Is it OK to connect a 3-pin speaker 3.5mm jack-plug into a NUC8i7BEH?

[MKing17]

My PC speakers have a 3-pin 3.5mm (1/8 inch) jack plug.

The Intel Technical Product Spec for the NUC8i7BEH, section 1.10, figure 5 indicates that a 4-pin jack-socket is provided on the NUC front panel.

I connected my speakers and tested the sound output OK. But the NUC's in-built microphones don't work with the speakers connected.

I wish to avoid possible damage to the in-built microphone system if I connect these speakers.

I can see that the 3-pin jack plug effectively shorts pin-3 (common/ground ring) to pin-4 (audio-in/Mic sleeve). Would this short damage the NUC microphone system? Or, does the NUC socket have a cam-switch to disconnect pin-4 from the in-built microphones - transfering the Mic system input to the plug which is now at common/ground, therefore silence, but hopefully safe?

Thanks in anticipation of a reply.

[LeonWaksman]

1. You can safely connect your speakers (they should be amplified speakers only) to the front audio jack, using 3-pin plug. Please read the para. 1.10 that this Audio Jack supports the following configurations: Speakers only (your case), Headphones only, Microphone only and Compo Speakers + Microphone.
2. The microphone array should work when speakers are connected to the front jack. Please check settings in Sound Control Panel (Microphone Array should be chosen for Audio input) and/or press on Troubleshoot under Test your microphone in Sound settings.
3. You should have also updated Realtek Audio Driver installed https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/28433/Realtek-High-Definition-Audio-Driver-for-Windows-10-64-bit-for-NUC8i7BE-NUC8i5BE-NUC8i3BE?product=126140

Leon

[Esteban_C_Intel]

Hello MKing17,

I was checking your case, and I would like to know if you need further assistance? 

Esteban Ch.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[MKing17]

Thank you Leon & Esteban for your replies.

Leon - refering to the points you made;

1. I read that spec section too. However I interpreted it as refering to connected (external) equipment, it does not refer to the effects such connections have on the NUC's internal equipment - namely the microphone array in my case. Perhaps a NUC engineer could clarify this?
2. I performed all those troubleshooting checks before posting.
3. The latest Realtek HDA driver v6.0.8716.1 had already been installed before I tested the system.

I should add that this is a brand new system (bare-bones NUC kit) that I have put together - so a bit of a learning curve for me here. Since my original post I have done some additional testing. I used a old mobile-phone hands-free kit (ear-buds + microphone with a 4-pin jack) and that worked OK - even though the connection is OMTP, not AHJ!?

Esteban - I could still do with confirmation that connection of amplified speakers using a 3-pin jack into the NUC front socket is not detremental to the NUC's internal microphone array system.

Thank you

[Esteban_C_Intel]

Hello MKing17,

Thank you for your response, 

I'm not sure if I'm understanding the question correctly; however, if you are trying to know if using a 3-pin jack plug instead of a 4-pin jack plug on the front 3.5mm jack-plug would damage the plug, then the answer is no it will not damage the plug.

Let me know if you have additional questions.

Regards, 

Esteban Ch. 

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[MKing17]

Hi Esteban

Yes, it looks like you have mis-understood the question. Refering to the OP, my concern is about possible damage caused to the NUC's internal microphone array and/or its associated audio-processing system. Where the cause is due to the 3-pin plug on my speaker connection causing a short beween the microphone-outputs/audio-processing inputs and common/ground.

I know that some jack-sockets have their connectors arranged as cam-switches providing an automatic change-over mechanism, so that the default input (i.e. microphone array in my case) is effectively disconnected and the socket's output terminal(s) switched to the jack-plug's circuit when it is inserted. If this is the case for the jack-socket on the front of the NUC8i7BEH, then it would explain why the microphone array is in-operative with my speakers connected, but also assure me that the NUC will not be damaged. If it isn't the case then I wish to be advised accordingly.

Thank you.

[LeonWaksman]

Hi @MKing17​,

In my NUC8i7HVK, I connected amplified speakers using 3-pin plugs and checked that both - the speaker and the microphone array works correctly (In Sound Panel (recording tab), I checked the microphone array as default audio input).

Leon

[Esteban_C_Intel]

Hello MKing17,

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Esteban Ch.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel

[Esteban_C_Intel]

Hello MKing17,

We have not heard back from you, so we will close this inquiry. If you need further assistance, please post a new question.

Esteban Ch.

Intel Customer Support Technician

A Contingent Worker at Intel