Multiple headphone splitter

amohit · 6th April 2009, 21:28

For quite some time now I had been toying with an idea of having a box with multiple stereo outs and multiple stereo in ports.
something like this

Belkin F8Z274 5-Port Headphone Splitter gifts in india at rediff shopping.

Question is can it be custom made?
I no nothing of electronics, but I believe this should be as simple as having n number of stereo in ports (female ports) and interconnect there left and right channels to that of each other. Or is there more to it?

This all accepting the fact that sound quality will deteriorate to some extent.

Regards,

Jaguar · 7th April 2009, 10:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by amohit

this should be as simple as having n number of stereo in ports (female ports) and interconnect there left and right channels to that of each other. Or is there more to it?

This all accepting the fact that sound quality will deteriorate to some extent.

Regards,

You would need an amplifier as well!
Maybe if you post this in the DIY section within the ICE forum, you'd get response from Audio Gurus

- Jag

greenhorn · 7th April 2009, 10:06

what exactly are your requirements. should be achievable with a few op amps if you know how to solder

but it will be a lot bulkier

amohit · 7th April 2009, 10:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenhorn

what exactly are your requirements.

Ok, the actual problem is that I have 5.1 Creative speakers. This speaker set has 3 input leads (3.5mm stereo). And all I do is listen to music/videos from my laptop, which has only 1 stereo output. So currently I am using 2 1:2 stereo splitters to plug in the 3 leads of the speaker set.
At times i connect my IPod to these speakers.
I want to get rid of this clumsy setup.
My vision was to have 5 stereo ports mounted on a box (wooded/plastic) and connect the 3 leads from speaker into it + 1 headphone + 1 lead from laptop/ipod(for i/p).

Speakers already have amplifier and the second output is to headphones. So would I need additional amp?

Regards,

greenhorn · 7th April 2009, 11:39

looks like a job for a stereo preamp. those are kinda expensive.

else you can make a custom made pre amp with op amps and some pcb's.

how well do you know electronics ( both the theory and practical bit)

ideally you need an amp for the headphones, but its not very urgent.

if you will keep the ipod and the computer plugged to the box at the same time , even though you dont plan to use them together, some circuitry will be needed to isolate the outputs

amohit · 7th April 2009, 12:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenhorn

how well do you know electronics ( both the theory and practical bit)

A big Zero.

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenhorn

if you will keep the ipod and the computer plugged to the box at the same time , even though you dont plan to use them together, some circuitry will be needed to isolate the outputs

No. Only one sound source at a time.

Sam Kapasi · 7th April 2009, 12:12

FIRST - this needs to go to the DIY section.

Hi Amohit.

If you are looking at running multiple pairs of headphones from a single output, you will need a headphone amplifier. There are products that split (in parallel) one headphone output into 2, but I find a marked drop in quality, due to the impedance change.
Most headphones vary from 32Ω to 200Ω. I have just discovered how to get the Ω symbol on my mac and will let people know for a very small fee how to do it.

BUT coming back to your problem.

I realise that you do not want to connect multiple headphones.

Now please do realise that input circuits (your speaker jacks) are typically very high in impedance. 20,000Ω (hahaha ΩΩΩΩΩ and another Ω) and above. These can be placed in parallel with no apparent loss.

So to answer your question - if you want to split a single pre amplifier to go to 3 input jacks on your speakers, you need no amplifier. Headphones placed in parallel to these inputs will create no major difference. 32Ω parallel to 20,000Ω is still 32Ω.
And a parallel laptop input too will not create any big change in audio.

Your problem is more on how to connect the wires in parallel, rather than worry about the amplifier side of it.

amohit · 7th April 2009, 12:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

If you are looking at running multiple pairs of headphones from a single output, you will need a headphone amplifier.

For now there is only 1 headphone requirement. and I dont see this requirement changing anytime soon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

BUT coming back to your problem.

Now please do realise that input circuits (your speaker jacks) are typically very high in impedance. 20,000Ω (hahaha ΩΩΩΩΩ and another Ω) and above. These can be placed in parallel with no apparent loss.

So to answer your question - if you want to split a single pre amplifier to go to 3 input jacks on your speakers, you need no amplifier. Headphones placed in parallel to these inputs will create no major difference. 32Ω parallel to 20,000Ω is still 32Ω.
And a parallel laptop input too will not create any big change in audio.

Your problem is more on how to connect the wires in parallel, rather than worry about the amplifier side of it.

So you mean to say that I dont need any amp stuff.
All I need is a bunch of stereo ports, soldering iron and related stuff and solder the correct ends togather.
This should work. is it?

Regards,

Note: Mods can we please move this thread to DIY section.

greenhorn · 7th April 2009, 12:22

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/ask-gu...pe-thingy.html

this thread might be helpful

Sam Kapasi · 7th April 2009, 12:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by amohit

F
So you mean to say that I dont need any amp stuff.

Haan.

Quote:

Originally Posted by amohit

All I need is a bunch of stereo ports, soldering iron and related stuff and solder the correct ends togather.

Haan, haan.

Quote:

Originally Posted by amohit

F
This should work. is it?

Haan bhai haan. Ω shanti Ω.

blacmagic · 7th April 2009, 15:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

I have just discovered how to get the Ω symbol on my mac and will let people know for a very small fee how to do it.

I ask this with great fear and apprehension... what exactly is this 'very small fee'?

frankmehta · 7th April 2009, 15:49

OSO(Ohm Shanti Ohm) is the new name for JBL now.
Sam, being the brand director has just decided. Since Jai Bholenath Langarbaba(JBL) turned out to be a conman.. Sam, brand endorsement not allowed :-P

Sam Kapasi · 9th April 2009, 12:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankmehta

Since Jai Bholenath Langarbaba(JBL)

DUDE! What the heck! (Other word not allowed) Jai bholenath langarbaba??!!

That's just sick. *Shaking head*

ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ

Quote:

I ask this with great fear and apprehension... what exactly is this 'very small fee'

I'm still negotiating with myself. Ω.

frankmehta · 9th April 2009, 12:24

your Ω 'button' is stuck! by golly, even i can do that now!!! hari Ω hari!

SORRY for crapping the thread! but my 2 cents is that one shouldnt try connecting more than 1 set of headphones to one source. In fact, i would want a headphone amplifier for even one set of cans! that's me!

heavy_foot · 9th April 2009, 15:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by amohit

Belkin F8Z274 5-Port Headphone Splitter gifts in india at rediff shopping.

This is available on S.P road, saw it in a shop. Sorry dont remember the name of the shop.

6th April 2009, 21:28	#1
amohit BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 451 Thanked: 52 Times	Multiple headphone splitter For quite some time now I had been toying with an idea of having a box with multiple stereo outs and multiple stereo in ports. something like this Belkin F8Z274 5-Port Headphone Splitter gifts in india at rediff shopping. Question is can it be custom made? I no nothing of electronics, but I believe this should be as simple as having n number of stereo in ports (female ports) and interconnect there left and right channels to that of each other. Or is there more to it? This all accepting the fact that sound quality will deteriorate to some extent. Regards,
	() Thanks

7th April 2009, 10:06	#3
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,745 Thanked: 4,396 Times View My Garage	what exactly are your requirements. should be achievable with a few op amps if you know how to solder but it will be a lot bulkier
	() Thanks

7th April 2009, 11:39	#5
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,745 Thanked: 4,396 Times View My Garage	looks like a job for a stereo preamp. those are kinda expensive. else you can make a custom made pre amp with op amps and some pcb's. how well do you know electronics ( both the theory and practical bit) ideally you need an amp for the headphones, but its not very urgent. if you will keep the ipod and the computer plugged to the box at the same time , even though you dont plan to use them together, some circuitry will be needed to isolate the outputs Last edited by greenhorn : 7th April 2009 at 11:41.
	() Thanks

7th April 2009, 12:12	#7
Sam Kapasi Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai (but wat Posts: 6,997 Thanked: 2,378 Times View My Garage	FIRST - this needs to go to the DIY section. Hi Amohit. If you are looking at running multiple pairs of headphones from a single output, you will need a headphone amplifier. There are products that split (in parallel) one headphone output into 2, but I find a marked drop in quality, due to the impedance change. Most headphones vary from 32Ω to 200Ω. I have just discovered how to get the Ω symbol on my mac and will let people know for a very small fee how to do it. BUT coming back to your problem. I realise that you do not want to connect multiple headphones. Now please do realise that input circuits (your speaker jacks) are typically very high in impedance. 20,000Ω (hahaha ΩΩΩΩΩ and another Ω) and above. These can be placed in parallel with no apparent loss. So to answer your question - if you want to split a single pre amplifier to go to 3 input jacks on your speakers, you need no amplifier. Headphones placed in parallel to these inputs will create no major difference. 32Ω parallel to 20,000Ω is still 32Ω. And a parallel laptop input too will not create any big change in audio. Your problem is more on how to connect the wires in parallel, rather than worry about the amplifier side of it.
	() Thanks

7th April 2009, 12:22	#9
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,745 Thanked: 4,396 Times View My Garage	http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/ask-gu...pe-thingy.html this thread might be helpful
	() Thanks

7th April 2009, 15:49	#12
frankmehta Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,000 Thanked: 3,577 Times View My Garage	OSO(Ohm Shanti Ohm) is the new name for JBL now. Sam, being the brand director has just decided. Since Jai Bholenath Langarbaba(JBL) turned out to be a conman.. Sam, brand endorsement not allowed :-P
	() Thanks

9th April 2009, 12:24	#14
frankmehta Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,000 Thanked: 3,577 Times View My Garage	your Ω 'button' is stuck! by golly, even i can do that now!!! hari Ω hari! SORRY for crapping the thread! but my 2 cents is that one shouldnt try connecting more than 1 set of headphones to one source. In fact, i would want a headphone amplifier for even one set of cans! that's me! Last edited by frankmehta : 9th April 2009 at 12:26.
	() Thanks