Dante Audio Network Cable: Choosing the Right Shielded Cat6 for AV-over-IP

8 月 16, 2026

Why the Network Cable Matters in a Dante / AES67 System

Dante and AES67 send multiple channels of digital audio over a standard IP network. The cable between the switch and the audio device is part of the signal path, and in a live or installed system it usually runs through the same racks, stages and cable trays as power, lighting and analogue audio. That environment is exactly where Ethernet cabling without adequate shielding can pick up interference and drop packets.

For an audio engineer or AV installer choosing cable for a new Dante network, the practical questions are: which category (Cat5e, Cat6 or Cat6A), which shielding (UTP, FTP, SFTP or SSTP), and how to terminate and route it reliably. This guide covers those decisions using the LBS Ethernet range as reference.

Cat5e, Cat6 or Cat6A for Dante Audio?

Dante audio itself is not bandwidth-heavy — a 48 kHz, 24-bit audio channel is roughly 1.4 Mbps. But the network cable carries more than audio: it also carries control, clock and redundancy traffic, and it must do so reliably over 100 m link segments.

Category	Data rate	Typical use for audio
Cat5e	1 Gbps up to 100 m	Basic Dante / AES67 systems, small fixed installs
Cat6	1 Gbps / 100 m; 10 Gbps up to 55 m	Standard choice for Dante networks, AV-over-IP
Cat6A	10 Gbps up to 100 m	Future-proofing, high-density media networks

For a new Dante deployment, Cat6 is the practical minimum and the most common recommendation. It gives headroom for AV-over-IP video, control and redundancy without the cost of Cat6A. Cat6A (like the LBS 6ASSTP) is worth considering when the same structured cabling will carry 4K video or high-density media traffic.

UTP vs FTP vs SFTP: Which Shielding for Audio Racks?

Shielding is the part of the decision that matters most in a professional audio environment. Audio equipment rooms and stage areas are electrically noisy: dimmer packs, power distribution, lighting and motors are all nearby sources of EMI.

UTP (unshielded) — suitable for office LAN and low-EMI areas. No foil or braid to protect against interference.
FTP (foil-shielded) — the LBS LBSFTP-C6 uses a foil shield with a tinned copper drain wire. This is the recommended minimum for Dante and AES67 audio networks, because the foil protects digital audio from EMI in rack rooms and stage environments.
SFTP (braid + foil) — the LBS LBSSFTP-C6 adds a braid over the foil for broadcast, industrial and high-EMI installations.
SSTP (per-pair shielding) — the LBS LBS6ASSTP-C6A shields each pair for maximum protection and 10 Gbps performance.

If you are cabling a stage or an equipment room and want one safe default: choose a foil-shielded FTP Cat6 like the LBSFTP-C6, terminate with shielded RJ45 connectors, and make sure the screen is grounded at the patch panel. Compare the full LBS Ethernet range in the Ethernet cable catalogue.

Installation Notes for Audio Networks

The best cable still fails if it is installed badly. These are the installation points LBS documents for its shielded Ethernet range:

Bend radius — minimum 4× cable O.D. during installation; tighter bends stress the foil screen.
Grounding — connect the foil drain wire to a grounded patch panel for the shield to work. An ungrounded shield can act as an antenna.
Pulling tension — maximum 110 N (25 lbf); avoid pulling on the jacket with winches or sharp ties.
Connectors — terminate with Cat6 shielded RJ45 connectors; shielded cable with unshielded jacks loses the shielding benefit.
Keep away from power — separate audio network runs from mains cabling where possible, especially in racks with dimmers.

Common Mistakes in Dante Cabling

Using UTP in a dimmer-heavy room and blaming the switch.
Leaving the foil drain wire ungrounded at one or both ends.
Using 90 m + of budget Cat5e for a long link when the path runs beside power.
Terminating shielded cable with unshielded RJ45 plugs.
Running audio network cable in the same tray as mains without separation.

Each of these is avoidable at the cable-selection stage — and that is where a few minutes of planning saves a troubleshooting day later.

Buyer Question: What Should I Ask Before Ordering Network Cable for a Dante Project?

Before you order, send the supplier the same information you would for any professional cable:

Category and shielding required (e.g. Cat6 FTP for stage use).
Length per run and total quantity.
Termination — bare ends, or pre-terminated shielded RJ45.
Jacket colour for rack identification if needed.
Destination country for export packaging.

LBS supports OEM and ODM projects on the Ethernet range — conductor, shielding, jacket colour, printing, length and packaging can all be reviewed for a project quantity. See the OEM audio cable manufacturer page for the full service flow.

FAQ: Is Cat6 FTP cable suitable for outdoor Dante runs?

Yes, when routed through weatherproof conduit. For direct-burial or outdoor exposure, contact LBS for LSZH or PE jacketed options.

FAQ: Can I use Cat5e for a small Dante system?

Yes — Cat5e supports 1 Gbps up to 100 m, which is enough for many Dante and AES67 systems. Cat6 gives more headroom for video and redundancy traffic and is the recommended minimum for new installations.

FAQ: Does shielding guarantee no audio dropouts?

No single component guarantees that. Shielding reduces EMI coupling, but the full path — switch configuration, network load, grounding and termination quality — all affect reliability. A shielded Cat6 with properly grounded screens removes one of the most common physical-layer causes of packet loss.

FAQ: Is LBSFTP-C6 backwards compatible with older Dante devices?

The LBSFTP-C6 is a standard Cat6 cable and is backwards compatible with Cat5e equipment and 100 Mbps devices. Compatibility is determined by the device network port, not the cable category.

FAQ: What does LBS recommend for a broadcast facility?

For high-EMI broadcast facilities, LBS recommends SFTP or SSTP constructions over FTP. The Ethernet catalogue lists UTP, FTP, SFTP and SSTP options so you can match shielding to the environment.

Get a Quote for Your Dante Network Cable

Tell us the category, shielding, lengths and quantity for your project — we will confirm the specification and packaging for your destination. Message us on WhatsApp or use the contact form.

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