David Looking at Things: jack plug adapter
In this series, I take a look at things that usually get hardly any attention. Today: a headphone jack adapter with screw thread.
A jack adapter allows me to use headphones with a narrow 3.5-millimetre plug on a jack for 6.3-millimetre plugs. That's unspectacular, but handy. And for a change, it’s something that just works, without exceptions. But wait a moment – that sounds to good to be true. This is no normal jack adapter. It's a jack adapter with a screw thread. It comes with Beyerdynamic headphones, for example the DT 990 Pro. And it fits these headphones. But it’s not compatible with ordinary plugs without a screw thread. I have many of these adapters and headphones, so it would be handy if they all fit with everything.
The purpose of an adapter is to create compatibility. Instead, this adapter creates a new compatibility problem that didn’t exist before. Isn’t this ironic?! At least the reverse works – I can use a regular adapter with Beyerdynamic headphones.
Source: David Lee
What’s the point of the screw thread anyway? It makes sure the adapter holds on tightly, so you never accidentally pull out only the small plug. This seems to be important in a studio environment. After all, AKG or Shure headphones also feature a screw thread. I still prefer the simpler plug adapters, as they’ve never caused any problems.
Both are available as accessories. Just keep in mind there are different types of screw threads. Why do things always need to be so complicated?
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David Lee
Senior Editor
David.Lee@digitecgalaxus.chMy interest in IT and writing landed me in tech journalism early on (2000). I want to know how we can use technology without being used. Outside of the office, I’m a keen musician who makes up for lacking talent with excessive enthusiasm.
