JBL EON 515, User Manual

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Section 7: Connection Types 

There are two basic types of audio system interconnections for audio signals: Balanced and Unbalanced.  

Your EON

®

 can accept either type of input.

Balanced Lines

In audio, a balanced line is a three-conductor system in which the two signal wires carry an equal, but  

opposite voltage with respect to the ground wire. The ground wire acts only as a shield and does not carry  

any audio signal current. Outside interference (such as RFI - Radio Frequency Interference) is either 

shielded from the internal signal conductor, or if it gets into the cable is cancelled out by the opposite signals  

at the receiving end. Balanced connections are preferred for any longer cable runs.

Unbalanced Lines

Unbalanced cable is a two-wire system where the shield (ground wire) acts as one of the current carrying 

signal conductors. The center conductor enclosed by the shield is commonly known as the “hot” conductor. 

Unbalanced audio cables do not reject noise as well as balanced lines.

Unbalanced lines are typical in home hi-fi type systems and on the outputs of electronic musical 

instruments. These work well if the distance between the components is short, the signal level is  

relatively high and all of the electronics used in the system are plugged into the same AC service.

Unbalanced Sources to EON Powered Loudspeakers

If you need to connect your EON speakers to an unbalanced source you have two options:

•  Use the LINE 1 and LINE 2 connectors. These inputs are balanced but will accept 

unbalanced inputs without the need for any special adapters.

• Use an adapter or special cable

Cables and Connectors

Speakon

®

 is a registered trademark of Neutrik AG.