Random Question about RCA

[Jacobisthe]

Does anyone know why RCA Cables are the standard connection for home audio because from running pro sound stuff i know that XLR would provide a better signal and can go longer distances because it is low-z (low current high voltage) which is more effective high-z (high current low voltage) than and is balanced so it cancels out most RF interference. Just a random question that has been bugging me sorry.

[Big Daddy]

From Tom's Hardware:

"Mechanically, the XLR connectors are much more complicated. There are
more wires inside the XLR's than the RCA's. The original intent of the
RCA's was to be inexpensive. The XLR's are designed along industrial
lines. Typically, RCA's are used at home where cost is an issue. XLR's
are used in industrial and professional applications where reliability
and performance are more important than the lowest possible cost.

In addition to the obvious mechanical differences, the equipment behind
the connectors is different and more expensive. For a typical home
system, RCA's are not a bad choice. They are inexpensive and generally
work well enough. In large systems such as studios, radio & TV
stations, concerts, etc. RCA's work poorly and XLR's shine.

The RCA's are also much smaller. Imagine how much larger your home
theater receiver would need to grow if each of those RCX's was replaced
with an XLR. Also, the cost would rise because each of those XLR's
would add at least a few dollars to the cost of the unit. (A stellar
XLR solution would add 10's of dollars at each end of the connection.)"