Connecting headphones to guitar amp speaker output

mike6182 · 13th November 2007, 07:11 PM

Hi everyone,

I want to use headphones with my guitar amp (head not combo), but there's no headphone socket. From research I've done so far, I understand I probably can't plug the headphones directly into the speaker output. Can anyone please advise on what I need to do?

Brett · 13th November 2007, 07:36 PM

Resistive divider to drop the level down.

John Audio · 13th November 2007, 09:05 PM

First question - what type of amplifier is it?

If it is has a valve output stage, then you will need to dummy load the output, which is fairly inconvenient.

If it is a transistor amp, then no problem - a suitable resistive divider might consist of a 100 ohm resistor in series, wired from the output to the commoned tip and ring of the headphone jack socket, with a 10 ohm resistor in parallel (from common tip and ring to the sleeve). The sleeve connects back to the amp.

2 watt rated resistors ought to be fine - unless you want to play REALLY loudly....!

mike6182 · 14th November 2007, 07:55 PM

Thanks both for your replies.

The amp in question is an Ashdown MAG300H. Its technical spec is here: http://www.ashdownmusic.com/bass/detail.asp?ID=112. I believe it is all-transistor. The minimum output loading is 4 ohms.

John, I'm afraid I'm being somewhat dim but I'm finding it hard to form a clear mental picture of the scheme you're suggesting & I don't want to run the risk of messing-up. Would it be possible to post a simple sketch, please?

Cheers,
Mike

John Audio · 14th November 2007, 08:00 PM

Can't send you a PM - so you will have to e-mail me via my Web site:

www.orchid-electronics.co.uk

JG

Brett · 14th November 2007, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mike6182
Thanks both for your replies.

The amp in question is an Ashdown MAG300H. Its technical spec is here: http://www.ashdownmusic.com/bass/detail.asp?ID=112. I believe it is all-transistor. The minimum output loading is 4 ohms.

John, I'm afraid I'm being somewhat dim but I'm finding it hard to form a clear mental picture of the scheme you're suggesting & I don't want to run the risk of messing-up. Would it be possible to post a simple sketch, please?

Cheers,
Mike

http://www.vk2zay.net/calculators/simpleDivider.php

From John's suggestions, R1=100, R2=10, Rsource=0, Rload=headphones, Vin is amp output, +=positive, -=negative

mike6182 · 21st November 2007, 10:20 AM

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

13th November 2007, 07:11 PM	#1
mike6182 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2007	Connecting headphones to guitar amp speaker output Hi everyone, I want to use headphones with my guitar amp (head not combo), but there's no headphone socket. From research I've done so far, I understand I probably can't plug the headphones directly into the speaker output. Can anyone please advise on what I need to do?

13th November 2007, 09:05 PM	#3
John Audio diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Exeter	First question - what type of amplifier is it? If it is has a valve output stage, then you will need to dummy load the output, which is fairly inconvenient. If it is a transistor amp, then no problem - a suitable resistive divider might consist of a 100 ohm resistor in series, wired from the output to the commoned tip and ring of the headphone jack socket, with a 10 ohm resistor in parallel (from common tip and ring to the sleeve). The sleeve connects back to the amp. 2 watt rated resistors ought to be fine - unless you want to play REALLY loudly....! __________________ John Audio

14th November 2007, 08:00 PM	#5
John Audio diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Exeter	Can't send you a PM - so you will have to e-mail me via my Web site: www.orchid-electronics.co.uk JG __________________ John Audio

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13th November 2007, 07:36 PM	#2
Brett diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2002	Resistive divider to drop the level down.

14th November 2007, 07:55 PM	#4
mike6182 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2007	Thanks both for your replies. The amp in question is an Ashdown MAG300H. Its technical spec is here: http://www.ashdownmusic.com/bass/detail.asp?ID=112. I believe it is all-transistor. The minimum output loading is 4 ohms. John, I'm afraid I'm being somewhat dim but I'm finding it hard to form a clear mental picture of the scheme you're suggesting & I don't want to run the risk of messing-up. Would it be possible to post a simple sketch, please? Cheers, Mike

21st November 2007, 10:20 AM	#7
mike6182 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2007	Thanks, I'll give it a try.

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