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bacchuswng

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 15, 2007
6
0
Does anyone make a decent-looking adapter so that I can use my headphones and still have headset (microphone) and remote/volume control functionality? I love my older Shure canalphones, but I like the convenience of being able to answer phone calls and control the iPhone remotely.

I am aware of the Shure Music Phone Adapter MPA-3C, Griffin SmartTalk, Monster iSoniTalk, and FastMac solutions. None of them except the FastMac one have the remote volume control functionality; the FastMac one is pretty big and ugly and is not regarded well by MacWorld http://www.macworld.com/article/132284/2008/02/iphone_adapters.html.

(I also dislike how most adapters effectively double your headphone's cable length. On the other hand, the iSoniTalk sticks out quite a bit, which I worry may damage the iPhone headphone jack. The ideal solution would be something like Monster's adapter, but with a really short cable instead. Yeah I know, I'm picky.)

Alternatively, suggestions for good canalphones that have a microphone and volume/remote control functionality are welcome. Note the lack of volume control (unfortunately) removes most Ultimate Ear canalphones from consideration. The only one I know that fits so far is Apple's In-Ear headphones.

Thanks in advance!
 
Why do you want volume control on the headphones? It's right on the side of the phone...
 
Yeah, that's why a volume control would be nice. I guess I haven't had a volume control until I started using the Apple earbuds, but once you've tried it, you don't want to go back :).

In the meantime, I found this:
http://ultimatebuds.com/store/home.php

These guys apparently take Etymotic ER6i or Future Sonics FS1 canalphones and fuse them with the Apple in-ear headphone wire. Pretty neat stuff, although I'd prefer to continue using my Shures vs. paying another $150 for another set of canalphones.
 
You can change the earpieces yourself. There a plenty of tutorials on Youtube. I have no soldering experience at all and was able to do it without a problem on the first try. I'm not sure I would have done it the first time on a pair of Sure's, but I would the second time around. The soldering gun was $15 or so.
 
The Holy Grail Does Exist...

If anyone is still looking for this, I have found the perfect solution:



iLuv iEA15 Adapter

iluv-iea15-blk-black-remote-headphone-adapter~10448839.jpg


-Volume Up/Down
-Skip Tracks
-VoiceOver Support
-Microphone

Link: http://www.i-luv.com/product_detail.asp?idx=1387

It basically does everything I needed (plus the bonus of VoiceOver) while letting me use my own headphones. Looks good too!

(Available on Amazon in the UK, just search iEA15BLK).
 
If anyone is still looking for this, I have found the perfect solution:



iLuv iEA15 Adapter

iluv-iea15-blk-black-remote-headphone-adapter~10448839.jpg


-Volume Up/Down
-Skip Tracks
-VoiceOver Support
-Microphone

Link: http://www.i-luv.com/product_detail.asp?idx=1387

It basically does everything I needed (plus the bonus of VoiceOver) while letting me use my own headphones. Looks good too!

(Available on Amazon in the UK, just search iEA15BLK).

Wow, that looks pretty sweet!
 
Have you tried these? iLuv says the microphone is not rated for iPhone. What have you found?
 
i have the klipsch s4i's although they are the inear headphones with the controlls and mic, not an adapter like your asking

just out of curiousity how do these adapters work if the headphones say have a 2 foot long cord and then plug into this isnt the mic on the control to far from your mouth to work?
 
i have the klipsch s4i's although they are the inear headphones with the controlls and mic, not an adapter like your asking

just out of curiousity how do these adapters work if the headphones say have a 2 foot long cord and then plug into this isnt the mic on the control to far from your mouth to work?

Stumbled across this thread. I'm looking for the same thing.

The old Shures actually have a connection right under your chin where the main cable splits off to the earbuds. This really saved me as my connector at the opposite end started shorting out so I was able to just buy another extension cord and save my good buds. Unfortunately it's near impossible to find anything shorter than 6'.
 
I'm in a similar situation where I need an adapter that will work with existing inline remote and mic on the headphones. Something like the iluv but without the extra controls and mic. I want to be able to use the already existing remote and mic on my headphones.

Thanks!
 
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