4 pole headphones

[gmhg41]

I got a new sharp MD recorder, and it has a 4 pole headphone jack. It came with a 4 pole to 3 pole converter.

I've plugged my koss porta pros into it with no converter, and it seems to work just fine.

two questions:

Does the 4 pole output do anything at all?

Is there any reason to use the converter?

Bob

 

[skitlets]

i think the 4pole format provides greater left and right channel seperation

 

[Dusty Chalk]

See here

I'm thinking the only reason you want to use the converter is so that you make sure to hit the differential "-" signal on both channels.

 

[Takashi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty Chalk See here I'm thinking the only reason you want to use the converter is so that you make sure to hit the differential "-" signal on both channels.

Which includes using 4 pole phone with regular (3 pole jack) players.

 

[greenhorn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmhg41 I got a new sharp MD recorder, and it has a 4 pole headphone jack. It came with a 4 pole to 3 pole converter. I've plugged my koss porta pros into it with no converter, and it seems to work just fine. two questions: Does the 4 pole output do anything at all? Is there any reason to use the converter? Bob

I also have a Sharp MD with 4 poles and the converter.

I am using the converter only when I connect the MD to an amplifier (between the MD and the amplifier). That's what they say also in the Instructions Manual.

I do not use the converter if I connect the headphones (Koss KSC-35, Shure E5) directly to the MD because it degrades the sound (it gets somehow hollow).