How do I connect Stereo Jack Headphones to my Plasma TV?

[carlheinzstone]

I recently purchased HD 598 Sennheiser Headphones. I own a TC-P42X1 Panasonic Plasma TV. I did not check and was foolishly unaware that my TV does not have a audio jack for me to be able to plug in these headphones. The headphones have a 6.3mm Stereo Jack at the end of the cord but do come with a 3.5mm Adapter (if this is at all helpful.) I'm looking for the most straightforward resolution to this dilemma. I tried a Y-Adapter (2 Male Connectors to 1 Female RCA Jack) with no success. I tried everything while using this Y-Adapter in case I was doing something wrong or plugging it into the wrong Composite Terminal. I'm out of ideas... Please Help!

-Carl

[Lowlander]

If your TV doesn't have an headphone jack, you are basically stuck with line level (level presumably far too for passive headphones, impedance not suitable either) outputs. If it doesn't have some sort of pre-amp output either, you are stuck with those line outputs being fixed level (i.e. not remote controllable) as well.

I'm afraid it's not just a matter of getting the plugs to fit with adaptors if the TV doesn't have a variable level amplified output. If you want to use headphones, you'll need to connect some sort of external (and remote adjustable) amplifier to one of your TV's line level outputs.

And, composite terminals are video-only.

[carlheinzstone]

Follow up to my previous post/question.

Okay so I've been doing hours of research and have only become more confused as to what exactly I need.
I would like to use my HD 598 Sennheiser Headphones to watch TV (Cable) and also Blu-Ray via PS3 on my TC-P42X1 Panasonic Plasma. My TV has no Audio Out components, only a Optical Digital Out. I would need one of the following. Which one though, I'm not sure...
- Digital Audio To Analog Audio Converter
- FiiO E17 USB DAC Headphone Amplifier
I have also read a lot warning about Dolby Digital and something not working, what I'm unsure of though... But I "think" this doesn't includ my TV. I didn't see anything in reference to Dolby Digital in my TV user manual. But, I am not completely sure...
Am I on the right track?



Thanks - Carl

[Lowlander]

The manual states: "You can enjoy your home theater by connecting a Dolby Digital (5.1 channel) decoder and “Multi Channel” amplifier to the DIGITAL AUDIO OUT terminals." This implies that you'll need an external decoder for those Dolby Digital signals the TV potentially sends from its optical output. Multichannel audio has to be decoded and mixed down to 2 channels for headphone listening.

One cannot pre-check compability issues of any combination of devices regarding Dolby Digital and digital ins and outs, but to be on the safest possible side - and if you've got the space - I'd definitely go for a simple but "proper" AV Amplifier with an optical input, like a Yamaha RX-V3xx oder RX-V4xx series. Maybe a used one, if budget is tight. This way, you'll get optical in, proper signal processing, headphone out, remote controllable volume and tons of additional features, together with the possibility of adding stereo or multichannel speakers later.

Please note that I have not checked if every present and past Yamaha RX-V3xx oder RX-V4xx model has an optical input and headphone out, those were just examples. If you pick a model on Ebay, please check its specs.

Maybe there even is a suitable Panasonic amplifier/receiver that can be controlled with the TV's remote?

[carlheinzstone]

These Yamaha options sound good. My question to these though is, do they support or give what is necessary to experience the full potential of the Sennheiser HD 598 headphones?
The headphone specs are as follows....
Frequency Response -12-38,500Hz
Sound Pressure Level - 112 dB
Impedance - 50 Ohm

I appreciate your response and look forward to hearing back.

Best - Carl

[jman98]

These Yamaha options sound good. My question to these though is, do they support or give what is necessary to experience the full potential of the Sennheiser HD 598 headphones?
The headphone specs are as follows....
Frequency Response -12-38,500Hz

Just so you know, that exceeds both the high and low end of normal human hearing by a LOT.

I leave it to others to debate the merits of this and your plan in general. I just wanted to point out that your headphones are overkill in that regard.

[Lowlander]

Carl,

do they support or give what is necessary to experience the full potential of the
Sennheiser HD 598 headphones?

when it comes to sound quality, as with most things, you get what you pay for. Higher priced amplifiers tend to have better electronic components to give a better listening experience. But I'd suggest that even a lower range amplifier produced by a renowned manufacturer will have a better headphone section than any TV set on the market.

If you consider buying a new amplifier, why not take your headphone to the shop and try a few.