Hi,

I have a 65" Mits rear projection TV in my basement. I want to use noise cancelling headphones (3.5mm) to watch the TV while riding my treadmill/stairmaster. Anyway, how would be the best way to do this? There is a single orange RCA jack on the back (digital audio out) or the standard red/white L,R output (monitor out) or would it be better to go out of the Lexicon processor? I'll also need the 3.5mm to RCA cable, probably at least 50' in length. Any help would be appreciated.

If it's just for watching TV just grab a RCA to mini (female) cable and a headphone extension cable from Rat Shack. Sennheiser makes a long headphone extension cable w/ built in volume control but you may need more than one cable for 50'.

What headphones are you using?

I need the 3.5mm female end and the RCA male on the other end--in about 50' length. I have a set of Jabra noise canceling headphones ($69 at Buy.com compared to $300+ for the Bose) that will work great if I can find the cable setup. Again, what would be the difference in the single orange "digital audio out" vs the standard L,R "monitor audio out" on the back of the TV? I know this is probably way too much discussion for a minor problem, but I don't want to buy any unnecessary cables/adapters until I know the proper solution. Thanks in advance!

Does the Lexicon have a headpone jack? I would recommend using that if it does. You may find that the output from the RCAs is not sufficient to drive your headphones to a decent volume without distortion.

The digital output will not work without using a decoder (e.g. the Lexicon) to turn the signal into analog.

He could always grab a headphone amp (http://www.headamp.com/portable_amps/index.htm) ::insert evil face::

RCA can't drive a headphone, in general. You need something with a headphone amplifier. Most receivers, mixers, CD players, TVs, and even some processors have those. If your Lexicon doesn't, then grab something affordable like the Behringer HA400 (http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHHA400) for $20 (note: this is pretty cheap stuff; you could pay more and get higher quality). You'll pay more for the actual signal cable!

RCA can't drive a headphone, in general. You need something with a headphone amplifier. Most receivers, mixers, CD players, TVs, and even some processors have those. If your Lexicon doesn't, then grab something affordable like the Behringer HA400 (http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHHA400) for $20 (note: this is pretty cheap stuff; you could pay more and get higher quality). You'll pay more for the actual signal cable!

Low end - Behringer HA400
High end - Rane HC4 (http://www.jacksmusicfactory.com/default.asp?productid=7819)

Regards,
Terry

Low end - Behringer HA400
High end - Rane HC4 (http://www.jacksmusicfactory.com/default.asp?productid=7819)

Regards,
Terry

Higher end (http://www.wooaudio.com/products/wa5.html) and another (http://www.raysamuelsaudio.com/products/apache):p

To be honest (OP) best just to use a headphone out from one of your existing components. As far as the cables go it may even be cheaper to snag a pair of Senn CX300 (in-ear) via eBay for $20 and a couple cheap extension cables unless you can easily find the RCA cable you need, just a thought.

Higher end (http://www.wooaudio.com/products/wa5.html) and another (http://www.raysamuelsaudio.com/products/apache):p

Yikes! :p

I've always been a fan of the Headroom (http://www.headphone.com/products/headphone-amps/) amps.

On the subject of headphones, these are the ones I use. They have become the industry standard in pro audio:

http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusiness/images/product/front/mdr7506.gif

Sony MDR-7506 (http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusiness/DisplayModel?id=52568)

They retail for about $100. Some people don't like them, of course. One complaint I hear is that they are too accurate. :eek: :D

Regards,
Terry

On the subject of headphones, these are the ones I use. They have become the industry standard in pro audio:

http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusiness/images/product/front/mdr7506.gif

Sony MDR-7506 (http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusiness/DisplayModel?id=52568)

They retail for about $100. Some people don't like them, of course. One complaint I hear is that they are too accurate. :eek: :D

Regards,
Terry


Yikes Terry!!! The audiophilles would never use a pro audio unit. It is too practical and priced correctly.

For the record I have lost more of those MDRs than I care to remember.

For the record I have lost more of those MDRs than I care to remember.
I broke mine last month. The right earpiece hanger cracked in two, and I couldn't superglue it together. One call to Trew Audio, and $15 later, I had a replacement part. My headphones are as good as new!*

Regards,
Terry

* 10 Hz - 20 kHz, Flat. I could upgrade to the Sony MDR-7509HD, which goes to 80 kHz, but I am quite sure that I cannot hear above 20 kHz (have tested my ears).

Headroom amps are pretty good... they tend to lean to the warmer side of things but still very enjoyable. Personally I'm a big fan of the RSA house sound.

As far as Sony headphones go I have not heard those but I have heard the SA5k's (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11038053) and the R10's (http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-R10-Home-Style-Headphones/dp/B000096B3G) and both sound very nice but are somewhat lean in the low end to my ears. I'm more of a Grado (http://www.gradolabs.com/frameset_main.htm) guy:p

Sorry OP, sure did derail your thread:o

10 Hz - 20 kHz, Flat

Actually, they do have a peak in the presence range. Thus, something that sounds "just right" on the 7506 (of which I have two pairs still working, after 15 years) may be slightly muddy on "flat" gear. Thus, engineers learn to mix slightly sharp on the 7506, and it'll come out fine everywhere. They make for delicious listening phones, with very little ear fatigue, though, if you can take the round-ear construction.

For $99, they are one of the absolutely best high-quality audio buys anywhere.

Low end - Behringer HA400
High end - Rane HC4 (http://www.jacksmusicfactory.com/default.asp?productid=7819)

Regards,
Terry

I've got a HA400; use it to feed multiple sets of headphones in ham radio contests. It actually works very well, but I don't think it's designed to be driven at line levels. More like a headphone splitter/amp with separate volume controls (and a helluva bargain for the price).

On one end, you wonder how a company can make a quality product and sell it so cheap. At the other, you have to wonder what they're smoking! :p

I've got a HA400; use it to feed multiple sets of headphones in ham radio contests. It actually works very well, but I don't think it's designed to be driven at line levels. More like a headphone splitter/amp with separate volume controls (and a helluva bargain for the price).

On one end, you wonder how a company can make a quality product and sell it so cheap. At the other, you have to wonder what they're smoking! :p


Behringer did have good low price mid quality gear at one time. Now they have issues with quality of work. Along with being sued by others for patent issues. I have tested the Rane unit and know it is very flat and its gain stage is exactly as advertised. I cant say the same for some of the behringer and mackie gear I have put on the bench.