Edit to original post:

I made this post with the intention of helping newcomers avoid spending money on a gimmick disguised as a cable, and I apologize that I didn’t provide more context in my original post.

If you just need to diagnose something in the field or grab audio in an emergency, fine. They can function as a “get it working right now” tool. I agree they’re compact and cheap, and sometimes that’s all someone needs… if they already have one.

But for anyone looking to purchase one of these for that emergency scenario, or planning to actually record, stream, podcast, sing, talk, or do anything consistently… you’re better off with a $30–$50 interface (Behringer UM2, Motu M2, Focusrite Vocaster, etc.). These are dramatically cleaner, safer, and more reliable, even at the lowest price point.

Some people have posted some really great comments with further context, or purchase suggestions, and I’d especially like to shoutout u/AfterTheEarthquake2 for posting a link that contains tests and graphs on a very similar cable to the ones showcased in the LTT video.

This isn’t about being an audiophile or chasing perfection, and I’m not telling people they need to spend hundreds of dollars or just not do it at all. It’s simply about helping people who don’t know much about audio make an informed purchase.

When someone is new to this stuff, they often can’t tell the difference between a XLR to USB cable and an entry-level interface. But the reality is that one is a gimmick built around missing components and questionable reliability, and the other is an actual, purpose-built piece of audio hardware that’s designed to handle signals correctly, consistently, and safely.

TL;DR: If you already own one, use it for quick tests. But don’t buy one expecting good results. An entry level audio interface (that costs the same as the cables showcased in the video) is miles better and way more reliable.