[Edric Li]

Thought you may be interested in my post at another thread:

That was useful. Thanks all.



The Etymotic 2-pin seems to have been the hearing aids industry standard since at least the 50s:
https://hearingaidmuseum.com/gallery/Transistor (Body)/Audivox/info/micronicallamerican.htm

It's funny how the bluetooth cable idea is as old as the behind-the-ear hearing aids:
https://hearingaidmuseum.com/gallery/Transistor (Ear)/BTE/Zenith/info/zenithdiplomat56.htm

The slimmed-down 0.78 2-pin was also around since the 50s. It was used on the receiver-end, whereas the Etymotic 2-pin was on the speaker-end:
https://hearingaidmuseum.com/gallery/Transistor (Ear)/BTE/Other Makes/info/tonemasterme2.htm

The recessed 0.78 socket seems like a natural progression:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCwooRkeLMY

The protruding 0.78/0.75 sockets were likely invented by JH at UE. It was such a bad idea. Every time I push the pins in, the socket cracks.

Now the question about mmcx remains: was Shure the first company that came up with the idea of using a coaxial standard on earphones? I couldn't find it on hearing aids. This does seems to be the case, judging by the media's reaction to Shure CES2010 launch, calling the SE535's connector "proprietary."

From then on, all new "standards" were coaxial: ATH's A2DC in 2015, Estron's T2/UE's IPX in 2015/2018, and Acoustune's Pentaconn Ear in 2019.

The biggest companies (Senn, Beyer, AKG, Sony, ATH, UE and Shure) use MMCX or other coaxial standard. To small companies that are still holding on to 0.78 2-pin... I don't know what to say to you if you actually trust your own marketing department over those in Senn, Beyer, AKG, Sony, ATH, UE and Shure.

 

[giocass]

Great guide, much needed!

 

[Dust by Monday]

I think the new pentaconn ear connector will rectify currently mmcx connector issue, I had recently purchase the acoustune newer batch iem which came with the pentaconn ear connector initially I thought is mmcx but it's not. Heard its a a new connector might replace the mmcx connector who knows.

Yeah, Sennheiser's Pro line uses the Pentaconn connectors, but they're recessed a bit. Makes finding aftermarket cables almost impossible.

 

[milus]

What about Etymotics? It seems they use a different connector type.

 

[R3NA1SSANC3]

I wonder if something like this can fix the issue of MMCX lifespan:



Just leave it on the MMCX connector of IEM, and use a 2 pin cable at the other end (assuming resistance of this adapter thing is low and that it doesn't affect sound signature).

Do you have a link for this adapter?

 

[baskingshark]

Do you have a link for this adapter?

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832713641150.html

Here you go.
I've not bought from this store before though, so maybe the others can assist to let you know whether they are legit.

 

[R3NA1SSANC3]

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832713641150.html

Here you go.
I've not bought from this store before though, so maybe the others can assist to let you know whether they are legit.

Thanks. That $40 price is ridiculous though. I've got an Ali seller offering me a modular cable for $20. I'm gonna ask a few sellers if they can make that adapter for me.

 

[Redcarmoose]

Why on Gods green earth doesn't this show the most common 2 pin slot on each side of regular two pins and explain the polarity?