[Steve B.]

Is it possible that connecting a balanced to a non balanced connector can be harmful? Is the quality of the sound impacted?

 

[buke9]

The pin out is wrong unless it is a adapter made to do it .

 

[megabigeye]

Yes, you will cause a short and damage something. Do not connect a balanced cable to a single ended device, or vice versa.

A stereo TRS connector is wired as Tip=left, Ring=right, Sleeve=ground
Typically, balanced TRRS is wired as Tip=R+, Ring1=R-, Ring2=L+, Sleeve=L-.
If you try to combine them, you'll end up with Tip=R+, Ring=R-, Sleeve=L+/L- (shorted). This is a shorted circuit and will damage amp, headphones, or both.

 

[Steve B.]

I understand that - my question was not clear. I am asking about adapters. If I have a 4.4mm TRRRS connector on my 'phones, and I connect them to a 4.4mm to 3.5mm TRS adapter, then plug the 3.5mm to the player, is this a problem? I really asking if these adapters are safe.

 

[tomb]

I understand that - my question was not clear. I am asking about adapters. If I have a 4.4mm TRRRS connector on my 'phones, and I connect them to a 4.4mm to 3.5mm TRS adapter, then plug the 3.5mm to the player, is this a problem? I really asking if these adapters are safe.

If the amp you're connecting to is single-ended (non-balanced), then no - that's the purpose of the balanced-to-not-balanced adapter.

Where you run into trouble with balanced/non-balanced adapters is if you connect a single-ended headphone through an adapter to a balanced amp. The single-ended wiring on the headphone will short the left and right channel negative outputs of the balanced amp.

 

[buke9]

I understand that - my question was not clear. I am asking about adapters. If I have a 4.4mm TRRRS connector on my 'phones, and I connect them to a 4.4mm to 3.5mm TRS adapter, then plug the 3.5mm to the player, is this a problem? I really asking if these adapters are safe.

OK if you are going from a balanced headphone cable to a single ended connector from a adapter you are just fine. You just can’t go the other way from a single ended headphone cable to a balanced amp then you will have problems bit of you have a 4.4mm to 3.5mm adapter