4-Pin XLR Balanced — Desktop Headphone Standard
Pin 1 = L+, pin 2 = L-, pin 3 = R+, pin 4 = R-. Independent of AES48 microphone XLR3 wiring.
Pinout
Pinout data not yet populated for this connector.
Specifications
| Diameter | 19mm |
|---|---|
| Pole count | 4-pole XLR4 |
| Signal topology | balanced-stereo |
| Intended use | Desktop balanced headphone amplifier output |
About this connector
4-pin XLR is the de-facto standard for balanced headphone connections on desktop amplifiers, dating back to the late-1990s era when balanced-headphone-amp designs first emerged in the audiophile market. Pin 1 carries L+, pin 2 L-, pin 3 R+, pin 4 R-; no separate ground pin (the shield is grounded at the chassis only).
Independent wiring convention from XLR3 microphone connectors despite the similar Neutrik / Switchcraft connector bodies. Don’t confuse the two: an XLR3 mic cable plugged into an XLR4 headphone amp will damage neither side, but won’t pass audio.
The native termination for the desktop headphone amplifier and the hybrid tube + solid-state amp. Cable: OCC copper XLR4 cable. Cross-format to the portable side via the 4.4 → XLR4 adapter.
Compatible parts (MPNs)
| MPN | Form | Termination | Plating | Price (USD) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NC4MXX-B | Cable plug, male | Solder | Gold-plated contacts | $19 |