Applies to all audio interfaces

Most headphones can be plugged into the ¼ inch (6.35mm) headphone outputs on our interfaces (either directly or by using a ⅛ inch [3.5mm] to ¼ inch [6.35mm] adapter). 

Headsets and headphones with an inbuilt microphone are however unlikely to function correctly.

Headphones and headsets with an inbuilt microphone are designed to receive stereo audio and transmit a mono microphone signal. These types of headsets have three black rings around the connector, often referred to as a TRRS connector, shown below.
                                               
The headphone outputs found on audio interfaces and other studio equipment are designed to only output stereo audio and will not accept input signal from a microphone. The headphone outputs are designed to be used with TRS connectors which have two black rings on the jack and adapter, as shown below.
                                                

Connecting a TRRS connector, for example on a gaming headset, to a TRS headphone port on an audio interface would result in a mismatch of connections due to the number of rings/connectors on the jack.

This often results in an imbalance in the stereo image, leading to the audio sounding filtered or low quality. We recommend only using studio headphones that feature a TRS connector with audio interfaces. 

In some cases, gaming headsets come bundled with TRRS to TRS adapters which can be used with standard TRS headphone outputs.

This also applies to headsets that come bundled with mobile phones, such as the example below.

                                                    

Further information on the differences in jack connection types can be found here: What are TS, TRS, and TRRS connectors?

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