Side-by-Side Comparison
Jack Connectors
3.5 mm TRRS vs. XLR 3-Pin
Comparing 2 standards across 9 specifications. 9 key differences identified.
Comparing:
3.5 mm TRRS
XLR 3-Pin
3.5mm TRRS connectors transmit stereo audio plus a microphone signal over four conductors. CTIA wiring places ground on Ring 2 and mic on the sleeve; OMTP swaps ground to the sleeve and mic to Ring 2, causing muted or distorted audio when the two are mixed.
Standard 3-pin XLR audio connectors use Pin 1 for chassis ground/shield, Pin 2 for the positive (hot) signal, and Pin 3 for the negative (cold) signal. 48V phantom power is supplied equally across Pins 2 and 3 relative to Pin 1.
Specification Comparison Table
9 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Connector Family
|
Phone Jack (Mini-Jack) | Circular Audio Interconnect (Cannon XLR) |
|
Conductors / Contacts
|
4 (Tip, Ring 1, Ring 2, Sleeve) | 3 (Pins 1, 2, 3 + Shell) |
|
Signal Format
|
Stereo Audio + Microphone / Inline Remote | Balanced Analog Audio / AES3 Digital |
|
Primary Applications
|
Smartphone headsets, gaming headsets, laptops with combo audio/mic jack | Professional studio microphones, PA live sound, mixer connections, stage snakes |
|
Shaft / Plug Diameter
|
3.5 mm (1/8") | — |
|
CTIA Standard Pinout
|
Tip: Left | Ring 1: Right | Ring 2: Ground | Sleeve: Mic (Apple, Android) | — |
|
OMTP Standard Pinout
|
Tip: Left | Ring 1: Right | Ring 2: Mic | Sleeve: Ground (Legacy EU) | — |
|
Standard Balanced Pinout
|
— | Pin 1: Ground/Shield | Pin 2: Hot (+) | Pin 3: Cold (-) |
|
Phantom Power Support
|
— | 48V DC (+/- 4V) IEC 61938 P48 |
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