Soldering 2.5mm End on Cut 3.5mm Headphones

[Guest jmorehouse]

I got so tired of using that damn 2" long 2.5mm to 3.5mm adapter on my SMT 5600 that I decided to cut the end off my 3.5mm Sony ear clip headphones and try and solder the existing wire to a 2.5mm end. Obviously I couldn't get it to work so I need some pointers. There are two wires, one with copper and red, and one with copper and green. I am assuming that the red and green wires are for the ground? Do I need to solder those to the metal base of the 2.5mm end and then the two copper cables to the recepticles? I know pictures would help, but I am at work. Any help is greatly apprecaited.

Thanks!

[Guest jleecong]

In most cases the + (Left, Right) are shielded and the ground is common and unshielded. In your case I would guess that your Red and Green are Left and Right + and you have an uncovered wire that should be ground.

[Guest jmorehouse]

Ok, so I would solder the red to one of the wings, the green to the other and then both copper wires to the middle?

Edited January 12, 2005 by jmorehouse

[Guest olly_k]

first off matey if you are soldering to a 2.5mm '3-way jack (stereo)' then you may have problems, due to difference in lengths between the various plug connectors between that and a four way. your music won't be stereo and if channeling audio back into mic *could* do damage although I'd think this has been thought about???

If you have a four way then this is going to be a fidly job.

The longest tab which has wings is your ground connection. After striping the wires twist the two ground wires together and tin them (cover with solder). These two wires (now one) connect to this 'winged' tab. Make sure the wire sheath (insulation) sits within the wings as these clamp over the sheath. The two grounds (now twisted and tinned?) should lay down and go through the hole onto the other side and soldered there - make sure it is a low profile otherwise you may not screw the cover on!!!

Now you should have two little tabs left (three if you have managed to get hold of a 4-way!)

The tab which looks like it is attached to the centre pin is your left connection (green wire) the other tab for the right connection (Red wire).

Now screw the body on and thats it - You did remember to put the body on first didn't you?

Remember tinning ALL connections and making sure solder properly flows will make life a lot easier and result in much more secure and reliable connections!

[Guest jmorehouse]

Thanks Olly...I will try this when I get home.

[Guest jmorehouse]

The stereo plugs I bought did not look how Olly described, so I opted for the already documented way of replacing the "speakers" on the headset that came with my SMT 5600. I swapped them out for my Sony earphones with earclips. They sound great and now I don't have to worry about the earpieces falling off while at the gym. Thanks all.

[Guest olly_k]

Sorry Jmorehouse, I just realised I described a 3.5mm jack which is going to be different than a 2.5mm jack, which I have never done before..... I am intrigued now!

If anyone knows where I can get a four way 2.5jack from then let me know!!!

[Guest jmorehouse]

The ones I ordered were from arcade-electronics.com

[Guest floppydonkey]

You can get flexible (saves straining the socket on the phone) on ebay. Simply search "2.5mm to 3.5mm" and thers always a few. I paid 2.99 and it works fine, you just have to remember to unplug to answer a call!

(I say flexible as a 2.5mm plug with 1" of wire then the 3.5mm Socket as oppsed to a solid connector)

[Guest lekus]

You could try soldering a 3.5mm socket onto the end of a wired hands free kit (as an alternative to cutting your headphones - although I guess you've already done that so...)

This is what I did with the hands free kit that came with my C500.

I cut off the headphones from the kit, just after the volume/answer in-line remote, then I soldered on a 3.5mm stereo socket adaptor.

This way you can now use your own (better quality) 3.5mm headphones, yet still retain the functionality of the hands free kit. + you get yourself an in-line volume control :D

I use my Shure E2C's with this setup and the sound quality is amazing.

Note that whatever you do, the green and red wires are coated in quite a strong enamel that usually need scraping off before solder will stick to the wires. A small knife should do the job nicely if done carefully. Once the enamel is off make sure you solder the wires well. Good electrical conductivity can really make a difference to the audio quality when soldering headphone wires.

Edited January 13, 2005 by lekus

[Guest martin]

I bought one of these adapters from expansys for my C500.

http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=113091

I've only just received it but so far so good :D

[Guest feck_on_a_stick]

I bought one of these adapters from expansys for my C500.

http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=113091

I've only just received it but so far so good  :D

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You lucky beggar! I bought that adapter from Expansis last summer and it never worked :D

Its now gathering dust on my shelf. Ive a really good pair of Sony earphones just gagging for an adaptor to plug into!!!

[Guest martin]

You lucky beggar!  I bought that adapter from Expansis last summer and it never worked  :P

Its now gathering dust on my shelf.  Ive a really good pair of Sony earphones just gagging for an adaptor to plug into!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I actually bought two of them :D I've only tested one adapter which works fine although I'm just using a standard pair of sony earphones from a CD player that I had lying about. Now looking for some REALLY good earphones to buy, something with much better bass :D

[Guest (Gav)]

I thought about making one myself, but I chickened out and bought one of ebay. The guy is selling more:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...ssPageName=WDVW

The it works really well on my c500, really good build quality.

The only problem I have is if I knock it sometimes the right channels cuts out. I just need to push down on the plug a bit and it comes back though.

Really good deal for fiver though.

[Guest phrozenpenguin]

I thought about making one myself, but I chickened out and bought one of ebay. The guy is selling more:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...ssPageName=WDVW

The it works really well on my c500, really good build quality.

The only problem I have is if I knock it sometimes the right channels cuts out. I just need to push down on the plug a bit and it comes back though.

Really good deal for fiver though.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How does it fair when oyu actually get a call? Can you just pull it out and answer the call normally, ie. use it as a fone holding it to your ear?

[Guest phrozenpenguin]

You could try soldering a 3.5mm socket onto the end of a wired hands free kit (as an alternative to cutting your headphones - although I guess you've already done that so...)

This is what I did with the hands free kit that came with my C500.

I cut off the headphones from the kit, just after the volume/answer in-line remote, then I soldered on a 3.5mm stereo socket adaptor.

This way you can now use your own (better quality) 3.5mm headphones, yet still retain the functionality of the hands free kit. + you get yourself an in-line volume control :D

I use my Shure E2C's with this setup and the sound quality is amazing.

Note that whatever you do, the green and red wires are coated in quite a strong enamel that usually need scraping off before solder will stick to the wires. A small knife should do the job nicely if done carefully. Once the enamel is off make sure you solder the wires well. Good electrical conductivity can really make a difference to the audio quality when soldering headphone wires.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi,

Sounds a good compromise. Do you have any pictures?