Examples only. Subject to change. For informational use only.
Headphone Connector Varieties:
Amp Connectors Varieties:
Headphone Connector Identification
There is a huge variety of headphone connection options out there, and it can be very confusing to which one will fit your particular headphone. This guide will help you identify these various connectors, and walk through our standard configuration. Feel free to reach out to support@audiophileninja.com to discuss your particular cable and connector needs. We will offer all the guidance we can, and you can also reach out to your headphone manufacturer to confirm your specific cable configuration and wiring scheme.
Dual SMC
SMC is a coaxial type connector that screws directly on to the headphone jack of each headphone cup. Used in early Hifiman products, but were eventually replaced by more common connector types. Stock cables using this connector often break and need to be replaced more commonly than other cable types due to the delicate nature of the SMC connector. For those of us who love our HE-500, HE-6, etc, and will never give them up…we are doomed to repeatedly replace or repair our cables with this connector from hell.
Pair with a balanced amp connector, and this cable is ready for your balanced headphone amplifier.
Dual 3.5mm
3.5mm TRS plugs are a very common connector you see many times used to plug into phones and other mobile devices. TRS stands for Tip, Ring, and Sleeve, which corresponds to the 3 different positions on the connector. TS stands for Tip and Sleeve, which uses only 2 positions for conductors. Audiophile Ninja always wires these connectors with + on the Tip, and – on the Sleeve. The Ring position is not used, so our connectors will work on headphones that use either TRS or TS style connectors on their stock cables. This T+ S- wiring scheme is the most common wiring method used by the majority of headphone manufacturers.
The 3.5mm connectors we use have a small barrel for slightly inset jacks, such as those on Hifiman, Focal, etc. But they will not work on headphones that have a very deep and specific jack, such as the Meze 99 varieties.
Note: There are some headphones that use different wiring schemes, so please contact your headphone manufacturer if uncertain if yours will work with our standard cable. But worry not, Audiophile Ninja has options and can custom build to accommodate these wiring configurations. Just reach out to us and we can work with you to confirm the headphone type and appropriate stock wiring setup.
Dual 2.5mm Long
Some headphones have deeply inset 2.5mm jacks, such as the Oppo PM1 and PM2, which require a special long barreled connector. That is why we have two variations of the 2.5mm connector, as the normal 2.5mm plugs are not long enough to reach the jacks. Audiophile Ninja uses dual 2.5mm TS long barreled plugs for these types of cables.
These 2.5mm Long TS plugs will also work on any headphones using 2.5mm normal plugs, and even Sennheiser HD700. So if you have multiple headphones that use both long and normal 2.5mm connectors, get this variety, and you can have one cable that works on many types.
Dual 2.5mm
2.5mm TRS or TS plugs are a smaller version of the 3.5mm connector. TRS stands for Tip, Ring, and Sleeve, which corresponds to the 3 different positions on the connector. TS stands for Tip and Sleeve, which uses only 2 positions for conductors. Audiophile Ninja always wires these connectors with + on the Tip, and – on the Sleeve. The Ring position is not used, so our connectors will work on headphones that use either TRS or TS style connectors on their stock cables. This T+ S- wiring scheme is the most common wiring method used by the majority of headphone manufacturers.
Note: There are some headphones that use different wiring schemes, so please contact your headphone manufacturer if uncertain if yours will work with our standard cable. But worry not, Audiophile Ninja has options and can custom build to accommodate these wiring configurations. Just reach out to us and we can work with you to confirm the headphone type and appropriate stock wiring setup.
The 2.5mm connectors we use have a small barrel for slightly inset jacks, such as those on Hifiman, Monoprice, etc. But they will not work on headphones that have a very deep and specific jack, such as the Oppo PM1 / PM2 and other headphones. You will need the 2.5mm Long for those headphones.
Dual 4-Pin Tiny XLR
Unlike most other connectors on this page, this connector utilizes four connections per headphone cup, versus the standard two. Audiophile Ninja wires these the same way the manufacturer does, with all 4 pins wired actively. This takes much longer to make these cables, as a jumper has to be soldered from the + and – wires to their corresponding secondary connection, as the headphone is wired using all 4 pins. This is the standard Audiophile Ninja wiring, and works per the specification used by Audeze and ZMF.
Note: The standard cable will not work on Monoprice headphones that use dual 4-pin tiny XLR connectors, as they are wired differently. Using the standard cable with your Monoprice may damage your headphones and amplifier. Please contact your headphone manufacturer to confirm cable configuration. But don’t worry Audiophile Ninja has options and can create a custom order for your Monoprice headphones, with a cable wired to that specification.
Dual Sennheiser HD6XX Series
This connector is very specific, and only utilized on a handful of Sennheiser headphones. It has 2 pins per side that are labeled with + and -. This connector is used on the following Sennheiser models: HD600, HD650, HD6XX, HD660S, and HD58X.
Note: This connector will physically fit in the jack of various Fostex headphones, but it is wired inversely, which can be harmful to your headphones and equipment. Only use this cable with Sennheiser headphones.
Dual Sennheiser HD700
This is simply a dual configuration 2.5mm TS jack with a half moon barrel that fits specifically with the HD700 headphone.
These 2.5mm Sennheiser HD700 TS plugs will also work on any headphones using 2.5mm normal plugs. So if you have a Sennheiser HD700 headphone and other headphones that use normal 2.5mm connectors, get this variety, and you can have one cable that works on both types.
Disclaimer: This page is to be used as a guide only. Please check your specific headphone model and its connector to ensure compatibility with your headphones, as manufacturer standards do change. Your headphone manufacturer has the most up to date knowledge on their models and wiring configuration.
Cable Length Converter – Feet to Meters
We are dumb Americans that don’t use the metric system here. But we love our international customers and want to make you feel welcome!
Type a value in the Feet field to convert the value to Meters:
Cable Length in Meters: