Adaptor for headphones

[ranger]

I find the big headphones on planes(Jetstar) really big & coughbersome, plus they mess up my hair.
So is there an adaptor available to buy that I could use my own ear buds from my I Pod touch with?

 

[Doug_Westcott]

Yes they are quite common eg http://www.travelgear.com.au/korjo-airline-headphone-adaptor/ - I have also seen them at Dick Smith in the past (much cheaper)

 

[wingspan]

Yes! I wouldn't pay more than $5 for the adaptor. They are available from Tandy or Dick Smith or anywhere similar. That's what I use when I fly. I always get surprised when I see so many frequent travelers with big bulky BOSE and things. They just take up space. I use my adaptor combined with a pair of canal plugs: noise-cancelling, portable and sensible at a very good price.

 

[whatmeworry]

Gotta agree wingspan in regards to people bringing with them huge headphones on board. Found a cheap on google shopping if the OP is interested.
Airplane Headphone to 3.5mm Jack Adapters - Free Shipping

 

[munitalP]

DSE sell the el cheapie at a coupleid bucks each, but they also have a very good quality set for 15 or so, check at dse.com.au I have the more expensive units for my bud and my Bose headphones (lost the Bose supplied unit) but have previously had poor experiences with the $2 eBay specials as well as the cheap units from DSE. Worst experience was when pulling Bose plug from adaptor, the adaptor grabbed the Bose jack and ruined the connection.

 

[Origin]

I always get surprised when I see so many frequent travelers with big bulky BOSE and things. They just take up space. I use my adaptor combined with a pair of canal plugs: noise-cancelling, portable and sensible at a very good price.

But have you listened to the difference in quality between Bose and those el cheapo ear plugs Each to their own though.

 

[kpc]

Buy Audio Adaptor 2 x 3.5mm Plug - 3.5mm Stereo Socket | Read Reviews | Dick Smith Online Shopping
$4.98

 

[richie9x]

I can also recall reports that on some planes that audio sockets worked without adapters. You can plug a stereo 3.5mm plug into the socket and get stereo out. I think it was on the A380s. I'll try to see if i find where i read it.

 

[wingspan]

But have you listened to the difference in quality between Bose and those el cheapo ear plugs Each to their own though.

Oh I'd definitely prefer the sound quality from a big set of Bose over a cheap pair. But I use a pair of quite good canal plugs which have a sound quality similar to a Bose but come with the added benifit of taking up next-to-no space. I feel like it is the best of both worlds. Although I did read on a review of a big set that someone preferred to use it as a sort of pillow and the size actually helped him to use it to rest on and get to sleep... so maybe there are other benefits I'd never considered!

 

[moa999]

I'm with Wingspan.
Use my Ultimate Ears - as much blocking as Bose active, and you can still sleep on your side or use the wing headrest.

 

[DTM1]

Agreed that you cannot sleep on your side when wearing the bose (I wear ear plugs to sleep), but for sound quality, there is daylight between the bose and the smaller models that sit in the ear canal (not to say anything about the increased hearing damage from those given that people typically have them louder than the over ear models).

I switched to the bose about 4 years ago, and will never go back. Saved the space by dropping books from my cabin luggage and replacing with a kindle....

 

[SeatBackForward]

Huge thread on headphones here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....stions/noise-cancelling-headphones-30690.html

 

[seanpodge]

Also will put in a good word for the Bose QC15s. Borrowed my brother's pair on a flight MEL-AKL-SFO last year. As soon as I arrived in San Francisco, I went to the Bose shop to buy a pair for myself. The current model has an iThing compatible microphone and controls too, which is awesome.

I can also recall reports that on some planes that audio sockets worked without adapters. You can plug a stereo 3.5mm plug into the socket and get stereo out. I think it was on the A380s. I'll try to see if i find where i read it.

Haven't flown on the 380, but I've seen the conventional port on other planes, particularly on more recent model (e.g. a DJ 738 (with Foxtel satellite)). Not sure why there is the two/three plug ports in the first place, but it would be convenient if all carriers move to the standard single plug port.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Not sure why there is the two/three plug ports in the first place, but it would be convenient if all carriers move to the standard single plug port.

I wonder if its a legacy of the old air-tube type of headphones you used to get on planes?

 

[seanpodge]

Perhaps. Although that sort of thing was very much before my time.

 

[ranger]

Yes I just bought the Right angle 3.5mm stereo socket- 2x3.5mm mono plugs from Dick Smith, but then my husband said he thought last time Starclass on Jetstar had just one plug that went into their bulky separate entertainment unit??

I have heard they are using ipads now, so maybe it won't be an issue (SYD-HNL)
Only cost $5 so not an issue really.
Thanks for your help.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I've since lost them (ironicallY) on a flight.. but my Sony noise Cancelling headphones came with a plane adapter that could swing between two plugs and a single plug. There was something different about the single plug though, it had one extra "ring" on it than the other plug did...
I'll try to find a photo of it later.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Ok I found a picture of them:

Note how the right hand plug can be swung into the housing, and the left hand plug has that extra ring?

 

[Awesom Andy]

I can also recall reports that on some planes that audio sockets worked without adapters. You can plug a stereo 3.5mm plug into the socket and get stereo out. I think it was on the A380s. I'll try to see if i find where i read it.

That's what I heard, but when I tried it on my last A380 flight, it didn't work - only 1 side has sound.

 

[milehighclub]

I can also recall reports that on some planes that audio sockets worked without adapters. You can plug a stereo 3.5mm plug into the socket and get stereo out. I think it was on the A380s. I'll try to see if i find where i read it.

You may get stereo but you are still required to use an adaptor as they are designed for dual pins not single pins.

We have to ask passengers to stop using their own headset if they are not using an adaptor.