Headphone and Headset Plugs
5th in a series of articles about headphones and headsets.
A plug is a plug is a plug right? At first glance, the expectation is that the connection from a headphone or headset to a computer or media player would be all the same, but headphone and headset uses are so varied, Califone in fact offers six different styles of plugs. Why the need for so many and which criteria should you use when choosing?
The answers behind this are pretty straight forward and can be broken down into two main applications - headphones (listening only) or headsets (listening and replying).
Traditionally, headphones require only a single plug. In the classroom, monaural (language learning) activities need a solitary 1/4″ plug (such as the 2924AV shown second from the right below), while stereo or computer-based listening requires a 3.5mm plug such as the 2800-BL on the far right. There are straight 3.5mm plugs and right angle 3.5mm plugs, which Califone uses on its Listening First series and Sound Alert headphones. These were designed for use by younger children and the right angle plug has a higher resistance to accidental pull out. The 3068AV however, is a switchable monaural/stereo headphone and comes with a 3.5mm plug (shown far left) with a snap-on 1/4″ adapter.
Plugs shown from left to right are attached to: 3068AV (which includes a snap-on 1/4″ adapter), 3064USB, 3064AV, 2964AV, 2924AV, 2810-PA (the right angle stereo plug).
Headsets have traditionally required two plugs (one for listening and one for the audible reply) such as the monaural 2964AV (third from the right), or the stereo 3064AV (third from the left with two 3.5mm plugs.) Growing acceptance of USB technology however has seen the growth of headsets with a USB plug instead (3064USB, 3066USB, 4100USB). An advantage of USB technology is it allows for faster data transference.
Another important identifier when you’re looking at a plug is to count the number of small black rings on the tip (excluding USB plugs). If there is a single ring, that means it’s mono (monaural). Two rings means it’s a stereo connection. In the above image there are nine plugs shown. The three largest plugs (second, third, and fourth from the right) all have a single black ring and are therefore mono. All of the rest are stereo.
Read the next article, or the previous article, or return to the first article in the series.
