Marantz SR8015 with cabled headphones

[Forest Rave]

Sometimes I want/need to use my my Marantz SR8015 with headphones. But it seems I have to physically plug/unplug them to switch the audio output, i.e. there is no system switch?
So I am looking for suggestions to avoid this. Doesn't need to be high-end, just as simple as possible. I use a pair of Sennheiser HD 300 Pro.

 

[BMXTRIX]

You can hook up a headphone amp, or wireless headphones to the zone 2 (or zone 3) output of your receiver and use that for stereo audio that matches the main zone. You will use your remote to power on zone 2/3 as you need and select a source for your headphones. This way, you don't have to plug/unplug your headphones to make them work.

I think manufacturers have headphones terribly wrong at this point. I use my wireless headphones all the time so I can move around and do chores when just listening to TV in the background. It doesn't disturb my family and I control my own volume as I like. It is INCREDIBLY easy to use since my headphones match what is on the TV at any time. But, I had to jump through a ton of hoops to make it work properly.

If you use a universal remote, you could add a macro to turn on zone 2/3 anytime you turn on the main zone and have the zone 2/3 output always match your main zone so you can just pop on your headphones anytime you want to use them. Then just turn volume down to the speakers when you don't want to use them.

For plugged in headphones, there absolutely should be a toggle button on the remote to switch between headphones and speakers (or both?), but THAT would make way too much sense.

 

[Forest Rave]

You can hook up a headphone amp, or wireless headphones to the zone 2 (or zone 3) output of your receiver and use that for stereo audio that matches the main zone. ...

Thanks for the tip. Sounds like the way to go. I'm not ready for wireless at this point at least.

For plugged in headphones, there absolutely should be a toggle button on the remote to switch between headphones and speakers (or both?), but THAT would make way too much sense.

I know right.

 

[TLS Guy]

You can hook up a headphone amp, or wireless headphones to the zone 2 (or zone 3) output of your receiver and use that for stereo audio that matches the main zone. You will use your remote to power on zone 2/3 as you need and select a source for your headphones. This way, you don't have to plug/unplug your headphones to make them work.

I think manufacturers have headphones terribly wrong at this point. I use my wireless headphones all the time so I can move around and do chores when just listening to TV in the background. It doesn't disturb my family and I control my own volume as I like. It is INCREDIBLY easy to use since my headphones match what is on the TV at any time. But, I had to jump through a ton of hoops to make it work properly.

If you use a universal remote, you could add a macro to turn on zone 2/3 anytime you turn on the main zone and have the zone 2/3 output always match your main zone so you can just pop on your headphones anytime you want to use them. Then just turn volume down to the speakers when you don't want to use them.

For plugged in headphones, there absolutely should be a toggle button on the remote to switch between headphones and speakers (or both?), but THAT would make way too much sense.

The problem is that a headphone phono jack is also a switch, that breaks the connection between the pre and power stages. That is pretty much a universal arrangement. It also quiets the inputs to the power amps, and connects the pre stages to the headphone amps. So this is not a simple problem. In units that don't do this, like for instance my RME DAC you have to use high impedance phones. That is why sound engineers use high impedance phones pretty much exclusively, and I always have.

 

[BMXTRIX]

...So this is not a simple problem.

I'm not saying it is easy. I'm saying the current solution is dumb. It hasn't been improved upon in decades. Using wireless/headphones is very common and the ability to easily connect wireless headphones to an AV receiver should be built in functionality. The guys making these receivers aren't stupid, they just don't realize what a headache it is for EVERY SINGLE PERSON who wants to do it slightly differently than we did 30 years ago.

Certainly building in a relay to a remote, and adding a couple of RCA outputs for headphones, is basically pocket change to the cost of a mid-tier AVR. But, this functionality basically exists nowhere. This is the type of stuff that should and could be dealt with if anyone gave it any thought at all.

 

[TLS Guy]

I'm not saying it is easy. I'm saying the current solution is dumb. It hasn't been improved upon in decades. Using wireless/headphones is very common and the ability to easily connect wireless headphones to an AV receiver should be built in functionality. The guys making these receivers aren't stupid, they just don't realize what a headache it is for EVERY SINGLE PERSON who wants to do it slightly differently than we did 30 years ago.

Certainly building in a relay to a remote, and adding a couple of RCA outputs for headphones, is basically pocket change to the cost of a mid-tier AVR. But, this functionality basically exists nowhere. This is the type of stuff that should and could be dealt with if anyone gave it any thought at all.

This is not straightforward. There are competing systems. Bluetooth for headphones seems on the way out.

The RF is gaining ground, but know there is the Clear system. Some connect with RCA jacks, some with 1/4" stereo phone jacks, some with optical digital and some with Coax digital.

I suspect that with headphones becoming the dominant way to listen to Atmos audio, I suppose an HDMI connection is in the offing or a new optical protocol to support Atmos.

So there is the charging base, which is also the transmitter, so that has to have a source of power.

This all sounds to me like a recipe for cluttered installations. I personally hate headphone listening, and only use them in the course of production work.

If I did want to use Radio Phones and especially the new Kleer, I would have to put the transmitter in the chase, where there is AC and the back of the AVP is easily accessible. The charging base would have to be in the chase.

I really don't see the front panel of an AVR or AVP the best place to put all this connectivity. I am not even certain that the way these wireless headphones are designed they are aesthetically compatible with current AV installations. I do know that any of the current systems would make a mess of all of my systems.

What it will take, is an agreed wireless standard and have headphone radio transmitters built into AVRs and AVPs. If there is no agreed standard and protocol I don't see a solution. Adding transmitters to AVRs and AVPs would come at significant cost, and also raise the problem of avoiding RF interference with other circuits in the unit.

As far as wired connection go, I see nothing wrong with the 1/4" stereo phone jack.

 

[Forest Rave]

I personally hate headphone listening

I also only use it where/when I have to.

I think I am about to buckle to get some bluetooth headphones and a dedicated bt transmitter/streamer thingy.

Interesting discussion in any case. Thanks guys.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I also only use it where/when I have to.

I think I am about to buckle to get some bluetooth headphones and a dedicated bt transmitter/streamer thingy.

Interesting discussion in any case. Thanks guys.

So, you would think this might be easy to do, when in fact it may not even be POSSIBLE to do if you don't have a source with the proper connectivity. Most often, this connectivity should come as a couple of line level RCA jacks on the back of the receiver. Unfortunately, many receivers today do not have this connection, so you can buy a Bluetooth Transmitter, but you may not have anything to connect it to.

I don't disagree with what @TLS Guy is saying for sure. But, I think that the manufacturers are making it so that nothing at all will work except a set of stereo wired headphones. I have four sets of wireless headphones on my system and if had to rely on my AV receiver to feed them, I'd be out of luck for all of them.

Wireless headphone transmitters almost all connect via RCA jacks. Mine came with 1/8" and RCA connections. My nicer ones also included an optical connection. Most BT transmitters are available with a RCA connection as well. While surround sound may be picking up steam, a dedicated set of RCA outputs to connect wireless headphones would be a huge improvement for wireless headphone connectivity on any AVR.

It seems like the 1/4" connection is just fine for wired headphones, until you have to get up, walk across your room, and plug it in every time you want to use them. But, that's just me being lazy... or wondering about that person who is hard of hearing and wants it louder in their ears while the rest of the room listens at normal volume to the system.

It is a major design consideration, but not a actual build cost consideration IMO. Especially to the first company that integrates this functionality and advertises it up front as a unique feature. There are a lot of people who do want good wireless headphone connectivity.