1/4" TS vs. 1/4" TRS vs. XLR?

Even just a link to something in layman's terms would be great. Google is not being kind.

Ok, here goes...  Without being completely technical, TS stands for Tip/Stem which means you have two wires.  This means you're pretty much limited to mono and you'll find that noise will go down the line with your signal.  TRS stands for Tip/Ring/Stem which gives you three wires (and that obviously means it will cost more too).  You can use TRS for either mono (with noise cancellation because your signal is transmitted positively and negatively so that, when checked at the end, the noise - which is only transmitted positively - disappears leaving you with only your nice signal.  You can also use TRS for either stereo or for two mono signals (as is the case when you have a Send/Return - these usually will have a "Y" to mono TS, one for send and one for return).  XLR is also a three-wire configuration, but are more often used for noise-free mono - especially with microphones.  I use XLR and TRS jacks interchangeably and have dozens of cables that have one connector of each on the ends.

Now, a "balanced" system is great (using only XLR's and TRS's cables), however this means you need to pretty much wire your entire system this way or you lose the advantage of the better cables!  This can get a bit expensive (I know, I decided to go this way with mine).

What I like to do if possible, is to bring in the best analog signal that I can, do any analog processing first then, once it gets converted into the digital world, I want it to stay there (except for the monitoring or sending signal back to the board of course).  The fewer A/D and D/A conversions you have the better.  To do this, I actually have extra line mixers.  Once takes digital inputs and outputs digital while the others stay in the analog world.

Needless to say, it's all about starting with the best recordings you can.  Mixing shouldn't be about polishing a turd (or putting lipstick on a pig as they say).

All of that said...  I just reread your OP and realized that you're concentrating on monitors.  A lot depends on whether you are using powered monitors or passive.  If passive, you'll want cables specifically designed to handle the power coming from an amp.  If your monitors are powered, I've found that you can get by with a TS cables if the run is fairly short (and it should be - monitors are very nearfield).  Of course, if you can afford it, I'd go with TRS here as well!  There are some very good cable manufacturers out there that are NOT named Monster.  We just went through a list of names on a recent thread - I'll see if I can find it.

One word of warning should you decide on TRS cables, some rack units do not work well with them and their 1/4" jacks might only return one side of a stereo field (for example).  That said, even most of those that have an issue will usually provide an XLR jack which is why you'll find yourself getting cables with an XLR connector on one end and a TRS connector on the other.

Right on guys. Trying to parse this out in my mind right now. I have some follow up questions I'll post in a bit or maybe tomorrow (have to get ready for the cardiologist tomorrow). I don't know why I have such a hard time with this simple concept after all these years. It's only three bleedin' wires. Blurgh. Thanks... I'll be back.