A TRS cable can carry either a balanced audio signal or a stereo audio signal. It depends on what audio output you connect the cable to. People often ask, "Are the TRS cables balanced?" The answer is "They can be, if you connect the cable between a balanced TRS output and balanced TRS input."

Are TRS cables balanced or unbalanced?

Breaking Down The TRS Cable

TRS cables have three contact points: tip (T), ring (R), and sleeve (S). That extra contact point makes a big difference because it enables a balanced audio signal. That's why these are also called “balanced cables” or “balanced TRS”.

Can a TRS cable be unbalanced?

TRS stands for tip, ring, sleeve, and can be used to send either mono (balanced) or stereo (unbalanced) signals.