Hi Lee,
Sorry for the delay.
If you post on head-fi, maybe copy the whole email I sent you explaining the situation so it is clear for anyone involved that it was Headroom who gave incorrect info on the pin configuration of their amp, against what I had expected the configuration to be.
I knew this was different to what most people do, but followed their instructions. The headphones worked anyway with one of their amps which Damian had and after the second email from Headroom with the right information came through, Damian did not want to return the headphones to me for correction, understandably as they were working fine.
To clarify, Damians Headroom amp which they worked with must have had pins 1 and 3 shorted together internally (which is NOT normal). Your amp does not (which IS normal).
I hope that helps!
Thanks,
Steve.
Hi Lee,
Thanks for the message, sorry for the delay replying, and to hear about the trouble you're having. Don't worry we will get it fixed
I remember that pair for Damian, they were the first ones I did for use with a Headroom amp, though I had done plenty of balanced headphones before.
So I thought I would ask Headroom for their confirmation of the pin configuration, as even though there is consensus, there is no official industry standard for XLR plugs on a headphone.
Here is what I wrote:
From: steve mclachlan [mailto:stevenkelby@hotmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, April 26, 2008 10:34 AM
To: Mike Olson
Subject: Balanced Desktop wiring
Hi guys,
I am recabling some headphones to be used with a Balanced Desktop amp, and would like some confirmation with the wiring if that's ok?
What is the output wiring configuration of the amp, what are pins 1, 2 and 3 used for?
Normally Pin 1 is not used (or would be used for a shield), Pin 2 is the + (positive) and pin 3 is the - (negative).
Is that right?
Thanks,
Steve.
And the reply from Headroom:
From: Mike Olson
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 4:39 PM
To: 'steve mclachlan'
Subject: RE: Balanced Desktop wiring
Hey Steve,
I’m so sorry for the delay on this email; I wanted to double check and make sure I gave you the proper info. I will try to “draw” this out the best I can for you.
Now this is MALE XLR plugs on your HEADPHONES, NOT the pin-out for the female jacks on the amp. You should be able to see these numbers on the XLR jack.
Pin 3-shield or not connected
o
o o
pin 2 + Pin 1 -
I hope my very crude drawing makes sense. Also, we have sort of become experts at recabling most headphones so if you have any more questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Sincerely,
Mike Olson
Technical Services Manager
mikeo@headphone.com
HeadRoom Corporation
2020 Gilkerson Dr.
Bozeman, MT 59715
1-800-828-8184
406-587-9466 ext. 104
I thought it was lucky I checked, then I completed the headphonmes for Damian according to the instructions from Headroom.
I can't find the emails to and from Damian, must have been via PM which I didn't keep. Anyway he received the headphones and they worked perfectly apparently.
Then I got this from Headroom:
Subject: URGENT: Balanced Desktop wiring
Date: Tue, 20 May 2008 18:59:19 -0600
From:
mikeo@headphone.com
To:
stevenkelby@hotmail.com
Hey Steve,
I am so sorry but I gave you the WRONG pin-out for the balanced wiring! Here is the correct info for a balanced headphone.
3 -
o
2 + 1-shield or n/c
o o
I am so sorry I hope this didn’t screw anything up. L I had pins 3 and 1 correct on my cheat sheet, but when I tried to be all fancy with my drawing I screwed it up. If you have any questions please let me know.
Sincerely,
Mike Olson
Technical Services Manager
mikeo@headphone.com
HeadRoom Corporation
2020 Gilkerson Dr.
Bozeman, MT 59715
1-800-828-8184
As the headphones were working and Damian was happy we decided to leave things as they were. I offered to take them back, correct the connections and return them at my expense. Damian was happy so we left it. That offer still stands if you want to send them back to me now
Let me know if you want my address.
So that explains it, they were wired wrong, but worked anyway, the amp Damian was using must have had those connections joined internally, and yours doesn't.
Feel free to post any of this on head-fi too if you like.
Thanks,
Steve
