Headset Adapter - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

otown47 · 2007-08-31, 04:37 PM

I'm wasn't sure where to put this post so I put it here. I have a really good headset that I use with a cordless phone. I'd like to also use it with my computer so would need some kind of adapter to convert the small headset plug (it has 3 contacts on the connector) to my computers regular size mono microphone jack and a stereo headphone jack. Is there such an adapter?????

SeannK · 2007-08-31, 04:41 PM

Try the source by Circuit City

otown47 · 2007-08-31, 04:50 PM

I should add, I did search the internet and have called The Source and Best Buy.

Dog Byte · 2007-08-31, 09:19 PM

Break out the soldering iron.

Basically you want a stereo to mono splitter to separate the headset and mic (i.e. 1/8" stereo jack to 2 x 1/8" mono plugs). Since the computer output is stereo and the headset is mono you need a second stereo to mono (1/8" stereo plug to 2 x 1/8" mono jacks) and pick the left or right channel for the headset. (Note: the jack = female and the plug = male).

I_Want_My_HDTV · 2007-09-01, 03:17 PM

This sounds like a very specialized item. If I am correct, the headset plug has two rings instead of the normal 1 ring on stereo mini-plugs. Is this correct?

You may need to find a breakout cable for the headphone plug and then add other adapters for the PC card end. I'm not sure where to find such an adapter. These two ring plugs are fairly rare. You might try the company that makes the headphones or online electronics specialty outlets. (Radio Shack, etc don't count. They have nothing like this.) Last resort would be to get a generic cable with the right socket end and solder some other cables together with it to make the adapter you need.

gorilla · 2007-09-01, 04:18 PM

A stereo jack (either mini (1/8 inch) or regular size (1/4 inch)) has 3 contacts, tip ring and collar. When it's wired for headphones then all three are used (gnd, left & right).

I think it's also got 3 contacts on the phone connector, except wired for gnd, TX and RX. It's also a 2.5mm jack, as opposed to the 3.25mm of the 1/8inch jack.

I don't think any common usages of jacks with double collars, though they are used in some telephone applications.

I_Want_My_HDTV · 2007-09-02, 12:59 PM

I'm thinking this jack has 2 rings, a tip and collar. Not very common but necessary to handle a mike and stereo headphones. Most headsets like this would break out into two jacks at the end of the cable (to connect to a PC sound card.). A cordless phone headset may very well use an uncommon jack. Many do.

OTOH, if it is a stereo jack with one ring, an adapter should be easier to find. It would be even easier to string two or three cheap adapters together to do the same job. If this is the case, the headphones are not true stereo but wired in parallel for mono. I don't recommend combining two outputs (stereo) into mono. It could damage the sound card.

It may be easier and cheaper just to buy a headset made for the computer. Good quality ones are available for about $20-$40. Higher quality models go for up to $100. Another option is to use a separate mike (or webcam with built in mike) and with a standard set of headphones.

2007-08-31, 04:37 PM	#1
otown47 Veteran Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ottawa, Rogers Posts: 3,902	Headset Adapter I'm wasn't sure where to put this post so I put it here. I have a really good headset that I use with a cordless phone. I'd like to also use it with my computer so would need some kind of adapter to convert the small headset plug (it has 3 contacts on the connector) to my computers regular size mono microphone jack and a stereo headphone jack. Is there such an adapter?????

2007-09-02, 12:59 PM	#7
I_Want_My_HDTV . Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: London, ON Posts: 6,297	I'm thinking this jack has 2 rings, a tip and collar. Not very common but necessary to handle a mike and stereo headphones. Most headsets like this would break out into two jacks at the end of the cable (to connect to a PC sound card.). A cordless phone headset may very well use an uncommon jack. Many do. OTOH, if it is a stereo jack with one ring, an adapter should be easier to find. It would be even easier to string two or three cheap adapters together to do the same job. If this is the case, the headphones are not true stereo but wired in parallel for mono. I don't recommend combining two outputs (stereo) into mono. It could damage the sound card. It may be easier and cheaper just to buy a headset made for the computer. Good quality ones are available for about $20-$40. Higher quality models go for up to $100. Another option is to use a separate mike (or webcam with built in mike) and with a standard set of headphones. Last edited by I_Want_My_HDTV; 2007-09-02 at 01:07 PM.

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2007-08-31, 04:41 PM	#2
SeannK Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sudbury, ON Posts: 45	Try the source by Circuit City

2007-08-31, 04:50 PM	#3
otown47 Veteran Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ottawa, Rogers Posts: 3,902	I should add, I did search the internet and have called The Source and Best Buy.

2007-08-31, 09:19 PM	#4
Dog Byte Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Langley, BC Posts: 863	Break out the soldering iron. Basically you want a stereo to mono splitter to separate the headset and mic (i.e. 1/8" stereo jack to 2 x 1/8" mono plugs). Since the computer output is stereo and the headset is mono you need a second stereo to mono (1/8" stereo plug to 2 x 1/8" mono jacks) and pick the left or right channel for the headset. (Note: the jack = female and the plug = male).

2007-09-01, 03:17 PM	#5
I_Want_My_HDTV . Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: London, ON Posts: 6,297	This sounds like a very specialized item. If I am correct, the headset plug has two rings instead of the normal 1 ring on stereo mini-plugs. Is this correct? You may need to find a breakout cable for the headphone plug and then add other adapters for the PC card end. I'm not sure where to find such an adapter. These two ring plugs are fairly rare. You might try the company that makes the headphones or online electronics specialty outlets. (Radio Shack, etc don't count. They have nothing like this.) Last resort would be to get a generic cable with the right socket end and solder some other cables together with it to make the adapter you need.

2007-09-01, 04:18 PM	#6
gorilla Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 212	A stereo jack (either mini (1/8 inch) or regular size (1/4 inch)) has 3 contacts, tip ring and collar. When it's wired for headphones then all three are used (gnd, left & right). I think it's also got 3 contacts on the phone connector, except wired for gnd, TX and RX. It's also a 2.5mm jack, as opposed to the 3.25mm of the 1/8inch jack. I don't think any common usages of jacks with double collars, though they are used in some telephone applications.