I was wondering what provides a stronger signal to a studio monitor, XLR or 1/4" cable? The two sets of monitors i use have both inputs, so which should i use. I do have a studio sub which i orginally hooked up with a 1/4" to 1/4" cable and had a very low volume. I almost returned the product, but i tried an xlr to 1/4" and recieved volume 3 times higher. Usually I see XLR to 1/4" cables labed as a mic cable on the package so I am a bit confused. I am sure this has to do with high and low impedence cables, which I have no idea about. Can someone please give me the run down on all this. Thanks in advance.

Thechiefgood.

xlr and trs are the same thing: balanced connections.

trs and unbalanced 1/4" are different.

make sure you are using 1/4" with a tip, ring, and sleeve.

to sum up.... there should be no difference (just use the right kind of 1/4" if you are going to use 1/4")

sounds like you were going balance to unbalance which give you a 6db drop. technically the difference between trs and xlr is the type of physical connection. it seems to me that the xlr connection is more stable, plus xlr click locks into place. other than that i believe there should be no difference between trs and xlr.