Plug And Jack Dimensions On Headphones ?

[Bob]

Hello,

My son just bought a new pair of Bose Headphones, the "SoundTrue" model.

Their .pdf manual says the Plug is 3.5 mm and also 1/8 inch.
Obviously, it can't be both, as their is a "meaningful" diameter
difference (0.0057) beteen these two dimensions.

I used to remember that there was always a bit of a problem, as some
Plugs that mfg's used were 1/8 inch, and some were 3.0 mm (not 3.5 mm).

The reason I'm asking is that when he plugs it into our (old CRT style)
Panasonic TV audio output Plug, it wiggles a lot and does not make good
contact.

Can someone who is a lot more knowledgeable about these kinda plugs and
jacks perhaps straighten us out on all of this. (are there adapters ?)

Also, the Plug seems to have 4 electrical sections.
Have never seen one with more than 3.
What are (each) of them for, please ? Diagram anywhere ?

Would be most appreciative for your help.

Thank you very much,
Bob

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[Trevor]

"Bob" > wrote in message
...
> My son just bought a new pair of Bose Headphones, the "SoundTrue" model.
> Their .pdf manual says the Plug is 3.5 mm and also 1/8 inch.
> Obviously, it can't be both, as their is a "meaningful" diameter
> difference (0.0057) beteen these two dimensions.

Actually they can, since they simply rely on the socket spring contacts
bending in or out a little. They are definitely NOT precision connectors.


> I used to remember that there was always a bit of a problem, as some Plugs
> that mfg's used were 1/8 inch, and some were 3.0 mm (not 3.5 mm).
> The reason I'm asking is that when he plugs it into our (old CRT style)
> Panasonic TV audio output Plug, it wiggles a lot and does not make good
> contact.

A pretty common problem, especially when the sockets have had a fair bit of
use.


> Can someone who is a lot more knowledgeable about these kinda plugs and
> jacks perhaps straighten us out on all of this. (are there adapters ?)
>
> Also, the Plug seems to have 4 electrical sections.
> Have never seen one with more than 3.

They have been used in video camera's for *many* years, and headsets that
have both stereo audio and microphone connections.


> What are (each) of them for, please ? Diagram anywhere ?

That would depend on the actual device. Apple for a start use different
connections than most others. I have no idea what Bose have done in this
case, but the info should be available somewhere.

Trevor.

[whosbest54[_3_]]

In article >, says...
>Hello,
>
>My son just bought a new pair of Bose Headphones, the "SoundTrue" model.
>
>Their .pdf manual says the Plug is 3.5 mm and also 1/8 inch.
>Obviously, it can't be both, as their is a "meaningful" diameter
>difference (0.0057) beteen these two dimensions.
>
>I used to remember that there was always a bit of a problem, as some
>Plugs that mfg's used were 1/8 inch, and some were 3.0 mm (not 3.5 mm).
>
>The reason I'm asking is that when he plugs it into our (old CRT style)
>Panasonic TV audio output Plug, it wiggles a lot and does not make good
>contact.
>
>Can someone who is a lot more knowledgeable about these kinda plugs and
>jacks perhaps straighten us out on all of this. (are there adapters ?)
>
>Also, the Plug seems to have 4 electrical sections.
>Have never seen one with more than 3.
>What are (each) of them for, please ? Diagram anywhere ?
>
>Would be most appreciative for your help.
>
>Thank you very much,
>Bob
>
It appears to be this model:

<http://www.bose.com/controller?
url=/shop_online/headphones/ae_and_oe_headphones/soundtrue_headphones/index.jsp
&Variant=soundtrue_ae_headphones>

It appears to have the ability to add a microphone or it may come with one
built in somewhere. The FAQ tab says it will work with Apple products. So, I
believe it has a 4 conductor TRRS plug so it can carry the mic and stereo
headphone signals. It appears it has a CTIA TRRS plug that works with Apple
and Nokia, among others.

This Wikipedia article outlines the TRRS standard for the 4 condutor plug you
describe.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phone_connector_%28audio%29#TRRS_standards

It may not be designed to work well with a standard 3 conductor plug like your
CRT set has. Perhaps an adaptor will help. For example:

<http://www.scansound.com/index.php/3-5mm-4-pin-female-trrs-to-3-pin-male-3-
5mm-trs-adapter.html>

whosbest54
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[[email protected]]

On Monday, June 9, 2014 6:49:34 PM UTC-4, Bob wrote:
> Hello,
>
>
>
> My son just bought a new pair of Bose Headphones, the "SoundTrue" model.
>
>
>
> Their .pdf manual says the Plug is 3.5 mm and also 1/8 inch.
>
> Obviously, it can't be both, as their is a "meaningful" diameter
>
> difference (0.0057) beteen these two dimensions.
>
>
>
> I used to remember that there was always a bit of a problem, as some
>
> Plugs that mfg's used were 1/8 inch, and some were 3.0 mm (not 3.5 mm).
>
>
>
> The reason I'm asking is that when he plugs it into our (old CRT style)
>
> Panasonic TV audio output Plug, it wiggles a lot and does not make good
>
> contact.
>
>
>
> Can someone who is a lot more knowledgeable about these kinda plugs and
>
> jacks perhaps straighten us out on all of this. (are there adapters ?)
>
>
>
> Also, the Plug seems to have 4 electrical sections.
>
> Have never seen one with more than 3.
>
> What are (each) of them for, please ? Diagram anywhere ?
>
>
>
> Would be most appreciative for your help.
>
>
>
> Thank you very much,
>
> Bob
>
>
>
> ---
>
> This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.
>
> http://www.avast.com

I'm thinking the problem is you have a fairly worn jack in your old crt tv. They fail fairly commonly. I've had to replace a few in ipods and such.

[[email protected]]

On Monday, June 9, 2014 11:49:34 PM UTC+1, Bob wrote:
> Their .pdf manual says the Plug is 3.5 mm and also 1/8 inch.
> Obviously, it can't be both, as their is a "meaningful" diameter
> difference (0.0057) beteen these two dimensions.

1/8 inch is American and 3.5mm is Rest Of The World.

It should actually be the same plug, just that Americans don't do mm.

Owain

[geoff]

On 4/08/2014 9:40 a.m., wrote:
> On Monday, June 9, 2014 11:49:34 PM UTC+1, Bob wrote:
>> Their .pdf manual says the Plug is 3.5 mm and also 1/8 inch.
>> Obviously, it can't be both, as their is a "meaningful" diameter
>> difference (0.0057) beteen these two dimensions.
>
> 1/8 inch is American and 3.5mm is Rest Of The World.
>
> It should actually be the same plug, just that Americans don't do mm.
>
> Owain
>


The original dimensions of plugs were 1/8" aand 1/4" . They are now
described as 3.5mm and 6.3mm .

0.0057 is within the range of manufacturing tolerance, simple wear and
tear, or maybe even room-temperature variation. I wouldn't stress over it...

geoff

[Trevor]

"geoff" > wrote in message
...
> On 4/08/2014 9:40 a.m., wrote:
>> On Monday, June 9, 2014 11:49:34 PM UTC+1, Bob wrote:
>>> Their .pdf manual says the Plug is 3.5 mm and also 1/8 inch.
>>> Obviously, it can't be both, as their is a "meaningful" diameter
>>> difference (0.0057) beteen these two dimensions.
>>
>> 1/8 inch is American and 3.5mm is Rest Of The World.
>>
>> It should actually be the same plug, just that Americans don't do mm.
>
>
> The original dimensions of plugs were 1/8" aand 1/4" . They are now
> described as 3.5mm and 6.3mm .

Right, especially depending on where in the world you live.


> 0.0057 is within the range of manufacturing tolerance, simple wear and
> tear, or maybe even room-temperature variation.

And more particularly well within the range of the spring contacts!!!
These are NOT precision connectors.


>I wouldn't stress over it...

Me either.

Trevor.