Connecting Headphones to RCA OUTPUTS?

[Anthony Cerrato]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff Prevett" <[email protected]>
Newsgroups: alt.electronics
Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2004 1:20 AM
Subject: Re: Connecting Headphones to RCA OUTPUTS?

First, I from your post, I cannot tell if the input to the wireless
headphones is 1/8" male or 1/8" female. If it's 1/8" female, an adapter is
widely available.

Yes, I saw that adaptor, but unfortunately, my input to the
WH is a miniPhono, I guess 1/8", but it is male--which is
what is throwing me for a while.

It is sold as a 1/8" to RCA cable - often used (or
marketed) to connect a portable device (ie CD player, MP3 player) to a home
stereo system. The 1/8" connector is used to connect to the CD player and
the RCA to the amplifier. In your case, the 1/8" connector connects to the
input of the headphones and the RCA to the amplifier. When you go to the
store, just ask for a cable to connect your portable device to the
amplifier. (Cables are bi-directional, so 'sound' can 'flow' from A to B
and also from B to A).

Thanx--I thought that would work but wasn't sure. Now I just
need the right adaptor(s) as you note below. Sometimes ya
just can't find stuff like that in the web site search--pays
to mosey down to Radio Shack and ask for it...which I'll do
ASAP.

If the input to the wireless headphones is male, you will have to do some
searching for approprate connectors. (None come to mind right now) It may
take a combination of a few different connectors.

The volume control of the headphones does not control the input
voltage/current. The controls on the headphones only change 'stuff' that's
in the headphones. Since the wires are not connected to the headphones,
this control doesn't affect the input signal. It does affect the volume
though, so you would use these to control the volume.You should be fine with
the voltage/current ratings however the headphones might have a low input
impedance which would load the VCR(was it?). But this shouldn't be too big
of a problem.

Yes, thanx for clearing that up--it's been much too long
since I tried studying electronics.

If you already own a pair of wireless headphones, use them as you don't have
to worry about being teathered to the equpment.

Yep--this will be a great way to go... if'n I can only get
that
@##$%^&_!@ adaptor! At least I understand the options now
and what I'm doing. Thanx again Jeff and y'all here for your
help! ...tonyC

 

[JeffM]

my input to the WH is a miniPhono, I guess 1/8"

Anthony Cerrato

You need to be more precise with your terms.

Phono plug (also called an RCA plug)
http://images.google.com/images?&q=phono-plug+nexxia+OR+stage+OR+simplyautomate

Phone plug
http://images.google.com/images?&q=...on+OR+amphenol+OR+porterscamerastore+-4p1-200

 

[Anthony Cerrato]

You need to be more precise with your terms.

Phono plug (also called an RCA plug)

http://images.google.com/images?&q=phono-plug+nexxia+OR+stage+OR+simplyautomate

Yes, careless of me--I always call an RCA an RCA and others
phono jacks, but I see they seem to call RCAs, phono plugs,
but call headphone jacks, _phone_ plugs...go figure.
Anyway my wireless headphones have a male stereo (2-banded),
1/8" (mini) phone plug to connect to the audio source. (see

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog_name=CTLG&product_id=274-869 )
I wanna connect that to the vcr RCA output jacks. Now at
Radio Shack I did find a Y-adaptor with 2 RCA plugs to a
1/8" phone _plug_ rather than jack, but with this, I'd still
need an adaptor to connect the 2 phone plugs then, IOW, an
adaptor with 2-1/8" jacks at each end--can't seem to find
any combination that would quite work yet. Aagghh!
....tonyC (Hoping some day, ALL jacks and plugs become truly
standardized down to 1-2 kinds! )

Phone plug

http://images.google.com/images?&q=...on+OR+amphenol+OR+porterscamerastore+-4p1-200

 

[JeffM]

I did find a Y-adaptor with 2 RCA plugs to a 1/8" phone _plug_

rather than jack...
can't seem to find any combination that would quite work
Anthony Cerrato

Got a soldering iron?

Make your own from components.
or
Get the ready-made one that's closest and modify it.

 

[Jeff Prevett]

If I understand, you need a female-to-female 1/8" headphone jack... I did a
quick search on Radio Shack's website. Here is what you are looking for:
http://www.radioshack.com/product.a...name=CTLG_007_002_001_003&product_id=274-1555
If you already have a connector that allows you to hook up 2 pair headphones
to a portable device, it can be used also. Just make sure to tape over the
male connector or you might accidentally ground the signal.