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Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › Adapter reqd: conventional headset into 4-pole combo audio socket on new laptop


36 posts

Geek
Topic # 107433 11-Aug-2012 15:13 Send private message

Lenovo and some other computer manufacturers have started using a 4-pole 3.5mm combo audio socket for microphone and stereo headphones, evidently the same pinout (TRRS?) as used for original and 3G iPhone, Blackberry and some other smartphones.

Having had a hard time finding a PC headset I like, I want to stick with it and thus need to adapt from its conventional 3.5mm stereo plugs to the combo plug. There's a ready made solution here but of course they won't ship to NZ. Has anyone found an NZ source of this sort of adapter?

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539 posts

Ultimate Geek

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  Reply # 671059 11-Aug-2012 15:27 Send private message

There's one on Aliexpress - http://www.aliexpress.com/product-fm/590583548-3-5mm-PC-Laptop-Speaker-Mic-Headset-to-iTouch-iPhone-3G-4G-4S-iPad-2G-3-wholesalers.html



36 posts

Geek
  Reply # 671071 11-Aug-2012 16:03 Send private message

Thank you, that at least would solve the problem if it turns out not to be available locally. I would have thought a lot of people would hit the same problem in NZ so it seems bizarre that it should be so hard to find...

8811 posts

Uber Geek

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  Reply # 671075 11-Aug-2012 16:06 Send private message

So bring heaps in and trademe them?




Richard rich.ms

72 posts

Master Geek
  Reply # 671081 11-Aug-2012 16:22 Send private message

FWIW

I had exactly the same issue with my acer A200 tablet and wanted a headset for privacy and Skype.

If you are prepared to use a soldering iron it is very easy.

e.g. My path:

Headset $22

Socket $6

Wiring


It is working perfectly for me.








36 posts

Geek
  Reply # 671136 11-Aug-2012 19:41 Send private message

SCUBADOO: FWIW

I had exactly the same issue with my acer A200 tablet and wanted a headset for privacy and Skype.

If you are prepared to use a soldering iron it is very easy.

e.g. My path:

Headset $22

Socket $6

Wiring


It is working perfectly for me.



I was prepared to do just that - figured I could chop the connectors off the headset and put exactly that Jaycar plug on. I actually bought that plug earlier today, but it doesn't look very user-friendly for soldering (there are no holes for the wires, so there's no mechanical connection, hence everything depends on the solder), and if I make a hash of it, the headset becomes unusable too. So I thought I'd ask here before starting to wreck things...

8811 posts

Uber Geek

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  Reply # 671138 11-Aug-2012 19:44 Send private message

Headset wires are a prick to solder since they are individually insulated, which you have to burn off.

Once you have it all soldered and working fill the plug up to the inside end of the strain relief with hot glue.




Richard rich.ms



36 posts

Geek
  Reply # 671323 12-Aug-2012 10:45 Send private message

An update: I made up an adapter (4-pole plug to 2 3.5mm stereo sockets) using the Jaycar plug (see pic). At least this way I can use the headset on another PC. One issue with the plug design is that the ground connection has to be soldered on at the connection closest to the tip, so the ground needs to be insulated to avoid shorting on the other two connections it passes. I ended up using a light 3-core unshielded cable chopped off cheap stereo headphones. It works OK, though I was concerned about robustness, so I have filled the plug body up with rapid epoxy glue.


8811 posts

Uber Geek

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  Reply # 671532 12-Aug-2012 19:04 Send private message

Yeah, huge issue with using a normal plug with phone headsets since some einstein there decided to use the sleeve for a signal and one of the rings as ground. Means you cant really use a nice metal bodied plug either since its a huge area to pick noise up.

The guy that decided on the pin layout needs a punch to the back of the head.




Richard rich.ms

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