Collection: Audio Cables & Converters

Premium Audio Cables for Pristine Sound

For the longest time, audio cables have been an afterthought in stereo or multichannel surround setups. They haven’t been a priority investment for people to which they attach a conscious value. The proliferation of inexpensive audio cables and a lack of reference regarding what speakers should sound like has been primarily responsible for this.

With improvements in technology and a general increase in awareness among a consistently growing number of discerning consumers, the importance of high-quality audio cables is a lot better understood today. So let’s take a closer look at why investing in good audio cables is imperative and what you need to look for when purchasing one.

Types of Audio Cables and Converters - Which One Do I Need?

Audio cables and converters come in a variety of shapes and sizes and the devices they are meant to plug into offer an equally wide range of connectors. Choosing the right cable for your setup may seem a bit daunting at first, but we’re here to help by giving you a quick lowdown on a few of the audio cables and converters available on Ooberpad.

Speaker Cables – They are used to connect an amplification source such as receivers or power amplifiers to loudspeakers. Since amplifiers are primarily tasked with delivering current, low resistance is highly desired. They are specced using terms like “14AWG” (American Wire Guage) denoting cable thickness. Smaller numbers correspond to thicker cables that can deliver more current. 14 gauge speaker cables have a conductor diameter of ~1.63mm and can carry 20A loads.

3.5mm Stereo Audio Cable – More commonly known as the AUX cable, these are used to connect input sources such as smartphones, iPads, Laptops, MP3 players, and other devices to output devices such as loudspeakers, car stereos, headphones etc. High-quality stereo audio cables feature tarnish and corrosion-resistant 24K gold plating on the connectors that improve longevity and provide excellent audio clarity.

RCA Stereo Audio Cable – These cables connect input sources like smartphones, iPads, laptops, etc. with a 3.5mm plug to speakers with RCA inputs.

XLR Audio Cable – XLR cables are generally used for connecting high-end condenser and dynamic microphones to audio interfaces or loudspeakers (though not using the same cable) and are generally used when balanced audio is needed.

Coaxial Digital Audio Cable – These cables carry S/PDIF stereo and multichannel audio between devices over relatively short distances. A coaxial (like an RCA or BNC connector) or fibre optic cable with TOSLINK connectors is used for the transmission of the signal.

Mini DisplayPort Video Cable – The Mini DisplayPort is a miniaturized version of the DisplayPort standard for video transmission introduced by Apple. Although it still finds use in some setups for driving displays up to 4K resolution, it has largely been replaced by the USB-C standard.

HDMI Cable – Needing no introduction owing to its ubiquity, this cable is used to transmit both audio and video from a complaint source, supporting up to 10K resolution at 120 fps with its most recent 2.1 spec and an ultra high-speed HDMI cable.

CAT 6 Ethernet Cable – These cables are used to transmit audio signals from a single source to a distributed network of devices, often in different parts of a space over LAN. It provides ample bandwidth for hi-res audio applications.

For more information on the best cable to use for a specific application, our team of experts can advise you on the most appropriate course of action. Now let’s take a look at some of the characteristics of good audio cables and converters.

When Noise is Your Main Enemy – Choosing High-quality Audio Cables

The rise of high-end production techniques enabled by increasingly sophisticated computing technologies has been an absolute boon for the audio industry. Music production has become a lot more accurate and efficient with a very perceptible difference in quality. However, this has also introduced a new source of disruption for sound engineers and musicians, known as high-frequency (HF) noise.

All cables in a system are capable of acting as antennas, transmitting and receiving signals to and from other devices. This means they are susceptible to all kinds of interference that can be highly detrimental to the production and playback of music. Among the most common causes of HF noise are mobile phones, phone chargers, Wi-fi, Bluetooth, and low-voltage lights to name a few.

Here are some of the characteristics of high-quality cables:

• It’s important to look for cables that have good HF shielding
• Expanded polyethylene is preferred over PVC as an insulation material
• Copper wires with protective silver coatings are generally regarded as higher qualityMinimal metal around the connector contacts results in lesser HF noise
• Braided cables provide additional strength and is less susceptible to fraying

Thinking of building a home theatre or hi-fi surround system? Here are some other components you may want to consider.

• Floorstanding Speakers
• AV Receivers
• Subwoofers
• In-wall Speakers
• Bookshelf Speakers
• Ceiling Speakers

Shop for High-quality Audio Cables Online on Ooberpad

Ooberpad is one of the leading marketplaces offering high-quality audio cables and converters for home theatre and hi-fi stereo or surround-sound setups for a wide range of applications. This allows you to build a capable audio or home theatre system offering pristine audio and video reproduction.

Our collection of audio cables and converters in India consists of leading global brands such as McIntosh, BlueRigger, Kramer, Kimber Kable and many more.

Shop for audio cables and converters in India at the best price online with enticing discounts, free shipping, and 0% financing only on Ooberpad.

We offer authentic products and a team dedicated to answering any product clarification or after-sales queries to ensure 100% customer satisfaction.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What cable do I need to ensure minimum noise and interference?

A. Balanced audio cables such as XLR and TRS cables are your best bet in ensuring your audio has the least possible noise and interference, especially over longer distances (>25 feet).

Q. How long do speaker cables take to burn in?

A. Speaker cables can take 500 hours or more (especially with silver cables) to burn in. Cables that have been burnt in properly start to reveal their true potential with deep, extended bass, a more natural midrange and a sweeter treble.

Q. How do I splice speaker wires?

A. There are 3 main ways to splice speaker wires effectively requiring various levels of time, labour and skill. The easiest way to do this is using the wire nut method. The wire nut method involves stripping about ½” of the wire coating from each end, twisting them together, using a wire nut to secure them and then wrapping it with electrical tape for extra protection. Crimping can also be used to splice wires and involves using a crimping tool that deforms the terminal to form a cold weld on the wire. Crimped contacts are permanent and therefore cannot be reused. Finally, wires can also be spliced using a soldering iron to melt the speaker wires and create a join using a filler metal or solder.

Q. Are high-end speaker cables worth it?

A. Speaker cable quality is significant in so far as the susceptibility of the speaker and line-level component connections to interference and other signal degradation is concerned. This has been proven to add noise and affect audio signal quality tangibly. So running good quality speaker cables with proper shielding, is absolutely imperative to ensure your system performs to its full potential.