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    Z2 with Sure headphones has tinny sound

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by pragma, Jul 6, 2012.

  1. pragma

    pragma Newbie

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    I just got a Z13 and love it apart but when I plug in my Sure headphones, the sound is terrible: totally tinny. I expect this on the speakers, but not headphones.

    I wouldn't think it would make a difference, but my music sounds much much better when I listen to it on the ipad. I've disabled all the effects and the noise cancellation function but it doesn't seem to make a difference.

    The only thing that I can think is that the plug I'm using isn't standard stereo, because the headphones also include a mic so maybe this is affecting things. It may be that this was designed only to work with IOS products. Any advice? Do I need a new cable to connect to my earpieces that doesn't include a mic?
     
  2. ngvuanh

    ngvuanh Notebook Deity

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    It could be a problem. Let try a regular headphone without mic.
     
  3. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

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    What model headphones is it? Have you tried plugging it in halfwa
     
  4. Vogelbung

    Vogelbung I R Judgemental

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    Double check you've disabled everything. That includes the Dolby thing.

    The headphone jack is fine on the Z2.
     
  5. pragma

    pragma Newbie

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    Thanks for all the replies!

    The Sure model is SE535. I've tried putting the jack in halfway and it doesn't make a difference. I've also disabled the Dolby thing, although it sounds a little better with dolby enabled.

    Oddly enough, the speakers don't turn off when I plug in the headphones, so maybe the jack is the problem. I'll try another set of headphones and report back.
     
  6. Vogelbung

    Vogelbung I R Judgemental

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    The speakers should turn off. You aren't running any third-party audio drivers or anything like that, are you?

    You could also verify that both channels are coming through properly:
    Left + Right Stereo Test - YouTube
    If it's not, probably a busted jack or you're not plugging in the phones far enough.
     
  7. Low Life

    Low Life Notebook Enthusiast

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    One thing that can cause problems:
    - Go to Sound control panel (where you can choose the output device)
    - Select the output device you're using and click Configure
    - Speaker setup should pop up, select Stereo and click next
    - Make sure Full-range speakers is selected for Front left and right

    Though since your speakers aren't muted with headphones (and you're sure you actually hear sound from the headphones when they're plugged in and it's not just the speakers) then you're having problems somewhere else, too.
     
  8. pragma

    pragma Newbie

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    Thanks for the help everyone. It turns out that it is in fact the headphone cable that is the problem. The one's with the integrated microphone for the iphone do not work properly in a Vaio (or most other PCs for that matter I imagine).
     
  9. bigsid05

    bigsid05 Notebook Enthusiast

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    My iPhone headphones and other 3rd party phones with a mic work fine in my PCs - I assume it's just due to the way Shure designed these?
     
  10. Darkimmortal

    Darkimmortal Notebook Evangelist

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    Two of the contacts on the jacks need swapped - if you don't want to solder it, MEElectronics TRRS adapter for select Nokia, Samsung: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

    Seems to be luck of the draw which way around they go, but most modern devices (past year or so) follow the Apple way.

    To confirm this is the issue, if the headphones have a button, holding it down should improve but not fully fix the sound.

    Fairly sure the issue will only occur in a dual port (mic and headphone combined) and if you get unlucky enough to not have the Apple pinout