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Difference between 1/4" and 1/8"?

post #1 of 14
1/18/04 at 8:20am
Thread Starter 
What's the difference, both technically and in terms of quality between a standard 1/8" jack and a 1/4"? Assuming the latter is the better of the two, why would high quality equipment (say the hd600's, for example) use a 1/8"-1/4" adapter rather than vice versa, like the 650's?
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post #2 of 14
1/18/04 at 10:59am

Re: Difference between 1/4" and 1/8"?

Almost exactly 1/8". And, all other things being equal, that's not only funny, but also just about it.
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post #3 of 14
1/18/04 at 12:17pm
Like Old Pa said, the only difference is in the size.

As long as the plugs are of the same quality, the sound quality aspect doesn't come into it.

I think the 3.5mm plug came into existance primarily for use with the Cassette Walkman and 8-bit home computers that used tape for storage.

As a rule of thumb, portable uses 3.5mm and home audio equipment uses 1/4" plugs.

FWIW, i've found the highest quality plugs to be those from Neutrik. YMMV
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post #4 of 14
1/18/04 at 12:51pm
IMO, 1/8" has a slight advantage simply because there is less mass for the signal to pass through. Ideally you want to match the headphone plug with your source jack, otherwise you're also introducing mass in the form of an adapter. Jack/plug matching along with future upgrades of source should be taken into consideration. However, 1/8" are obviously the less sturdy of the two so if rough handling is a possibility, go 1/4".

Larry
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post #5 of 14
1/18/04 at 12:56pm
Quote:
Originally posted by Xanadu777
IMO, 1/8" has a slight advantage simply because there is less mass for the signal to pass through.
ROFLMAO!
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post #6 of 14
1/18/04 at 2:20pm
I've used both in different configurations from my amp to headphones and could never hear any sonic differences between 1/8" and 1/4".

But; I prefer the 1/4" because of the durability and solid connection.
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post #7 of 14
1/18/04 at 2:37pm
Maybe I could have phrased that better, extremely slight, and I too prefer 1/4" but still believe that less is better, however slight.

"I whole-heatedly believe in keeping the mass down, because of the relatively low current involved, and I prefer the simplest plating scheme I can find for the same reason." ~Greg Weaver, Soundstage http://www.soundstage.com/synergize/synergize.htm
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post #8 of 14
1/18/04 at 2:40pm
Thread Starter 
What was the purpose of creating two standards if there's no difference between the two?
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post #9 of 14
1/18/04 at 2:45pm
Quote:
Originally posted by Distroyed
What was the purpose of creating two standards if there's no difference between the two?
Space constraints on portable gear.
Quote:
Originally posted by Xanadu777:
"I whole-heatedly believe in keeping the mass down" ~Greg Weaver, Soundstage
This link is to a whole list of past Weaver columns; to which were you referring? *continues to chortle*
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post #10 of 14
1/18/04 at 11:45pm
Quote:
Originally posted by Xanadu777
IMO, 1/8" has a slight advantage simply because there is less mass for the signal to pass through.
Yes, but on the other hand a larger diameter could also mean less resistance. In addition, larger connectors usually also provide more contact area - which should also lower the resistance on transition...

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
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post #11 of 14
1/18/04 at 11:58pm
I wish the industry would standardize on 1/8''. 1/4 is a waste of space.
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post #12 of 14
1/19/04 at 12:04am
1/4 inch has been around since before ALL of us were born, originally used in telephone hand switching systems (and that's why they are called 'phone plugs'). Can't drop a 90 year old standard.

I, also, believe that 1/4's bigger contact area must reduce resistance in the connection, which I should think could be cancelled by having dual-contact 1/8 (each side), but I am unaware of anybody actually doing that myself. I think in that case of desiring less resistance for "better sound" they just go 1/4. 1/8, I think, has a stigma of "inexpensive" in the industry. Not too mention that, for high end use, it's awfully hard to wedge high-end cabling into a 1/8 incher.
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post #13 of 14
1/19/04 at 2:36am
In my opinion, Snake has it right. When I make cables for myself I always chose 1/4" over 1/8". 1/4" plugs are easier to work with, they provide a better mechanical connection in my experience and that results in them sounding better. The last part of what he said, "Not too mention that, for high end use, it's awfully hard to wedge high-end cabling into a 1/8 incher." is also true. It's a pain having to get a large amount of wires into a tiny space.
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post #14 of 14
1/19/04 at 5:10pm
Quote:
Originally posted by Hajime
In my opinion, Snake has it right. When I make cables for myself I always chose 1/4" over 1/8". 1/4" plugs are easier to work with, they provide a better mechanical connection in my experience and that results in them sounding better. The last part of what he said, "Not too mention that, for high end use, it's awfully hard to wedge high-end cabling into a 1/8 incher." is also true. It's a pain having to get a large amount of wires into a tiny space.
Yes. Well put.
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