Do you confuse line out and headphone out? There's a slight difference between the two, and we'll explain it in this article to clear any confusion and misconceptions.
Line out, and headphone out are both audio outputs on your computer. They are used for different purposes, but similar enough that people tend to get them confused. Let's clear things up right away, so it's easier to understand what each one is used for.
What is line out?
Line out is designed to send audio signals via RCA (An electric connector used to connect audio and video signals.
This port sends line-level audio signals through several audio devices. It's an old standard connection that was used on most hi-fi stereo systems. If you're playing music at home, it's recommended that you use the line out rather than headphones for better quality sound.
What is a headphone out?
On the other hand, the headphone out is a low-power audio output designed to send audio signals to your headphones. This headphone out is designed for low impedance connections, so it's primarily used with smaller devices.
You can also use it as a line-out port, but the quality will vary depending on the source of the audio signal. The headphone out port works by delivering amplified line levels that work with headphones.
Difference between line out and headphone out
As much as the headphone out port serves the same purpose as a line out, they are both different in their own ways.
Here are a few ways they are different.
Amplification and volume regulation
Unlike the headphone out, which has amplification built-in, the line out does not have amplification.
This means that it is recommended to use headphones or amplifiers when using this type of output.
If you want a headphone out with a higher voltage (for better sound quality), you can get one that is designed to amplify more power voltage without any distortion.
The line out doesn't work with headphones because it doesn't contain an amplified signal. It also bypasses your device's amplifier.
Input and output signal types
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The line out is designed to send audio signals through RCA, which uses a balanced mono-signal format. This means that it is recommended to send music (audio signals) from your computer or other devices, such as CD players or laptops.
Type of audio signal sent
As mentioned earlier, line out is designed to send line-level audio signals. This means that the quality will generally be better than the headphone out port, which generally has a lower quality signal because it does not have amplification built in to increase the volume.
This is why it's recommended for users not to use the line out for headphones.
Impedance
Line out and headphones out are also different when it comes to impedance. The headphone out has an impedance of 32 ohms, which is the standard for most headphones.
On the other hand, line out can have an impedance that varies from one device to another. It can have an impedance between 4 Ohms and 600 Ohms, so it may be compatible with some types of speaker systems but not others.
Output signal purity
Line out is designed for professional audio devices, while the headphone-out port serves smaller personal devices. Another difference is that line out has higher power output than headphone out which is lower(typically 100mW).
FAQs on line out vs headphone out
Yes, you can. All you have to do is get a cable with a headphone out on one end and line out on the other side.
No, you cannot. Headphones are designed for low-power connections, but line out are designed to send high-power audio signals. It's best not to plug headphones into the line-out port if you want to get better sound quality.
A headphone line out means that it is designed to send audio signals through the headphone port. There are benefits of using this over other types of ports, but there are also reasons why you may not want to use it.
No, the headphone jack is also known as the headphone out port. It is used to send audio signals through headphones. On the other hand, audio out is used for sending music from your devices to external speakers or amplifiers.
A speaker out is an audio port that sends music to speakers. On the other hand, line out sends music that has been converted into a balanced mono-signal format to external devices like amplifiers or sound processors.
Earphones are designed for personal use, whereas speakers are built to be used in the open to project sound further. Hence, many people can listen at a time.
Audio out is a type of output that sends music from your device to external speakers. Line out, on the other hand, sends line-level audio signals.
Audio out is a type of output that sends music from your device to external speakers. Line in allows you to input an external sound into your computer or notebook.
No, line out is not a pre-out. A pre-out sends audio signals to external amplifiers before the stage of amplification.
Conclusion
I hope you found this article helpful.
I hope you now know the difference between line out and headphone out.
In a nutshell, a line out is used for sending audio signals to external devices, while the headphone port sends audio signals to headphones.
A headphone jack is also known as the headphone out port. It's used to send audio signals through headphones.
A speaker out is an audio port that sends music to speakers. Before buying a device, check what ports it comes with, whether it's a line out or a headphone-out. Ensure it has the appropriate ports you need.