Side-by-Side Comparison
Jack Connectors
3.5 mm TRS vs. 6.35 mm (1/4") TRS
Comparing 2 standards across 7 specifications. 4 key differences identified.
Comparing:
3.5 mm TRS
6.35 mm (1/4") TRS
3.5mm TRS is the 3-conductor version of the 3.5mm mini-jack. It's wired either as unbalanced stereo audio (tip: left, ring: right, sleeve: ground) in consumer headphones, or as balanced mono (tip: hot, ring: cold, sleeve: ground) in some professional audio gear -- the same three contacts, different signals depending on the device.
6.35mm TRS is the 3-conductor version of the quarter-inch phone connector, wired for either balanced mono line/microphone signals in professional audio gear or stereo signals in full-size headphones -- the same wiring logic as 3.5mm TRS at four times the shaft diameter.
Specification Comparison Table
7 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Connector Family
|
Phone Jack (Mini-Jack) | Phone Jack (Quarter-Inch / Standard Phone) |
|
Shaft / Plug Diameter
|
3.5 mm (1/8") | 6.35 mm (1/4") |
|
Conductors / Contacts
|
3 (Tip, Ring, Sleeve) | 3 (Tip, Ring, Sleeve) |
|
Signal Format
|
Unbalanced Stereo / Balanced Mono | Balanced Mono / Unbalanced Stereo |
|
Standard Stereo Pinout
|
Tip: Left | Ring: Right | Sleeve: Ground | Tip: Left | Ring: Right | Sleeve: Ground |
|
Balanced Mono Pinout
|
Tip: Hot (+) | Ring: Cold (-) | Sleeve: Ground | Tip: Hot (+) | Ring: Cold (-) | Sleeve: Ground |
|
Primary Applications
|
Standard headphones, PC audio line-out, auxiliary inputs, portable media players | Studio reference headphones, audio interface line in/out, balanced mixer interconnects |
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