Reterminating Grados for Balanced Use

[dsavitsk]

What standards are people using for reterminating these? I'm planning on a single 4-pin XLR rather than 2 3-pin as it is less cumbersome. Does a male connector on the phones with pin 1 for R+, 2 for R-, 3 for L-, and pin 4 for L+, and 2 and 3 connected together for use in single ended amps sound right?

Also, anyone know the stock Grado wire colors before I cut this thing apart? If it matters, these are RS-1's bought about 6 years ago.

[nikongod]

Most people follow the standard set by the K1000

R+=3

R-=4

L+=1

L-=2

I have NO idea what colors are what in the cable any more, but don't be surprised if they don't make any sense (I think red is left, and blue right, WTF?) I just strip the bit left on the 1/4" plug and check that.

[Spiug31]

The colours in my sr-225 are a quick check with a continuity meter showed which blue wire was with which red/white wire. It also gave an audible result from the earcup/driver involved.

[Fungi]

I remember reading how it's not good to test the +/- to a driver and make it sound, so I always just test the plug end like nikongod said.

But oops, I guess that won't tell you which ground is which.

[n_maher]

It's been my experience that 90% of Grados are Red=Left, White=Right, Blue=Ground. Which ground is which is pretty easy to determine once they have been separated.

[dsavitsk]

It's been my experience that 90% of Grados are Red=Left, White=Right, Blue=Ground.

That's what mine are.

I have soldered and modified a fair number of things in my life, yet cutting the end off my headphones still made me nervous.

[Fitz]

I remember reading how it's not good to test the +/- to a driver and make it sound, so I always just test the plug end like nikongod said.

But oops, I guess that won't tell you which ground is which.

Bah, that's what I do to check polarity on drivers when it isn't marked. Briefly put DC on it and see which way the diaphragm moves.