How to get around a notebook with a faulty headphone jack?
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I'm getting a lot scrachtiness in the left external speaker (driven by the headphone jack), and it has definitely been isolated to there as switching the wiring, the bad signal follows it, and it is there with a different 3/8"-headphone-female-to-LR-RCA cable. The scratchiness is not there with the admittedly less hi-fi notebook speaker, although the scratchiness is at at mid-high frequencies that the notebook speaker reproduces. So the question is what can be done without going into box, something that I would rather not get into based on some mixed experience with getting into the hardware. I figure that there are 2 possible paths to go down - [1] some type of USB dongle that could take the good signal from the current OEM sound card that I would imagine is integrated into the motherboard (HP Pavilion Power), and deliver it to a 3/8"-headphone-female - or [2] a sound card USB dongle that completely takes the place of the OEM sound card. While the rest of the notebook is starting to show its age (needs a new battery and keyboard, and would use a boost from 8 to 16 GB core), I am not quite ready to invest another $1K into a system just yet. If I have to go the route of [2], then it is a question of just how good a new sound card I need to get to get comparable performance. The best speaker system I use is the Paradigm Active/20, which makes it one of the best computer speakers that anyone would have. So I am open to any suggestions.
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I'm getting a lot scrachtiness in the left external speaker (driven by the headphone jack), and it has definitely been isolated to there as switching the wiring, the bad signal follows it, and it is there with a different 3/8"-headphone-female-to-LR-RCA cable. The scratchiness is not there with the admittedly less hi-fi notebook speaker, although the scratchiness is at at mid-high frequencies that the notebook speaker reproduces. So the question is what can be done without going into box, something that I would rather not get into based on some mixed experience with getting into the hardware. I figure that there are 2 possible paths to go down - [1] some type of USB dongle that could take the good signal from the current OEM sound card that I would imagine is integrated into the motherboard (HP Pavilion Power), and deliver it to a 3/8"-headphone-female - or [2] a sound card USB dongle that completely takes the place of the OEM sound card. While the rest of the notebook is starting to show its age (needs a new battery and keyboard, and would use a boost from 8 to 16 GB core), I am not quite ready to invest another $1K into a system just yet. If I have to go the route of [2], then it is a question of just how good a new sound card I need to get to get comparable performance. The best speaker system I use is the Paradigm Active/20, which makes it one of the best computer speakers that anyone would have. So I am open to any suggestions.
Use a rubber mallet to drive an awl firmly into the headphone jack, and then attach alligator clips to the awl's shaft.
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I'm getting a lot scrachtiness in the left external speaker (driven by the headphone jack), and it has definitely been isolated to there as switching the wiring, the bad signal follows it, and it is there with a different 3/8"-headphone-female-to-LR-RCA cable. The scratchiness is not there with the admittedly less hi-fi notebook speaker, although the scratchiness is at at mid-high frequencies that the notebook speaker reproduces. So the question is what can be done without going into box, something that I would rather not get into based on some mixed experience with getting into the hardware. I figure that there are 2 possible paths to go down - [1] some type of USB dongle that could take the good signal from the current OEM sound card that I would imagine is integrated into the motherboard (HP Pavilion Power), and deliver it to a 3/8"-headphone-female - or [2] a sound card USB dongle that completely takes the place of the OEM sound card. While the rest of the notebook is starting to show its age (needs a new battery and keyboard, and would use a boost from 8 to 16 GB core), I am not quite ready to invest another $1K into a system just yet. If I have to go the route of [2], then it is a question of just how good a new sound card I need to get to get comparable performance. The best speaker system I use is the Paradigm Active/20, which makes it one of the best computer speakers that anyone would have. So I am open to any suggestions.
Bluetooth headphones or speakers (powered). Computers don't have built-in speaker "amplifiers".
It was only in wine that he laid down no limit for himself, but he did not allow himself to be confused by it. ― Confucian Analects: Rules of Confucius about his food
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I'm getting a lot scrachtiness in the left external speaker (driven by the headphone jack), and it has definitely been isolated to there as switching the wiring, the bad signal follows it, and it is there with a different 3/8"-headphone-female-to-LR-RCA cable. The scratchiness is not there with the admittedly less hi-fi notebook speaker, although the scratchiness is at at mid-high frequencies that the notebook speaker reproduces. So the question is what can be done without going into box, something that I would rather not get into based on some mixed experience with getting into the hardware. I figure that there are 2 possible paths to go down - [1] some type of USB dongle that could take the good signal from the current OEM sound card that I would imagine is integrated into the motherboard (HP Pavilion Power), and deliver it to a 3/8"-headphone-female - or [2] a sound card USB dongle that completely takes the place of the OEM sound card. While the rest of the notebook is starting to show its age (needs a new battery and keyboard, and would use a boost from 8 to 16 GB core), I am not quite ready to invest another $1K into a system just yet. If I have to go the route of [2], then it is a question of just how good a new sound card I need to get to get comparable performance. The best speaker system I use is the Paradigm Active/20, which makes it one of the best computer speakers that anyone would have. So I am open to any suggestions.
The left channel is on the tip contact (mnemomic : Right == Ring (in tip, ring, sleeve nomenclature)). It would be worthwhile getting a wooden skewer or toothpick of the right size, wetted with a contact cleaner or alcohol - NOT WD-40!) and giving it a gentle massage. That will help if the problem is corrosion or gunk buildup, but won't cure a bent contact. Wobbling the plug sideways while it's playing would help identify a weak/bent contact. Cheers, Peter
Software rusts. Simon Stephenson, ca 1994. So does this signature. me, 2012
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I'm getting a lot scrachtiness in the left external speaker (driven by the headphone jack), and it has definitely been isolated to there as switching the wiring, the bad signal follows it, and it is there with a different 3/8"-headphone-female-to-LR-RCA cable. The scratchiness is not there with the admittedly less hi-fi notebook speaker, although the scratchiness is at at mid-high frequencies that the notebook speaker reproduces. So the question is what can be done without going into box, something that I would rather not get into based on some mixed experience with getting into the hardware. I figure that there are 2 possible paths to go down - [1] some type of USB dongle that could take the good signal from the current OEM sound card that I would imagine is integrated into the motherboard (HP Pavilion Power), and deliver it to a 3/8"-headphone-female - or [2] a sound card USB dongle that completely takes the place of the OEM sound card. While the rest of the notebook is starting to show its age (needs a new battery and keyboard, and would use a boost from 8 to 16 GB core), I am not quite ready to invest another $1K into a system just yet. If I have to go the route of [2], then it is a question of just how good a new sound card I need to get to get comparable performance. The best speaker system I use is the Paradigm Active/20, which makes it one of the best computer speakers that anyone would have. So I am open to any suggestions.
If you don't want to do bluetooth there are USB to 1/8 inch stereo adapters that will do the job for you. Basically it's a small external soundcard over USB https://www.amazon.com/DuKabel-ProSeries-Mic-Supported-Headphone-External/dp/B07RS11M1T/ref=zg\_bs\_3015427011\_2?\_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=Q4Z5AVPJDSKHWGFX1346
Real programmers use butterflies
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I'm getting a lot scrachtiness in the left external speaker (driven by the headphone jack), and it has definitely been isolated to there as switching the wiring, the bad signal follows it, and it is there with a different 3/8"-headphone-female-to-LR-RCA cable. The scratchiness is not there with the admittedly less hi-fi notebook speaker, although the scratchiness is at at mid-high frequencies that the notebook speaker reproduces. So the question is what can be done without going into box, something that I would rather not get into based on some mixed experience with getting into the hardware. I figure that there are 2 possible paths to go down - [1] some type of USB dongle that could take the good signal from the current OEM sound card that I would imagine is integrated into the motherboard (HP Pavilion Power), and deliver it to a 3/8"-headphone-female - or [2] a sound card USB dongle that completely takes the place of the OEM sound card. While the rest of the notebook is starting to show its age (needs a new battery and keyboard, and would use a boost from 8 to 16 GB core), I am not quite ready to invest another $1K into a system just yet. If I have to go the route of [2], then it is a question of just how good a new sound card I need to get to get comparable performance. The best speaker system I use is the Paradigm Active/20, which makes it one of the best computer speakers that anyone would have. So I am open to any suggestions.
If you want quality sound, take a look at: best-digital-to-analog-converters-dacs-under-300[^] Cheaper options here: AliExpress USB DAC[^]
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I'm getting a lot scrachtiness in the left external speaker (driven by the headphone jack), and it has definitely been isolated to there as switching the wiring, the bad signal follows it, and it is there with a different 3/8"-headphone-female-to-LR-RCA cable. The scratchiness is not there with the admittedly less hi-fi notebook speaker, although the scratchiness is at at mid-high frequencies that the notebook speaker reproduces. So the question is what can be done without going into box, something that I would rather not get into based on some mixed experience with getting into the hardware. I figure that there are 2 possible paths to go down - [1] some type of USB dongle that could take the good signal from the current OEM sound card that I would imagine is integrated into the motherboard (HP Pavilion Power), and deliver it to a 3/8"-headphone-female - or [2] a sound card USB dongle that completely takes the place of the OEM sound card. While the rest of the notebook is starting to show its age (needs a new battery and keyboard, and would use a boost from 8 to 16 GB core), I am not quite ready to invest another $1K into a system just yet. If I have to go the route of [2], then it is a question of just how good a new sound card I need to get to get comparable performance. The best speaker system I use is the Paradigm Active/20, which makes it one of the best computer speakers that anyone would have. So I am open to any suggestions.
As Peter mentioned, it's almost always the left speaker that starts being scratchy first as that's the tip of the headphone connector. Most common reason is dust getting pushed in together with the plug, and dust between the contact surfaces is obviously bad. Before doing anything else, get a can of compressed air (one of those with a thin enough nozzle that fits inside the contact) and try to blow the dust out from the connector, or use a wooden toothpick (not metal, it will scratch the contact surface) and try to clean the contact surfaces. I have to do this on my phone every now and then due to pocket lint.
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger
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I'm getting a lot scrachtiness in the left external speaker (driven by the headphone jack), and it has definitely been isolated to there as switching the wiring, the bad signal follows it, and it is there with a different 3/8"-headphone-female-to-LR-RCA cable. The scratchiness is not there with the admittedly less hi-fi notebook speaker, although the scratchiness is at at mid-high frequencies that the notebook speaker reproduces. So the question is what can be done without going into box, something that I would rather not get into based on some mixed experience with getting into the hardware. I figure that there are 2 possible paths to go down - [1] some type of USB dongle that could take the good signal from the current OEM sound card that I would imagine is integrated into the motherboard (HP Pavilion Power), and deliver it to a 3/8"-headphone-female - or [2] a sound card USB dongle that completely takes the place of the OEM sound card. While the rest of the notebook is starting to show its age (needs a new battery and keyboard, and would use a boost from 8 to 16 GB core), I am not quite ready to invest another $1K into a system just yet. If I have to go the route of [2], then it is a question of just how good a new sound card I need to get to get comparable performance. The best speaker system I use is the Paradigm Active/20, which makes it one of the best computer speakers that anyone would have. So I am open to any suggestions.
1/ millenial answer : buy a new laptop 2/ very good answers : see Peter & Jörgen's answers - bluetooth sounds also technically good but I personally try to avoid having wave-based devices around my brain. 3/ good answers : other above 4/ I would not be too afraid to open the laptop and resolder a new connector, even if this sounds complicated. The worst that can happen is that you loose time and have anyway to switch to one of the other solutions.
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1/ millenial answer : buy a new laptop 2/ very good answers : see Peter & Jörgen's answers - bluetooth sounds also technically good but I personally try to avoid having wave-based devices around my brain. 3/ good answers : other above 4/ I would not be too afraid to open the laptop and resolder a new connector, even if this sounds complicated. The worst that can happen is that you loose time and have anyway to switch to one of the other solutions.
Rage wrote:
4/ I would not be too afraid to open the laptop and resolder a new connector, even if this sounds complicated. The worst that can happen is that you loose time and have anyway to switch to one of the other solutions.
:thumbsup: If it ain't broken... don't touch it. But once it is already broken... why not try to repair it? The possibility of having to do another thing is always there.
M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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Rage wrote:
4/ I would not be too afraid to open the laptop and resolder a new connector, even if this sounds complicated. The worst that can happen is that you loose time and have anyway to switch to one of the other solutions.
:thumbsup: If it ain't broken... don't touch it. But once it is already broken... why not try to repair it? The possibility of having to do another thing is always there.
M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
Yes, exactly my point. Chances are also high that you learn something on the way.
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1/ millenial answer : buy a new laptop 2/ very good answers : see Peter & Jörgen's answers - bluetooth sounds also technically good but I personally try to avoid having wave-based devices around my brain. 3/ good answers : other above 4/ I would not be too afraid to open the laptop and resolder a new connector, even if this sounds complicated. The worst that can happen is that you loose time and have anyway to switch to one of the other solutions.
Rage wrote:
bluetooth sounds also technically good but I personally try to avoid having wave-based devices around my brain
Also, if someone has invested in a pair of Paradigm Active/20, i think bluetooth is out of the question.
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger
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1/ millenial answer : buy a new laptop 2/ very good answers : see Peter & Jörgen's answers - bluetooth sounds also technically good but I personally try to avoid having wave-based devices around my brain. 3/ good answers : other above 4/ I would not be too afraid to open the laptop and resolder a new connector, even if this sounds complicated. The worst that can happen is that you loose time and have anyway to switch to one of the other solutions.
Speaking of "brain waves", doing some geomancing and noting that monitors give off "a lot" of magnetic radiation (2-3+ ft).
It was only in wine that he laid down no limit for himself, but he did not allow himself to be confused by it. ― Confucian Analects: Rules of Confucius about his food
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Rage wrote:
bluetooth sounds also technically good but I personally try to avoid having wave-based devices around my brain
Also, if someone has invested in a pair of Paradigm Active/20, i think bluetooth is out of the question.
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger
Note that a new Bluetooth LE audio standard has been adopted fairly recently - see The next generation of Bluetooth audio[^]. The standard is so new that few commercial products are out on the market yet. The new "LC3" codec is available separately so you can run it on an ordinary PC for testing. I have listened to several samples on fairly high quality equipment, and was certainly impressed, especially with the minimal quality loss with reduced bitrate. Another claimed advantage is very low latency for the encode/decode cycle, so the sound stays in sync with the video. (It is said to be designed with gamers in mind; those guys demand extremely low latency!) When LC3 supplants "classical" BT audio, there will be far less reason to be sceptical to BT. As far as I know, the new BT audio comes to Bluetooth Low Energy only, not to the original, non-LE Bluetooth. Almost all BT wearables use the LE variant nowadays, so that's what you want for your earplugs. But don't expect your classical BT headset to be upgradable to LC3.
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Note that a new Bluetooth LE audio standard has been adopted fairly recently - see The next generation of Bluetooth audio[^]. The standard is so new that few commercial products are out on the market yet. The new "LC3" codec is available separately so you can run it on an ordinary PC for testing. I have listened to several samples on fairly high quality equipment, and was certainly impressed, especially with the minimal quality loss with reduced bitrate. Another claimed advantage is very low latency for the encode/decode cycle, so the sound stays in sync with the video. (It is said to be designed with gamers in mind; those guys demand extremely low latency!) When LC3 supplants "classical" BT audio, there will be far less reason to be sceptical to BT. As far as I know, the new BT audio comes to Bluetooth Low Energy only, not to the original, non-LE Bluetooth. Almost all BT wearables use the LE variant nowadays, so that's what you want for your earplugs. But don't expect your classical BT headset to be upgradable to LC3.
I have no experience with LC3, so I can't tell. But according to opinions on audiophile forums, for whatever it's worth, it's supposedly still inferior to AptX HD in sound quality. These are on the other hand the same forums where people can hear a difference between optical cables. :rolleyes: I do know though, that on my headphones which I can use with Bluetooth and AptX as well as cabled, cabled is clearly superior.
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger
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I'm getting a lot scrachtiness in the left external speaker (driven by the headphone jack), and it has definitely been isolated to there as switching the wiring, the bad signal follows it, and it is there with a different 3/8"-headphone-female-to-LR-RCA cable. The scratchiness is not there with the admittedly less hi-fi notebook speaker, although the scratchiness is at at mid-high frequencies that the notebook speaker reproduces. So the question is what can be done without going into box, something that I would rather not get into based on some mixed experience with getting into the hardware. I figure that there are 2 possible paths to go down - [1] some type of USB dongle that could take the good signal from the current OEM sound card that I would imagine is integrated into the motherboard (HP Pavilion Power), and deliver it to a 3/8"-headphone-female - or [2] a sound card USB dongle that completely takes the place of the OEM sound card. While the rest of the notebook is starting to show its age (needs a new battery and keyboard, and would use a boost from 8 to 16 GB core), I am not quite ready to invest another $1K into a system just yet. If I have to go the route of [2], then it is a question of just how good a new sound card I need to get to get comparable performance. The best speaker system I use is the Paradigm Active/20, which makes it one of the best computer speakers that anyone would have. So I am open to any suggestions.
If cleaning the jack doesn't work, I can highly recommend the Audioquest Dragonfly (comes in 3 different levels; Black $99, Red $199, Cobalt $299). It is my portable headphone source of choice and is quite small. It is amazing how good it is, and if you care about music, not too expensive for the sound quality. If it is for only at home and you don't need portable, then there are many options and I would suggest looking at schiit.com for a good dac/amp combo or separates (you would just need to use the preamp outputs for your speakers).
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As Peter mentioned, it's almost always the left speaker that starts being scratchy first as that's the tip of the headphone connector. Most common reason is dust getting pushed in together with the plug, and dust between the contact surfaces is obviously bad. Before doing anything else, get a can of compressed air (one of those with a thin enough nozzle that fits inside the contact) and try to blow the dust out from the connector, or use a wooden toothpick (not metal, it will scratch the contact surface) and try to clean the contact surfaces. I have to do this on my phone every now and then due to pocket lint.
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger
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:thumbsup:
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello Never stop dreaming - Freddie Kruger
