# I mean. It's not possible these new headphones \_don't do stereo\_ is it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 26, 2018, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-mean-its-not-possible-these-new-headphones-_dont-do-stereo_-is-it/807538 "2018-01-26T19:16:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-mean-its-not-possible-these-new-headphones-_dont-do-stereo_-is-it/807538/1 "2018-01-26T19:16:05Z")
Granted they are supplied by my workplace. But they’re like, $300 headphones (weird but okay). The instruction booklet (just basically two pages labeling all the buttons on the thing) says “Jabra Evolve 75” and when I go to Jabra’s website the only product I find with that phrasing is the “Jabra Evolve 75 Stereo MS” so I assume that’s what I have? But there is no stereo functionality that I am able to discover. All sounds come equally out of both speakers on the thing. I’ve searched high and low for any kind of setting anywhere in Windows 10 and in the headset’s own options (no special dedicated panel, just what comes up when I right click on the device and select properties) for any reference to stereo, and nothing. Either it’s supposed to just naturally be stereo (as I would have expected) and there’s no option to turn it off because why would you, or else, it… doesn’t do stereo?.. And there’s no option to turn it on because the world is weird? Your thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-mean-its-not-possible-these-new-headphones-_dont-do-stereo_-is-it/807538/2 "2018-01-26T19:24:54Z")
Are the earpieces labeled L and R? If not, that’s a big indication they aren’t. But the wired sets do come in mono and stereo versions. Interesting how the datasheets don’t give frequency response of the speakers, only the microphone. Kids these days don’t seem to care about accurate music reproduction. But they do like to spend money. Witness Beats headphones. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-mean-its-not-possible-these-new-headphones-_dont-do-stereo_-is-it/807538/3 "2018-01-26T20:27:37Z")
Update: It seems it’s not (or isn’t just) the headset. I tried installing it on a different laptop and stereo works fine there. Also tried through bluetooth on my cellphone, and it played stereo on that as well. It’s just this one laptop. And other headsets _do_ work right on this laptop so I don’t know what could be happening. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-mean-its-not-possible-these-new-headphones-_dont-do-stereo_-is-it/807538/4 "2018-01-26T21:21:16Z")
I know you already determined that the headphones are stereo, but here’s a way to tell just by looking: If the jack looks like [this](https://img.banggood.com/thumb/water/oaupload/banggood/images/7F/A0/2fe236d8-02a3-4989-bade-21dd75813ff1.png) (with two black rings) the headphones are stereo. If the jack looks like [this](https://sep.yimg.com/ay/yhst-128684775214836/power-connector-3-5mm-plug-to-2-5mm-jack-7.jpg) (with one black ring) the headphones are mono. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-mean-its-not-possible-these-new-headphones-_dont-do-stereo_-is-it/807538/5 "2018-01-26T21:27:05Z")
Is the laptop in a case of wrapped in some kind of sheath? there might not be enough clearance for the plug to seat properly. Had a tower computer like that, once–the opening wasn’t large enough for the big, fat plug to go all the way in. ETA: And it could be very hard to see–1/64th inch could futz the whole thing up. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Crap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.crap/32/3131_2.png) [@Dr.Crap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Crap)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-mean-its-not-possible-these-new-headphones-_dont-do-stereo_-is-it/807538/6 "2018-01-26T21:36:06Z")
If it’s not the plug maybe it’s a faulty/outdated audio driver. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-mean-its-not-possible-these-new-headphones-_dont-do-stereo_-is-it/807538/7 "2018-01-26T21:46:01Z")
That’s what I was going to suggest. Update the audio driver. And make sure there’s nothing in the settings to force mono mode. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-mean-its-not-possible-these-new-headphones-_dont-do-stereo_-is-it/807538/8 "2018-01-26T23:56:53Z")
Here’s a thing: > **[Online Stereo Polarity (Phase) Sound Test](https://www.audiocheck.net/audiotests_polaritycheck.php)** > > Checks your loudpeakers wiring. When I play the “in phase” audio files there, everything sounds normal. When I play the “out of phase” ones–I get complete silence. I know the files are playing and contain sound because with my old headset I can hear them just fine. Something about those audio files, then, causes silence (there is a very very quiet electronic-distortion sound playing in the guitar out of phsae one, just barely audible) when played on this headset. I have no idea what this might mean. This silence doesn’t match any of the possible results discussed on the page. Just in case it somehow was relevant I tried switching noise cancelling off on the headset, and it made no difference. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Crap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.crap/32/3131_2.png) [@Dr.Crap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Crap)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-mean-its-not-possible-these-new-headphones-_dont-do-stereo_-is-it/807538/9 "2018-01-27T00:15:30Z")
It could still be a driver issue. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Crap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.crap/32/3131_2.png) [@Dr.Crap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Crap)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-mean-its-not-possible-these-new-headphones-_dont-do-stereo_-is-it/807538/10 "2018-01-27T00:21:24Z")
[I also see there’s a firmware update under “Software and Apps” you may or may not have.](https://www.jabra.com/supportpages/jabra-evolve-75#/#7599-832-109) Do you have the Jabra Direct software on the faulty laptop? I’m reading it provides some extra functionality to the headphones. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-mean-its-not-possible-these-new-headphones-_dont-do-stereo_-is-it/807538/11 "2018-01-27T00:22:50Z")
As to audio drivers, all I’m finding are the drivers for the sound devices, which have all been updated. Is there something different you guys are referring to? ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-mean-its-not-possible-these-new-headphones-_dont-do-stereo_-is-it/807538/12 "2018-01-27T00:28:57Z")
> [@Dr.Crap](#): > > [I also see there’s a firmware update under “Software and Apps” you may or may not have.](https://www.jabra.com/supportpages/jabra-evolve-75#/#7599-832-109) Do you have the Jabra Direct software on the faulty laptop? I’m reading it provides some extra functionality to the headphones. Yes, I already have that installed, and did the firmware update on both the USB bluetooth dongle and the headphones themselves. Bluetooth: I’ve already checked for interference from other bluetooth devices, and I’ve already tried in direct USB mode as well, with the same downmixing effect still occuring. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Crap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.crap/32/3131_2.png) [@Dr.Crap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Crap)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-mean-its-not-possible-these-new-headphones-_dont-do-stereo_-is-it/807538/13 "2018-01-27T00:44:53Z")
No, those are the drivers. Since you’ve got Jabra’s software on there, it’s possible that Windows is using generic (audio) drivers whereas the manufacturer of the laptop has released separate drivers with extra functionality. If you google the make and model of your problematic laptop along with ‘drivers’ you may find the manufacturer’s support page with update packages for download. If that’s the case, download and install everything listed as a driver or firmware. Afterwards, reboot and try again. If you already have the latest drivers… 😕