For the best quality home theatre sound, which audio cable should I use? HDMI, fibre optic, or coax?

Question

For the best quality home theatre sound, which audio cable should I use? HDMI, fibre optic, or coax?

Answer 1

you're going to want to choose a digital interface. HDMI works well especially if you're wanting to transmit video as well. Otherwise for S/PDIF

"....there are no differences in the signals transmitted over optical or coaxial S/PDIF connectors—both carry exactly the same information. Selection of one over the other rests mainly on the availability of appropriate connectors on the chosen equipment and the preference and convenience of the user. Connections longer than 6 meters or so, or those requiring tight bends, should use coaxial cable, since the high light signal attenuation of TOSLINK cables limits its effective range. On the other hand, TOSLINK cables are not susceptible to ground loops and RF interference like coaxial cables.[1] One deciding factor for many is cost—any standard 75 Ω A/V cable can be used for coaxial connectivity, while TOSLINK requires a specific cable which until recently was not very affordable."

Answer 2

Fiber optic will give u the best sound performance

Answer 3

None of these are really superior, so convenience is the key in order to make the best choice for your criteria.  When you have chosen the right type of cable that best suits your needs for your system, make sure you get a cable that is of good quality.  Stay away from the cheaply built stuff.

Answer 4

Both toslink optical and coxial-digital give identical sound.

But - this sound is Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS. Both of these are compressed.

The HDMI cable can carry this exact sound as well, but has the option to carry un-compressed audio which can sound better.

NOTE: there are few receivers that can handle this "TrueHD" sound and few DVD's that actually contain this un-compressed audio. So you dont automatically get this better sound using an HDMI cable, but it could become common in the future.

So HDMI has the POTENTIAL to be better sound, but right now for DD5.1 HDMI, Optical, Coaxial all sound the same.

Answer 5

I'd say between Fiber Optics and HD but i don't really know FIOS.

Answer 6

Optical cable

Answer 7

I'm just going to submit my chance at best answer and say "Ybbo" has it! I've worked in the field for going on 10 years, and he's got the answer, specifically in his source, perfect. HDMI is definitely the way to go when both pieces of equipment have the option, otherwise, if you have to flex the wire alot, go with digital coax, unless you have alot of power sources (outlets, etc) that the wire will directly pass by, then try to go with digital optical, aka TOSLINK.

Answer 8

Fiber is actually the worst of them all - this is why it is rarely used in hi-end equipment.

HDMI is the best option if your equipment can do the uncompressed digital, then coax.