As several tipsters have pointed out, the recessed
iPhone headphone port means that a lot of third party headphones don't work properly: we've tested a few models already (you can see the current list after the break), but maybe you can help us out and let us know which models work / don't work in the comments -- and yes, if you have to press down on the jack to get both channels to play sound, we count that as not working. You'll need to buy a $10 headphone adapter if you want most third party headphones to function correctly, which sounds like a great business plan to us: just break an important device function, and sell the solution for fun and profit. For now, one of the few third party 'phones that
do work are the Zune headphones.
Do Work • iPod headphones
• Zune headphones (despite
the tension in the air, the Zune's headphones do work on the iPhone)
• Etymotic ER6i
Don't work • Shure E4c
• Ultimate Ears Super.fi 5 Pro
• Sony MDR-V150
• Generic wrap-around headphones
• Grado SR80
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Kyrra @ Jun 30th 2007 1:52PM
Ahh, good to know. Didn't really thing about that, but I only have iPhone headphones so it doesn't really effect me. :)
Question: Can we can a review about the Apple Bluetooth headset?
Andrew @ Jun 30th 2007 1:54PM
shave off to fit?
Jonathan @ Jul 1st 2007 10:51AM
Shaving off to fit does work. I shaved off about 1/8" of the rubber on my Shure E4c's. Works great.
Zadillo @ Jun 30th 2007 1:56PM
In iLounge's extensive review of accessories, they showed a number of headphone adapter cables that fit into the recessed slot and let you use any headphones...... I think they said they were as cheap as $9.
Zadillo @ Jun 30th 2007 5:09PM
Huh? I don't think i said anything about sound, and I don't see how what I said made me a "prick".... I was just pointing out that it sounds like there will be headphone adapters cheaper than the $19 adapter mentioned by Engadget, at least based on iLounge's video preview. Not sure why that warranted this response.
dude @ Jun 30th 2007 6:15PM
No worries, he's being an ass. That sucks about the headphone jack though, looks like I'll have to be extra careful when purchasing headsets.
Zadillo @ Jun 30th 2007 6:19PM
I don't know, the little headphone adapter cable things seem pretty small and innocuous; if I had an iPhone, I wouldn't buy headphones just based on whether they fit. I'd just attach the adapter to the headphones and plug them in......... all it seems like it does in practice would be add some extra length to your headphone cord, which doesn't seem like a bad tradeoff to me.
James @ Jun 30th 2007 8:24PM
Why should a person need to buy an adapter just to use a headphone of choice? No matter how cheap the adapter is, shouldn't it be designed in a way so that it's universally compatible with any 3.5mm plug?
Zadillo @ Jun 30th 2007 8:28PM
Fair enough James, although a few other people have pointed out in this thread why the recessed headphone jack is designed the way it is.
Tavis Veighey @ Jun 30th 2007 1:56PM
I had that issue with my Treo600. The solution was simple and cheap. Just trim away some of the plastic that is in the way on the headphones. That little bit of plastic on headphones will not be missed, and will allow you to use your fav headphones without an adapter!
in fact I have had to do that on a headset I got for my Wife's Samsung A800.
I do not understand why these companies keep making the headphone port recessed. Make the blasted port flush with the case so that people can use ANY headset they damn well please! For $600.00 you expect to be able to use your $100.00 Bose earbuds!
Tim Burns @ Jun 30th 2007 2:03PM
"I had that issue with my Treo600. The solution was simple and cheap. Just trim away some of the plastic that is in the way on the headphones. That little bit of plastic on headphones will not be missed, and will allow you to use your fav headphones without an adapter!"
Yes, lets ruin the warranty on my $500 Shures by shaving off some of the manufacture code containing plastic sheath.
Prasand J. @ Jun 30th 2007 2:07PM
Simple solution, though in the same token @ $100 for headphones I'd expect the manufacturer to use a headphone mold that would take the rather popular recessed sittings into consideration ... like Etymotic did.
Jesse S @ Jun 30th 2007 2:43PM
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA BOSE! That's a good one!
Anyway, who really cares? The iphone probably has shitty capacitors, OpAmps, and a crapy DAC just like the crappy ipods.
So to reiterate from other posts, I will be sticking with my Cowon iaudio X5, and getting a Mogul or i760 when they come to Verizon.
Excuse me for caring about sound and functionality over style.
Tavis Veighey @ Jun 30th 2007 5:20PM
"Yes, lets ruin the warranty on my $500 Shures by shaving off some of the manufacture code containing plastic sheath."
You trim the plastic off of the headphones, NOT the iPhone.
And the headphones will not notice 1/32" of removed plastic 1/16" up the connector. You just need to shave off the smallest bit to allow headphones to fit.
Tim Burns @ Jun 30th 2007 6:21PM
Have you never seen any Shure headphones? 1/16th up the connector would remove part of the manufacture code, specifically the year of production.
I never said anything about the iPhone.
Jonathan @ Jul 1st 2007 10:55AM
Does it really matter if it shaves off part of the manufacture code? I don't think it makes that much of a difference. I went ahead and shaved off 1/8" on my E4c's and they are no worse for wear because of it.
Spyvie @ Jun 30th 2007 2:01PM
What really sucks about this is that now a lot of 3rd party headphone makers will be modifieing their plugs to fit in Apple’s jacks (Applejacks!), resulting in a less sturdy/stable connector for those of us with standard devices.
Trace The Hedgehog @ Jun 30th 2007 2:44PM
aw crap..I just thought of that! Now I'm hoping it doesnt get as popular as it probably will.
Kevin Alford @ Jun 30th 2007 3:25PM
Why would you think the connection would be lesser? There's nothing to suggest that would be the case.
Spyvie @ Jun 30th 2007 5:58PM
@ Kevin, because the “shoulders” of the plug fitting snugly and securely against the edges of the jack provides some of the lateral support, helping to prevent broken headphone jacks.
It is also possible that this will ultimately improve the strength of plugs and jacks that adopt this design. If the plastic part of the plug fits perfectly in the countersunk portion of the jack there might be much less chance of damaging the delicate, springy connector thingies inside.
Matt Thomas @ Jun 30th 2007 2:02PM
The TTY Adapter is $9.95, not $19.
Alan Partridge @ Jun 30th 2007 2:39PM
Apple website has them at $19
http://www.apple.com/iphone/accessories/
Matt Thomas @ Jun 30th 2007 2:44PM
That's strange; it was listed at $9.95 when I checked last night and when I checked just before posting that comment.
However, they're also selling a Belkin adapter that achieves the same goal, which actually is $9.95. Guess someone got the pricing on the adapters mixed up.
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=DBA24138&nplm=TN546LL/A
Prasand J. @ Jun 30th 2007 2:03PM
lol@the galleries, is everyone at the office playing with their iphones?
Bring on the mackdaddy & jail-house iphone poses. Like the infamous arms-crossed with iphone in hand shot (while saying "yeaaahhh boooyyeeee" et al flava flav style), or the crouched down etc shots.
Eric Y. Choi @ Jun 30th 2007 2:03PM
I had this problem with a previous mp3 player, and I had to resort to shaving off the rubber/plastic sheath around the male piece (like the previous poster suggests). Though it's not difficult or overly damaging to do so, I'd hate to have to do that on a very expensive pair of headphones/earbuds.
Xavier Gill @ Jun 30th 2007 2:03PM
He's a scumbag dont you know
Matt Price @ Jun 30th 2007 2:05PM
This is really a simple audio engineering issue. If you look at the connector, you notice it has 3 rings around it? Typical plugs have 2. This is called a RTS connection. (Ring, Tip, Sleeve) which means it gives you Stereo (left / right) and ground. Three rings are RRTS, and the extra ring is for the calling functionality. Any typical RTS adapter, like the ipod ear buds, etc, should work fine. If it has less than 2 rings, it won't work.
andrew harrison @ Jun 30th 2007 7:22PM
i think that maybe you don't understand what the problem is here
Donald @ Jun 30th 2007 2:06PM
My irony detector exploded when the Zune headphones worked.
l0ne @ Jun 30th 2007 2:07PM
The TTY Adapter is for the blind to use the iPhone along with their other assistive devices.
The Headphones Adapter costs 9$.
You're welcome.
Megan @ Jun 30th 2007 2:28PM
I thought TTY was for the deaf not blind?
l0ne @ Jun 30th 2007 2:32PM
Yep, the deaf. Sorry, mixed up >_<
(In fact it doesn't really make sense for a blind person to use the iPhone, now, does it?)
Jonathan DUCREST @ Jun 30th 2007 2:08PM
I have the Shure E500 and what I did is shave off with a sharp knife the black rubber (very small part) from the extension cable that plugs to your headphones. Works great... only wondering if I can have a conversation with the phone mic while my headphones are plugged in. Good luck for everyone else.
Prasand J. @ Jun 30th 2007 2:19PM
If one doesn't want to damage their headphones ... use a splitter, short extension, or something equivalent and shave off that instead. Though I guess the TTY adapter isn't that much more costly. Was more so suggesting it for those who already have one of the above. *shrugs*
humpty @ Jun 30th 2007 2:14PM
And in iPhone 2.0, Apple will make that recess just a bit smaller (or maybe change the shape), so you will have to buy all those accessories again.
Zelatio @ Jun 30th 2007 2:17PM
Appears that an unlocked iPhone will be available soon anyways. Check it out.
http://www.puremobile.com/Apple/Apple-iPhone-Black-GSM-Phone/
Greg Combs @ Jun 30th 2007 3:13PM
Highly unlikely that this will come to fruition any time soon. My guess is that Steve-O and his merry band of lawyers will descend and snatch out their souls before they commercially sell unlocked iPhones.
Edward K. @ Jun 30th 2007 3:31PM
No, according to the 2006 DMCA, it is fully legal to unlock a phone
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20061124-8280.html
so it might be possible for them to do this and not get their asses sued off. of course they could be dragged into court and it might bankrupt them to defend themselves against apple's lawyers up until the demur when the case might get thrown out of court.
jilie @ Jun 30th 2007 2:19PM
bad news!
john @ Jun 30th 2007 2:21PM
just take a knife and cut away the rubber about .5 cm and it should connect with noproblem. I did that to my studio headphones b/c the IPOD casing didn't allow them to connect completely either.
sculley @ Jun 30th 2007 2:22PM
I believe that the Bose Triport OE's will work since they have a small jack housing.
Gavin @ Jun 30th 2007 2:37PM
touché
Prasand J. @ Jun 30th 2007 2:36PM
While I think I read somewhere that the bt headsets weren't available at the release ... I second this idea / motion. I'd also like to see iphone clarity with the Aliph Jawbone, Plantronics Discovery 655 & Voyager 510 (as well as a comparison of the apple headphones to them).
Prasand J. @ Jun 30th 2007 2:39PM
oops, meant to reply to the first comment.
Greg @ Jun 30th 2007 2:37PM
O ROKR does work!
djburn @ Jul 25th 2007 2:02PM
Does the O ROKR by Oakley work with the iPhone without the special adapter?
Greg @ Jul 25th 2007 2:12PM
nope you still need the icombi for music.. but it prompts for airplane mode, i click no and it works fine.
Kevin @ Jun 30th 2007 2:46PM
Ultimate Ears headphones don't work either...
My question is this, will they release an adapter that will plug into the headphone port, then have a clicker (like on the supplied headphones) that you can use to a) plug into the port and b) add the remote capabilities.
Kind of like they included with the 3G iPods, where the headphones plugged into the short remote cable, which clipped on your jacket/shirt/etc.
Ryan @ Jun 30th 2007 2:58PM
Sure has released a product like the one you're looking for.
Kevin @ Jun 30th 2007 3:11PM
I went to the Shure website, and saw a few that have volume controls on the set, but I was talking about one where you adjust volume AND change the track playing...