Which of the following has two conductor wires, one for the hot audio signal, and one for ground?

The correct choice is based on the characteristic structure of unbalanced cables. Unbalanced cables consist of two conductor wires: one carries the hot audio signal while the other serves as the ground reference. This configuration is typical for many audio applications, providing a straightforward way to transmit signals over relatively short distances.

In contrast, the balanced cable design includes two signal wires, each carrying the same audio signal but with opposite polarity. This setup helps to cancel out noise and interference when the cables are longer or in environments with electrical interference. Coaxial cables, on the other hand, utilize a single conductor for the signal surrounded by shielding, which provides protection from external electromagnetic interference but doesn't align with the definition of two separate conductors for hot and ground. Optical cables transmit data in the form of light rather than electrical signals, making them incompatible with the convention of conductor wires in audio signal transmission. Understanding these distinctions clarifies why unbalanced cables, characterized by having one hot signal and one ground wire, is the correct answer.