Red / black speaker wire output to 3.5mm headphone jack?
#1
12-10-10, 08:37 AM
Red / black speaker wire output to 3.5mm headphone jack?
Hello,
I have a tv that has an RCA audio output, but the volume isn't controlled by the remote control (it needs an amplifier). I'm trying to connect headphones to a cheap amplifier connected to this output.
I've found a cheap audio amplifier on eBay, but it takes an RCA input, and has a red / black speaker wire output.
2CH TA2020 Home HiFi Digital MINI Power Sound Amplifier - eBay (item 150460456679 end time Dec-22-10 05:51:33 PST)
Is there a way I can connect headphones to this?
I know that a 3.5mm headphone jack has 3 wires: left, right, and a shared ground. I've searched Google for hours, but can't seem to figure this out.
I have a tv that has an RCA audio output, but the volume isn't controlled by the remote control (it needs an amplifier). I'm trying to connect headphones to a cheap amplifier connected to this output.
I've found a cheap audio amplifier on eBay, but it takes an RCA input, and has a red / black speaker wire output.
2CH TA2020 Home HiFi Digital MINI Power Sound Amplifier - eBay (item 150460456679 end time Dec-22-10 05:51:33 PST)
Is there a way I can connect headphones to this?
I know that a 3.5mm headphone jack has 3 wires: left, right, and a shared ground. I've searched Google for hours, but can't seem to figure this out.
Last edited by 83thomas; 12-10-10 at 08:54 AM.
#3
12-10-10, 11:16 AM
There's no headphone jack on the tv. Only audio out via RCA.
The tv will not control the volume of the RCA audio out, so I need a cheap amplifier between the tv output and my headphones.
The tv will not control the volume of the RCA audio out, so I need a cheap amplifier between the tv output and my headphones.
#4
12-10-10, 11:21 AM
Group Moderator
You would need an adapter or wiring to connect the speaker outout terminals on the amp to a headphone jack; could be a tough way to go.
Have you considered something like TV Ears?:
Amazon.com: tv ears
I have one of these connected to our LCD big screen for my Mom to use when she visits. Tone and volume controls are on the headseat which is wireless. Works pretty well.
If you read the reviews they're kind of mixed, but we've had no problem with ours.
Have you considered something like TV Ears?:
Amazon.com: tv ears
I have one of these connected to our LCD big screen for my Mom to use when she visits. Tone and volume controls are on the headseat which is wireless. Works pretty well.
If you read the reviews they're kind of mixed, but we've had no problem with ours.
#5
12-10-10, 11:44 AM
I'm going to buy this from Amazon:
Amazon.com: Pyle Home PTA1 Mini 2 x 15-Watt Stereo Power Amplifier: Electronics
Bigger pictures of the front and back:
Pyle Pro PTA1 Mini 2x15W Stereo Amplifier | Parts-Express.com
This amplifier takes an RCA input, and has a 3.5mm headphone jack on the front for the output. Exactly what I was looking for.
Amazon.com: Pyle Home PTA1 Mini 2 x 15-Watt Stereo Power Amplifier: Electronics
Bigger pictures of the front and back:
Pyle Pro PTA1 Mini 2x15W Stereo Amplifier | Parts-Express.com
This amplifier takes an RCA input, and has a 3.5mm headphone jack on the front for the output. Exactly what I was looking for.
#7
12-11-10, 05:59 AM
Member
It's not difficult to connect headphones to red & black speaker terminals. Both blacks tie to the braided shield and each red connects to a wire.
As for the Pyle, I'd love to see you buy something else. Tow Guy's TV Ears is a good recommendation. Pyle has a nasty habit of outrageous claims to make their products seem better than they are. For example, the headline spec on that device claims 15 watts per channel. In actuality you'll have 3 watts with 1% distortion (which is clearly audible), 4 watts with 10% distortion (unusable), and who-knows-what at 15 watts. Probably smoke.
Further, the device is rated at 4 ohms. Ear buds and other small-format headphones are usually 32 ohms (up to 600 ohms), which cuts the output power proportionally. At 32-ohms, for example, that 3-watt output could fall to as little as 1/3 of a watt.
As for the Pyle, I'd love to see you buy something else. Tow Guy's TV Ears is a good recommendation. Pyle has a nasty habit of outrageous claims to make their products seem better than they are. For example, the headline spec on that device claims 15 watts per channel. In actuality you'll have 3 watts with 1% distortion (which is clearly audible), 4 watts with 10% distortion (unusable), and who-knows-what at 15 watts. Probably smoke.
Further, the device is rated at 4 ohms. Ear buds and other small-format headphones are usually 32 ohms (up to 600 ohms), which cuts the output power proportionally. At 32-ohms, for example, that 3-watt output could fall to as little as 1/3 of a watt.
#8
12-11-10, 06:41 AM
Originally Posted by Rick Johnston
It's not difficult to connect headphones to red & black speaker terminals. Both blacks tie to the braided shield and each red connects to a wire.
As for the Pyle, I'd love to see you buy something else. Tow Guy's TV Ears is a good recommendation. Pyle has a nasty habit of outrageous claims to make their products seem better than they are. For example, the headline spec on that device claims 15 watts per channel. In actuality you'll have 3 watts with 1% distortion (which is clearly audible), 4 watts with 10% distortion (unusable), and who-knows-what at 15 watts. Probably smoke.
Further, the device is rated at 4 ohms. Ear buds and other small-format headphones are usually 32 ohms (up to 600 ohms), which cuts the output power proportionally. At 32-ohms, for example, that 3-watt output could fall to as little as 1/3 of a watt.
As for the Pyle, I'd love to see you buy something else. Tow Guy's TV Ears is a good recommendation. Pyle has a nasty habit of outrageous claims to make their products seem better than they are. For example, the headline spec on that device claims 15 watts per channel. In actuality you'll have 3 watts with 1% distortion (which is clearly audible), 4 watts with 10% distortion (unusable), and who-knows-what at 15 watts. Probably smoke.
Further, the device is rated at 4 ohms. Ear buds and other small-format headphones are usually 32 ohms (up to 600 ohms), which cuts the output power proportionally. At 32-ohms, for example, that 3-watt output could fall to as little as 1/3 of a watt.
If the Pyle amplifier is a piece of junk, guess where it's going? Back to Amazon. haha
#9
12-11-10, 12:50 PM
Member
Those cans are 63 ohms with a rated power handling of one watt (1,000 milliwatts). If you notice distortion, stop using the amp. If the amp is constantly clipping it can heat up the voice coils and damage the cans.
Please post back and let us know how the Pyle amp works out.
Please post back and let us know how the Pyle amp works out.
#10
12-13-10, 11:54 AM
Just got the Pyle amp in the mail. It's sounds perfect. On the dashboard on my Xbox 360 where there is no sound, I'd say it's 99% silent.
I have another tv with a headphone jack (Samsung T240HD), and it makes a lot of static and background noise. This sounds MUCH better.
I have the red and white RCA plugs from the Xbox 360 going directly into the amp.
I haven't noticed any distortion at all.
I have another tv with a headphone jack (Samsung T240HD), and it makes a lot of static and background noise. This sounds MUCH better.
I have the red and white RCA plugs from the Xbox 360 going directly into the amp.
I haven't noticed any distortion at all.
