Audioblast HQ-4 Star Quad XLR vs Standard Cables: Noise Test

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Is noise in XLR cables real? I’m comparing five microphone cables to analyze their noise, focusing on the Audioblast HQ-4 Star Quad XLR.

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This reviews the Audioblast HQ-4 but also explores noise in standard XLR cables. I’ll share results first, then show Audioblast’s construction versus standard XLRs and my noise journey. I heard cable differences, and this video illustrates that. It’s not scientific but consistent, using a Mackie Big Knob Studio Plus with 60 dB preamp gain on the same channel.

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Cables vary from 10 to 25 feet; length shouldn’t impact balanced cables much at this range, but longer cables can pick up more noise. Each cable is under load, connected to a dynamic mic (500 ohm resistor, not 150 ohm) in the off position, isolating cable and preamp noise.

00:01:55 - 00:03:22
In Adobe Audition, I recorded 10 seconds per cable. The spectral frequency view shows noise intensity—brighter colors mean louder noise. My voice is 100–1000 Hz; purple is low-intensity noise. GLS cable noise is typical, choppy but not bad. I’ll play 6 seconds, then 4 seconds of Audioblast for contrast.

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GLS noise is steady but visible. Monster Standard is worse—jagged, with bright purple patches in the spectral view, showing inconsistent noise. Audioblast HQ-4 has a smaller, smoother waveform and darker purple, indicating lower noise.

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Amplified, Audioblast’s noise is flat and consistent, with minor high-frequency lines (8–20 kHz). Monster Performer is choppier than Audioblast but has flat lines. Blue cable shows intensified purple, more noise than Audioblast but less than Monster Standard.

00:05:22 - 00:06:28
Side-by-side screenshots show Audioblast’s narrower waveform and less intense purple versus others. Monster Standard is noisiest. In music, noise may be masked, but for voiceovers and audiobooks, where pauses expose noise, a low noise floor matters.

00:06:28 - 00:08:09
Processing can remove noise, but it adds artifacts. Reducing noise at the source is better. This test shows Audioblast outperforms GLS, Blue, and Monster. I started this after a defective Cloudlifter added hiss, revealing cable differences. I needed low noise for my Electro-Voice RE27 on a Mackie preamp at max gain.

00:08:09 - 00:09:20
Testing cables back-to-back showed varied hiss levels. Mogami was pricey (~$100), so I found Audioblast’s video comparing HQ-4 to Mogami 2534 and Canare L-4E6S. At ~$21 for a 20-foot cable, it’s 75% cheaper. I’m happy with it but would love a Mogami/Canare comparison.

00:09:20 - 00:10:02
If you have Mogami or Canare, test them against Audioblast and share results. This video proves star quad cables reduce noise versus standard XLRs. For voiceover, it’s worth it. Hope you found this helpful—thanks for watching!