
For most home audio setups, there is little to no noticeable difference in sound quality between optical and coaxial digital audio.
The best option is usually whichever connection your equipment supports.
Can I Convert Optical to Coaxial Digital Audio?
Yes — if your devices use different digital audio connection types, a Digital Audio Converter can convert:
- Optical to Coaxial
- Coaxial to Optical
Subwoofer Cables
What is a Subwoofer Cable?
A subwoofer cable is a shielded RCA cable designed to carry low-frequency bass signals from an AV receiver or amplifier to an active subwoofer.
Important features include:
- Shielding to minimise hum/interference
- Durable RCA connectors
- Suitable cable thickness/build quality
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Why Does My Subwoofer Have Two Inputs?
Some subwoofers feature Left and Right low-level inputs while many amplifiers only provide one subwoofer/LFE output.
Solutions:
- Connect to the Left / LFE Input only
- Use an RCA Y Splitter to feed both inputs
Speaker Cable FAQ
Does Speaker Cable Make a Difference?
Yes — the correct speaker cable can improve performance, especially on longer cable runs.
Important factors include:
- Cable gauge / thickness
- Conductor material
- Cable length
- Build quality
What Speaker Cable Thickness Do I Need?
Recommended speaker cable sizes:
- 16AWG–14AWG: Short runs / bookshelf speakers
- 14AWG–12AWG: Medium runs / standard Hi-Fi
- 12AWG+: Long runs / high power systems
Remember:
Lower AWG number = Thicker cable
OFC vs CCA Speaker Cable
OFC (Oxygen Free Copper)
Recommended for best audio performance.
Benefits:
- Better conductivity
- Lower resistance
- Improved reliability
- Longer lifespan
CCA / CCS (Copper Clad Aluminium / Steel)
Cheaper alternative often found in lower quality speaker cable.
Drawbacks:
- Higher resistance
- Lower conductivity
- More prone to oxidation
- Inferior long-term performance
We recommend pure OFC speaker cable for the best results.
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Should I Use Banana Plugs?
Banana plugs provide:
- Faster installation
- Cleaner finish
- Secure connection
- Easier speaker swapping
They fit directly into standard speaker binding posts.
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Need Help Choosing?
If you are unsure which audio cable is right for your setup, please contact our team and we’ll be happy to help.
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