lab
/
lab
A reference library for the audio interfaces this site keeps meeting: what each connector is, how it wires up, and the one-piece wireless path into it. Every table row carries its source and verification date, and every diagram is drawn by blafili lab from public standards and manufacturer documentation.
| Interface | Signal | Balanced | Typical sources | Wireless path |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XLR | Analogue, mic or line | Yes, 3 conductor | Mixers, amps, powered speakers | Receiver with XLR out |
| RCA | Analogue line, consumer | No, unbalanced | Home amps, receivers, powered speakers | Receiver with RCA out |
| Optical (TOSLINK) | Digital S/PDIF over light | Not applicable | TVs, DACs, AVRs, soundbars | Receiver with optical out |
| Speaker wire | Analogue, speaker level | No, two conductor | Amplifier outputs, home and distributed | Receiver upstream at the amplifier |
| Speaker selector | Switched speaker pairs | No, passive switching | One amplifier, four to six pairs | Receiver at the amplifier input |
XLR pinout data: pin 1 shield, pin 2 hot, pin 3 cold, with contact ratings from Neutrik's datasheet and the IEC and EIA standards behind the 3-pin plug.
Read XLR →Optical audio data: the TOSLINK fiber link behind S/PDIF, Toshiba's 650 nm modules and JIS F05 plug, TV format behavior and the wireless path.
Connector referenceRCA connector data: the consumer unbalanced interface, Shure's -10 dBV level, Rane's 10 foot rule and the S/PDIF digital variant, with sources.
Connector referenceSpeaker selector data: impedance matching modes, amplifier requirements and specs from Russound's SS-series manual and product page.
Connector referenceSpeaker wire gauge chart for AWG 10 to 18 with diameters, areas and resistance, plus CL2 and CL3 in-wall ratings and marine tinned copper notes.