bland10000 Posted August 16, 2005 Report Share Posted August 16, 2005 (edited) The difference between plug-ins of the 3-pole and 4-pole design 3-pole on left (two black loops) 4-pole on right (three black loops) The available 4-pole phones; all made by Sharp Earbuds HP-SS30-S (silver) retail price in Japan, 2,200 yen. SS-30 stats: Drive diameter, 14.5mm Impedance, 32 ohms Max.allowed output, 10mW Sensitivity, 97dB/mW Frequency response, 20~20,000Hz HP-SM30-S (silver) retail price in Japan, 2,200 yen. SM-30 stats: Drive diameter, 16mm Impedance, 32 ohms Max. allowed output, 10mW Sensitivity, 95dB/mW Frequency response, 20~20,000Hz HP-SS30 (right) next to HP-SM30 (left) Clip-on HP-MD1-S (silver) retail price in Japan, 2900 yen. HP-MD2-P (pink) retail price in Japan, 2900 yen. HP-MD2-A (blue) retail price in Japan, 2900 yen. all 3 (silver, pink, and blue) MD-1 & MD-2 stats: Drive diameter, 30mm Impedance, 32 ohms Max. allowed output, 20 mW Sensitivity, 105dB/mW Frequency response, 20~20,000Hz HP-MD5-S (silver) retail price in Japan, 5000 yen. MD-5 stats: Drive diameter, 30mm Impedance, 32 ohms Max. allowed output, 50mW Sensitivity, 102dB/mW Frequency response, 20~20,000Hz inner ear HP-MD33-S (silver) retail price in Japan, 3500 yen. HP-MD33 stats: Drive diameter, 9mm Impedance, 32ohms Max. allowed output, 20mW Sensitivity, 120dB/mW Frequency response, 20~20,000Hz hanger HP-MD90-S (silver) retail price in Japan, 12,500 yen. HP-MD90 stats Drive diameter, 16mm Impedance, 32ohms Max. allowed output, 20mW Sensitivity, 95dB/mW Frequency response, 20~20,000Hz All 4-pole 'phones come with a 3-pole to 4-pole converter chord; without it, plugging 4-pole phones into a 3-pole socket will only provide a signal to the left channel. User experience: SS30 & SM30: These are stock buds that are available at the retail level. They get the job done. MD1 & 2: The 1's & 2's have a clean detailed sound. They are louder than the 5's when compared at equal volumes. I would use them more but the plastic ear-hangers do not keep the 'phones in place when I walk. During the cold weather, it is not a problem because I wear a stocking cap over them that keeps them in place. MD5: This set is more expensive than the 1's & 2's but I think it is for the housing quality rather than the speaker quality. The rubber-coated metal hangers do hold the 'phones in place better than the plastic hangers of the 1's & 2's but the sound is not as loud. I do hear the same amount of detail in the 5's as I do the 1's & 2's but I have to turn the volume higher to match the sound level. MD33: A very clean and detailed sound; these are the best sounding of the available 4 pole 'phones. It has taken me several months to become accustomed to wearing inner-ear phones and I only use them for riding planes and trains; at home I use 66 eggos. I find they aren't good for walking because they can block out too much outside noise and they are prone to losing their seal from the vibrations of body motion, whether it be walking or turning my head. MD90: A strong sound and as detailed as you can expect from earbuds. These are my favorite buds of any 3 or 4 pole buds I own and I use them with both 3 and 4 pole units. They are lightweight, they sound good, and the ear hangers keep the buds in place. Edited October 27, 2009 by bland10000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsoul Posted August 16, 2005 Report Share Posted August 16, 2005 Very nice review and pix. I miss my old Sharp DR7. but that 4 pole headphone sure played havoc with my FM modulator in the car. It just wouldn't behave like the Sony MDs with the 3 pole connections. Still, when going headphone out to PC or deck, that Auvi 1 Bit 4 pole connection was tops! Thanks again for the pictures and review. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishiyoshi Posted August 19, 2005 Report Share Posted August 19, 2005 Thanks for sharing. Moving this thread to its appropriate section: 'phones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theblueraja Posted January 7, 2006 Report Share Posted January 7, 2006 I can't say enough great things about the Sure MD33s... I've converted 3 other people so far. I've had professional head sets in the hundred dollar + range, and I love these better. Amazing in sound, comfort, and portability (and price!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akijikan Posted January 7, 2006 Report Share Posted January 7, 2006 What extra signal are they transmitting with the extra pole? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bland10000 Posted January 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2006 What extra signal are they transmitting with the extra pole?That sounds like an invitation for some NSA jokes... According to two different sources, one I've linked 'cause I could find it, the 4-pole has to do with 1) saving energy and 2) presenting a cleaner stereo signal; less bleeding of signal between left and right channel. At home I'll listen to auvi units with 66eggos and I find it just as satisfying as using 4-poles but 66's are a great 'phone so I'm not surprised. Perhaps the difference would be more noticeable with lower-end 'phones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akijikan Posted January 7, 2006 Report Share Posted January 7, 2006 Thank you for skipping the NSA jokes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zerodB Posted January 8, 2006 Report Share Posted January 8, 2006 I vote for this thread to be stickied - it's essential for anyone with or considering purchasing Sharp portables. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atrain Posted January 8, 2006 Report Share Posted January 8, 2006 I vote for this thread to be stickied - it's essential for anyone with or considering purchasing Sharp portables.done then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHion Posted April 14, 2006 Report Share Posted April 14, 2006 There are rumours about the loss of quality when using 3 pole headphones on auvi units.Worse quality than standard 3 poles from other brands. Is that true ?It means you must use a 4 pole headphones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonicalflair Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 I wish there was someplace that still had sharp 4-pole headphones. Though gimicky, i'd love to try them on my newly aquired DS-70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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