noob balanced headphone question

[jbeez]

I can't quite grasp how this is useful, headphones will have +/- signal wire to each "speaker" in them, so how does this work when a set of cans has xlr connectors on the end that use 3 pins? I don't get where the 3rd pin goes.

Thanks

[warrior05]

It doesn't. What was the ground for each channel of an SE config becomes the signal -. The 3rd pin of a 3-pin XLR is not connected to anything. That's another reason why I prefer 4-pin XLRs. Takes care of both channels nicely and less weight.

[Lifthanger]

I thought the 3rd pin (shield) is connected to chassis ground?

Sound System Interconnection
Grounding and Shielding Audio Devices

I'm a noob, too, though.

[jbeez]

but theres no chassis on a set of cans right? its plastic and its on your head, some are metal but i dont think they were metal to connect a third pin to?

[jbeez]

Originally Posted by warrior05

It doesn't. What was the ground for each channel of an SE config becomes the signal -. The 3rd pin of a 3-pin XLR is not connected to anything. That's another reason why I prefer 4-pin XLRs. Takes care of both channels nicely and less weight.

So if I understand that correctly, the cans with xlr connectors only have it to be able to tap into the signal and not to still keep a balanced signal once it hits the headphone wires? since theres no where to electrically connect that 3rd pin?

thx for the reply, makes me feel a little sane

[nikongod]

Originally Posted by jbeez

So if I understand that correctly, the cans with xlr connectors only have it to be able to tap into the signal and not to still keep a balanced signal once it hits the headphone wires? since theres no where to electrically connect that 3rd pin?

The signal is STILL balanced once it hits the headphone cable.

You only need 2 connections for a balanced driver: drive signal "in" and "out" of phase.

The third pin is a leftover from the "standard" created by headroom to use 2 3-pin xlr's (one for each channel) for headphones.

A single 4-pin works at lest equally well. i think better for most headphone apps. one connection to make on the face of the amp. if its dark you don't have to worry about messing up left and right...