unbalanced line to powered monitors?

[digiboy]

I have a Korg D1600 digital multitrack recorder and its outputs are standard 1/4" UNBALANCED. I'm connecting to JBL LSR25P powered monitors. The JBL's have RCA unbalanced inputs or Balanced XLR and the cables need to be about 10 feet

So which is the best way to connect?

Good quality unbalanced cable w/ standard phone jack to JBL's unbalanced RCA jack?

Good quality Balanced cable w/ balanced phone jack to the JBL's balanced XLR jack?

Something else?

I'm thinking to use the balanced line but since the Korg D1600 output is unbalanced, would there be an impedance mismatch?

Here are further specs on the connections:

D1600 outputs:
1/4" unbalanced
150*, Nominal level -10db, Maximum level +2db
Load Impedance 10* or more


JBL LSR25P Inputs:
XLR Balanced +4dbu 96db/ 1 m
or
RCA unbalanced -10db 96db/1m

Thanks!!

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Since the output level of your KORG is at -10dbv, you should be connecting it the RCA ins on the JBLs, since that is the intended input for a -10dbV signal level...........

Whether they're balanced or not, in this case, is irrelevant.

Bruce

 

[digiboy]

Does it make any sense to try to use a balanced line connected that way to reduce hum?

If so, I guess it would have to be a balanced 1/4" (stereo 3 conductor) phone plug on a balanced cable to an RCA plug, right? Since the RCA is only 2 conductor, how should both plugs be soldered?

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

A balanced cable on it's own does not reduce noise.... it's the input and output of the gear at each end that splits, then re-combines the out-of-polarity signal components.

The Korg output is not balanced, so using a balanced cable anyway will not give you ANY advantage, no matter how you solder it.

Bruce