Double Blind Testing 

Science depends upon test results not being influenced by outside factors, so eliminating personal bias is a top priority. Double-blind tests accomplish that requirement by preventing everyone involved from knowing the identity of the test samples. Double-blind listening tests have proven to be very effective at revealing differences in loudspeakers, but very limited in their ability to reveal the finer differences that exist among such devices as amplifiers, processors and cables. For example, MPEG (the Motion Picture Experts Group) has found it necessary to use selected trained listeners and very specific protocols to achieve anything other than a null result when testing lossy audio codecs. Consequently, it is unreasonable to expect double-blind listening tests of cables to yield anything other than a null result without a very concerted effort to perfect them.

Wireworld has been developing and using double-blind audio interconnect and speaker cable tests since the mid 1990’s, when we patented our first Cable Comparator. Our cable tests, unlike the other cable tests we know of, always include an unadulterated reference, as do the MPEG tests. We’ve found triangle discrimination tests to be the most effective methodology for cables. In triangle tests, listeners are only required to identify the odd sample out of three. With this method, only five out of six correct answers are required to prove audibility. For the most sensitive discrimination, we recommend using one degraded sample and two reference samples to create each set of three samples. The baseline test requires identifying the degradation of generic cables compared to the reference. Some listeners accomplish that identification on their first try, others require training and some never succeed. These results are consistent with the studies published by MPEG.

We encourage all who are interested in discovering the full effects of cables to experiment with direct and recorded tests. Although recorded tests are less effective than testing directly on a system, they usually reveal cable losses when played back on high resolution systems. It is important to note that listener bias is unlikely to be a factor when comparing generic cables to a reference direct connection, simply because no special cables are involved. If the listener does not hear degradation or find that it significantly impairs their enjoyment, then we believe that no upgrade cable can provide value to that listener under those listening conditions. However, any significant improvement in the audio system, the test procedure or listener sensitivity could reverse that result, making an upgrade to a Wireworld cable truly worthwhile. The exploration into the realm of audiophile blind testing is a journey of auditory discovery, enriching our understanding and appreciation of sound quality.

The Ultimate Guide to Optical Cables: Types, Uses & Advantages

Toslink—short for “Toshiba Link”—is a very specific subset of fiber‑optic technology created in 1983 to move consumer‑level digital audio from one box to another. Although it uses light instead of electricity, Toslink has nothing to do with wide‑area networking fiber or with “single‑mode” and “multimode” data cables. Think of it as a purpose‑built, short‑range audio interconnect that conveniently sidesteps the noise problems of copper but cannot match HDMI’s bandwidth for modern video systems.

What is an Optical Cable?

In home‑audio conversation “optical cable” almost always means Toslink, a short‑range fiber link created by Toshiba in 1983 to carry S/PDIF digital audio between components. Toslink is not the single‑mode or multimode fiber used for Internet backbones; it is a large‑core step‑index fiber dedicated to PCM 2.0 and compressed surround (Dolby Digital / DTS) up to 6.1 channels.

Plastic vs. Glass Toslink

• Plastic Optical Fiber (POF) – inexpensive, flexible, but loses ~1 dB per m and tops out near 5 m before jitter climbs.

• Wireworld multi‑strand glass – <0.2 dB per m, polished end‑faces, reliable beyond 15 m with measurably lower timing error.

How Does an Optical Cable Work?

A transmitter LED converts the electrical S/PDIF stream into red‑light pulses (650 nm) that bounce down the fiber core. The receiver’s photodiode turns light back to electrical bits. Because no metal conductors are shared, Toslink provides galvanic isolation—eliminating ground loops and RF noise that plague coax runs.

Types of Optical Cables

Toslink cables are typically available in two distinct formats, each catering to specific audio applications:

Standard POF

• Conductor: 1 mm plastic fiber

• Best distance: up to 5 m

• Typical use: TV → soundbar, budget PC → DAC links

• Conductor: 280 × 0.05 mm multi‑strand glass fibers

• Best distance: 5–15 m +

• Typical use: reference home‑theater runs, studio setups, long TV → receiver spans

Wireworld Cable Technology Glass

Advantages of Using Optical Cables

Compared to traditional copper cables, Toslink optical cables offer several distinct advantages tailored specifically for high-quality audio systems:

• Noise immunity – light pulses ignore EMI/RFI.

• Ground‑loop breaker – zero signal‑ground connection.

• Long‑life connectors – no corrosion or contact wear.

• With glass fiber – low attenuation and minimal jitter for audible clarity.

Where Are Optical Cables Used?

Toslink optical cables are essential components in any setting where pristine digital audio quality is a priority. They play a crucial role predominantly in:

• TV optical‑out → legacy AVR or high‑end soundbar.

• CD / DVD / streamer transport → outboard DAC.

• Gaming consoles (PS3, Xbox 360) with TOS‑link ports.

• Studio monitors that accept S/PDIF but not HDMI.

Whenever you need up‑to‑5.1 audio and wish to avoid HDMI’s ground noise, Toslink is the clean solution.

How to Choose the Right Optical Cable?

Select a Toslink Cable Based on Your Setup’s Requirements:

• Measure the run

• ≤ 5 m → plastic acceptable, glass ideal.

• 5–15 m → choose Wireworld Cable Technology glass.

• Check format needs

• Toslink handles PCM 2.0, Dolby Digital 5.1/EX 6.1, DTS 5.1/ES, DTS 96/24.

• For Dolby TrueHD / Atmos you must use HDMI eARC.

• Assess bend radius – keep any fiber ≥ 30 mm sweep.

• Plan for dust – keep caps on until installation; clean glass tips with alcohol if signal drops.

Conclusion

Toslink remains a valuable, interference‑free link for digital audio up to 6.1 channels—even in a world ruled by HDMI. The key is conductor quality: basic plastic gets the job done for short hops, but Wireworld Cable Technology glass Toslink unlocks extended‑length, jitter‑free performance worthy of reference systems. Choose wisely, install carefully, and enjoy pure, noise‑free sound.

Are Wireworld XLR female to RCA (XLR→RCA) adapter cables compatible with my components?

Most standard XLR female to RCA adapter cables have the XLR pin 3 connected to pin 1. Using an adapter like that can damage some components with electronically balanced outputs that are not designed to drive an impedance of 0 ohms. Those components will work properly with pin 3 disconnected. However, components with transformer coupled balanced outputs will not work with pin 3 disconnected, so connecting pin 3 to pin 1, either directly or through a load resistor is required. To provide compatibility with all components, Wireword XLR female to RCA adapter cables use 10K ohm resistors to connect pin 3 to pin 1. Please note that RCA to XLR male (RCA→XLR) adapter cables always require XLR pin 3 to be connected to pin 1.

Wireworld® Cable Technology Introduces Series 10 Audio Cables

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL November 1, 2024 – Wireworld Cable Technology, one of the world’s most respected brands of high-performance audio and video cables, is introducing their next generation ‘Series 10’ audio cables. These new cables incorporate several technical and visual improvements over the previous ‘Series 8’. The patented DNA Helix designs have been upgraded with additional strand groups that reduce electromagnetic (eddy current) losses for increased resolution, focus and dynamic contrast. Wireworld’s latest composite insulation technology, COMPOSILEX® 5, minimizes triboelectric noise to provide cleaner sonic textures and quieter backgrounds than previous insulation materials. These material and design upgrades represent five years of additional research and development beyond Wireworld’s critically acclaimed Series 8 cables.

The Series 10 cable line includes a wide selection of audio interconnects, loudspeaker cables, power cords, 75-Ohm and 110-Ohm digital audio cables. There are nine levels of audio interconnects priced from $36 to $3900 per pair. The interconnect range includes five levels of tonearm cables, subwoofer cables and minijack cables. The six levels of 75-Ohm coaxial digital cables are priced from $40 to $2000 for the 1m length. There are four levels of 110-Ohm balanced digital cables priced from $210 to $1850 for a 1m cable. The twelve speaker cables range in price from $1.50 to over $1000 per foot. The outstanding ability of these cables to minimize sonic artifacts and masking effects makes them especially helpful in getting more lifelike sound from basic home music systems to all-out high-end mastering studios.

Wireworld calls their power cords ‘Power Conditioning Cords™’ because they are designed to extend the functions and benefits of power conditioning all the way to the component’s power inlet. With five levels of three-conductor cords starting at $130 and two levels of ‘Figure-8’ two-conductor cords starting at $70, their proprietary Fluxfield™ designs provide highly effective shielding and filtering. The Series 10 upgrade to COMPOSILEX® 5 insulation dramatically increases the filtering abilities of the Fluxfield™ designs.

About Wireworld
Wireworld Cable Technology, founded by industrial designer David Salz in 1992, is a premier provider of leading edge digital and analog cable technology for home and professional A/V applications, including HDMI, USB, Ethernet, fiber optic, interconnect, power and speaker cables. Wireworld earned its world-class reputation by producing measurably superior cables optimized through objective perceptual testing, innovative patented designs, premium materials, and exceptional manufacturing quality.

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