Audioliitin

Audioliitin is the Finnish term for an audio connector, a device that provides a physical interface for transmitting analog or digital audio signals between electronic equipment. The most common form is the 3.5 mm (1/8 inch) stereo connector, widely used in mobile phones, headphones, and portable music players. A larger variant, the 6.35 mm (1/4 inch) jack, is standard in professional audio equipment such as microphones, mixing consoles, and guitar amplifiers. Audio connectors can be classified by their pin configuration: TRS (Tip–Ring–Sleeve) for stereo analog audio, and TRRS (Tip–Ring–Ring–Sleeve) for stereo audio plus a microphone or additional data channel as commonly found on smartphones.

Digital audio jacks, such as the 3.5 mm digital audio (DAC) connector used in some high‑end audio interfaces, differ from analog types by transmitting data through a digital protocol. In automotive applications, the 6.35 mm "audioliitin" often serves as the input for CD players, speakers, and auxiliary devices, and may support higher impedance levels than consumer headphones.

ANSI and IEC standards govern the dimensions, impedance, and reliability of audio connectors. Soldered-to-connector designs usually employ screw or bayonet locking mechanisms to improve durability. Common issues include corrosion, improper shielding, and mismatched impedance, which can degrade sound quality. Modern device makers increasingly use wireless protocols such as Bluetooth to reduce reliance on a physical audioliitin, though wired connections remain essential for high‑fidelity and low‑latency applications.