Leaderboard

I know better, but I tried to solder the mini XLR and had the same problem with the pin moving and ruining the connector. I say I know better because when making balanced interconnects with XLR connectors, I always use the female and male connectors plugged into each other. (I have a set of XLR M & F connectors that are dedicated to soldering.) This makes the other connector a heat sink, as well as holding the pins in the proper position so they should not move. I have worked with 4 pin mini XLR for the Audeze headphones, and can tell you from first hand experience these mini XLR's can be a PITA to solder! Just plug the female and male connectors together and that should keep the pins from melting the plastic and moving out of place. Hope this will help.

I find it's helpful to use a 3rd hand tool.

Imagine John McLaughlin's Shakti with Adrian Belew sitting in.