How To Replace Your Headphone Jack

Accessories

By: Grahm Skee on April 18, 2007 10:30 AM

Replacing the phono jack on your headphones is a fairly easy process if you know how to solder and an easy skill to learn with a few practice wires if you don't. There are a few reasons you may want to replace the jack. First, you may be getting some crackling caused by a bad connection. Second, an angled plug may work better for your particular MP3 player than a straight plug. Third, you may want to upgrade the plug to something more sturdy and rugged (Neutrik, Switchcraft, or Canare to name a few).

The cost of this project is minimal. Even if you went with a higher-end military grade plug, you will only be set back about $4 for the plug. If you don’t have any of the soldering tools, plan on spending another $10-$20 on a starter soldering kit and the tools needed.

One of our forum moderators put together a great how-to on this. Check it out.

[Replace Minijack]

Comments

mons on March 1, 2008 1:40 AM

anyone know how to change a 3.5mm 4-pole plug to 2.5mm 4-pole plug. for example, I would like to modify a pair of very good headphones with a microphone (cell LG 10000) to fit my non-standard cell phone? Also where to find the parts. Or a dongle that has nice thin connectors as to not strain the female on the phone?

I have changed the stereo plug for my grado's as described in this article, but am weary of the pin config and tiny solder points.

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