Looking for a portable MP3 player that supports headphone controls.

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Looking for a portable MP3 player that supports headphone controls.

floydbloke

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# 243246 3-Dec-2018 13:04

Please does anyone know of a portable MP3 player that lets me use the volume and play/pause controls on my (Android) wired Bose headphones?

I'm finding an Android phone just too bulky in my shorts pocket when I'm out for my exercise.

Must haves:

Android wired headphone controllable
Small and light, something around the size of the old iPod Nano
No more than about $80

Don't cares:

lossless playback, just MP3 is fine
Bluetooth, happy to transfer via USB and use wired headphones
internal memory, if it has a microSD slot I'll just slot a card in it
Don't need a radio
Don't need voice recording

The Sandisk Clip Jam could fit the bill but I can't find conclusively that headphone controls can be used with it.

Google is not being my friend, could be my search terms but other than a couple of useless hits to forum posts it's all just links to buy headphones.

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michaelmurfy

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# 2138555 3-Dec-2018 13:11

If you don't already have a fitness tracker perhaps grab a Fitbit Versa or Ionic? They both support MP3 playback and can pair with Bluetooth headphones.

I know this is a little more expensive but that way you have tracking (heartrate, location, steps etc) along with your music.

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floydbloke

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# 2138561 3-Dec-2018 13:25

michaelmurfy:

If you don't already have a fitness tracker perhaps grab a Fitbit Versa or Ionic? They both support MP3 playback and can pair with Bluetooth headphones.

I know this is a little more expensive but that way you have tracking (heartrate, location, steps etc) along with your music.

Good idea, but that would also mean replacing the QC25s with 35s and unfortunately the budget doesn't quite stretch that far.

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michaelmurfy

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# 2138570 3-Dec-2018 13:44

floydbloke:

michaelmurfy:

If you don't already have a fitness tracker perhaps grab a Fitbit Versa or Ionic? They both support MP3 playback and can pair with Bluetooth headphones.

I know this is a little more expensive but that way you have tracking (heartrate, location, steps etc) along with your music.

Good idea, but that would also mean replacing the QC25s with 35s and unfortunately the budget doesn't quite stretch that far.

You're in luck: https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Bluetooth-Adapter-QuietComfort-Headphones/dp/B01MTQGY69

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jarledb

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# 2138589 3-Dec-2018 14:18

michaelmurfy:

You're in luck: https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Bluetooth-Adapter-QuietComfort-Headphones/dp/B01MTQGY69

Seems expensive for a product that will last you 6 months.

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davidcole

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# 2138604 3-Dec-2018 15:00

What about a cheap pair of bluetooth headphones like this? https://www.amazon.com/Suicen-Bluetooth-Headphones-Portable-Earphones/dp/B072HGDDTJ

You can buy them from Aliexpress as well. But these also take an SD card (some other versions had FM).

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gcorgnet

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# 2138609 3-Dec-2018 15:11

What about one of those armbands for your phone? Problem solved, no more bulky shorts pocket

davidcole

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# 2138611 3-Dec-2018 15:13

gcorgnet:

What about one of those armbands for your phone? Problem solved, no more bulky shorts pocket

Yes or that. I use an armband for iphone 7...I actually bought the band for a larger samsung so I don't have to remove my case. Then I use the above headphone via bluetooth

Technofreak

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# 2138678 3-Dec-2018 17:33

What about one of these

https://www.amazon.com/TROND-Bluetooth-Receiver-Indicator-Headphones/dp/B01M9I0LSK

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amanzi

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# 2138708 3-Dec-2018 18:51

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Thinking outside the box a little... How about getting an old iPod and then swap the cable on your Bose headphones for one that works with Apple products? Bose NZ will sell you the cable for around $60 but you can find third party ones online for much cheaper. (I just got a replacement Android cable for less than $5 on Aliexpress)

floydbloke

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# 2138973 4-Dec-2018 07:50

amanzi:

Thinking outside the box a little... How about getting an old iPod and then swap the cable on your Bose headphones for one that works with Apple products? ..

That could work. I'll make this plan B as I'm not a huge Apple fan (prefer to drag and drop in Windows explorer) and if I want a small unit I guess I'd be looking at a second hand iPod nano, right? and then I'd be worried about battery life.

Plan A: I've ordered a Sandisk Clip Jam from mymemory.co.uk (have used them previously to buy a 3-mobile SIM, got good service). I emailed my query to them yesterday and they came back to me overnight saying it 'should' work. It was only £25 + £2 shipping so I decided it was worth the risk, and if it doesn't work I'll give it to Mrs. Floyd who is also in the market for a small footprint MP3 player but doesn't care about headphone controls.

Thanks for your input everyone.

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Goosey

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# 2138982 4-Dec-2018 08:00

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you need a player that supports 'function' or more technically TRRS (Tip, Ring Ring, Sleeve). A normal 'stereo 3.5mm jack is simply a Tip, Ring, Sleeve with a mono jack being a tip, sleeve (rings are those black rings around the jack, so if one ring it is mono, two stereo and third would be the 'function/control'.... (somtimes it can carry video e.g. old portable dvd players).

Edit, those black rings are not 'hot', the simply seperate each section i.e. the tip would be left channel and after the first ring the silver part would be the right channel etc etc .