Adapter reqd: conventional headset into 4-pole combo audio socket on new laptop

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

merlinz

41 posts

Geek

# 107433 11-Aug-2012 15:13

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?

KevinL

656 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

# 671059 11-Aug-2012 15:27

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

merlinz

41 posts

Geek

# 671071 11-Aug-2012 16:03

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...

richms

22742 posts

Uber Geek

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Subscriber

# 671075 11-Aug-2012 16:06

So bring heaps in and trademe them?

Richard rich.ms

SCUBADOO

110 posts

Master Geek

# 671081 11-Aug-2012 16:22

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.

merlinz

41 posts

Geek

# 671136 11-Aug-2012 19:41

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...

richms

22742 posts

Uber Geek

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# 671138 11-Aug-2012 19:44

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

merlinz

41 posts

Geek

# 671323 12-Aug-2012 10:45

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.

richms

22742 posts

Uber Geek

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# 671532 12-Aug-2012 19:04

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