003
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2005
- Posts
- 4,688
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- 14
I understand balanced headphones use dual 3-pin XLR plugs, however I don't understand why. The third pin in the XLR plugs, which afaik would be used as ground on speakers, is not used for anything on balanced headphones. So when you total up how many pins are being used, it is 4, two in each plug.
Which leads me to my question. Why don't balanced headphones use a single 4-pin or mini 4-pin XLR connector? It would seem to me that it would be a LOT more convenient, and adapters to single ended would also be a lot more convenient. Why is it not done like this?
Also, do balanced interconnects work the same way? With only 2 of the 3 pins being used per single cable? If so, then balanced interconnect cables could be reduced to a single 4-pin XLR m-m cable! Why would it not be done like this? It just seems counter intuitive to me. Unless there is some other reason which I missed.
Which leads me to my question. Why don't balanced headphones use a single 4-pin or mini 4-pin XLR connector? It would seem to me that it would be a LOT more convenient, and adapters to single ended would also be a lot more convenient. Why is it not done like this?
Also, do balanced interconnects work the same way? With only 2 of the 3 pins being used per single cable? If so, then balanced interconnect cables could be reduced to a single 4-pin XLR m-m cable! Why would it not be done like this? It just seems counter intuitive to me. Unless there is some other reason which I missed.