Audio Connector Types: Identify Any Plug in Seconds
Every mystery cable in the drawer belongs to one of eight families. Learn the families and the mystery disappears.
Quick Answer
| Family | Looks like | Carries | Found on |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 mm TS/TRS | Small round pin | Mono, stereo or balanced | Phones, laptops, cameras |
| 6.35 mm TS/TRS | Big round pin | Mono, stereo or balanced | Guitars, amps, mixers |
| RCA | Colour coded push fit | Line level, unbalanced | Hifi, turntables, subs |
| XLR | Three pin, locking | Balanced line or mic | Mics, PA, studio |
| SpeakON | Round locking | Speaker power | PA speakers, amps |
| Binding post | Post with hole and screw | Speaker power | Amps, passive speakers |
| Toslink | Square optical | Digital audio, light | Soundbars, TVs, DACs |
| Coax digital | RCA shaped, orange | Digital audio, electrical | DACs, AV receivers |
Analogue Versus Digital
Analogue families
Jacks, RCA, XLR and speaker connectors carry continuous signals.
Digital families
Toslink and coax digital carry data streams. Plugging them into analogue sockets does nothing.
Colour codes
RCA uses red and white for stereo, orange for digital coax, yellow for composite video.
Locking mechanisms
XLR and SpeakON lock. Push fits do not, which is why they fail on stage.
Identification Drills
- Count rings on a round plug: one is TS, two is TRS.
- Measure the pin: 3.5 mm versus 6.35 mm.
- Check for pins versus a centre hole: XLR versus RCA.
- Look for a colour ring on RCA for the channel.
- Confirm a square end means optical, never force it into RCA.
Real-World Applications
- Sorting equipment drawers.
- Setting up AV systems.
- Stage patch planning.
- Buying correct replacements online.
Related Guides
For the plug view, read audio plug. For optical detail, see Toslink cable. For speaker ends, start with speaker connectors.
FAQ
What are the main audio connector types?
3.5 mm, 6.35 mm, RCA, XLR, SpeakON, binding posts, Toslink and digital coax.
Which are digital?
Toslink and coax digital. Everything else is analogue.
Can I mix balanced and unbalanced?
Only through proper conversion or with care about noise.
Why do XLR cables lock?
Reliability on stage; push fits pull out.