Pentaconn (Nippon DICS)
Tokyo (Shinagawa-ku), Kanto, Japan · founded 1997
Originator of the 4.4mm "Pentaconn" balanced connector — the JEITA RC-8141C five-pole standard that became the dominant balanced interface for premium portable audio.
Pentaconn is the audio-connector brand of Nippon DICS Co., Ltd., a privately held Japanese electro-mechanical component design and manufacturing company established on August 25, 1997 and headquartered in the Higashi-Gotanda district of Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo. Nippon DICS is the originator of the 4.4mm five-pole “Pentaconn” balanced headphone connector, standardized by the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA) as RC-8141C around 2015-2016 and rapidly adopted as the de facto balanced standard across premium portable audio. Beyond audio connectors, the company designs and supplies connectors, jacks, cables and remote-control components for medical devices, computer peripherals, LED lighting, e-bikes and other electronics, with sales/production affiliates in Hong Kong, mainland China (Shenzhen) and Malaysia. “Pentaconn” is a registered trademark of Nippon DICS.
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At a glance
- Type
- Supplier
- Founded
- 1997
- Headquarters
- Tokyo (Shinagawa-ku), Kanto, Japan
- Price range
- Budget → flagship
- Makes / sells
- 4.4mm balanced headphone/DAP plugs and jacks (JEITA RC-8141C), Pentaconn Ear IEM connectors, audio connectors and sockets, OEM cables and cable components, general electro-mechanical connectors, jacks and remote-control components
- Known for
- Originator of the 4.4mm balanced (Pentaconn) connector standard, 5-pole (TRRRS) balanced audio connectors, Pentaconn Ear IEM connector system, precision audio connector engineering
- Website
- pentaconnglobal.com
Notable products
- 4.4mm Pentaconn balanced connector (JEITA RC-8141C) — Five-pole (TRRRS) balanced plug/jack originated by Nippon DICS; de facto balanced standard for premium DAPs and portable amps, first prominently adopted by Sony (e.g. NW-WM1Z/WM1A)
- Pentaconn Ear connector — Detachable IEM-side connector system used by brands such as Acoustune and offered as an alternative to MMCX/2-pin
- Pentaconn OFC / silver-plated plug sets — DIY and OEM plug kits (e.g. NBP1 series) sold to cable makers and enthusiasts
Supplies
Notable brands that use their components:
Sources: Nippon DICS Co., Ltd. official site (English) · Pentaconn Global — About · Nippon Dics Co Ltd — Bloomberg company profile · Head-Fi — NEW Sony 4.4mm Pentaconn Balanced Connector (adoption/history discussion) · Pentaconn balanced connector product listing (IPROS) · Acoustune ARM013 4.4mm Pentaconn Ear cable (customer usage example)