Connecting Headphones & Headsets to devil Systems, PC & More

The 3.5 mm jack is still widely used. Bluetooth and USB-C are also commonly found.

More on the topic: 

• Connecting Headphones – What to Keep in Mind
• Alternatives to the Jack as a Headphone Connection 

Connecting Headphones via Jack

The 3.5 mm jack is standard and widely used. It fits most amplifiers, receivers, PCs, and notebooks. Important: Only jack plugs with two rings support stereo.

Jack plug types: Stereo is possible if two rings are visible.

Besides the well-known 3.5 mm jack plug, many audio devices like mixers or keyboards and musical instruments such as electric pianos and electric guitars also have the 6.35 mm jack connection. These are mechanically more robust and have a large contact surface.

If you want to know more: Jack Plug Wiring 

Headphones with Bluetooth

If you do not want to use a cable and your headphones and source device (PC, TV, or smartphone) support Bluetooth, you can connect them via Bluetooth. More information can be found at the following links: 

• Bluetooth Headphones on TV or Stereo System?
• Bluetooth: These tips can help with connection problems

Headphones for USB Audio

Unlike some jack plugs, a USB cable can transmit both the microphone and the audio signal.

The headphone can be connected with a USB cable via the Cage’s mini-USB port. 

Activating the Headphone’s USB Sound Card

Some headphones come with their own integrated sound card (including D/A converter). This sound card is necessary for processing digitally transmitted data via USB and converting it into an analog signal for operating transducers. The PC’s onboard sound card is bypassed in this process.

Depending on the software features of the integrated sound card, such headphones can include a variety of different modes and equalizer settings.

Connecting Headphones and Headsets to the PC

If you want to connect a headset, i.e., headphones with a microphone, you have several options:

• USB 
  Our headsets ZOLA or CAGE are best used via USB on your PC. More information can be found in the respective user manual.
• Bluetooth/Wireless 
  If your headphones and TV support Bluetooth, you can connect them via Bluetooth. You can also connect the CAGE PRO wirelessly with your PC. More information can be found in the respective user manual.

• Jack
  Look at your PC/laptop. Some models already have a headset jack. 
  Other devices separate microphone and headphones. To distinguish them, the two jack plugs are color-coded:
  
  Microphone plug: Red or pink (Mic-in)
  Headphone plug: Green (Line-out)

  The jacks are located either on the front or back of your PC or notebook. If your headphones have a cable with a jack connection, you will need an audio splitter or Y-adapter (3.5mm socket to dual 3.5 mm jack plugs)