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Use 3-pin or 4-pin XLR? - Page 2

post #16 of 21
9/18/09 at 9:07am
There was no existing standard for connecting balanced headphones. As to why headroom picked the connectors they did, it was because of how the amp was designed. They took 2 of their top of the line amps, and replaced the output connectors with combo jacks, and added xlr inputs. This basically let you use the amps as either 2 separate single ended amps, or as 1 big balanced amp. So it was mostly for convenience. The combo jack was a very convenient solution so they went with it.

Sometimes decisions are made for expedience rather than the result of an overarching plan.
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post #17 of 21
9/20/09 at 1:07pm
Is there an official (or unofficial) wiring standard for the 4-pin XLR? Which pin goes to which wire?
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post #18 of 21
9/20/09 at 1:16pm
The K1000 configuration is the De Facto but not De Jure standard pin configuration.

That is:

Pin 1 = Left +
Pin 2 = Left -
Pin 3 = Right +
Pin 4 = Right -

I think. The TakeT also uses a 4pin XLR but IIRC the pins 3 and 4 are the other way around from the K1000, meaning that the right channel will be out of phase on a TakeT when using a K1000 wired socket.
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post #19 of 21
10/5/09 at 12:57am
Well since 4 pins dont have seperation of ground wires would the sound quality be any different. I am thinking of doing all 4 pins and having a 4pin to dual 3pin adapter for need be. But maybe I should go the other way around.
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post #20 of 21
10/5/09 at 1:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DoYouRight View Post
Well since 4 pins dont have seperation of ground wires would the sound quality be any different. I am thinking of doing all 4 pins and having a 4pin to dual 3pin adapter for need be. But maybe I should go the other way around.
the sound quality would be no different, since balanced headphones do not use the third pin in each xlr there are only 4 wires, u know...

it makes 100% sense to rewire all to 4-pin, and use adapters as needed for 2x3-pin
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post #21 of 21
10/5/09 at 1:20am
I wasnt sure since some headphones have more wires than others. Like the new Grado cable. Thanks
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