4.4 mm Pentaconn Balanced Connector
The modern portable-balanced standard. Pin assignment per JEITA RC-8141C: L+, L-, R+, R-, GND shield.
Pinout
Pinout data not yet populated for this connector.
Specifications
| Diameter | 4.4mm |
|---|---|
| Pole count | 5-pole TRRRS |
| Signal topology | balanced |
| Intended use | Portable balanced headphone and IEM output |
About this connector
Standardized under JEITA RC-8141C in 2016, the 4.4 mm Pentaconn balanced connector replaced 2.5 mm TRRS as the de-facto portable-balanced standard between 2018 and 2022. Five-pole TRRRS geometry: tip L+, ring 1 L-, ring 2 R+, ring 3 R-, sleeve GND/shield. The 4.4 mm shank diameter gives the connector mechanical robustness that 2.5 mm could never achieve.
Five conductors instead of four matters: the fifth pole carries a true chassis ground reference that the differential L+/L-/R+/R- signal can be referenced against. This is engineering-rigorous balanced audio in a 14 mm-long plug.
The canonical MPN is the NBP1-14-B from Nippon Dics. Compatible cables include the OCC copper IEM cable, monocrystal silver IEM cable, and the OCC headphone cable. Cross-format adapters: from 2.5 mm and to XLR4.
Compatible parts (MPNs)
| MPN | Form | Termination | Plating | Price (USD) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBP1-14-B | Cable plug, straight | Solder | 24K gold over nickel | $32 | |
| NBP1-14-L | Cable plug, right-angle | Solder | 24K gold over nickel | $34 | |
| NBP1-44-J | PCB-mount jack | Through-hole / surface-mount hybrid | 24K gold over nickel | $38 | |
| HPA-PP-001 | Cable plug, premium audiophile | Solder | Rhodium over silver | $89 |