Connecting standard headphones to IFE

... In a word, possible? Will I need to go hunting for one of those adapters (and if so, where could I get one from?) I have gorgeous Sony MDR-EX71 bud earphones, and I'd really hate to have to sacrifice them for the long journey over to San Francisco just because they won't interface with the seatback headphone system. I think we're flying on one of the planes with the VPOD setup (my sister, bless her, went onto the web and found out exactly what kind of IFE we'll have, so I think it's one of the newest systems)... Any advice or tips from people who've flown over to America on VS before, if I need to be told stuff (such as 'yes you'll need the adapter' or 'no you can use headphones with a 3.5mm jack fine') would be appreciated.

Many thanks!
Christopher

[preiffer]

Absolutely fine. The IFE uses a standard 3.5mm jack/plug, so any regular headphones will work.

The only different connectors are in Upper Class, where there's a second, 2.5mm jack - but this is only used for the "NC" headphones. Ignorning this socket an pluging into the regular one will allow your headphones to work just fine.


(How do you think all those passengers with QC2's get on otherwise... )

Awesome. Just thought I'd cover all bases, because last time my Mum flew VS (a fair while ago) she was given one of those packs which had, amongst other things (flight socks and mini toothbrush, anyone?) some proprietary headphones, with a 3.5mm jack - and a converter to plug into the system. Looks like they've joined the middle ages with the rest of us and standardised their connectors though, awesome.


That is possibly the quickest response to a forum post I've EVER had, so congratulations on that one (you get a cookie). I'm going to love enjoying all the IFE with my lovely headphones (sleep is for the weak). Thanks! [y][8D]:D:) smiley overload argh (6:30am brain for you)

[preiffer]

No problem - they do still hand out headphones, but they're weird "clip-onto-your-ear" type ones in Economy/PE. They also have regular 3.5mm jacks, though.


Oh yeah, welcome to the site [y]

Cheers man. Actually signed up a couple of months ago (when I first knew that we were flying VS), but all I've done since then is lurk. This was the first place I thought of (rather logically, for me) to come and ask though - no Google for me! Can't beat a knowledgeable human response, and at waaay past stupid o' clock too! I'm about to go to bed at.... 6:50am. Nice.

Stupid IRC keeping me awake. [xx(]:D

The headphones they were giving out when I flew economy were those standard rounded things that lean against your ears with a metal bar that goes over the top of your head.........they do nothing to stop external noise either and are rather uncomfortable......I used my own iPod type ones on my last flight which were far better. Few people brought some of those Bose or similar full cup noise cancelling ones.

Anyone remember the system (not in use ever with VA as far as I recall)which was a tube that pugged into the seat armrest and the music was piped through to the most uncomfortable headphone ends ever?[xx(]

Originally posted by AlanA
Anyone remember the system (not in use ever with VA as far as I recall)which was a tube that pugged into the seat armrest and the music was piped through to the most uncomfortable headphone ends ever?[xx(]

Oh yes - the old pneumatic systems. I remember them from my early transatlantic flights on PanAm in the 70s.
If your headphones were broken you could turn the volume right up and slide down in your seats to hear the soundtrack

Phil (Buffy)

[preiffer]

Wow. Someone (of higher age value than myself) also told me that computers used to operate using valves... [:p]

Originally posted by preiffer
Wow. Someone (of higher age value than myself) also told me that computers used to operate using valves... [:p]

I have still got a QUAD pre and power amp setup that is valve driven! Lovely warm glow in the corner of the room when on

I go to events sometimes where there's a 115,000 watt, entirely-valve-driven PA setup, complete with scoop bassbins throughout and a brand new Turbosound rig on top of that for mids and highs...


... That'll make you deaf for a week. It's awesome, you don't so much dance on the dancefloor as just resonate a bit and vibrate across it

Pardon?



As an aside, if you want an adaptor that alloows you to use your own headphones on other airlines that use the two-pronged 3.5 connector, you can get one from Maplins. (Or new sets of QC2s, or Sennhesier PXCs, also come with the adaptor included.)

So how much are QC2s? Because you can get those Shure e3cs for ~£120, which sound just beautiful (and are virtually noise-cancelling due to their design and in-ear nature)... I bet they knock the socks off the QC2s for sound quality.

[edit] e3c, not EC3 ... dur, and Shure don't make the etymotics either... durrr [/edit]

Indeed, a lot of people far prefer Shures to QC2s..

I haven't found QC2s any cheaper than the £275 retail price, at the Bose website. Which is a heck of a lot of cash for headphones that you will only use on flights (there are much better anc heaper monitor headphones for home hi-fi listening.. )

[preiffer]

Originally posted by McCoy
I haven't found QC2s any cheaper than the £275 retail price, at the Bose website.

Buy them in the US - $299 (£170).

Personally, I can't "do" the in-ear type. Tried them, felt uncomfortable for a 11-hour flight, so switched right back to my Bose set.

(Their customer service is also light years ahead of any of their competitors that I know of... )

I would, but not going to be in the US for ages - probably 12 months from now! So have bought Sennhesier PXC300s for my upcoming LHR-SIN.

You can pick up reconditioned QC2's from the various Bose outlets in the UK. I bought some QC1's from there years ago for about £175.

The condition was good but someone bought me some QC2's from the states soon after so they went on ebay.

Hmm.. given Bose's customer service reputation, some recon QC2s may be a very good purchase. I didn't know they did that... hmmm...

Not sure how many outlet stores Bose have in the UK. I know Cheshire Oaks and Bicester Village have them.

So does the outlet mall in Las Vegas from what I remember, I'll check their price next week!

Something I noticed before I came here to Birmingham (for Uni) is that there's an inordinate amount of Japanese people, who all come to Bicester Village to shop, and then move on again... How bizarre is that! (when I'm not at uni, I - and the rest of my family - live not too far from Bicester, up in North Bucks)...

... I'd never buy anything from the Bose shop, but I'd've loved to have worked in there and just played with all the toys day in day out.

Originally posted by christopher
..but I'd've loved to have worked in there and just played with all the toys day in day out.

I feel the same about the Linn hi-fi shop in Glasgow.. gorgeous kit.. blimmin' pricey though.

for anyone that's interested, they're $249 at the Bose outlet in Vegas.

Bought some Sennheiser PXC300s for £90.. used them on a bus a few days ago, and they work exceedingly well, and the sound quality is excellent. I'll do a head-to-head with some QC2s when I meet up with a friend who has a pair, but for now, I'm pretty pleased with my purchase.