MuxLab 500033 - Quad Analog RCA Audio Balun over Cat5e/6
Optimize your professional audio installations and eliminate excess coaxial cabling with the MuxLab 500033 , a high-performance balun extender designed to transmit up to four line-level analog audio signals over a single Cat5e or Cat6 network cable. This device is the ultimate solution for integrators seeking efficiency, organization, and quality in long-distance transmissions.
The system allows up to four individual coaxial cables to be replaced with a single UTP cable, facilitating routing through narrow conduits and drastically reducing material costs in the infrastructure. Thanks to its passive design, it requires no external power supply, simplifying installation in hard-to-reach locations or behind equipment racks. Its ability to maintain a full frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz guarantees high-fidelity sound, ensuring that audio quality remains intact even over long distances of up to 1 km .
Manufactured with a durable, flame-retardant plastic housing, this balun is compact and lightweight, ideal for point-to-point applications in commercial or residential environments. Its color-coded RCA connectors allow for quick and error-free channel identification, streamlining the connection process at both the source and destination.
Main Features
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Efficient Transmission: Sends 4 mono audio signals or 2 stereo pairs through a single Cat5e/6 cable.
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Extended Range: Capable of transmitting analog audio up to a maximum distance of 1 km without perceptible degradation.
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High Fidelity: Full bandwidth from 20 Hz to 20 kHz for crisp, transparent sound.
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Passive Design: It does not need power supplies or batteries; it works directly with the line signal.
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Coded Connectivity: 4 color-coded female RCA connectors for easy channel management.
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Ground Loop Isolation: Helps mitigate common noises and hums in long-distance installations.
Benefits for the Installer and the User
The MuxLab 500033 transforms the logistics of audiovisual installations. By using structured cabling (UTP), which is much more economical and manageable than quad coaxial cable, significant savings are achieved in both material costs and labor time. Furthermore, its compact size allows it to be easily concealed behind televisions, amplifiers, or inside junction boxes, maintaining a clean and professional aesthetic. Eliminating multiple cables reduces the typical "cable spaghetti" found in server racks and amplification areas.
Use Cases
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Multi-zone Audio Systems: Distribution of music from a central matrix to different rooms or floors of a building.
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Conference Rooms: Connection of microphones or line outputs from mixing consoles to amplifiers located in distant technical rooms.
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Home Cinema and Residential: Extension of audio outputs from multimedia players or decoders to remote AV receivers.
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Auditoriums and Events: Fast and reliable links between the control booth and the stage or active speaker areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I need to connect this device to an electrical outlet?
No, the MuxLab 500033 is completely passive and does not require external power.
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Can I use it for coaxial digital audio?
No, this model is specifically designed for unbalanced line-level analog audio signals.
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What type of network cable should I use?
Solid copper Cat5e or Cat6 twisted pair cable is recommended to ensure maximum performance and distance.
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Does the package include the transmitter and receiver?
This product is typically used in pairs (one at each end). Please check the exact contents of the package, although the dimensions provided suggest the kit or the need for two units to complete the circuit.
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How are the pins connected on the RJ45?
The device uses all 4 pairs of the network cable: Audio 1 (Pins 7 and 8), Audio 2 (Pins 3 and 6), Audio 3 (Pins 4 and 5), Audio 4 (Pins 1 and 2).
Project description
A passive quad audio balun designed to extend up to four unbalanced line-level analog audio signals over a single Cat5e/6 UTP cable. The device must offer a bandwidth of 20 Hz to 20 kHz and support transmission distances of up to 1 km. It must have four color-coded female RCA connectors for inputs/outputs and an RJ45 connector for network interconnection. The unit must operate without external power, have a balanced output impedance of 100 ohms, and be housed in a flame-retardant ABS enclosure with compact dimensions no larger than 61 x 57 x 25 mm.
