How to Fix or Repair Headphones

video How to Fix or Repair Headphones

A "how to" guide showing how to fix plug shorts that occur in most brands of headphones for under $20.

The headphone plug I show in the video is $4.19 (2 pack), here's the link:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2104061

Another Gold plated plug is also $4.19 but it only has one plug in the package. This one requires NO SOLDER:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103990#pr-header-2103990

Good luck and I'll see you on Youtube!

jbaker22 says: Apr 30, 2012. 5:29 PM

I have a pair of earbuds that I don't know what color wires go to what plug part. I don't know where 2 clear wires go or where a white wire goes. I know the other 3 wires are ground to the right earbud, and a microphone wire. Can you help me please.

RichsMethods (author) in reply to jbaker22Apr 30, 2012. 7:51 PM

The two clear wires are probably the sound. The white wire is probably the ground. But I'll need more information to understand your question.

jbaker22 in reply to RichsMethodsMay 1, 2012. 3:56 PM

I have a pair of samsung earbuds with a microphone. I need to figure out where to solder the wires. In the picture, the middle plug is the kind I have, which is labeled what each section connects to. I know the wire with no insulation is ground, and I am pretty sure I know where the green and red wires go. I don't know where to solder the other 3 wires. I hope this is enough info.

RichsMethods (author) in reply to jbaker22May 1, 2012. 4:33 PM

OK, I think I know what you need to do:

First, go to my 3rd video on headphones "Fix or Repair Headphones with a Microphone...". Follow these steps to connect the red, green, and copper wires. The two "Clear" wires you mention in your original comment are the microphone and get connected to the "Microphone Connector" I show in the video. The White wire is the Microphone's ground and gets connected to the Ground Connector.

Hope that helps!
-RM

jbaker22 in reply to RichsMethodsMay 2, 2012. 12:46 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqyVUHv4A98

Twistshot94 says: Mar 25, 2012. 9:14 AM

Hey would this work on the ibeats?

RichsMethods (author) in reply to Twistshot94Mar 25, 2012. 11:59 AM

To make sure this is the correct plug, check out my 3rd video on headphones on the Instructables website, or go to YouTube and type in "#3 Fix or Repair Headphones with Microphone / Bass Boost (iPhone, SkullCandy, Klipsch, etc)" .

If you go to the 1 minute time-point in the video, I explain the difference between the plug I show in my 1st video and another plug. You may need this "other plug" for your iBeats. In the 3rd video I explain how to connect this new plug.

-RM

Twistshot94 in reply to RichsMethodsMar 25, 2012. 12:47 PM

thank you dude your a life-saver i spent 100 dollars on these earphones and i was not about to go and get some new ones

thoraxe says: Oct 22, 2011. 3:57 PM

I tried splicing a pair of headphones onto an existing jack from another pair of headphones. (Instead of soldering to the jack itself, I soldered to the wires)

Alas, I couldn't get it to work.

RichsMethods (author) in reply to thoraxeOct 23, 2011. 8:37 AM

Ya, I tried that also before discovering the plug at RadioShack. It does seem like it should work though. Thanks for the comment!

Ceiling cat says: Jul 19, 2011. 3:09 PM

I would recomend using some heat shrink tubing on the wire on the area from the inside of the plug to about an inch outside the plug. This will provide strain relief as well as prevent the wires from shorting again due to bending.
Otherwise great Instructable! Very informative to those who need help with this!

-CC :3

RichsMethods (author) in reply to Ceiling catJul 19, 2011. 5:23 PM

Thanks for the tip!

Ceiling cat in reply to RichsMethodsJul 23, 2011. 6:34 PM

No Problem! Ha ha! Punny! "Tip" as in headphone connectors! Ha ha!

pndflafu27 says: Jul 20, 2011. 6:04 PM

Thanks a lot this really helped!