I got the new 2013 iMac to replace my monster of a Windows rig that I built 6 years ago. Figured I'd try out a Mac. I knew it would force a lot of upgrades and replacements of peripherals, but I did not know that the new iMacs use the "smart plug" 3.5mm audio jack that combines the audio output (headphones) and input (mic) into one, single jack. This made my Windows style headset useless, but more than that it made my audio system setup inoperable. I have my computer connected to my 5.1 surround sound stereo system, both for output listening to iTunes and other audio as well as input from other devices connected to the stereo for recording. I needed a solution that would undo Apple's "bright idea" of combining all audio functions into one plug. I can understand such decisions when space is a premium such as laptops, notebooks, cell phones, and tablets... but a 27" desktop iMac computer??? Really?
Anyway, this little gadget does the trick! It splits out the audio output from the audio input beautifully and once again gives us 2 different jacks serving different functions to plug in our various audio devices. This is NOT an audio output splitter or y-adapter. You would not plug in 2 headphone into this. Instead, it once again gives us a plug for a microphone and a second plug for a headphone. I was a little worried that this StarTech adapter would not allow stereo sound, but it does. Very nice! It's a great product!
Just FYI, I've done this with my system. After plugging the StarTech jack in, I plugged an 3.5mm stereo audio y-adapter into the headphone jack to split the audio output so that I could plug my stereo system and my headphones into the iMac and hear sound from both. It works great! There is a little picture of a microphone on one of the StarTech jacks, and a little picture of headphones on the other jack. It's a little hard to see since it's all the same color, black, but that's fine. I then plugged in the microphone jack from my headset into the StarTech microphone jack. Once you have all the connections plugged in you may need to re-boot or re-start your computer so that the "smart plug" notices that there is now a microphone attached and allows sound to be inputed into the iMac and the mic to work. Also, just in case you are new to the iMac like me, it seems the the iMac's built in mic continues to function even if headphones are plugged into the headphone jack.
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Reviews with images
Extremely misleading -- had to cut and resolder it
This adapter is very misleading, since the microphone side works only on some devices. What is wrong is that not all of the wires from the "three ring" male side are connected to the two female sides. This adapter is supposed to be what's called a "TRRS to TRS/TRS" adapter.The TRRS refers to the "three ring" male side, where you see four metal bands: T for tip, R for ring, R for another ring, and S for sleeve.Most companies have the TRRS metal bands used for LRMG, meaning L for left headphone channel, R for right headphone channel, M for microphone, and G for ground. Apple, of course, is LRGM, switching the mic and ground just so you have to buy their special adapter which costs more -- yes they are that cynical.Anyway, this adapter does not connect on of the MG lines to the microphone. Some devices will tolerate this and compensate, depending on how its connected (e.g., the ground may be connected elsewhere). But for many, it just means that the microphone side will not work at all, or that it may have terrible quality. That's the root of most of the 1 star reviews on here -- the "it does not work" variety.I had this problem and had to order a different one from a different company. But I was in a huge hurry, so I ended up having to cut this StarTech one apart and solder a new wire in for the MG. I attached a couple pictures for anyone who also has this problem, doesn't mind soldering, and is in too much of a hurry to wait for a new one to be delivered.Suffice it to say, StarTech is being extremely misleading by not mentioning this in the advertising. Now I can't trust them and will not be buying any more StarTech products.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2013
Size: Male to FemaleStyle: BlackPattern Name: AdapterVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2018
Size: Female to MaleStyle: BlackPattern Name: AdapterVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2014
Size: Male to FemaleStyle: BlackPattern Name: AdapterVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2015
Size: Male to FemaleStyle: BlackPattern Name: AdapterVerified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
South Coast Guy
Works Great on My M1 Macbook Air
Reviewed in Canada on September 13, 2023Size: Male to FemaleStyle: BlackPattern Name: AdapterVerified Purchase
Giuseppe G.
Adattatore/sdoppiatore per cuffia e microfono da TRRS a dual TRS
Reviewed in Italy on January 1, 2024Size: Male to FemaleStyle: BlackPattern Name: AdapterVerified Purchase
Giuseppe G.
Reviewed in Italy on January 1, 2024
L'adattatore si presenta con un cavo con due connettori placcati jack TRS da 3.5 mm femmina, e un connettore placcato TRRS maschio. I connettori sono rivestiti di uno strato gommoso, comunque rigido. Il cavo a Y, connettori compresi è lungo 20 cm e il diametro dei conduttori, guaina compresa è di 2 mm.
E' stato provato l'adattatore con numerosi modelli di laptop e cuffie e sia gli altoparlanti che il microfono sono stati riconosciuti e hanno funzionato egregiamente.
Una cosa che non mi è piaciuta sono state le serigrafie in rilievo poste sui due connettori per contraddistinguere l'audio per il microfono da quello per l'altoparlante, che a causa del basso contrasto sono appena visibili. In condizioni di scarsa illuminazione è quindi più difficile trovare subito il connettore giusto.
Nel complesso è un buon prodotto con un buon rapporto qualità/prezzo.
Images in this review
Aruna
Fits the bill
Reviewed in India on June 16, 2020Size: Male to FemaleStyle: BlackPattern Name: AdapterVerified Purchase
森島 通政
使いやすい。
Reviewed in Japan on January 9, 2022Size: Male to FemaleStyle: BlackPattern Name: AdapterVerified Purchase
Kevin
For video recording purpose
Reviewed in Singapore on September 5, 2021Size: Male to FemaleStyle: BlackPattern Name: AdapterVerified Purchase
