Posted: Apr Tue 10, 2007 12:28 pm
This mod will guide you through the steps necessary to replace your headphone's audio jack.
Estimated Mod Time: 20-30 minutes
Mod Difficulty: Moderate
Tools Required: Fine-tip philips Screwdriver, wire stripper, Solder-less 1/8" replacement stereo jack (screw on type).
There are several types of headphone jack replacements. The one I will be using happens to be a Radioshack brand, gold-plated, screw over type.
Information & Setup
This mod will guide you through the steps necessary to upgrade your headphone's audio jack. If your headphones jack is damaged or if you simply want to upgrade it to something a little more rugged, this is the perfect mod for your favorite set of headphones.
Step 1
Cut off the original headphone jack and strip the shielding off all wires.
Your headphone cable should look something like the photo above: two ground wires, a left positive, and a right positive.
Step 2
Disassemble the new headphone jack. If you are using the same one as in the photo: the casing twists off and reveals 3 screw-on terminals.
Step 3
First, slide the replacement casing over the headphone cable, then twist together both ground wires and connect them to the longest terminal. Then connect the left channel to the left terminal and the right chanel to the right terminal. You should be able to refer to the diagram included with the replacement headphone jack. If you are unsure which wire is each channel - guess. You can always go back and switch them if the channels are reversed.
Step 4
[img]http://zunemods.net/article_pics/replacehpjack/06_closed[/img]
Replace the casing and twist it on tight.
Step 5
After completing the installation, I recomend plugging the new jack into a computer's audio port. In windows, use the System Volume Control to adjust the balance from left to right in order to make sure you did not switch the channels in Step 3. If you did reverse the channels, simply twist off the headphone jack's casing and switch the two wires.
Congratulations, you have successfully replaced your headphones audio jack.
If you experience any problems during this modification, or if you have any questions or concerns please register an account on our forums and ask one of our Zune specialists for personalized tech support. ZuneMods.net is your #1 source for Zune modding, hacking, and reviews.
| Author |
Comments |
DJThuht
Zune Regular
Joined: 03 Jun 2007
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| Posted: Jun Sun 03, 2007 10:50 pm Post subject: |
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| Excellent tutorial, just what I needed. The wires got bent right where they come out of the jack, so the right channel doesn't work anymore. Definitely going to try this. Thanks a lot man! |
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Jono
Zune Newcomer
Joined: 07 Aug 2007
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| Posted: Aug Tue 07, 2007 7:03 am Post subject: |
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Wow...
So simple that I feel stupid for not fixing EVERY PAIR OF SONY HEADPHONES I HAVE EVERY OWNED.....
Anyone notice that the MD-DJ series of 'phones are the best, yet with the shittiest jacks that either A: break themselves or B: break the socket on the device in question.
Nice, simple yet totally practical mod, my friend. Two thumbs. |
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TX3089
Zune Guru
Joined: 09 Apr 2007
Location: Los Angeles, CA |
| Posted: Sep Fri 07, 2007 12:42 pm Post subject: Thank You |
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i remember seeing this not to long ago on this site...
so far my zune headphones and another pair of noise canceling headphones are also bad at the tip.
About 60 dollars are not going to waste =D 
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well i bought the golden jack thats on the picture.....
fixed both my earphones for 8 Dollars and about 30 mins of my life =D |
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ninjay07
Zune God
Joined: 24 Nov 2007
Location: DeKalb, IL |
| Posted: Nov Sun 25, 2007 4:25 am Post subject: |
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| is that a clear shell zune? it looks nice |
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Militant
Zune Newcomer
Joined: 04 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Dec Tue 04, 2007 4:39 am Post subject: |
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The headphones that I have looks like it has one ground wire, not two.
Where do I put the single ground wire?
Thanks in advance. |
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pezboy
Zune God
Joined: 02 Feb 2007
Location: Hawaii |
| Posted: Dec Sat 08, 2007 10:23 pm Post subject: |
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Step 4 image not showing up.
But otherwise, GREAT, I might just use this...
And, it looks GREAT with the headphones.
Makes it look classy...
lol |
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terrencejarvis
Zune Newcomer
Joined: 28 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Feb Thu 28, 2008 1:23 am Post subject: |
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| it doesn't tell me where to buy this at..?? |
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bugeyed
Zune Newcomer
Joined: 04 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Apr Fri 04, 2008 3:53 pm Post subject: |
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| Nice information, but you neglected to cover the most difficult part of the job. Removing the varnish coating on the wires! I am still searching for the best way to do this, so I have little to offer here except that a flame will burn it off if you are careful. Scraping the wire is not a solution as it tends to damage the fine strands of the wire & causes breakage. You should also remove the "silk" strands running in the bundle. If you don't remove the insulating coating & silk, you may not have a reliable connection. I can see how, maybe, the screw heads will scrape off some insulation, but if using a solder type connector you have to take the extra steps. |
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RoyK
Zune Newcomer
Joined: 04 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Jun Wed 04, 2008 1:20 pm Post subject: It's a Plug, not a Jack. |
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| You should retitle and edit this to "Replace your Headphone's Plug". A jack is what you plug your headphones into. I was really looking forward to a discussion about the Zune flash jack because no matter what headphones I plug in, if I plug in all the way, I get no sound. So I'm constantly having to fiddle with it, so thats it's not too far in or out. It's a real PITA. Eventually I'll have to modify all my plugs I guess. |
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RoyK
Zune Newcomer
Joined: 04 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Jun Wed 04, 2008 1:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | Nice information, but you neglected to cover the most difficult part of the job. Removing the varnish coating on the wires! I am still searching for the best way to do this, so I have little to offer here except that a flame will burn it off if you are careful. Scraping the wire is not a solution as it tends to damage the fine strands of the wire & causes breakage. You should also remove the "silk" strands running in the bundle. If you don't remove the insulating coating & silk, you may not have a reliable connection. I can see how, maybe, the screw heads will scrape off some insulation, but if using a solder type connector you have to take the extra steps. |
I burn off the "silk" strands and then use very fine sandpaper to remove the varnish. I lay the stripped ends on a sheet of glass I keep on my workbench, and sand them against the glass. This causes the strands to splay out so you get all the strands clean. Then just retwist, flux & solder. |
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