Home Theater & A/V

RCA stereo audio cables are used to connect a wide variety of sources to amplifiers or receivers and to connect discrete components together such as preamps, power amps, equalizers, and surround sound processors. Typically, these cables carry line-level signals (-10 DB at roughly .3 volts) which are susceptible to interference from radio signals (RFI) and electromagnetic noise from AC cords, transformers, and motors (EMF interference). Given that these cables often cross one another, or touch power cords, good shielding is very important. And, with the low voltages involved, the signal loss must be kept to a minimum.High-quality RCA cables will use better conductors (copper or sometimes even silver) with gold-plated connectors. You'd hate to spend good money on a low-quality cable, so that's why we're here to help. We have curated this list of the best RCA stereo audio cables of 2022 for all your sound needs.

Speaker wire, whether rated for use in-walls, outdoor, or indoor-only, all has the same purpose: carrying audio signals from an amplifier, receiver, or radio to one or more loudspeakers. In theory, any wire designed for carrying electricity will work. The reality is that speaker wire is designed for audio, and is constructed differently. The outer jacket of speaker wire is marked for polarity to help ensure you connect speakers in phase (a pair of out of phase speakers will sound thin due to bass frequencies being canceled out). Speaker wire also uses purer, higher-grade copper which is more consistent in its electrical properties. Some companies make fanciful claims about this and that technology, but in general, thicker is better in terms of wire gauge and insulation thickness. Our reviews cover three types of speaker wire. Indoor speaker wire is for general use in the home, and includes wire that some could consider audiophile. In-wall speaker wire is rated for safe routing inside of walls and has a level of fire resistance. Outdoor speaker wire is suitable for direct burial and is also designed to resist damage from heat, cold, moisture, and UV. There is nothing stopping you from using outdoor wire indoors or vice versa, but it just makes sense to use the right tool for the job at hand. For more information on what to look at in selecting the best speaker wire in 2022, We have listed below the best speaker wires available for you to help you decide what product is best to buy.

TOSLINK cables (also called optical digital cables) convey digital signals in the S/PDIF format from computers and audio sources to other pieces of consumer audio equipment. TOSLINK is an older digital standard which uses pulses of light traveling down a fiber optic cable to represent digital ones and zeroes. Due to the information being encoded via light instead of electrons on/in a wire, TOSLINK is immune to RF or EMF interference.In theory, TOSLINK conveys digital data perfectly, and any cable will do the job. However, issues such as cable reflectivity, and fiber optic cable type (glass vs plastic) and diameter may have an effect on the timing of the signals. In other words, do the pulses reach their destination in the exact same spacing and timing as they were sent. Any discrepancies can cause a phenomenon known as jitter which can create a "smearing" of the sound. However, please do note that many of us cannot hear the differences, and doing so requires an audio system with very high resolution. But if you have an audiophile-grade system, buying a better quality TOSLINK cable will not be a huge expenditure to you. We judged our picks for best TOSLINK cable based on construction, durability, price, and overall design.For more information on what to look at in selecting the best optical cable in 2022, We have listed below the optical cables available for you to help you decide what product is best to buy.

A digital signal is a different beast than an analog one. A single analog cable can carry only one signal or channel of information. A digital cable is capable of carrying multiple channels of audio or video due to the fact that all that is being conveyed is a complex series of "ones" and "zeros". Analog signals gradually lose voltage over long cable runs, and a little bit of loss can be tolerated. Digital signals are all-or-nothing; at a certain point a loss of voltage will equal a completely lost signal.You could use a standard RCA terminated interconnect as a digital coax cable, but it is not a good idea. Digital signals are subject to a phenomenon known as jitter which affects the timing of the delivery of these 1s and 0s. In cables, jitter is caused by noise and interference, so a good digital coax cable needs full shielding and high-quality connectors. Digital signals quickly suffer losses at an impedance different than the 75 ohm standard, so cables made to tight tolerances are best. These best digital coaxial cables in 2022 were selected based on shielding, connectors, and overall manufacturing quality and value.

A subwoofer cable has the job of delivering a line-level audio signal (typically 0.3 to 0.45 volts) from your A/V receiver, amplfier, or preamp to a powered subwoofer. In many cases, the subwoofer is some distance from the rest of the system, so a good cable must keep signal loss to a minimum. Additionally, quality subwoofer cable must be well-shielded to minimize the pickup of 60 Hz hum from power cables, a frequency right in the sweet spot of a subwoofer's frequency response. RFI (radio frequency interference) can also be an issue. RCA connectors with gold plating are always nice since gold resists corrosion. Our selections below are based on cable capacitance, shielding, and connector quality, and are for mono cables only i.e. single connection point at both ends.For more information on what to look at in selecting the best subwoofer cable in 2022, We have listed below the subwoofer cables available for you to help you decide what product is best to buy.

As prices on Blu-ray players continue to drop, more and more consumers are making the switch from DVD to Blu-ray discs. Blu-ray players offer crisper image quality with full 1080p HD output as well as superior sound performance, making them the best way to enjoy high-definition movies in the home. But not all Blu-ray players offer the same level of performance or features, so it's important to consider many different factors when trying to determine the best Blu-ray player for your needs.For more information on what to look at in selecting the best blu-ray players in 2022, check out our blu-ray players buyer's guide. It will tell you the most important specifications to watch out for and what they mean to you.