Stereo Headphones Are Available For Preorder, Shipping December

[Dcraun]

Just pre-ordered mine 150.00 and free shipping in December 

 

[Tom Slick]

I hope they have a software update to support the new stereo headphones before the headphones start shipping. I also hope its a good update and not full of glitches. Fingers crossed!

[fishersari]

3 hours ago, Tom Slick said:

I hope they have a software update to support the new stereo headphones before the headphones start shipping. I also hope its a good update and not full of glitches. Fingers crossed!

does the existing headphone support stereo audio type? Im using fx-03.. the headphone jack is using  stereo jack.. wonder if the stereo would work similar to manticore polyphonics..

[Chase Goldman]

20 hours ago, fishersari said:

does the existing headphone support stereo audio type?

No. It doesn't.  Have to get one of the new WSA-II or WS6 stereo ready pucks and the 4.0 update to hear stereo output to wired stereo phones (FX-03 or other 3rd party wired stereo phones).

[UKD2User]

I presume that a new clip jack adapter will also be required, to allow the use of alternative wired stereo headphones/plugs.

[Chase Goldman]

On 11/11/2025 at 5:46 AM, UKD2User said:

I presume that a new clip jack adapter will also be required, to allow the use of alternative wired stereo headphones/plugs.

You will not need a new clip jack adapter (or new backphones either, though those will be included with the WSA-ST and WS6-ST pucks).  The existing clip jack adapter has a stereo jack.  The pucks have two metallic contacts.  The new pucks will now send L/R stereo channels through those contacts instead of mono like on the old pucks.  That means that if your wired phones are stereo (like the FX03's) you will hear stereo through them even with the existing clip jack adapter.

Even third party over the ear phones that accept the slide on XP pucks (such as Quest and Grey Ghost) should support stereo sound as the earcup speakers are wired up separately to each puck contact to support either the existing Mono or the future Stereo audio.

Update:  XP has confirmed that my information above is incorrect (see new posts later in this thread).  A new clip jack adapter IS required to properly connect and get stereo audio from the new WSA-ST and WS6-ST pucks.  There are three, vice the two electrical connection points to support the left and right stereo channels vice two for the legacy mono WSA-II and WS6 pucks.

[UKD2User]

3 hours ago, Chase Goldman said:

You will not need a new clip jack adapter (or new backphones either, though those will be included with the WSA-ST and WS6-ST pucks).  The existing clip jack adapter has a stereo jack.  The pucks have two metallic contacts.  The new pucks will now send L/R stereo channels through those contacts instead of mono like on the old pucks.  That means that if your wired phones are stereo (like the FX03's) you will hear stereo through them even with the existing clip jack adapter.

Even third party over the ear phones that accept the slide on XP pucks (such as Quest and Grey Ghost) should support stereo sound as the earcup speakers are wired up separately to each puck contact to support either the existing Mono or the future Stereo audio.

I'm not sure I follow your logic.  The XP clip jack adapter does have a socket for a stereo plug, but only two sliding contacts on it, which bring in a (currently only mono) signal from two little gold-plated pins on either a WS6 puck or a WSA2 puck. It is possible to transmit a stereo signal along two wires, using digital techniques for example, but most dumb wired stereo headphones/plugs require a third wire (hence stereo jack plugs and sockets having three connections) Left/Right/Common. I expect that the new WSA6 and WS2 pucks will have three little gold-plated audio output pins, requiring a Mk2 clip jack adapter for audible stereo on wired stereo headphones attached (and probably a Mk2 backphone frame unit as well, because the existing one is all set up for mono). 👍

[phrunt]

 

[Chase Goldman]

10 hours ago, UKD2User said:

I'm not sure I follow your logic.  The XP clip jack adapter does have a socket for a stereo plug, but only two sliding contacts on it, which bring in a (currently only mono) signal from two little gold-plated pins on either a WS6 puck or a WSA2 puck. It is possible to transmit a stereo signal along two wires, using digital techniques for example, but most dumb wired stereo headphones/plugs require a third wire (hence stereo jack plugs and sockets having three connections) Left/Right/Common. I expect that the new WSA6 and WS2 pucks will have three little gold-plated audio output pins, requiring a Mk2 clip jack adapter for audible stereo on wired stereo headphones attached (and probably a Mk2 backphone frame unit as well, because the existing one is all set up for mono). 👍

I understand your concern regarding the neutral (return) third wire and I could be mistaken.  My logic is based on the fact that XP is not advertising a new clip jack adapter even as they have the new ST products now listed as accessories on their website (it even “suggests” the legacy clip jack adapter as a companion accessory).  XP has hinted at digital manipulation to generate the stereo signal but also new electronics within the ST pucks and phones.  The neutral can electrically float without a connection but that is indeed unusual and could be subject to noise.  I have asked XP directly for a definitive answer on the clip jack adapter compatibility.  If a new clip jack adapter is needed, that also means third-party phones from Quest, Gray Ghost, etc., that can accommodate the pucks will also not be able to natively support stereo, either.  That might not be received well by users who have invested in those products (I use the Quests myself).  We’ll see what XP says and I will post the reply here.

Update:  See my post later in this thread.  It appears that @UKD2User is likely correct.  Pics on the XP website show the WS6-ST backphones having 3 pressure pin connectors (even though the WSA-ST pic shows two connectors).