Neil Paisnel

Q: Different volume with 3 or 4 pin headphones?

As I write this , I have no way of testing it, as I do not have any Apple '4 ring' 3.5mm headphones.

 

I was asked yesterday to go and 'fix' a lack of audio problem on a friends iPhone.

 

She plays music via iPhone through a set of powered speakers and a 3 ring standard 3.5mm jack plug.

 

Built in iPhone speakers work

When a set of her own '4 ring' Apple headphones are connected, they work.

When the 3.5mm 3 ring extension for the powered speakers is connected, the music stops.

The speakers do still work, I tested with my identical iPhone 5

 

It HAD been working with the powered speakers for months, yesterday 'mid song'    it stopped.....so she says.  I suspect user error, finger trouble.

 

 

I just wondered if the iPhone had a different volume setting for 3 ring and 4 ring 3.5mm accessories, in the same way it has 'headphone ' and builf in mode..   Wondered if there was a third mode she has muted.

 

I can't test that at my home, (no 4 ring headphones).  and it is a 25 mile round trip to hers to check this theory out.... And she is not savvy enough to do it herself.  She really would be better off with a cassette tape.... or wax cylinders !

Posted on Apr 7, 2016 11:48 PM

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Q: Different volume with 3 or 4 pin headphones?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by alex_h1,

    alex_h1 alex_h1 Apr 9, 2016 11:15 AM in response to Neil Paisnel
    Community Specialists
    Apr 9, 2016 11:15 AM in response to Neil Paisnel

    Howdy Neil,

    Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities.

     

    I see you have some questions concerning the compatibility of different "ringed" headphones on an iPhone.  In essence, both should work.  As you can see in the photo below, the urBeats In-Ear Headphones have 3 rings and are compatible with any iOS product.

     

    urBeats In-Ear Headphones - Black

     

    For troubleshooting issues with headphones, please follow through the steps in the link below.

     

    If your headphones don‘t work with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

     

    Take care.

  • by Neil Paisnel,

    Neil Paisnel Neil Paisnel Apr 9, 2016 1:30 PM in response to alex_h1
    Level 1 (40 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 9, 2016 1:30 PM in response to alex_h1

    Hi

     

    thanks for taking the time to reply,

     

    The trouble I am having is that the output works when headphones ARE plugged in, and used to work with a powered speaker connected. 

    Headphones are 4 pin and speaker is 3 pin.  I wondered if there was different volume levels for 3 and 4 pin , but obviously not...

     

    Not sure what the issue is..Speakers do work correctly with other devices.like an other identical iPhone

  • by alex_h1,

    alex_h1 alex_h1 Apr 9, 2016 2:54 PM in response to Neil Paisnel
    Community Specialists
    Apr 9, 2016 2:54 PM in response to Neil Paisnel

    Hi Neil,

     

    I suggest getting in contact with Apple Support, or taking the iPhone into an Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider, that way they can check to see if there's any debris in the headphone jack that could be preventing it from functioning.

     

    Apple Support

     

    Take care.