Balanced interconnect cable used to connect audio components. The balanced nature of XLR-type cables results in very low distortion due to noise. The XLR cable uses three wires, one for the positive signal, one for the negative signal and one for the ground. In unbalanced cables, the negative signal travels along the ground wire. using a balanced design, electrical interference is greatly reduced. For XLR cables and connectors to be used, however, the audio/video components being connected must feature the proper balanced inputs and outputs and operate in a balanced mode themselves. XLR connectors feature three round, wire prongs that mate to three round holes on XLR jacks. The AES/EBU connection is another name for XLR when used with digital audio components to transmit digital data.