Im trying to design my headphone amp and am at a dilemma on which output jack to implement for the balanced output.
Most headphone amps in the market seem to employ XLR output jack yet most aftermarket balanced cables seem to use 4.4mm jack.
So what is the most common type of balanced jack out there? Im rather confused about the lack of uniformity
Most headphone amps in the market seem to employ XLR output jack yet most aftermarket balanced cables seem to use 4.4mm jack.
So what is the most common type of balanced jack out there? Im rather confused about the lack of uniformity
You could choose your own desired standard as all the stuff that is commonly used has low cost as key parameter. Not a headphone man myself at all but when I have to try such stuff it always strikes me that crackling because of the connectors is often fully accepted as being unavoidable. What about 4 pin Lemo? It would require the headphone to have the connector too of course but it will pay off. You will not regret choosing a good connector set with non crackling contacts.
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4.4mm jack is meant for portable headphones/IEMs. I'd do Neutrik 4-pin XLR for full-sized headphones, that's the standard.
As OP correctly wrote standards seem to have become flexible (except for key parameters low cost/low quality/plastic fantastic). XLR being the exception but it is bulky and what when that super super headphones of 2025 has a 4.4 mm jack? Please don’t say “adapter cable”.
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Agree with @thuanth43 , 4 pin xlr is pro studio kind of standard and easy to solder, 4 contact TSR 4.4mm type, needs skill to solder on cable
