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Connecting wired headphones to a 4K TV that has no 3.5mm jack

Merry Xmas guys and gals !

Recently got an LG C2 55" * and i'd like to be able to connect my wired headphones to it, thing is, just like most modern TVs out there, there's no headphone(s) input, just ARC/eARC and optical (toslink) out.

I'm asking since i already took a look on Reddit etc and...my head's about to explode : DACs, headphone amps, USB DACs (some work, some don't), external sound cards, HDMI audio extractors...it's just too much for me since i don't know which is the simplest, most effective and also "cheapest" way as to be able to perform such a simple task.

No problem when using my XSX since i just plug the headphones into the joypad itself but, i'd also like to use the headphones with the TV's native apps (Amazon Prime, Youtube etc).


The problem from what i understand is that if i get one of those extractors/DACs etc is that the sound from the TV is fixed and that there's no way of actually changing the volume. - unless i get one that has ARC/eARC out so that i can control th audio output with the TV's remote ? Fook if i know...
Also :
- What about Dolby Atmos tracks on apps like Netflix etc when using these devices ? - C2 supports D.Atmos natively.
- Do they interfere with the whole 120Hz/VRR thing ? (in case i want to use the headphones connected to the TV and not to the XSX joypad).
- What's the sound quality/volume level when using them ?

Thanks in advance guys/gals, cheers

* The 42" C2 actually has a headphone 3.5mm jack input
 

Beechos

Member
Maybe some sort of 3.5mm to usb/hdmi/rca/ adapter or like a cheapo sound bar with a 3.5mm jack? The xbox of course has most apps avail on smart tvs too so that could be a last resort option.
 
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Sounds like an annoying problem to have that I unfortunately can’t help much with. I have a home theatre receiver and surround sound, so if I ever wanted to use wired headphones they plug straight into the front of the receiver. Another option may be to simply use those apps you want to watch on the Xbox and run sound through the controller still via the headphones. YouTube, Netflix, Prime etc would all be supported on the Xbox (they are on PS which I use so I assume it’s the same).
 
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Filben

Member
Not cheap (120€) but you could get an amp, like the SoundBlaster G6 something. Connect via USB to your conosle or optical to your TV and use the headphone jack on the amp.
 

Ulysses 31

Gold Member
Not cheap (120€) but you could get an amp, like the SoundBlaster G6 something. Connect via USB to your conosle or optical to your TV and use the headphone jack on the amp.
Even less cheaper(330$) from Creative:

Ka4.png


But that thing can drive even the most expensive headphones. I use it as my desktop speakers and Denon D9200 headset and the sound is some of the best for that price range.
 

Bernkastel

Ask me about my fanboy energy!
I remember when the Xbox 360 had a headphone jack. Consoles don't do that anymore. For some reason they don't care about Monitor users.
 

adamsapple

Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
I remember when the Xbox 360 had a headphone jack. Consoles don't do that anymore. For some reason they don't care about Monitor users.

All the modern consoles have audio jacks directly in the controller now tho, so it's better than having a jack on the back of the console.
 
With that “Digital Audio Out (Optical)" you can connect pretty much any mixamp and use any 3.5mm headset.


Or the most cheap way (also works really well)

 
I remember when the Xbox 360 had a headphone jack. Consoles don't do that anymore. For some reason they don't care about Monitor users.

It's rare for a monitor (even one without internal speakers) to not provide a 3.5mm jack to pass thru the hdmi audio. Most monitor players likely just use that. I have a standard set of earbuds attached to my monitor that I use with my XSS most of the time, unless I'm using the headset.
 

Yerd

Member
It's a problem. My hard of hearing mother had these wireless headphones that would work in conjunction with the TV's built in sound. She could listen to the headphones while everyone else could listen to the TV at non-earbleeding volumes. Their new TV was a Roku that did not have analog output. I got one of those things that converts optical to analog (red/white) that's how those headphones connected to the old tv. I tried for a while to find a way to connect those headphones, but any solution wouldn't allow the headphones to work simultaneously with the TV speakers. If you want headphones on, the TV speakers mute. I tried to get my father to buy a 2 channel amp, to power some speakers. He never did that. I'm not sure they ever solved the problem. It's just ear bleeding from now on.

If that is not your situation just find something that converts the optical output to something that your headphones to connect to. Headphone amp, 2channel amp, bluetoooth amp. Anything like that. Or even a full AV receiver, and get yourself some real surround speakers and blow out your ears and your neighbor's.

Optical in to analog out, is what you are looking for.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08V8KHWSF/?tag=neogaf0e-20
 
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What a lovely bunch you are, cheers fellas for the input :D

A few things :

1) i could use my XSX for pretty much everything (headphones connected to joypad) but, that wouldn't be very eco-friendly, i mean, why use 2 energy hungry devices when you can just use just 1 to do the same exact thing ? Also, with the price of electricity being what it is the past few months, saving some money when it comes to the electricity bill wouldn't hurt either.

2) Tried the TV sound output to smartphone via LG's ThinQ app and it's OK, no visible lag but then you lose Dolby Atmos (tried on Netflix, movie description says D.Atmos/D.Vision, but as soon you start outputting the TV's sound to your phone the D Atmos logo disappears ), plus, audio levels are pretty much fixed and can't go over a certain threshold (i.e : it sound sound very loud).

3) I won't get/don't need a soundbar since i only game/watch movies with headphones nowadays as to not annoy the girlfriend and the neighbors.

4) An external Soundblaster might be a good solution but i don't know if it works the way it should since i've read that the LG OLEDs have iffy optical out (static, sound drops etc), plus, 120++ eurotrons is not good for my wallet right now since i've already spent 1200 for the TV.

5) IF i get a cheap-ish DAC from Amazon, i don't know how i'll be able to control the sound volume - most probably i won't, am i right ?

6) IF i get a BT audio receiver , i'd still have problems with audio lag, plus, i wouldn't be able to control the audio/sound level.



Correct me if i'm wrong but the best and/or "legit" way to do this (as to able to use any model/kind of wired headphones) would be to get a toslink/optical mini-amp and then connect my headphones to it - that way i'd also be able to control the volume with the Tv remote, correct ? The thing is that i've been reading on the intrawebs that LG's have problems with the optical out and...yeah.
I've been scouring Amazon for the past few hours and i don't know what the fook to buy, this shit shouldn't be this hard dammit !

Thanks people for the replies , appreciate it !

Edit : i suppose that by using a DAC or even mini-amp i will lose Dolby Atmos since they won't be able to process it , correct ? Basically, they also have to be compatible with the audio format , right ?
 
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intbal

Member
Correct me if i'm wrong but the best and/or "legit" way to do this (as to able to use any model/kind of wired headphones) would be to get a toslink/optical mini-amp and then connect my headphones to it - that way i'd also be able to control the volume with the Tv remote, correct ?

I suppose that depends on whether or not your specific TV provides that particular functionality (control of optical volume with tv remote).
As far as Dolby Atmos goes, if you're using headphones, you'd want Dolby Atmos for Headphones, which I think still works through the optical output. It's only a stereo signal anyway, so it shouldn't be affected.
Best advice I can give. Buy a cheap DAC and try it out. See what you like/don't like about it, then proceed from there.
 

ReBurn

Gold Member
I used to use a toslink dac with a built in amp/volume control for the 3.5 mm output. Like 20 bucks on Amazon and worked pretty well.

 
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aclar00

Member
If i understood correctly you may be able to use one of these products? The first would just require and addional stereo to 3.5 female jack converter.



Edit, if the audio is comming from the tslink i would think your tv remote would still control the audio. Amazon has pretty could return policy (if Prime), so may be worth trying out a few things
 
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Wanted to try something regarding Dolby Atmos :
I connected my Oneplus bullets wireless z to the TV via Bluetooth and...Dolby Atmos doesn't work (no D.A logo on movie's info page).

So, let me get this straight, the only way to get/enable Dolby Atmos (for headphones) is to use my XSX ?
I find it hard to believe, I mean, the C2 supports Dolby Atmos natively (I can see the logo enabled on supported movies on the TVs native Netflix app), how in the world can I have D.A for headphones through the TV though ? It should be supported/possible, am I wrong in thinking that ? Or maybe , you have to get specific DA enabled BT headphones? That'd some bullshit tbh...
 

intbal

Member
Wanted to try something regarding Dolby Atmos :
I connected my Oneplus bullets wireless z to the TV via Bluetooth and...Dolby Atmos doesn't work (no D.A logo on movie's info page).

So, let me get this straight, the only way to get/enable Dolby Atmos (for headphones) is to use my XSX ?
I find it hard to believe, I mean, the C2 supports Dolby Atmos natively (I can see the logo enabled on supported movies on the TVs native Netflix app), how in the world can I have D.A for headphones through the TV though ? It should be supported/possible, am I wrong in thinking that ? Or maybe , you have to get specific DA enabled BT headphones? That'd some bullshit tbh...
I think Dolby Atmos only works over bluetooth if the headphones you're using are specifically Atmos-optimized.
Also, are you trying to get Dolby Atmos through your headphones or "Dolby Atmos for Headphones"? Two different standards. I don't know what or how the C2 handles the various Dolby formats.
 
Merry Xmas guys and gals !

Recently got an LG C2 55" * and i'd like to be able to connect my wired headphones to it, thing is, just like most modern TVs out there, there's no headphone(s) input, just ARC/eARC and optical (toslink) out.

I'm asking since i already took a look on Reddit etc and...my head's about to explode : DACs, headphone amps, USB DACs (some work, some don't), external sound cards, HDMI audio extractors...it's just too much for me since i don't know which is the simplest, most effective and also "cheapest" way as to be able to perform such a simple task.

No problem when using my XSX since i just plug the headphones into the joypad itself but, i'd also like to use the headphones with the TV's native apps (Amazon Prime, Youtube etc).


The problem from what i understand is that if i get one of those extractors/DACs etc is that the sound from the TV is fixed and that there's no way of actually changing the volume. - unless i get one that has ARC/eARC out so that i can control th audio output with the TV's remote ? Fook if i know...
Also :
- What about Dolby Atmos tracks on apps like Netflix etc when using these devices ? - C2 supports D.Atmos natively.
- Do they interfere with the whole 120Hz/VRR thing ? (in case i want to use the headphones connected to the TV and not to the XSX joypad).
- What's the sound quality/volume level when using them ?

Thanks in advance guys/gals, cheers

* The 42" C2 actually has a headphone 3.5mm jack input
Why would you even want to do this? I've never heard of anyone doing it honestly. Is it because you want to watch cable TV with your headphones?
 
Why would you even want to do this? I've never heard of anyone doing it honestly. Is it because you want to watch cable TV with your headphones?
What, connecting my own wired headphones to my TV ? Why wouldn't I want to do that ?
Plus, I already explained man, if I want to use -say - Netflix, why would I also have to turn on my XSX just to watch a movie ? Why not just use the TV's inbuilt /native app ? Why spend more electricity ? I think the concept is pretty simple my good man, plus, I already have a set of headphones , why would I have to go and buy another BT set ?
I think Dolby Atmos only works over bluetooth if the headphones you're using are specifically Atmos-optimized.
Also, are you trying to get Dolby Atmos through your headphones or "Dolby Atmos for Headphones"? Two different standards. I don't know what or how the C2 handles the various Dolby formats.
Well, that's some major BS brother, "Atmos enabled headphones"...I just can't, I mean, Atmos for headphones works with any kind of stereo cans, why can't it work with a TV app ? After all, that's what you actually do on a Xbox series console, you buy the app/license and you can use it up to 10 different devices, shouldn't smart TVs be able to do the same thing ?
On the XSX, after you've bought the Dolby app, you can use DA for headphones on every movie that supports Dolby atmos.
On the C2 side, there's a switch for enabling/disabling D.Atmos.
 
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Drew1440

Member
This an android TV? You could connect a USB to 3.5mm line out adaptor which should be supported by the Android kernal, not sure how the TV will react or if it will mute the speakers.
 
What a lovely bunch you are, cheers fellas for the input :D

A few things :

1) i could use my XSX for pretty much everything (headphones connected to joypad) but, that wouldn't be very eco-friendly, i mean, why use 2 energy hungry devices when you can just use just 1 to do the same exact thing ? Also, with the price of electricity being what it is the past few months, saving some money when it comes to the electricity bill wouldn't hurt either.

2) Tried the TV sound output to smartphone via LG's ThinQ app and it's OK, no visible lag but then you lose Dolby Atmos (tried on Netflix, movie description says D.Atmos/D.Vision, but as soon you start outputting the TV's sound to your phone the D Atmos logo disappears ), plus, audio levels are pretty much fixed and can't go over a certain threshold (i.e : it sound sound very loud).

3) I won't get/don't need a soundbar since i only game/watch movies with headphones nowadays as to not annoy the girlfriend and the neighbors.

4) An external Soundblaster might be a good solution but i don't know if it works the way it should since i've read that the LG OLEDs have iffy optical out (static, sound drops etc), plus, 120++ eurotrons is not good for my wallet right now since i've already spent 1200 for the TV.

5) IF i get a cheap-ish DAC from Amazon, i don't know how i'll be able to control the sound volume - most probably i won't, am i right ?

6) IF i get a BT audio receiver , i'd still have problems with audio lag, plus, i wouldn't be able to control the audio/sound level.

I don't get your logic.

You dismiss using your XSX, then in virtually every other alternative, you're still using a separate device that consumes its own power to do the same thing. Sure a few of the options won't be as power hungry as the XSX, but then I'm sure your at home washer dryer uses 3x more than your XSX anyway.
 

ToTTenTranz

Banned
No problem when using my XSX since i just plug the headphones into the joypad itself but, i'd also like to use the headphones with the TV's native apps (Amazon Prime, Youtube etc).

If you really want simplicity, I bet all those apps exist on the Xbox. Why not use the Xbox + gamepad for everything?

You could buy a bluetooth audio receiver with headphone output but then you could have big latency problems.


1) i could use my XSX for pretty much everything (headphones connected to joypad) but, that wouldn't be very eco-friendly, i mean, why use 2 energy hungry devices when you can just use just 1 to do the same exact thing ? Also, with the price of electricity being what it is the past few months, saving some money when it comes to the electricity bill wouldn't hurt either.
I bet the XSX's power consumption while running video streaming is pretty low. You can't buy any solution for less than $30 and that's probably some 10 years worth of XSX power consumption in that mode.
 
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This an android TV? You could connect a USB to 3.5mm line out adaptor which should be supported by the Android kernal, not sure how the TV will react or if it will mute the speakers.
No Android TV friend, it's a WebOS one (LG's own OS)
I don't get your logic.

You dismiss using your XSX, then in virtually every other alternative, you're still using a separate device that consumes its own power to do the same thing. Sure a few of the options won't be as power hungry as the XSX, but then I'm sure your at home washer dryer uses 3x more than your XSX anyway.

If you really want simplicity, I bet all those apps exist on the Xbox. Why not use the Xbox + gamepad for everything?

You could buy a bluetooth audio receiver with headphone output but then you could have big latency problems.



I bet the XSX's power consumption while running video streaming is pretty low. You can't buy any solution for less than $30 and that's probably some 10 years worth of XSX power consumption in that mode.


TheThreadsThatBindUs TheThreadsThatBindUs & ToTTenTranz ToTTenTranz : Guys, the wired headphones thing + TV's native apps is purely a practical AND energy-saving thing.Energy-saving : i already explained why, practical because i also want to be able to drive my headphones properly (which i didn't mention), i mean, the joypad is (kinda) fine and everything but sometimes i need to up the volume level and the joypad just can't - not to mention the fact that the sound isn't as clear when connecting to the joypad Vs a TV with a good DACor and AV amp (obviously).
Until last year, i used to connect my headphones to an AV amp (Sony STRDA2400ES) and the sound sound was just..."chef's kiss", the joypad input just can't compare for obvious reasons.had to move, gave it away to a friend, so no more AV amp for me (plus, it was stupid spending all that electricity for an old, huge-ass AV amp just to be able to drive my headphones).

It might seem kind of funny from your point of view, i get it, i mean, i could just use my XSX but, it drives me nuts that i can't use a "simple method®" as to do do such a trivial thing like connecting my headphones to a G'damned TV :D

Basically , i need a "all-in-one" solution, meaning, TV apps and Xbox general audio both coming out from the TV (and then connect my headphones to it).
Which brings me to : an external soundcard connected to the C2 via optical (soundblaster G6 for example) might be a good solution if i'm not mistaken since A) i'll be able to amplify the sound levels/output and B) be able to connect wired headphones to it and C) being able to change the volume via the soundcard/amp volume knob.

Thanks for chiming in ;)
 
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Trilobit

Gold Member
Wow, now I appreciate my C1 55" even more as it seems it's the last with 3,5mm jack(except for C2 48"). I like not having to charge my headphones. Hope it works out, OP!
 
Does the TV have an optical out?

I have an external box for my Plasma that you connect an optical cord to. The TV itself has a headphone jack but I prefer the external box. I've also used it with my wife's old TV cause that one doesn't have a headphone jack.

I think it's just standard stereo output but it works great for my purposes and sounds great too. Totally affordable as well. The one I own isn't listed anymore but this one seems to do the same thing. If you get one, just make sure it has a volume knob. The ones without work fine but the audio can be too low and non-adjustable. I know from experience.

 
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I don't get your logic.

You dismiss using your XSX, then in virtually every other alternative, you're still using a separate device that consumes its own power to do the same thing. Sure a few of the options won't be as power hungry as the XSX, but then I'm sure your at home washer dryer uses 3x more than your XSX anyway.
Right the amount of power you're saving is basically insignificant. I'm in the same situation. My LG OLED is a smart TV. But I just use my PS5 for movies and streaming. Plus I've seriously never heard of anyone trying to plug headphones into a TV.
 

Yerd

Member
You should probably look for a headphone forum. I only have passing knowledge on the subject. There are options out there, I'm sure, I just dont know it. Are the phones you have hard to drive?

You'll probably need a dac to get audio from the optical, then a phone amp from that. Probably find a bluetooth one so you can maybe have a remote for volume. Otherwise you are back to the 80's with a volume knob.

I've seen the setups before with 2 or 3 stacks of devices to run vinyl stereo or headphone rigs.

I would recommend the 2 channel amp I was trying to get my father, but it doesn't have a phones jack.
 
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