A headphone jack is a small, round audio connector predominantly found on electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and music players. It serves as an interface for connecting headphones or earphones to the device. The traditional headphone jack is a 3.5mm audio port, although some devices may have different sizes or variations.
When headphones are plugged into the jack, it establishes an electrical connection that allows audio signals from the device to be transferred to the headphones. This connection typically consists of three metal conductors or rings on the connector, responsible for carrying the left audio channel, right audio channel, and ground, respectively.
Headphone jacks provide a convenient and reliable way to enjoy personal audio without disturbing others, whether it's listening to music, podcasts, watching videos, or making calls. They are widely used due to their universal compatibility with a wide range of headphones and earphones. However, with the advancement of technology, some newer devices have started eliminating the headphone jack in favor of wireless audio solutions or USB-C ports.
Best Headphones of {%year%]
1
Rating is 5 out of 5
Beats Studio Pro - Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headphones - Personalized Spatial Audio, USB-C Lossless Audio, Apple & Android Compatibility, Up to 40 Hours Battery Life - Black
-
BEATS' CUSTOM ACOUSTIC PLATFORM delivers rich, immersive sound whether you’re listening to music or taking calls.
-
LOSSLESS AUDIO via USB-C plus three distinct built-in sound profiles to enhance your listening experience
-
HEAR WHAT YOU WANT with two distinct listening modes: fully-adaptive Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Transparency mode
-
ENHANCED COMPATIBILITY with one-touch pairing and a robust set of native Apple and Android features
-
PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO with dynamic head tracking place you at the center of an immersive 360-degree listening experience
-
LONGER LISTENING - Up to 40 hours total battery life. A 10-minute Fast Fuel charge provides up to 4 hours of additional playback.
-
LOUD AND CLEAR - Voice-targeting mics precisely filter background noise for crisp, clear call performance
-
ON DEVICE CONTROLS - Take calls, control your music, and activate Siri with the multi-function on-ear controls
-
WIRELESSLY CONNECT to more devices with Industry-leading wireless Class 1 Bluetooth for extended range and fewer dropouts
-
WHAT'S IN THE BOX: Beats Studio Pro Wireless headphones, Woven carrying case, 3.5mm audio cable, Universal USB-C charging cable, Quick Start Guide, Warranty Card
2
Rating is 4.9 out of 5
Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headphones, Over-Ear Headphones with Microphone, Personalized Noise Cancellation and Sound, Triple Black
-
NOISE CANCELLING WIRELESS HEADPHONES: The perfect balance of quiet, comfort, and sound. Bose uses tiny mics to measure, compare, and react to outside noise, cancelling it with opposite signals. Bluetooth range-up to 9 m (30 feet).
-
HIGH-FIDELITY AUDIO: The TriPort acoustic architecture offers depth and fullness. Volume-optimized Active EQ maintains balanced performance at any volume, so bass stays consistent when turned down and the music remains clear when turned up.
-
QUIET AND AWARE MODES: Choose Quiet Mode for full noise cancelling, or Aware Mode to bring the outside into the around ear headphones and hear your environment and your music at the same time.
-
UP TO 22 HOURS BATTERY LIFE: Enjoy 22 hours of battery life from a single charge. A quick 15-minute charge offers 3 hours when you’re on the go, or plug in the included audio cable to listen for even longer in wired mode.
-
PERSONALIZE YOUR AUDIO: Adjustable EQ allows you to set the bass, mid-range, and treble levels to your personal preferences or select one of several preset options.
-
BOSE SIMPLESYNC TECHNOLOGY: SimpleSync pairs your Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones with select Bose smart soundbars for a personal TV listening experience. Independent volume controls allow you to lower or mute your soundbar while keeping your headphones as loud as you like.Away from your phone. Press and hold the Bluetooth button on each device to sync their sound. Already got a group going. Link by pressing the Action button to connect at a moment’s notice. Includes 3.5 mm to 2.5 mm audio cable
3
Rating is 4.8 out of 5
NEW Bose QuietComfort Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones, Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones with Up To 24 Hours of Battery Life, White Smoke
-
LEGENDARY NOISE CANCELLATION: Effortlessly combines noise cancelling headphones technology with passive features so you can shut off the outside world, quiet distractions, and take music beyond the beat
-
PREMIUM COMFORT: Plush earcup cushions softly hug your ears, while a secure and comfortable padded band gently keeps your over ear headphones in place for those extra-long listening sessions
-
2 LISTENING MODES: These wireless Bluetooth headphones feature Quiet and Aware Modes that let you toggle between full noise cancelling or full awareness of your surroundings for seamless sound control
-
HIGH-FIDELITY AUDIO/EQ CONTROL: Supercharge your favorite tracks with high-fidelity audio and Adjustable EQ that puts you in control of the bass, mid-range, and treble for unmatched bold sound
-
ALL DAY BATTERY LIFE: Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones provide up to 24 hours of battery on a single charge, plus a 15-minute charge gives you up to 2.5 hours of additional play time
-
MICROPHONE CORD INCLUDED: Plug the included audio cable with in-line microphone into your Bose noise cancelling headphones to use them without a Bluetooth connection, or even when the battery is depleted
-
STAYS CONNECTED TO YOUR DEVICES: Seamlessly stay connected to all your favorite devices using the multi-point toggle feature which allows you to switch devices without disconnecting and reconnecting each time
4
Rating is 4.7 out of 5
Bose Noise Cancelling Wireless Bluetooth Headphones 700, with Alexa Voice Control, Soapstone
-
Note: The USB-C charging cable and the AUX cable were underneath a flap which was inside the band of the headphones. Powerful noise cancelling headphones — 11 levels of active noise cancelling let you enjoy music, podcasts, videos & calls without distractions
-
Astonishing sound: Crisp, clear details. Deep, full bass. These wireless headphones produce exciting, lifelike sound that’s full and balanced at every volume level.Bluetooth version: 5.0 (including all headphone profiles)
-
Unrivaled voice pickup: A revolutionary microphone system adapts to noisy and windy environments so your voice always sounds crystal clear on calls
-
Keep your head up and hands free: With easy access to voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant for music, navigation, weather, and more, and intuitive touch control on the earcups — you can stay connected without reaching for your phone.
-
Premium design and comfort: With a lightweight stainless steel headband and earcups tilted for the perfect fit, you can comfortably wear these bluetooth headphones for hours
-
Up to 20 hours of non-stop music: Get up to 20 hours of wireless battery life on a single charge.
-
1 touch to listen to Spotify: Instantly listen to your last Spotify session or discover new music by tapping and holding the right earcup. Currently only available when using iOS devices with your headphones.
-
Pair with Bose soundbar: Use Bose SimpleSync technology to pair these wireless Bluetooth headphones to the Bose smart soundbar 300, 500 or 700 for a personal listening experience.
-
Alexa to Alexa calling: Use these wireless noise cancelling headphones to place a call to a Bose smart device or the Amazon Echo device with the Alexa mobile app
5
Rating is 4.6 out of 5
Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Premium Noise Canceling Overhead Headphones with Mic for Phone-Call and Alexa Voice Control, Midnight Blue WH1000XM4
-
Industry-leading noise canceling with Dual Noise Sensor technology.Specific uses for product : Communication
-
Next-level music with Edge-AI, co-developed with Sony Music Studios Tokyo
-
Up to 30-hour battery life with quick charging (10 min charge for 5 hours of playback)
-
the WH1000XM4 Touch Sensor controls to pause play skip tracks, control volume, activate your voice assistant, and answer phone calls.
-
Speak-to-chat technology automatically reduces volume during conversations
-
Superior call quality with precise voice pickup. Frequency Response (Active Operation)-4Hz-40,000Hz. Frequency Response(Bluetooth Communication)- 20Hz - 20,000Hz (44.1kHz Sampling) / 20Hz - 40,000Hz (LDAC 96kHz Sampling, 990kbps)
-
Wearing detection pauses playback when headphones are removed
-
Seamless multiple-device pairing
-
Adaptive Sound Control provides a personalized listening experience
6
Rating is 4.5 out of 5
JBL Tune 710BT Wireless Over-Ear - Bluetooth Headphones with Microphone, 50H Battery, Hands-Free Calls, Portable (Black), Medium
-
JBL PURE BASS SOUND: For over 70 years, JBL has engineered the precise, impressive sound found in big venues around the world. These headphones reproduce that same JBL sound, punching out bass that’s both deep and powerful.Specific uses for product : Travel
-
50H battery life Listen wirelessly for 50 hours. Recharge the battery quickly in 5 minutes to gain 3 more hours of fun or fully in 2 hours.
-
HANDS FREE CALLS AND VOICE CONTROL: Easily control your sound, manage your calls and trigger voice assistants from your headphones with the button on your earcup.
-
LIGHTWEIGHT AND FOLDABLE DESIGN: Lightweight and compact foldable design makes these headphones always ready to travel everywhere you go.
7
Rating is 4.4 out of 5
JBL Tune 660NC: Wireless On-Ear Headphones with Active Noise Cancellation - Black, Medium
-
The Tune 660NC wireless headphones feature renowned JBL Pure Bass sound, which can be found in the most famous venues all around the world.
-
Keep the noise out and enjoy your music with active noise cancellation
-
With Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 Streaming, you can stream wirelessly from your device and even switch between two devices so that you don't miss a call.
-
Listen wirelessly for 44 hours with active noise cancelling for long-lasting fun. Or for up to 55 hours with BT only. Get 2 hours extra with just a 5-minute charge using the convenient USB Type-C cable. Enjoy endlessly in wired mode, using the detachable cable provided..Note:If you face issue in Bluetooth connectivity please turn off the Bluetooth function for a couple of minutes, then turn it back on
-
Easily control your sound and manage your calls from your headphones with the convenient buttons and the mic on the ear-cup. Or use the ear-cup button to quickly reach your device's voice assistant.
How do I connect a headphone jack to a speaker system?
To connect a headphone jack to a speaker system, you can follow these steps:
- Determine the type of audio output port your speaker system has. It may have RCA connectors, 3.5mm auxiliary input, or other types of input ports.
- Purchase an appropriate adapter or cable. The specific adapter or cable you need will depend on the audio output port of your speaker system and the type of headphone jack you have. For example, if your speaker system has RCA inputs and your headphone jack is a standard 3.5mm, you will need a 3.5mm to RCA adapter or cable.
- Plug the audio output cable or adapter into the headphone jack of your audio source, such as a smartphone, laptop, or MP3 player.
- Connect the other end of the cable or adapter into the input port of your speaker system. Ensure a secure connection.
- Adjust the volume on both your audio source and the speaker system to a comfortable level.
- Play audio on your audio source and test if the sound is coming out of the speakers.
Note: Some speaker systems may have separate volume control knobs or buttons. Familiarize yourself with your speaker system's controls for better audio control and experience.
Can I use a headphone jack to output audio to multiple devices simultaneously?
No, a standard headphone jack cannot be used to output audio to multiple devices simultaneously. The headphone jack on most devices is designed to output audio to a single pair of headphones or external speakers. If you wish to output audio to multiple devices, you would typically need to use a audio splitter or a dedicated audio interface that supports multiple outputs.
How do I connect headphones to a headphone jack?
To connect headphones to a headphone jack, follow these steps:
- Locate the headphone jack on your device. Usually, it is a small circular port labeled with a headphone symbol.
- Take the headphone plug and ensure it matches the size of the headphone jack on your device. The most common sizes are 3.5mm and 6.35mm.
- Insert the headphone plug into the headphone jack. Apply gentle pressure until you feel a firm connection. Make sure it is fully inserted.
- Adjust the volume levels on your device to a comfortable listening level.
- Put on the headphones and ensure they are properly positioned, with the ear cups covering your ears.
- Once connected, you should hear audio through the headphones instead of the speakers of your device.
Note: If you are using wireless headphones, they usually connect via Bluetooth rather than a physical headphone jack. In this case, you would need to pair the headphones with your device through the Bluetooth settings.
What is the difference between a headphone jack and an aux jack?
A headphone jack and an aux jack are both types of audio connectors used to connect various audio devices to each other. The main difference between them lies in their application and functionality.
- Headphone Jack:
A headphone jack is primarily used to connect headphones or earphones to audio sources such as smartphones, laptops, music players, etc.
It is a small, round, and typically 3.5mm port that can transmit both audio output and microphone input signals.
The headphone jack often supports stereo audio, meaning it can reproduce sound in both left and right channels.
It is commonly found on personal electronic devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
- Aux Jack (Auxiliary Jack):
An aux jack, short for auxiliary jack, is a more versatile audio connector used to connect various audio devices to external speakers or audio systems.
It has a 3.5mm or 6.35mm port that transmits only audio output signals, typically in the form of a stereo line-level signal.
The aux jack is commonly found on audio devices like portable speakers, sound systems, car stereos, home theater systems, etc.
It allows devices without built-in speakers to output audio to external sound systems.
The aux jack can be used to connect devices like smartphones, music players, laptops, TVs, etc., to an audio system.
In summary, a headphone jack is primarily designed for connecting headphones or earphones to personal electronic devices, while an aux jack is a more general-purpose audio connector used to connect audio devices to external sound systems.
How do I use a headphone jack with a DJ mixer?
To use a headphone jack with a DJ mixer, you generally follow these steps:
- Ensure that your DJ mixer has a headphone output: Check if your mixer has a designated headphone output. It is typically located on the front or top panel of the mixer and may be marked as the "PHONES" or "HEADPHONE" output.
- Connect your headphones: Take your headphones and find the corresponding headphone jack on your DJ mixer. Insert the headphone plug into the headphone jack firmly. The plug should go all the way into the jack to establish a secure connection.
- Adjust the volume: Once your headphones are connected, adjust the headphone volume knob or slider found on the mixer. This control allows you to increase or decrease the volume of the audio you'll hear in your headphones.
- Select the desired audio source: On your DJ mixer, select the specific audio source you want to monitor through your headphones using the main channel faders or channel selector switches. This allows you to listen to the audio from a specific channel or channels before sending it to the main speakers.
- Fine-tune your headphone mix: Additionally, some DJ mixers offer dedicated controls to adjust the balance between the master output (main speakers) and the headphone output. You can use these controls, such as the "Cue/Mix" knob, to fine-tune the mix you hear in your headphones while still maintaining control over the audio sent to the main speakers.
Remember to always keep your headphone volume at a reasonable level to protect your hearing. Additionally, consult your DJ mixer's user manual for specific instructions based on your model.
How can I repair a broken headphone jack?
Here are the steps to repair a broken headphone jack:
- Gather the necessary tools:
- Small pliers or tweezers
- Soldering iron
- Solder
- Wire stripper
- Heat shrink tubing (optional)
- Electrical tape
- Begin by removing the broken headphone jack. This may involve disassembling the device or opening up the headphone casing to access the internal wiring.
- Once you have access to the broken jack and its wires, use the wire stripper or small pliers to remove the insulation from the wires, exposing the bare metal. Ensure you have enough length to work with.
- Identify the three sections of the headphone jack connections: left speaker, right speaker, and ground. Usually, left is the tip, right is the middle ring, and ground is the base of the jack.
- Clean the exposed wires with a soldering iron to remove any old solder or debris.
- Take note of the wire colors or markings so you can match them correctly. If the wires are not color-coded or marked, use a multimeter to determine which wire is responsible for each connection.
- Heat up the soldering iron and apply a small amount of solder to the tip.
- Begin soldering the wires onto the corresponding sections of the new headphone jack. Be careful not to apply too much heat, as it may damage the internal components or insulation. Complete one wire connection at a time.
- Once all the wires are securely soldered, inspect the connections and make sure they are neat and tidy. Trim any excessive wire lengths.
- Optionally, cover the soldered connections with heat shrink tubing for added protection. Slide a suitable-sized heat shrink tubing over each soldered connection and use a heat gun or lighter to shrink it. If you don't have heat shrink tubing, you can also wrap each connection with electrical tape.
- Finally, reassemble the device or close the headphone casing.
By following these steps, you should be able to repair a broken headphone jack and restore functionality to your headphones. However, if you are not comfortable with soldering or don't have the necessary tools, it's recommended to seek professional help from a repair technician.
