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Don’t let confusing jargon and mismatched connections ruin your listening experience.
Wired listening should be straightforward: insert the headphone plug into the jack, and you’re good to go.
However, that’s not always the case. Without knowing how jacks and plugs work, you may experience a mismatch and encounter issues with sound quality.
Overcoming this technical dilemma should be easy with this comprehensive cheat sheet. Read on as we go over the classifications and functions of various jacks and plugs based on their anatomy, size, and functionality.
In This Article
- Headphone Jack vs. Plug Definitions: What’s the Difference?
- The Anatomy and Identification of Headphone Jacks and Plugs
- Types of Headphone Jacks and Plugs
- Common Issues With Headphone Jacks and Plugs
- Frequently Asked Questions
In This Article
- Headphone Jack vs. Plug Definitions: What’s the Difference?
- The Anatomy and Identification of Headphone Jacks and Plugs
- Types of Headphone Jacks and Plugs
- Common Issues With Headphone Jacks and Plugs
- Frequently Asked Questions
Headphone Jack vs. Plug Definitions: What’s the Difference?
Simply put, a headphone jack is a port into which you plug your headphones. Sometimes, this is also called a phone jack, an audio jack, or AUX input.
The “plug,” on the other hand, is the part at the end of your headphones’ cable that is inserted into the jack.
Unfortunately, the audio industry has yet to unite on the distinctions between plugs and jacks. As such, you’ll often find “plug” and “jack” mistakenly used interchangeably.
Jack and plug components create electrical connections that can transmit analog audio signals between their corresponding conductors.
These are assigned genders, as per the Association of Electrical & Mechanical Trades. The “jack” is the “female connector,” while the “plug” is the “male connector.”
Some headphone jacks can transmit analog and digital signals. For example, the Google Chromecast can output analog and digital signals from its single 3.5mm output jack.
The Anatomy and Identification of Headphone Jacks and Plugs
A basic understanding of headphone jack/plug anatomy will allow you to visually identify the type of connection you’re dealing with. This is important in ensuring that you’re working within a compatible setup.
There are two parts of a headphone jack paramount to its identification: its conductors and insulation bands. Insulation bands are the non-conductive black bands that run around the circumference of a given plug. The conductors, on the other hand, are the metallic parts of the plug located between the bands.
The number of conductors on a plug/jack is its most important identifying feature. Size matching alone will not guarantee the overall compatibility of the connection; both size and conductor compatibility must be met.
The conductors on a headphone jack/plug are made with a metal finish commonly composed of gold, nickel, or brass.
On the other hand, the black lines that book-end the conductors are insulating bands made from a non-conductive material. These bands serve to demarcate the plug’s conductors and keep their respective audio signals separate from one another.
The number of wires inside your headphones’ cable matches the number of conductors on their plug. So, a cable with two wires will have a plug with two conductors, which will be compatible with a correctly sized jack containing two conductors.
As previously mentioned, audio signals are able to pass through the jack and into a compatible plug once the conductors on both components are securely connected.
Conductors are classified as one of the following based on their location on a plug/jack:
- (T) Tip conductor
- (R) Ring conductor
- (S) Sleeve conductor
As we’ll see in the coming sections, there are some variations in what tip, ring, and sleeve conductors accomplish depending on the jack/plug in question.
We’ll preface what’s next with a simple fact to keep in mind: each conductor, whether a tip, sleeve, or ring, serves a single function in transmitting the final audio signal.
An example of functions that these jack/plug conductors serve can be found in a common 3-conductor TRS (Tip, Ring, Sleeve) jack/plug connection. The tip carries the left audio signal, the ring carries the right audio signal, and the sleeve corresponds to the protective ground wire in the cable.
Types of Headphone Jacks and Plugs
There are 6 primary types of headphone plugs that we’ll cover in the following sections:
- 2-conductor plugs: TS (Tip, Sleeve)
- 3-conductor plugs: TRS (Tip, Ring, Sleeve)
- 4-conductor plugs: TRRS (Tip, Ring, Ring, Sleeve)
- 5-conductors plugs: TRRRS (Tip, Ring, Ring, Ring, Sleeve)
- Digital Connections: USB and Lightning adapters
With each of these plug types, there’s an array of sizes, functionalities, and use cases that we’ll detail below.
2-conductor plugs: TS (tip, sleeve)
Key features
- Available Connections: Tip, sleeve
- Number of insulating bands: 2
- Common sizes: 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm, 6.35 mm
- Common Usage: TS connectors are mainly used with guitars, instruments, and mono audio applications that do not require a long cable connection.
Signal configuration:
| Pin | Function |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ground |
| 2 | Signal |
A TS plug configuration is as simple as it comes: the tip connector carries the audio signal, while the sleeve serves the signal ground.
Due to the simplicity of their build, TS cables tend to be noisier than other alternatives. The risk of noise increases with the length of the cable in question.
TS connections can only carry unbalanced mono audio, as only the tip of the plug carries an audio signal.
Corresponding with what we see on plugs, virtually all cables have a sleeve that doesn’t carry audio information; instead, it shields the rest of the audio signal(s) from outside interference.
3-conductor plug (TRS)
Key features
- Available conductor connections: Tip, ring, and sleeve
- Number of insulating bands: 2
- Common sizes: 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm, 6.35 mm, 3-pin XLR (for balanced mono)
- Common Usage: These are the most common jack connectors; you’ll often see them on the end of most stock headphone cables.
Signal configuration
| Pin | Unbalanced Mono | Balanced Mono | Unbalanced Stereo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ground | Ground | Ground |
| 2 | Optional (mic, etc.) | Signal - (Cold) | Right audio channel |
| 3 | Signal | Signal + (Hot) | Left audio channel |
The ring conductor (R) on 3-conductor TRS plugs leads to more versatility than what’s seen in 2-conductor TS connections, such as support for balanced mono signals and unbalanced stereo signals.
If you need clarification on the difference between the two, you can check out our in-depth explainer on balanced and unbalanced audio connections.
The additional ring conductor is most commonly used to carry a second audio channel in unbalanced stereo connections. However, it can also be used to carry a microphone signal in an unbalanced mono setup or a phase-flipped duplicate of the ring conductor’s signal for a balanced mono connection.
TRS cannot carry a balanced stereo signal as this requires at least four conductors. For that, see the TRRRS connector below.
4-conductor plug (TRRS)
Key features
- Available Connections: Tip, sleeve, two rings
- Number of insulating bands: 3
- Common sizes: 2.5 mm, but usually 3.5 mm
- Common Usage: Mostly older models of smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and laptops.
Signal configuration
| Pin | Function |
|---|---|
| 1 | Microphone |
| 2 | Ground |
| 3 | Right audio channel |
| 4 | Left audio channel |
TRRS plugs can transmit unbalanced stereo signals like TRS, but have an additional conductor that usually transmits microphone audio. However, this extra conductor’s position in the line-up varies depending on whether it follows the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA) or Open Mobile Terminal Platform (OMTP) standards.
As such, this connection configuration is also called the CTIA or OMTP TRRS jack connector format.
For instance, the CTIA format transmits left and right audio channels through the tip and first ring. The second ring then acts as the ground, while the sleeve handles the mic signal. This format is common on semi-recent smartphones with headphone jacks, mobile devices, and gaming consoles.
Like CTIA, the OMTP format sends audio signals through the tip and first ring. However, the conductors for the ground and mic are flipped around. This format is prevalent among older phone models from Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, and China-marketed products.
5-conductor plug (TRRRS)
Key features
- Available Connections: Tip, sleeve, and three-ring connectors
- Number of insulating bands: 4
- Common sizes: 2.5 mm, 4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR (though it lacks a grounding connection)
- Common usage: Audiophiles seeking maximum fidelity from their headphones.
Signal configuration
| Pin | Function |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ground |
| 2 | Right audio channel (-) |
| 3 | Right audio channel (+) |
| 4 | Left audio channel (-) |
| 5 | Left audio channel (+) |
TRRRS plugs provide 5 conductors and are thus capable of carrying balanced stereo audio signals. In this configuration, left and right stereo audio channels are each sent along two of the conductors in opposite polarity to achieve the signal requirements of a balanced connection.
Cables with a 4.4mm TRRRS plug are referred to as pentaconn cables.
TRRRS plugs usually come equipped on the cables included with higher-end headphones and IEMs. TRRRS jacks are seldom found on anything other than dedicated external DACs.
However, audiophiles tend to go for TRRRS connections, citing the low noise specs they have to offer.
XLR connectors (3 pins, 4 pins, and 5 pins) also carry balanced stereo audio signals. Since they have pins, each channel gets a dedicated conductor, allowing it to transmit clearer signals. Though 2.5 mm and 4 pin XLR cables once reigned supreme, most manufacturers have switched over to 4.4 mm plugs in recent years.
Digital connections: USB and lightning plugs
Unlike the analog jacks and plugs previously listed, lightning and USB plugs receive digital audio signals from the USB port on a phone, laptop, or tablet.
These signals are then converted to analog audio signals by a DAC located just beyond the plug, which are then sent to your headphones.
If you have an iPhone but want to use headphones with 3.5 mm TRS plug, there’s wide range of adapters for wired headphones. Some notable ones include the Lightning to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter and Lightning to 3.5 mm Audio Cable.
Common Issues With Headphone Jacks and Plugs
If you hear crackling, static, or cut-outs in your music, your headphone jack, or plug, could possibly be the culprit. Here’s a closer look at the other headphone jack and plug factors that affect sound quality:
- Broken headphone jack clamping mechanism
- Dirt in the headphone jack and plug
- Physical damage
Broken headphone jack clamping mechanism
The internal mechanism of the headphone jack includes two clamps designed to push down on either side of the headphone plug.
When inserted, these clamps are firm enough to keep the plug steady and centered. This ensures the conductors of the jack and plug are in constant contact. However, they also have a decent amount of springiness that lets you easily insert and pull out the plug.
The simplicity of this design means that these clamps can become loose over time, especially if you’re constantly yanking and reinserting your audio cable. As such, you end up with a loose headphone jack that causes static interference in your audio.
Dirt in the headphone jack and plug
Headphone jacks accumulate dirt over time simply because it’s too easy for dust and lint to enter and get stuck inside the jack.
Too much dirt can eventually obstruct the conductors, leading to static noise, muffled sound quality, and other audio issues while using your headphones.
To enjoy better audio output, check out our guide for tips on cleaning a headphone jack without damaging it.
Physical damage
Although made of metal, headphone plugs can still easily bend or break if you accidentally rip them out hard enough. Doing so can result in irreparable damage that will cause audio issues in your headphones.
A bent headphone plug means its conductors are out of alignment. As such, you won’t achieve proper contact with the headphone jack conductors. And because the audio signal can’t be transmitted fully, you may only hear sound from one speaker, hear static, or experience lower volumes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are balanced plugs compatible with unbalanced jacks?
- Do different types of headphone jacks/plugs effect sound quality?
- How do I connect my headphones to my phone without a headphone jack?
- Do they still make phones with headphone jacks?
Are balanced plugs compatible with unbalanced jacks?
No, but unbalanced plugs can be compatible with balanced jacks so long as 1) they’re compatible in size and 2) the jack has an equivalent or greater number of conductors than the plug.
Do different types of headphone jacks/plugs effect sound quality?
Most everyday listeners will not notice a difference in sound quality between different jack or plug types when it comes to headphones. However, some audiophiles claim balanced headphone cables with TRRRS plugs sound better than the rest.
How do I connect my headphones to my phone without a headphone jack?
Without a headphone jack you’ll need a USB or lightning adapter, or an external DAC, to connect wired headphones to your phone’s audio.
Do they still make phones with headphone jacks?
Some current phone models still include headphone jacks, such as the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, the Asus Zenfone 10, and the Asus ROG Phone 7.
