Side by side

Three-pin versus five-pin XLR

Contact count does not determine the device signal.

Computer-generated illustration, not a photograph. — P026 · Connector3-pin XLR connector

How they differ

3-pin XLR connector Check pole count, mating side and the equipment function. This record only covers the three-pole recognition form and does not publish a pinout.
5-pin XLR connector Compare five contact positions, housing key and latch features with the exact device manual.

At a glance

Source-scoped form facts; counts, variants and unknowns are distinct
Field	3-pin XLR connector	5-pin XLR connector
Type	Connector	Connector
Family	Audio	Audio
Shape	round	round
Nominal contacts	3S028 · S192three-pole XLR audio wiring convention; nominal engineering count, not automatically positions, population or a device wiring map. three-pole XLR audio wiring convention	5S101Nominal contact count; some implementations may omit populated positions. It is not a wiring map.
Positions / cavity span	Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.	5 (Claim C126C)S101 · S620Recorded source-scoped values; named examples do not describe every family variant or establish compatibility. Source identity discrepancy retained, not corrected by inference. The qualitative study follows the linked end view; no current dimensional certification or DMX/audio wiring claim.
Contact rows	Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.	Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.
Connector role	plug (Neutrik NC3MXX)S028Recorded source-scoped values; named examples do not describe every family variant or establish compatibility. Exact XLR component identity; not a device signal, microphone-bias or electrical compatibility assignment.	plug; socket; plug (NC5MXX)S101 · S101 · S101Named source examples retain separate role, part, view and axis limits; values are not a universal family specification. five-pole XLR plug/receptacle interface NC5MXX. Documented role: plug. Exact part layout must control; no NC6MXX versus NC6MSXX intermateability inferred.; Global503forNC4/NC6; official US page/PDF successfully read. No drawing axes or rows proposed.
Key distinction	XLR shape alone does not establish the signal or power arrangement.	XLR names a family, not one signal.

Full evidence ledger and sources ↓

Illustrations are computer-generated with prior AI visual review; independent technical and rights review pending. A comparison is not a compatibility verdict.

This comparison stays within one evidence layer.

All selected records are Connector records. Similar layer does not mean compatible, interchangeable or safe to mate.

Families represented: Audio

Original recognition plate / Audio

Three-pole vs five-pole XLR

Side by side source-bounded representations of 3-pin XLR connector and 5-pin XLR connector. Left: Three-pole connector designation. Right: Five-pole connector designation. No pinout, matching size or mating approval. — Cable-side male XLR body concept; count markers are NOT spatial pin positions. Dots below the body show pole count only; pin location and number are deliberately not drawn. No size comparison or pinout.

Observe

1. Three-pole connector designation2. Five-pole connector designation

Verify before choosing

Pole count, mating gender and device signal assignments must all be confirmed from the exact part.

Full visual atlas and sources →Not fabrication art · independent technical review pending

The reference ledger

Read the same question across.

2 selected records · 17 fields
No score. No compatibility verdict.

On a narrow screen, scroll the table sideways or open the field-by-field reading view below. Illustrations are not a size comparison.

Comparison of selected field notes; source links accompany each documented specification
What you are comparing	P026 / Connector3-pin XLR connector Identification schematic · not to scale · drawing review pending	P126 / Connector5-pin XLR connector Identification schematic · not to scale · drawing review pending
Layer	Connector	Connector
Key distinction	XLR shape alone does not establish the signal or power arrangement.	XLR names a family, not one signal.
Nominal contacts	3S028 · S192three-pole XLR audio wiring convention; nominal engineering count, not automatically positions, population or a device wiring map. three-pole XLR audio wiring convention	5S101Nominal contact count; some implementations may omit populated positions. It is not a wiring map.
Positions / cavity span	Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.	5 (Claim C126C)S101 · S620Recorded source-scoped values; named examples do not describe every family variant or establish compatibility. Source identity discrepancy retained, not corrected by inference. The qualitative study follows the linked end view; no current dimensional certification or DMX/audio wiring claim.
Populated contacts	Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.	Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.
Contact rows	Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.	Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.
Contact pitch	Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.	Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.
Dimensions / axis	Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.	Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.
Connector role	plug (Neutrik NC3MXX)S028Recorded source-scoped values; named examples do not describe every family variant or establish compatibility. Exact XLR component identity; not a device signal, microphone-bias or electrical compatibility assignment.	plug; socket; plug (NC5MXX)S101 · S101 · S101Named source examples retain separate role, part, view and axis limits; values are not a universal family specification. five-pole XLR plug/receptacle interface NC5MXX. Documented role: plug. Exact part layout must control; no NC6MXX versus NC6MSXX intermateability inferred.; Global503forNC4/NC6; official US page/PDF successfully read. No drawing axes or rows proposed.
Coupling / latch	latch (Claim C026A); latch (Claim C026C); latch (Neutrik NC3MXX); latch lock (NC3MXX)S028 · S028 · S870Separate exact examples; retain each value’s source, role, axis and part scope. Consumer identification / documented standard or product class only Exact XLR component identity; not a device signal, microphone-bias or electrical compatibility assignment. Exact named example NC3MXX: Three-pole male XLR cable connector. Exact example only; no universal geometry, electrical compatibility, fabrication approval or wiring instruction. Cable acceptance diameter is not XLR mating-shell diameter.	latch (Claim C126B); Latch lock; improved locking recess without window (NC5MXX)S101 · S101Named source examples retain separate role, part, view and axis limits; values are not a universal family specification. Identification and explicitly scoped documentation only; not an end-to-end connection approval NC5MXX. Documented role: plug. Exact part layout must control; no NC6MXX versus NC6MSXX intermateability inferred.; Global503forNC4/NC6; official US page/PDF successfully read. No drawing axes or rows proposed.
Keying / polarization	Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.	Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.
Form covered	Three-pole XLRC026A	Not an equivalent field
Pin assignment	Not published in this pilotC026A	Not an equivalent field
Documented identification	Not an equivalent field	Neutrik NC5MXX is a five-pole XLR cable connector.C126A
Important distinction	Not an equivalent field	The manufacturer lists latch-lock retention for that connector.C126B
Source-observed V148 component scope	Not an equivalent field	NC5MXX-linked five-position end view; source title discrepancy retained.C126C
Evidence	C026A,C026C → Independent review pending	C126A,C126B,C126C → Independent review pending

Read field by field — no sideways scrolling

The same selected records, fields, values and source links as the table. Missing fields remain non-equivalent; no values are merged.

Layer

3-pin XLR connectorP026 / Connector: Connector
5-pin XLR connectorP126 / Connector: Connector

Key distinction

3-pin XLR connectorP026 / Connector: XLR shape alone does not establish the signal or power arrangement.
5-pin XLR connectorP126 / Connector: XLR names a family, not one signal.

Nominal contacts

3-pin XLR connectorP026 / Connector: 3S028 · S192three-pole XLR audio wiring convention; nominal engineering count, not automatically positions, population or a device wiring map. three-pole XLR audio wiring convention
5-pin XLR connectorP126 / Connector: 5S101Nominal contact count; some implementations may omit populated positions. It is not a wiring map.

Positions / cavity span

3-pin XLR connectorP026 / Connector: Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.
5-pin XLR connectorP126 / Connector: 5 (Claim C126C)S101 · S620Recorded source-scoped values; named examples do not describe every family variant or establish compatibility. Source identity discrepancy retained, not corrected by inference. The qualitative study follows the linked end view; no current dimensional certification or DMX/audio wiring claim.

Populated contacts

3-pin XLR connectorP026 / Connector: Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.
5-pin XLR connectorP126 / Connector: Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.

Contact rows

3-pin XLR connectorP026 / Connector: Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.
5-pin XLR connectorP126 / Connector: Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.

Contact pitch

3-pin XLR connectorP026 / Connector: Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.
5-pin XLR connectorP126 / Connector: Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.

Dimensions / axis

3-pin XLR connectorP026 / Connector: Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.
5-pin XLR connectorP126 / Connector: Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.

Connector role

3-pin XLR connectorP026 / Connector: plug (Neutrik NC3MXX)S028Recorded source-scoped values; named examples do not describe every family variant or establish compatibility. Exact XLR component identity; not a device signal, microphone-bias or electrical compatibility assignment.
5-pin XLR connectorP126 / Connector: plug; socket; plug (NC5MXX)S101 · S101 · S101Named source examples retain separate role, part, view and axis limits; values are not a universal family specification. five-pole XLR plug/receptacle interface NC5MXX. Documented role: plug. Exact part layout must control; no NC6MXX versus NC6MSXX intermateability inferred.; Global503forNC4/NC6; official US page/PDF successfully read. No drawing axes or rows proposed.

Coupling / latch

3-pin XLR connectorP026 / Connector: latch (Claim C026A); latch (Claim C026C); latch (Neutrik NC3MXX); latch lock (NC3MXX)S028 · S028 · S870Separate exact examples; retain each value’s source, role, axis and part scope. Consumer identification / documented standard or product class only Exact XLR component identity; not a device signal, microphone-bias or electrical compatibility assignment. Exact named example NC3MXX: Three-pole male XLR cable connector. Exact example only; no universal geometry, electrical compatibility, fabrication approval or wiring instruction. Cable acceptance diameter is not XLR mating-shell diameter.
5-pin XLR connectorP126 / Connector: latch (Claim C126B); Latch lock; improved locking recess without window (NC5MXX)S101 · S101Named source examples retain separate role, part, view and axis limits; values are not a universal family specification. Identification and explicitly scoped documentation only; not an end-to-end connection approval NC5MXX. Documented role: plug. Exact part layout must control; no NC6MXX versus NC6MSXX intermateability inferred.; Global503forNC4/NC6; official US page/PDF successfully read. No drawing axes or rows proposed.

Keying / polarization

3-pin XLR connectorP026 / Connector: Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.
5-pin XLR connectorP126 / Connector: Not recordedNot recorded in a normalized source-scoped field. Consult the exact part/revision; no value inferred from illustrations.

Form covered

3-pin XLR connectorP026 / Connector: Three-pole XLRC026A
5-pin XLR connectorP126 / Connector: Not an equivalent field

Pin assignment

3-pin XLR connectorP026 / Connector: Not published in this pilotC026A
5-pin XLR connectorP126 / Connector: Not an equivalent field

Documented identification

3-pin XLR connectorP026 / Connector: Not an equivalent field
5-pin XLR connectorP126 / Connector: Neutrik NC5MXX is a five-pole XLR cable connector.C126A

Important distinction

3-pin XLR connectorP026 / Connector: Not an equivalent field
5-pin XLR connectorP126 / Connector: The manufacturer lists latch-lock retention for that connector.C126B

Source-observed V148 component scope

3-pin XLR connectorP026 / Connector: Not an equivalent field
5-pin XLR connectorP126 / Connector: NC5MXX-linked five-position end view; source title discrepancy retained.C126C

Evidence

3-pin XLR connectorP026 / Connector: C026A,C026C →
Independent review pending
5-pin XLR connectorP126 / Connector: C126A,C126B,C126C →
Independent review pending

Your next step

Use the distinction in context.

Open the field notes Read source-linked facts and limitations.Compare another pair Start from a common confusion.Check a connection A comparison is not a compatibility verdict.

Continue the distinction

Compare next

Browse every comparison →

3-pin Mini-XLR versus full-size 3-pin XLRAre you looking at the compact Mini-XLR/Tini-QG form or a full-size XLR connector? Matching three-pole counts do not make the shells interchangeable.Five-pin DIN versus five-pin XLRFive contacts do not establish the connector family or signal.TOSLINK vs Mini-TOSLINKStandard TOSLINK and Mini-TOSLINK are different optical-audio connector forms. Mini-TOSLINK can resemble a 3.5 mm jack, so confirm optical support from device documentation.2-, 4- and 8-pole speakONWhich pole count and equipment wiring does the loudspeaker system document?3-pin versus 4-pin Mini-XLRDoes the compact Mini-XLR/Tini-QG form have three or four conductors? Conductor count does not establish the device wiring or signal role.3.5 mm TRS vs TRRSContact arrangement is a visual clue. Signal assignment still needs device documentation.

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Evidence behind this page

Scope first. Source second. Approval separate.

3 linked sources · 5 scoped claims · 0 sources with inspection/access flags.

Page scope: Evidence behind the compared records; the editorial comparison still needs separate review.

Assessment 2026-10-22 · earliest scheduled source review 2026-12-30. This is a recorded-date assessment, not a live source check. Page-level independent review is not established by this panel.

Inspect 3 source scopes, access limits and dates

S028 · NC3MXX XLR cable connector

Neutrik · Manufacturer / product-owner domain · inspected 2026-10-01 · due 2026-12-30

Within inspection window

Scoped support: 3-pole male XLR physical example; no universal signal or power promise.

Not established / limitations:

Locator: Product identification

S101 · NC5MXX five-pole XLR connector

Neutrik · Manufacturer / product-owner domain · inspected 2026-10-03 · due 2027-01-01

Within inspection window

Scoped support: Five-pole XLR cable connector with latch-lock retention.

Not established / limitations: The device signal and wiring are unspecified by connector identity alone; no DMX or audio compatibility approval.

Locator: Product description; Mechanical / Locking device

S620 · ST-NC5MXX product-linked drawing; title discrepancy retained

Neutrik · Manufacturer / product-owner domain · inspected 2026-10-13 · due 2027-01-11

Within inspection window

Scoped support: Linked from NC5MXX product page. Title/drawing-number inconsistency remains unresolved; no current dimensional equivalence is certified.

Not established / limitations: Linked from NC5MXX product page. Title/drawing-number inconsistency remains unresolved; no current dimensional equivalence is certified. Raw document bytes were not obtained in the container; no raw-file hash or archived-source possession is claimed.

Locator: Single sheet; five-position end view; revision B, changed-date 17.04.07. Drawing number ST-NC5MXX; main title visually reads NX5MXX.

Trace 5 claims to their source records

C026A · P026

Three-pole XLR connectors are a distinct keyed, latching circular family.

Claim scope: Consumer identification / documented standard or product class only

Source links: S028 · Evidence trail → (private workspace)

C026C · P026

Neutrik NC3MXX is a three-pole male cable connector with nickel housing, silver contacts and a latch-lock interface.

Claim scope: Exact XLR component identity; not a device signal, microphone-bias or electrical compatibility assignment.

Source links: S028 · Evidence trail → (private workspace)

C126A · P126

Neutrik NC5MXX is a five-pole XLR cable connector.

Claim scope: Identification and explicitly scoped documentation only; not an end-to-end connection approval

Source links: S101 · Evidence trail → (private workspace)

C126B · P126

The manufacturer lists latch-lock retention for that connector.

Claim scope: Identification and explicitly scoped documentation only; not an end-to-end connection approval

Source links: S101 · Evidence trail → (private workspace)

C126C · P126

The drawing linked from the NC5MXX product page separates a five-position end view from two longitudinal profiles. Its drawing number is ST-NC5MXX, while the main title field reads NX5MXX.

Claim scope: Source identity discrepancy retained, not corrected by inference. The qualitative study follows the linked end view; no current dimensional certification or DMX/audio wiring claim.

Source links: S101 · S620 · Evidence trail → (private workspace)

Prepare this page for review →Read the evidence method →

Recorded evidence only. An inspection date, publisher label, source link or generated packet is not independent technical review, hardware testing, fabrication approval or a compatibility verdict.