Features:

  • Connects audio component, like a sound bar to receiver/preamp, audio processor, DAC, or television
  • Clear, multi-channel, fiber-optic digital audio output through lightweight, flexible cable
  • Durable PVC outer layer; corrosion-resistant gold-plated connectors and buffer tubing for optimal signal transfer
  • Includes removable rubber tips to protect cable when not plugged in
  • Cable length: 9.8 feet (3 meters); 1-year limited warranty
... the "audiophile" stuff you here about cable is mostly garbage. There have been several double blind tests that ...

All the "audiophile" stuff you here about cable is mostly garbage. There have been several double blind tests that have proven cables make little to no difference in audio quality. I used to have all my components connected via HDMI but my recently upgraded Epson LS10000 was able to accept higher than HDMI 1.4. Interestingly my 7 y/o HDMI cable would pass the 4k signal but my Anthem 710 receiver wouldn't. My solution was this Optical cable and a 4K x 3 switch. The sound is indistinguishable from the HDMI and possibly a bit clearer. Cable transfers sound at it should and at half the cost of cable that promise the Valhalla of sound for big dollars. My speakers are 101db sensitive so I would notice any difference or issues in sound quality were introduced by these cables. Great value and great cables. Don't let the great price scare you off. Price does not equal performance with cables!!!

Did not know

Let me start off by saying I have never seen an optical cable before. I initially was disappointed that the cables would not seat properly into the optical jack. I was all set to return this item and buy a different one. I the process of filling out the return I notice in the features description that there was a silicone nipple covering the end of the cable to protect the plug end when not attached. Once I removed it it fit as described. Maybe for people that do not know, a simple "remove nipple before insertion" note with the product would be appropriate.

Does the job!

Ok soooo, the cable came on time, packaged in a little box inside a mailing bag. I had another optical cable that went to my Sony set top box that looked to be proprietary - no longer needed (smarty pants tv). New tv, new cable. So I opened the box, untied the cable and pushed the it into the receivers connection. Hmmm.... won't go in all the way. I tried the tv as well as the cable box. It pushed in but no snap or solid connection. Hmmm..... what's the problem??? That's when I turned to my good friend Mr. Google. "Mr. Google", I said. "What's the problem?" Mr. Google told me........ Don't be an idiot. REMOVE THE PLASTIC PROTECTIVE COVER!!! OHHHHH..... who knew??? Removed it and all is well. Snapped into its connection rather easy I might add. Great, clear and full sound. Maybe a note or warning on the box Amazon (for the special people like me)? Reading this review means you've been warned. Remove the protective cover, slides right off, and life will be good again.

GREAT value—I'm happy

This item works great, it was reasonably priced, & other than the difficulty I experienced trying to install it, its a great choice for connecting digital optical audio devices. I wanted to use my home theater system's audio capabilities to enhance TV/movie enjoyment, so I needed this type cable to accomplish that. The only problem was the cable came w/ very inadequate installation instructions. I ended up going online/googling info to help me install the cable. It came w/ protective plastic covers on the ends, but w/ no instructions to remove those BEFORE attempting the install, I was being puzzled by the difficulty inserting the cable into the respective ports. Mind you, this was my FIRST experience w/ this type cable. After finding others had experienced the same problem, & posted their trials, I was able to complete the install w/ minimal fuss.

Great product! I'm using it to carry audio from my TV to my old stereo receiver.

For years I have seen connections on the back of my electronics labeled, "optical", but I had no clue what it was. I thought it must be some type of weird video connection required by equipment I didn't have, and never would have. So I always used the old RCA audio cable connections. But I recently purchased a TV that had no RCA audio connections, and I thought: "How can this be? How am I supposed to connect my TV to my audio receiver?". Well lo and behold, it is as simple as buying this cheap, thin, single little cable and connecting it from my TV to my receiver. The sound is awesome! And it eliminated two of those cumbersome RCA audio cables. It does take some pressure to plug it in - more than you'd think - but when it does connect there is a satisfying snap. And you'll know that it's in there nice and tight and isn't going to be jostled loose. So now I know what this type of cable is used for, and it has enabled me to continue using my 15-20 year old receiver.

The quality of the sound that the cable provided from the TV to the soundbar was AMAZING compared to a cheap RCA connection (which is what ...

It's an optical cable. There's not a whole lot to say about it beyond that. One little tip though - it ships with tiny plastic covers over the tips on each end. YOU MUST REMOVE THESE BEFORE PLUGGING THE CABLE IN! I didn't realize that immediately and spent minutes trying to jam the cable in to the port on my TV before realizing my mistake. It's not in the slightest a problem with the cable, it was 100% user error. Once I had that conundrum solved, the cable worked perfectly, connecting my TV to a soundbar. The quality of the sound that the cable provided from the TV to the soundbar was AMAZING compared to a cheap RCA connection (which is what I had before getting this). Highly recommended if you want to get the most out of your devices.

Truly outstanding for the money, might not fight in tight places

These are the third pair of AmazonBasics TOSLink fiber optic cables I've ordered. They are right here on the scale from poor to great: great good enough <------ poor Any cables that deal with a digital signal will either deliver the signal or they won't. There's no reason to spend more money on something that's "high speed" or "true" or any other nonsense. All they are doing is delivering ones and zeroes to their destination. Analog cables are susceptible to noise from outside interference, but fiber optic cables are not. So when you need a fiber optic cable, there are only two criteria you need to worry about: 1) Does it carry the signal? 2) Will it break? If an optical cable gets a red light from the source to the destination (pictured) then you have a good signal. Since the "fiber" these days is a plastic tube that approximates glass, the only other concern you have is whether or not it will break. The AmazonBasics cable exceeds in two areas cheaper cables usually do not: it has a thick rubber outer layer and a thick joint at each end. I've included a side-by-side picture of the Amazon cable next to a cheaper cable I'm also happy with, but I'll worry less with the thicker one. The only downside it the large head unit on each end of the cable. Smaller sound systems, computers, or receivers might not be able to accept the plug. That's the trade-off if the cable is sturdy.

Better than I expected

When my sound bar arrived with a very short, extremely thin, and fragile digital optic cable I knew I needed to find a replacement fast. To my pleasant surprise AmazonBasics was one of the top search results. I did a quick check and confirmed that I was getting the best deal for the money. Having used many other AmazonBasics products, I've learned by experience to trust their quality. Indeed, when it arrived to my door it was properly packaged. Another positive is that the cable is much thicker, as it is encased in durable, rubber-like, PVC outer layer. Regardless of its qualities, you need to remember not to bend it sharply and avoid creating a kink. The light signal has to travel uninterrupted and, for the lack of better term, undistorted. The installation was easy and didn't take any time at all. Overall, I'm extremely pleased with the cable performance and quality.

Gets the job done well

Please note beforehand: I have read many an issue with ps4 slims being setup the way I have done in this review, I cannot help you with this problem as it worked out perfectly fine in my case.Sorry! I've bought amazon basic cables before, and I find that the quality is not lacking and the price is fair.This cable is no different. I am using this to get surround sound from my PS4 slim by having my PS4 through its HDMI into an LG 49UG63(I will edit if I'm remembering the model incorrectly, it is a 49 inch 4k led model) with the optical going from the TV to my surround sound. Clicked a few setting on the TV and the console and everything comes through very nicely. The only issue I had was the LG optical port had one of those little shutter/door/hinged flappy things that your cable usually just slides right by and that thing would not let me put my cable in. I ended up breaking that little flap off even though I was not using much pressure at all and after removing the broken little shards carefully my cable has fit nice and tight. I mention this because after reading some forum posts around this topic(it happens a lot more than I expected, on many brands of all types of audio equipment) some people could not get the cable to stay in place, but mine is firmly set. It may be the TV design or the cable design, but for the price if your current cable is loosely hanging in an optical port with a broken "door", this cable is cheap enough to grab and see if it helps.

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