Jack Problem

[22s]

Hello!

I have just got a two new pairs of headphones (Sennheiser Momentum and some crappy gym ones if you were wondering). When I listen on my laptop sound only comes through the right phone/bud/speaker of each one. I'm guessing that unless this is a huge coincidence, there is something wrong with my jack rather than the 'phones (both pairs work fine with my iPhone).

Therefore, is there an easy way fix the jack (e.g. cleaning) or do I need to go and see a professional? It's a Macbook Air (less than 1 year old).

Cheers!

[marshalla]

ISTR that the MacBook air's socket is a combined input & output designed for a four conductor plug (tip, ring, ring, body) instead of a "standard" headphone three conductor. You'll need an adapter.

More about the issue here : http://appleinsider.com/articles/09/02/12/macbook_...
and a solution here : http://www.amazon.co.uk/3-5mm-Stereo-Headphone-Ada...

[22s]

marshalla said:

ISTR that the MacBook air's socket is a combined input & output designed for a four conductor plug (tip, ring, ring, body) instead of a "standard" headphone three conductor. You'll need an adapter.

More about the issue here : http://appleinsider.com/articles/09/02/12/macbook_...
and a solution here : http://www.amazon.co.uk/3-5mm-Stereo-Headphone-Ada...

Thanks but I don't think that's the problem. My Sennheisers are certified "Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad" so I can't see them not being compatible with a Macbook too. They don't reroute the music via speakers - there is just no sound coming through the left headphone.

ETA: I've also just looked at the end of the cable and it's the same as the Apple one (three rings).

[marshalla]

So you've checked the wiring inside the plug and made sure it's compatible with the MacBook Air then ?

Fair enough. I'll stop trying to help.

[LordGrover]

Is there a red light glowing inside the socket?

[22s]

marshalla said:

So you've checked the wiring inside the plug and made sure it's compatible with the MacBook Air then ?

Fair enough. I'll stop trying to help.

No - I've read your article which describes a completely different problem to what I described, then responded to your point about the plug design.

LordGrover said:

Is there a red light glowing inside the socket?

Nope!

[Mr Pointy]

22s said:

No - I've read your article which describes a completely different problem to what I described, then responded to your point about the plug design.

No it isn't a different issue. Your headphones have three contacts (left, right & ground) & your iMac has four (left, right, ground, microphone) & the two don't line up. Welcome to the world of Apple.

You then make the nonsensical statement that "My Sennheisers are certified "Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad" so I can't see them not being compatible with a Macbook too" when you have no evidence that they are, and direct evidence that in fact they aren't.

Get an adapter or a new set of headphones that are iMac compatible.

[22s]

Mr Pointy said:

22s said:

No - I've read your article which describes a completely different problem to what I described, then responded to your point about the plug design.

No it isn't a different issue. Your headphones have three contacts (left, right & ground) & your iMac has four (left, right, ground, microphone) & the two don't line up. Welcome to the world of Apple.

You then make the nonsensical statement that "My Sennheisers are certified "Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad" so I can't see them not being compatible with a Macbook too" when you have no evidence that they are, and direct evidence that in fact they aren't.

Get an adapter or a new set of headphones that are iMac compatible.

Yes, it is a different issue. I have also have an iMac which I have just tried the headphones on and they work perfectly. My headphones have three RINGS is what I said - the point is not a ring. Which means there are four contact points.

The "non-sensical statement" is not non-sensical - the "Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad" certification is given by Apple themselves to products which they have ensured are compatible with those product. If an original Apple iPhone headset works with a Macbook (which I know they do), then my certified headphones which work with my iPhone (and iMac) should work with my Macbook Air too.

So now I have tried them on my iMac, it looks like it must be a jack problem - so I will go and get it looked at.