MuxLab 500028-F - Passive Hi-Fi Stereo Audio Balun Extender (RCA Female to RJ45)
The MuxLab 500028-F is a high-fidelity stereo audio balun designed to solve one of the most common problems in professional and home audiovisual installations: transmitting analog audio signals over long distances without loss of quality. This device allows you to extend an unbalanced line-level stereo audio signal (RCA) using a single Cat 5e or Cat 6 network cable, reaching distances of up to 1 km (3,250 ft) .
Unlike standard audio extenders, MuxLab's Hi-Fi series is specifically designed to preserve the full dynamic range of sound. With a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz , this balun ensures crisp, faithful reproduction of the original audio source, making it ideal not only for public address systems but also for high-quality background music and home theater systems. Its design, featuring female RCA connectors, allows for direct connection of standard audio cables without the need for additional gender adapters, seamlessly integrating into existing structured cabling environments.
Main features
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High Fidelity Range: Supports a full bandwidth of 20 Hz to 20 kHz, ensuring CD audio quality over extended distances.
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Long-range transmission: Capable of sending a signal up to 1 km using Cat 5e/6 UTP cable, far exceeding the limitations of traditional coaxial audio cables.
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Female RCA Connectivity: Equipped with color-coded RCA inputs/outputs (red and white) and RJ45 connection for network link.
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Passive Design: It does not require external power or batteries, which simplifies installation and reduces points of failure.
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High performance: Offers superior ground loop isolation and strong immunity against interference and hum noise.
Benefits for the installer and the user
Using the MuxLab 500028-F transforms your data cabling infrastructure into a professional audio highway. For installers, this translates into significant savings in both time and cost, as UTP cable is more economical and easier to pull than heavy shielded audio cable. Furthermore, its compact size and flame-retardant ABS housing allow for discreet installation behind televisions, projectors, or inside junction boxes.
For the end user, the primary benefit is sound purity. By converting the unbalanced signal for transmission, the system eliminates much of the noise that would be introduced in long runs of RCA cable, delivering clean audio at the destination.
Recommended use cases
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Multi-Room Audio Systems: Distribution of music from a central rack to local amplifiers in different rooms of a residence.
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Corporate and Educational Environments: Audio connection from computers or multimedia players on podiums to amplification systems in auditoriums and meeting rooms.
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Digital Signage and Retail: Sending synchronized audio to remote screens in stores or shopping centers.
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Temporary Installations and Events: Quick solution for audio bridges in rentals and stage setups where network cabling already exists.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I need two units for it to work?
Yes, baluns work in pairs (one as a transmitter and one as a receiver). This product integrates into the point-to-point system, requiring one unit at each end of the network cable.
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Does it require an electrical connection?
No, the MuxLab 500028-F is completely passive and uses the physics of the internal transformer to operate without an external power supply.
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What type of network cable should I use?
Solid copper Cat 5e or Cat 6 UTP cable is recommended to ensure maximum distance (1 km) and performance. Using CCA (copper-clad aluminum) cables may reduce the effective distance.
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Is it compatible with digital audio?
No, this model is designed exclusively for stereo analog audio signals (L/R).
Project description
Passive Hi-Fi stereo audio balun designed for transmitting unbalanced line-level analog signals over Cat5e/6 UTP structured cabling. It features gold-plated female RCA connectors and an RJ45 port. It offers a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz across the entire range, with a maximum distance of up to 1 km. It has a balanced output impedance of 100 ohms and a common-mode rejection ratio greater than 60 dB. It features a compact, flame-retardant ABS housing and operates without an external power supply.
