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SaulR26 t1_j9au4k4 wrote

All my homies hate 2.5mm jacks

402

Clickbaitllama t1_j9awsed wrote

The funny thing is that 3.5 bends way more than 2.5 in my expirianceo

16

DeathsingerQc t1_j9awvgg wrote

XLR is S tier cuz it feels cool to plug one in

289

OrrinW01 t1_j9b7frf wrote

Bro, Hi-rose connector is S tier

1

BioniqReddit t1_j9b8lh1 wrote

I've never had a 2.5 fail or bend on me in something like three years of near constant use. What are you lot doing?

21

vext01 t1_j9bdg2h wrote

Ahem, where's the stax connector?

10

sart49 t1_j9bexp4 wrote

Does those "L-shaped" jacks count ? I hate those lol

1

LyKosa91 t1_j9bf6s2 wrote

Replying to kerouak (#1,887,427)

So the female end has a release button on the connector, the male end doesn't. The specific amp etc might have a locking catch but that depends. The vast majority of headphone outputs have no lock, my KRK monitors have no lock, the rear inputs on my old A30 pro had no lock, but the inputs on my singxer SA1 do.

7

DeathsingerQc t1_j9bj6kg wrote

Replying to suppaboy228 (#1,887,830)

Bigger = better

But seriously it depends on the amp / cable, the one I use is secure in there, I need to pull kinda hard to take it out and the ones I use for my preamps have a locking thing on both ends.

If I accidentally pull my headphones with 6.3 the 6.3 will come out, with xlr the amp comes flying with the headphones. Which is probably not something you want but it is definitely not disconnecting by accident.

1

suppaboy228 t1_j9bjo55 wrote

Replying to DeathsingerQc (#1,887,938)

Yes, it may be stuck hard, but the tactile feel of insertion and pulling out is very unpleasant. It is click-clack with 6.3 and all of the jacks with the ball end. Friction fit plugs - nah. And the fixator doesn't help either.

1

dstarr3 t1_j9bm45h wrote

4-pin mini-XLR is SSS-tier

1

AntOk463 t1_j9bol7q wrote

Replying to DeathsingerQc (#1,885,687)

That's why you get headphones with mini XLR connector and use a mini XLR to 6.35mm to make you feel even cooler.

Every time I plug or unplug the mini XLR cable from my AKG while I'm wearing them, I imagine myself as Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible Fallout when he connects his oxygen in an identical way. Even cooler because you need to press the button and makes you feel like you are doing something serious.

https://youtu.be/Ci1u68ZVcag?t=104

10

Scrimgali t1_j9bswro wrote

Replying to BioniqReddit (#1,886,887)

Same. Never an issue. I have a ton of 2.5 cables that I use with Qudelix 5k, es100, etc. They do look frail compared to a 4.4 but I have not had an issue.

Watch, I’ll have a major mishap in the next week with a 2.5. Such is life

5

MazonnaCara89 t1_j9bsybq wrote

Replying to Clickbaitllama (#1,885,678)

Trust me 2.5 bend like butter, I have 2 cables for my moondrop arias, the one that came with them is bent and sometimes I can't ear from the right iem, and the other one a tripowin cable had a pretty big connector and I literally broke the jack with my belly, now I need to solder the new angled one!

8

HauBauMeau t1_j9bwyeh wrote

F tier for the shitty sennheiser 6.3 adapter that came in my 58x box that is some jank

4

InformalReplacement7 t1_j9c6021 wrote

4.4 is better, sure, but I've never had any of my 2.5s bend or warp or anything. I've never even seen a bent 2.5 like others keep saying theirs do.

I guess some of us just take care of our stuff better than most.

1

DasGutYa t1_j9c8ert wrote

Replying to KEVLAR60442 (#1,888,017)

You can get 3.5mm TRRS for certain headphones that are cabled for dual side single ended and a single sided balanced connection like the HE R9.

It's super jank and can cause a short if you use a normal dual 3.5mm balanced but it's the simplest solution to accommodate wireless add ons like the blue mini whilst maintaining compatibility with unbalanced dual input cables that most companies use.

But yea, the pic is a Chad 4.4mm.

1

sakallicelal t1_j9c9dkm wrote

All plugs are beautiful. Down with your unattainable plug beauty standards!!!

1

Cartella t1_j9ccaos wrote

LEMO FGG B-series should be above all. As many as 64 contacts if you wish so, is latching and many more features what you could wish for.

1

fuzeebear t1_j9ci14q wrote

Replying to AntOk463 (#1,888,465)

Both sizes of XLR are latched, though the latch itself is on the female connector. Which is why you associate it with mini-XLR, since female mini are used in headphones quite often

2

Jodiac7 t1_j9cigjb wrote

100% couldn’t agree more

1

doncastiglionejr t1_j9ck2rk wrote

Replying to BlackMoth27 (#1,890,566)

They are finicky and picky as shit...imeen which mini xlr? 4 prong or three, and the lack of devices between each..nah son, I've had so many mini xlr cables that weren't compatible to the devices I had--even when the connects lined up. It's a non starter. I own Audio-GD amps that can't use mini xlr ( on their ACSS connections) unless its from them and theyre edition compatible, and I've owned a RHA portable amp with mini xlr capability that never worked with any mini xlr cable I bought. Trash....it gets an F

−2

Gr0umpf t1_j9ckkyq wrote

I've always loved the idea of 4.4 Pentaconn balanced... but since, I've stumbled accross many faulty 4.4 terminations, the ol' reliable 6.35 mm (1/4") jack still remains the best in my heart.

1

Lelouch25 t1_j9cn49c wrote

Most of my cables terminate into a metal 6.3mm. Just love it.

1

pieman3141 t1_j9cnm1g wrote

You forgot 2x 3-pin XLR that Tyll basically adopted during the early 2000s, and the RSA balanced jack that was somewhat "popular" (as far as the head-fi community went) back in the late 2000s. Might be a few more obscure ones that I'm forgetting - Sony's 2x 3.5mm connector, and the 2x 6.3mm connector.

Anyways, I'd also make the 3.5mm connector A-tier, 6.3mm B-tier, and 4-pin C-tier.

2

RedEyeFlightControl t1_j9cwklh wrote

How is the single ended 6.35 rated higher than 4pin XLR?! My guy, we need to talk

1

brianjai t1_j9cyog8 wrote

You forget 3.5 balanced connector.

They are god awful

1

T3L3SIS t1_j9d7kt3 wrote

XLR is A tier at least bruh

1

LSG4M3R t1_j9db8yz wrote

Plugging 6.3 into a port is 🤌🏻 feeling

1

SmartOpinion69 t1_j9dd9rb wrote

4.4 is definitely best for audiophiles while XLR is easily F tier. maybe an actual professional can take advantage of an XLR cable for durability/reliability reasons

−1

roenthomas t1_j9ddvdd wrote

6.35 mm and 4 pin XLR is my S tier
No A tier
4.4 mm TRRS is B tier
3.5 mm TRS and TRRS are C tier
No D tier
2.5 mm TRRS and dual 3-pin XLR is F tier

2

mjstealey t1_j9dgtqs wrote

C'mon now, where's the 3.5mm TRRS love at!?

For those that want to drop the mic, but can't, because it's attached to their headphones ...

1

blorg t1_j9diblq wrote

Replying to kerouak (#1,886,544)

He's talking about the 4-pin headphone output on the front. I think it depends on the type of the connector, to click satisfyingly it needs the notch on the top and not all do.

I have some connectors that sort of click satisfyingly but I also have at least one adapter (on the right) that is extremely unsatisfying, it just sort of goes in and there's no clear point at which it's fully in. The black one is OK and it is clear when it's finished pushing in but it doesn't "click". Only the middle one clicks.

I don't think I've ever seen 4-pin XLR headphone outputs with a physical release button. That's for the interconnects at the back.

1

blorg t1_j9din6c wrote

Replying to hfcobra (#1,890,412)

It's typically double the voltage, which is four times the power, unless there is some other current limit in the amp (which there often is).

4.4 (top) and 2.5 (bottom) in this picture are also balanced and double voltage.

0

iHeadShave t1_j9dnnmz wrote

According Schiit and JDS Labs, the balanced thing is hecka overrated (and unAmerican).

6.35 por vida! ✊🏾

1

BigHairyNordic t1_j9dsul9 wrote

Still loving my 2.5 connections for mobile use. lol

1

inputoutput1126 t1_j9dtbic wrote

never had an issue w/ 2.5mm putting iems in my pocket w/ the btr3k. had an animal ruin my 2.5mm balanced cable for my planars and ended up going w/ periapt's 4.4mm termination since the q3 has it, but don't see a huge issue with it. I've killed way more 3.5mm jacks than 2.5mm

1

blorg t1_j9dw8zp wrote

Replying to hfcobra (#1,895,090)

For a constant resistance as voltage increases current also increases proportionally (Ohm's law, I=V/R).

As current also increases proportionally, the increase in power is the square of the voltage increase.

It's also the square of the current increase, you can use that either.

But you can't have voltage increase with no current increase, they are linked. Unless there is a proportionate change in resistance with increasing voltage, which there isn't in headphones.

1

Muscletov t1_j9e3oip wrote

Balanced is automatic cringe. Marketing fad.

1

pongpaktecha t1_j9e5aqf wrote

Replying to suppaboy228 (#1,887,830)

You must be using the wrong XLR plugs and receptacles then. High quality Neutrik XLRs are super durable and have a very satisfying click when latched and are not at all wobbly. I've definitely had some 1/4 inch jacks get finicky on me when you move the plug around

2

nytroza t1_j9e6aix wrote

Replying to ExiledSanity (#1,886,997)

Same, have been using 2.5 with my Qudelix 5k and never had any issues. I managed to get the 5k stuck while moving resulting in it falling off with high pressure on the connector and still no bends.

2

VII777 t1_j9e6bm9 wrote

xlr is clearly ss tier

1

Geoffryhawk t1_j9e8zag wrote

-shudders- 2.5 mm jacks are for the devil.

1

suppaboy228 t1_j9ecvxt wrote

Replying to pongpaktecha (#1,897,051)

Since the receptacle is friction fit, it will wear out and will be wobbly in a year of active use. It will hold itself with the latch and will not lose signal, but not very sturdy.

I have been using both neutrik and switchcraft connectors, 100% original. Thay may seem good for a long time at home, but when used in a studio environment, they wear out quite fast.

1

pieman3141 t1_j9ee0s7 wrote

Replying to Designer-Edge-5394 (#1,897,328)

IIRC, he said they were clunky and he had difficulty wiring it all up. Also, most headphones don't need balanced outputs, and I think Tyll was kinda ambivalent about whether he preferred single-ended or balanced.

2

Designer-Edge-5394 t1_j9eibmq wrote

Replying to pieman3141 (#1,897,714)

Ah OK. Well, they might be a bit heftier than the rest of the options but tbh not much worse than, say, 4-pin XLR when it comes to wiring up and handling. Once you connect them they stay there, right? ;-) I use HartAudio's cables and interconnects. Recently ordered the dual 3-pin XLR interconnect just out of curiosity and they seem to help open up the sound(stage), at least on my system. I haven't A/B'ed them but suddenly all my headphones sound more open and wide without losing detail. My HD660S now sounds better that they ever did before, and surprisingly open. I might be wrong and it all may be placebo effect, but what I can say with absolute confidence is that the volume knob on my Pro iCAN Sig. very rarely needs to go further than 9 o'clock these days. I did some research but couldn't find anything useful to understand what may be going on in terms of power delivery, etc. as compared to regular 4-pin XLR connections.

1

Speedmaster1969 t1_j9ekl6y wrote

6.35 feels the nicest

Tried to find it for a future hifiman but it's almost impossible to find a decent one

1

jay_hojin_shin t1_j9eo4pm wrote

XLR deserves an S tier cuz it won’t unplug unless u do it

1

jd_delwado t1_j9f70cz wrote

Oh well...thought you were gonna describe each one and why to use one over the other??

1

Hunter422 t1_j9f7gg4 wrote

I have the 4.4 and it feels perfect, not too small, not too big. Never tried XLR tho, they look totally different and look like an old console controller port from the Gamecube.

1

dt880BestOfAllTime t1_j9fbxn4 wrote

2.5 mm connectors have less impedance than 3.5mm and 4.4mm, they are objectively better.

XLR is the only parallelized connector listed and should be top as a result. I guess this hobby enjoys depending on their amp's DC protection every time they plug in their headphones (all tip sleeve shorts as you slide it in or out).

1

mang0000000 t1_j9h3kqt wrote

Hate 4.4, I really do. Late comer to the party. 2.5mm and 4-pin XLR already well established.

A useless Sony-backed standard, very much like Memory Stick in the past - Why couldn't Sony just get along and support Secure Digital?!

0

mang0000000 t1_j9hitv9 wrote

Replying to nopunterino (#1,907,799)

XLR works better than 4.4. Any form of TRS connectors will momentarily short one or more contacts when (dis)connect. Not a problem for XLR.

2.5 prone to bending - I baby my gear and this has never happened.

I imagine DAP designers secretly hating 4.4mm. To me, the bigger socket takes up valuable space in the DAP chassis / PCB.

1

nopunterino OP t1_j9hj56u wrote

Replying to mang0000000 (#1,909,664)

You said it yourself that 2.5 bends too easily, and xlr is massive, 4.4 is a decent middle ground, and if dap manufactures put even 3 or 4 jacks on a dap, I don’t think it’s a tremendous issue

1

Yaarmehearty t1_j9jnmcx wrote

Replying to nopunterino (#1,885,394)

I’m not saying I don’t think it’s the worst on this list but I don’t get how people seemingly regularly break them. I have only managed to break one ever and that was by dropping an amp on it so totally my fault not the connector.

1

Leviatano168 t1_j9qwh2l wrote

Where is my stax 5 pin? Definitely s tier.

1