Noise cancelling headphones in Qantas premium economy

ronlon

Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2015
Posts
216
Hi I have two forthcoming flights on a QF Boeing 787 in premium economy class: MEL-LAX-MEL. It is my first time in this class. Do the complementary headphones only fit the in-seat input socket which I suspect is 2 pin or do they also fit a single pin device such a tablet/phone? I have my own quality headphones but would rather not carry them if the Qantas product would fit my own device as I would only use them on the flights.
 
You can jiggle your own headphone jack to fit into their socket.
I have a Bose Adapter which turns mine into a dual socket but I find it reduces the volume and quality too much so I just find the sweet spot using one of the input sockets without using an adapter.
 
I think ronlon actually wanted to go the other way around. IE use the QF provided in-flight headphones on his/her own device.

I believe the noise cancelling headphones provided on the plane are 3 pin. Two pins for audio, and one pin to power the NC circuitry. So although they might work on a single pin device with an adapter, you wouldn't get any noise cancelling function. Without an adapter you'd get audio in only one ear.

I personally bring my own headphones.
 
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@ronlon just my 2 cents worth, IME most airline headphones are ok but not that good. They tend to be 3 pin set up presumably so pax do not steal them. I will always use BYO and use a 2 pin adapter or the 3.5mm outlet if availability.

If you are wanting to use the QF headphones and attach the to your device you may need some type of adapter.
 
Last edited:
Thanks everyone! Kpro's technical response makes sense. The QF noise cancelling headphones need to be powered for the noise cancelling to work hence have power AND audio pins. While I would be able to plug them into my device (with or without an adapter) the noise cancelling function will not work, only audio would.

I will take my own trusty Sony headphones !
 

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