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You can make a custom AUX cable for headphones, but the right wiring depends on the source, the headphone model, and whether you need microphone support. Start by matching the connectors and their signal roles—not just the plug shape. A 3.5 mm plug may carry stereo audio, headset audio plus microphone, or a model-specific headphone connection.
Decide what the cable must carry
First choose between a headphone-only cable and a headset cable that also carries microphone audio. A stereo headphone output commonly uses a three-contact TRS connection. A headset with a microphone may use a four-contact TRRS plug, but the connected device must support the microphone signal on that port.
Do not assume a TRRS headset will work correctly when plugged into a headphone output. Some audio-interface headphone outputs provide stereo playback but do not accept microphone input; Focusrite explains this distinction in its connector guide and headset compatibility guidance. A suitable adapter may be required, depending on the equipment.
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Identify each plug and port
TS, TRS, and TRRS describe the contacts separated by insulating bands on a plug:
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- TS: tip and sleeve contacts.
- TRS: tip, ring, and sleeve contacts. It can carry unbalanced stereo headphone audio.
- TRRS: tip, two rings, and sleeve contacts, providing an additional conductor that is often used for a headset microphone.
Contact count alone does not prove that two devices use the same signal arrangement. Check the source and headphone documentation for the port’s diameter, supported functions, and wiring scheme. Focusrite’s TS/TRS/TRRS overview likewise cautions that the connector’s physical form does not establish compatibility by itself.
Check the headphone-side connection separately
Headphones with detachable cables may use a connector at the earcup that is not a standard 3.5 mm audio input. The required contact assignment can also be model-specific, especially with connectors at one or both earcups. Use the wiring diagram for the exact headphone model; do not transfer another model’s pinout just because its connector looks similar.
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For example, Audeze publishes a dedicated pinout for the MM-100 and LCD-S20. That documentation applies to those models, not to headphones generally: Audeze MM-100 and LCD-S20 cable pinout.
Choose the cable layout
Use the equipment documentation to settle the source end and the headphone maker’s pinout to settle the headphone end. Then select the cable and plugs to suit the physical setup, including cable length and connector fit. The key choices are:
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- Listening only: use a wiring arrangement that carries the headphone’s stereo signal and matches the source output.
- Listening with microphone: use a TRRS-capable path only when the source or adapter supports the headset’s microphone wiring.
- Nonstandard headphone connector: wire that end to the exact model’s pinout rather than assuming a generic 3.5 mm assignment.
Wire colors, soldering temperatures, and universal pin assignments are not established across headphone and plug makers. Before assembly, consult the plug manufacturer’s datasheet as well as the headphone pinout. Check continuity and confirm that there are no shorts before connecting the cable to equipment.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Account for model-specific headset behavior
Connector conventions are not a substitute for product instructions. Audeze says its Mobius supplied 3.5 mm TRRS cable supports microphone use with devices that support it. A standard three-conductor TRS cable can be used for listening with Mobius, but it removes the microphone option. This is specific to Mobius and should not be treated as a rule for all headsets: Audeze Mobius AUX/Analog connection guidance.
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Pre-connection checklist
- Confirm the source port’s plug size, contact count, and supported functions in the device documentation.
- Confirm whether the cable needs stereo playback only or stereo playback plus microphone.
- Find the exact headphone model’s cable pinout, including the headphone-side connector.
- Use the plug maker’s datasheet for the solderable connector’s contact assignments.
- Verify continuity and check for shorts before plugging the finished cable into audio equipment.
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