Define R4 Front Headphone Jack Issue

[Hypnotoad]

I just got a brand new Define R4 case and transferred all the internals of my old computer to it. Everything is working great except for the front panel headphone jack. When I plug in my headphones and listen to music or some YouTube video, the audio sounds very weird. There are no bass frequencies, and sometimes the voices in music will go out but the instruments are still audible. To me it sounds like an audio channel issue, but as far as I know 3.5mm headphone jacks are two-channel right? If I plug my headphones into the back of my sound card everything sounds perfect. I have tried changing settings for the front panel audio connector in the sound card settings program to no avail. 

 

After some experimentation, and with some fear of breaking the headphone jack, I discovered that if I put a great amount of force on the headphone plug while it is in the jack and slightly put some pressure to the side as well, the audio comes in perfect. As soon as I let go of the plug the audio goes all weird again. Are there multiple contacts inside the headphone jack for different audio channels? I am wondering because it seems like the headphone plug is not making contact with at least one of them, because certain "channels" of audio sound fine, while bass is not there and sometimes vocals are not either.

 

Any help with this issue would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks.

 

EDIT: This post on another forum seems to match my issue, but there is very little information given. The reply it received mentioned something about a ground connection, but I have no idea what that has to do with the problem. Maybe someone can take a look at that post for more information that they can better interpret to help me. http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1860973

 

EDIT2: This describes my problem exactly, sounds like a front panel headphone jack hardware issue. http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/311784-28-front-panel-audio-broken It appears that I may have to contact Fractal Design and request a new headphone jack or front panel I/O assembly under warranty. If you have anything you would like to add that may still fix my problem please do so.

[striker1553]

There are multiple contacts inside a headphone jack.

 

Here's a good example of a typical audio jack. Headphones are the same setup.

 

Here's a typical speaker.

 

 

The electrical current in any device passes from Positive (+) to Negative (-) i.e. Ground, or Earth. think of electricity as little "e-" guys. These little "e-" guys are the positive electrical current. They want to get to the party where the hot girls are, this being the ground (-). But, they gotta put in there work-week before they can party! This is true from your coffee maker to your car stereo. Your PC tells the little "e-" guys what to do kinda like everyone's boss lol. The difference is what the electricity is doing. In your case, its being used to produce audio. As the signal passes through the cable it travels into what's called the Voice Coil of the speaker. In your case this is the headphone speaker. The Voice Coil vibrates with different currents because of a magnet on the back of the speaker that is under power. As your sound-card converts the digital signal, it also amplifies the electrical signal to something even the beefiest gaming headphones can use!

 

Then, the sound-card sends the amplifed electrical current at a varying rate (pulsing), causing differing (or fluctuating) levels of vibration from the magnet to the Voice Coil and out into the Cone of the speaker. This creates air pressure that we interpret as Hi-Fi Stereo sound! Ever wonder why some sounds are in your left ear and others are in your right? Take a look at the headphone jack picture, you'll notice two Positive (+) speaker areas on the headphone jack. This is a typical stereo setup. The Amplifier splits the signal into Left and Right channels for the separate speakers to give you a more normal sound and sound-stage, as if you were in front of a band with the lead guitar n your right and rhythm guitar on your left. It's more pleasing to the ear. also, it helps you to pinpoint where an enemy is coming from when entering a room or dark alleyway.

 

Now, I know you didn't ask for that crash-course, but consider yourself educated on the basics of audio functionality!

 

So, what's your problem?

 

When you put the pressure on the headphone jack, you are completing the circuit for the positive + signal, thus allowing the signal to pass through the headphone speaker wire to ground. The headphone jack on the front panel is most likely making poor contact.  Just plug your headphones into the back of the sound-card. You'll always get better audio that way. (Less physical connections that can cause grounding issues.)

 

The only real way to fix it would be to replace it. If it were a typical 1/4" headphone jack I'd tell you how to strip the wiring, and splice in a new one, but since its a case mounted deal, you're better off contacting the manufacturer as you stated and having them replace it. Even though the front panel is convenient, it usually isn't good for audio quality, or connectivity.

[Hypnotoad]

There are multiple contacts inside a headphone jack.

 

Here's a good example of a typical audio jack. Headphones are the same setup.

 

Here's a typical speaker.

 

The electrical current in any device passes from Positive (+) to Negative (-) i.e. Ground, or Earth. think of electricity as little "e-" guys. These little "e-" guys are the positive electrical current. They want to get to the party where the hot girls are, this being the ground (-). But, they gotta put in there work-week before they can party! This is true from your coffee maker to your car stereo. Your PC tells the little "e-" guys what to do kinda like everyone's boss lol. The difference is what the electricity is doing. In your case, its being used to produce audio. As the signal passes through the cable it travels into what's called the Voice Coil of the speaker. In your case this is the headphone speaker. The Voice Coil vibrates with different currents because of a magnet on the back of the speaker that is under power. As your sound-card converts the digital signal, it also amplifies the electrical signal to something even the beefiest gaming headphones can use!

 

Then, the sound-card sends the amplifed electrical current at a varying rate (pulsing), causing differing (or fluctuating) levels of vibration from the magnet to the Voice Coil and out into the Cone of the speaker. This creates air pressure that we interpret as Hi-Fi Stereo sound! Ever wonder why some sounds are in your left ear and others are in your right? Take a look at the headphone jack picture, you'll notice two Positive (+) speaker areas on the headphone jack. This is a typical stereo setup. The Amplifier splits the signal into Left and Right channels for the separate speakers to give you a more normal sound and sound-stage, as if you were in front of a band with the lead guitar n your right and rhythm guitar on your left. It's more pleasing to the ear. also, it helps you to pinpoint where an enemy is coming from when entering a room or dark alleyway.

 

Now, I know you didn't ask for that crash-course, but consider yourself educated on the basics of audio functionality!

 

So, what's your problem?

 

When you put the pressure on the headphone jack, you are completing the circuit for the positive + signal, thus allowing the signal to pass through the headphone speaker wire to ground. The headphone jack on the front panel is most likely making poor contact.  Just plug your headphones into the back of the sound-card. You'll always get better audio that way. (Less physical connections that can cause grounding issues.)

 

The only real way to fix it would be to replace it. If it were a typical 1/4" headphone jack I'd tell you how to strip the wiring, and splice in a new one, but since its a case mounted deal, you're better off contacting the manufacturer as you stated and having them replace it. Even though the front panel is convenient, it usually isn't good for audio quality, or connectivity.

Thanks for the long and descriptive reply. I understand how audio devices work for the most part, and the headphones I use only have 3 separate connections on the 3.5mm plug, like this: 

I have contacted Fractal Design and am awaiting to hear back from them.

[Tim]

After a few uses with my R4's headphone jack I'm also starting to have this problem :(

Interested to know what reply you get

[gfchubbs]

did u plug the right header in to the motherboard? Hd or AC 97

[Hypnotoad]

did u plug the right header in to the motherboard? Hd or AC 97

There was only one front panel audio connector cable and it was labeled "HD Audio." I plugged that cable directly into my sound card and set my sound card to output HD audio and not AC'97 to the front panel.

[Hypnotoad]

So I never heard back from Fractal Design... are they supposed to have good customer service or what?

[t0wer]

Have you tried an extension or other headphones/speakers through the front jack?

[Hypnotoad]

Yes I have tried other headphones in the front jack. Same issue.

 

EDIT: After sending another support request to Fractal Design I received a reply shortly after. I wonder what was up with the first time I requested support. Anyway it seems I will be getting a replacement part for my case.

[Hypnotoad]

I just finished installing the replacement front panel audio assembly I received from Fractal Design, it works wonderfully. 

[Omegote]

Hey I'm having the exact same problem with my Define XL R2. Did you contact them through their website? Thanks.

[grayperview]

i had the same problem, the the connectors weren't connected properly to the the little board the Jacks and USB'S are soldered too

 

take the front off the case and look under the jack and push the connectors in until they are in securely. 

[Hypnotoad]

i had the same problem, the the connectors weren't connected properly to the the little board the Jacks and USB'S are soldered too

 

take the front off the case and look under the jack and push the connectors in until they are in securely. 

The connectors in my case were seated properly. It was the jack itself.

[Hypnotoad]

Hey I'm having the exact same problem with my Define XL R2. Did you contact them through their website? Thanks.

Yes I went through their website with my issue. The first time I contacted them I never received a reply. The second time I tried the support was great.

[urbanman2004]

I'm having the same issue as well on my R4 I purchased a month ago. I submitted a support ticket 24 hours ago. Being that it's the holidays, hopefully I don't get thrown in the shuffle and get overlooked.

[martinR]

I'm having the same issue as well on my R4 I purchased a month ago. I submitted a support ticket 24 hours ago. Being that it's the holidays, hopefully I don't get thrown in the shuffle and get overlooked.

Having the same issue with my Define R4. I have contacted Fractal and am in a conversation with 'Jonas' about it currently.

Seems quite efficient, has asked for more info and I'm waiting for a reply.

 

This online system does seem to have more delay between replies but hopefully I will get a decision, if they don't send a replacement front audio kit I'll dismantle the block and do some surgery.

[coen113]

I'm having the same issue as well on my R4 I purchased a month ago. I submitted a support ticket 24 hours ago. Being that it's the holidays, hopefully I don't get thrown in the shuffle and get overlooked.

holy mother of necro, thats over 1 year

[colonel_mortis]

I'm having the same issue as well on my R4 I purchased a month ago. I submitted a support ticket 24 hours ago. Being that it's the holidays, hopefully I don't get thrown in the shuffle and get overlooked.

Having the same issue with my Define R4. I have contacted Fractal and am in a conversation with 'Jonas' about it currently.

Seems quite efficient, has asked for more info and I'm waiting for a reply.

 

This online system does seem to have more delay between replies but hopefully I will get a decision, if they don't send a replacement front audio kit I'll dismantle the block and do some surgery.

Rather than reusing this thread (which is 13 months old), please create a new thread in this subforum outlining the issues that you've had so people can help you.