[BassicScience]

So, what headphones actually use a cable that is a 3-pin L/R balanced cable? They show up on Amps all the time, but I've never seen a cable that has that.

Any headphone can, as the 3-pin L/R balanced connection is on the amp side. You just need to make sure the other end of the cable is terminated to fit the desired headphone.

 

[HiFiWar]

Any headphone can, as the 3-pin L/R balanced connection is on the amp side. You just need to make sure the other end of the cable is terminated to fit the desired headphone.

I mean I've just never seen a headphone come with that type of cable.

 

[Hiker816]

I mean I've just never seen a headphone come with that type of cable.

You can specify the Abyss 1266 TC complete package with a dual 3-pin if you want. Ditto for the Superconductor cable.

 

[BassicScience]

I mean I've just never seen a headphone come with that type of cable.

The interface is pretty uncommon on current release headphone amps, so it's probably not a cable termination option for most headphones anymore.

The last time I remember seeing a dual XLR setup was several years ago at a meet when an Audeze LCD-3 (then the flagship) was being driven by a Questyle CMA 800R amp. It might have actually been a pair of those amps configured as monoblocks.

 

[Rayzilla]

The interface is pretty uncommon on current release headphone amps, so it's probably not a cable termination option for most headphones anymore.

The last time I remember seeing a dual XLR setup was several years ago at a meet when an Audeze LCD-3 (then the flagship) was being driven by a Questyle CMA 800R amp. It might have actually been a pair of those amps configured as monoblocks.

I have a split 3-pin XLR with my original 1266. Came with an adaptor to convert to Single 4-pin XLR.

 

[HiFiWar]

The interface is pretty uncommon on current release headphone amps, so it's probably not a cable termination option for most headphones anymore.

The last time I remember seeing a dual XLR setup was several years ago at a meet when an Audeze LCD-3 (then the flagship) was being driven by a Questyle CMA 800R amp. It might have actually been a pair of those amps configured as monoblocks.

I have a split 3-pin XLR with my original 1266. Came with an adaptor to convert to Single 4-pin XLR.

Looks like the $30k+ Warwick Aperio comes with something similar, but it's an E-stat, so I assume it's not the same thing. So the dual 3-pin was basically one of the first balanced cable concepts and it got replaced/made obsolete by XLR4?

 

[BassicScience]

Looks like the $30k+ Warwick Aperio comes with something similar, but it's an E-stat, so I assume it's not the same thing. So the dual 3-pin was basically one of the first balanced cable concepts and it got replaced/made obsolete by XLR4?

The Aperio uses dual proprietary 4-pin connectors, which makes sense for an estat. Each connector has a pair of pins for the signal, and another pair for the bias voltage, per channel. Besides conferring a bespoke appearance, they probably went with proprietary connectors because the Aperio won't play well with a standard estat amp. It uses a much higher bias voltage because of its large gap between membrane and stator, which allows more excursion and better bass.

Yes, 4-pin XLR superseded the dual 3-pin connectors, probably because it saved money, space, and cable weight, and the (optional) cable shield grounding allowed by the 3-pin connectors could also be implemented using the shell of the 4-pin.

 

[HiFiWar]

The Aperio uses dual proprietary 4-pin connectors, which makes sense for an estat. Each connector has a pair of pins for the signal, and another pair for the bias voltage, per channel. Besides conferring a bespoke appearance, they probably went with proprietary connectors because the Aperio won't play well with a standard estat amp. It uses a much higher bias voltage because of its large gap between membrane and stator, which allows more excursion and better bass.

Yes, 4-pin XLR superseded the dual 3-pin connectors, probably because it saved money, space, and cable weight, and the (optional) cable shield grounding allowed by the 3-pin connectors could also be implemented using the shell of the 4-pin.

Cheers! Thanks for the info

 

[HiFiWar]

Well, I get why people like Grado. I tried a pair of Grado RS2X and the sound was very good from them. Unfortunately, the on-ear is painful pretty quickly and the cable is one of the worst cables I've ever encountered... AND it's not detachable. Bummer. All it would take for Grado to have a really good set of headphones is some decent ear cups and a good, detachable cable. Not hard

 

[AudioDuck]

The interface is pretty uncommon on current release headphone amps, so it's probably not a cable termination option for most headphones anymore.

The last time I remember seeing a dual XLR setup was several years ago at a meet when an Audeze LCD-3 (then the flagship) was being driven by a Questyle CMA 800R amp.

Of note, Ray Samuels sometimes uses the dual-mono XLR configuration when it applies. My Apache uses that to provide excellent channel separation, near-zero noise floor and phenomenal dynamics.

 

[Nago]

Well, I get why people like Grado. I tried a pair of Grado RS2X and the sound was very good from them. Unfortunately, the on-ear is painful pretty quickly and the cable is one of the worst cables I've ever encountered... AND it's not detachable. Bummer. All it would take for Grado to have a really good set of headphones is some decent ear cups and a good, detachable cable. Not hard

I sometimes wonder just why they don't offer detachable cables. For cheaper headphones it's ok but I mean what the hell they offer headphones in the 4 digits area?!? On top of that it has to be a super microphonic one.

Never really considered their headphones because of that. Shame really.

 

[HiFiWar]

I sometimes wonder just why the hell they don't offer detachable cables. For cheaper headphones it's ok but I mean What, they offer headphones in the 4 digits area?!? On top of that it has to be a super microohonic one.

Never really considered their headphones because of that. Shame really.

It's a really bad cable. Stiff, with memory retention and microphonic. Make a new cable or at least let people swap it without avoiding the warranty.

 

[HWB3]

Well, I get why people like Grado. I tried a pair of Grado RS2X and the sound was very good from them. Unfortunately, the on-ear is painful pretty quickly and the cable is one of the worst cables I've ever encountered... AND it's not detachable. Bummer. All it would take for Grado to have a really good set of headphones is some decent ear cups and a good, detachable cable. Not hard

I use the G pads with my RS2x's and have to shift the headphones around every now and then to have them remain comfortable. As for the headphone cable, try to relieve the tension in it and maybe over time it will become more pliable. It is a rather thick bugger but I'm sure the people at Grado have a reason for using it.

 

[HiFiWar]

I use the G pads with my RS2x's and have to shift the headphones around every now and then to have them remain comfortable. As for the headphone cable, try to relieve the tension in it and maybe over time it will become more pliable. It is a rather thick bugger but I'm sure the people at Grado have a reason for using it.

Honestly it just feels like a refusal to change and improve. Sticking too hard to heritage. But, they didn't ask me

 

[jonathan c]

I use the G pads with my RS2x's and have to shift the headphones around every now and then to have them remain comfortable. As for the headphone cable, try to relieve the tension in it and maybe over time it will become more pliable. It is a rather thick bugger but I'm sure the people at Grado have a reason for using it.

• For a while after purchase, I kneaded / twisted the braided cable - section by section - for a minute or two before using the headphone. The cable is fine now: softer, more pliable. True of all my Grados.
• I do like that the braided cable does not get the sharp 'kinks' that sometimes plagued the non-braided cable. It took me awhile to 'massage' those kinks out.