Earphone extension cable

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Earphone extension cable

Hey

Years ago I bought a protection kit for my Ipod Nano 4G. It came with a small thing called something like an earphone extension cable. Or headphone extension cable. I've also seen it called "Audio Extension Cable 3.5mm".

Here is a link to what it looks like ( http://www.macfixit.com.au/shop/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=494 ). I believe that this one would work.

Anyway, mine eventually ripped open and I want to replace it. Note that these cables come in various sizes from 4 inch, 6 inch, and then you start getting into like 6 foot, 10 foot, 25, 100, etc... I'm looking for preferably 4inch, but 6 inch would be acceptable too. Nothing longer than that otherwise I'm just packing a huge cable around with me while I use my ipod.

I've looked in store and cannot find anyone selling any short ones. Only very long ones.

I've looked online and cannot find anyone selling one (remember, 6 inch or shorter, there are lots selling long ones) that says it will work for the ipod, except the one provided in the link above. The reason I don't buy that one is because international shipping from that website (based in Australia) is not permitted. So I cannot buy that one.

I've found other sites that sell audio extension cables, but whether it works for the ipod nano I don't know. I bought one online recently but when I got it I can plug the male end into the ipod, but the female end will not accept the ipod headphones. The female end hole is too narrow (yes I know, funny perverted jokes..). Note that the extension cable that was working that I got with my protection kit has a larger female hole that accepts the ipod headphones properly. So in the end, this one has a female hole too small to accept it, and finding 6 inch or shorter cables is hard enough, so now the ones that I can see online, I cannot determine if it will actually work or not. All of them call themselves 3.5mm male and female. Yet obviously the female ends come in different sizes as you can see from the two that I have.

So my question is, does anyone know where I can find one that you know WILL work: Meaning, the male end will plug into the Ipod nano 4G, and the female end WILL accept the ipod earphones?
Note this one here: http://www.tmart.com/Headphone-Adapter-for-Apple-iPhoneiPhone-3GS-Black_p116375. html - It says it is for the iphone. I would ASSUME that it could work for the ipod too. I contacted them but they don't know. They said that because the name of the product says iphone and not ipod, that they assume it's only for the iphone. I think I'm going to place an order for it anyway and I just take my chances. Only because the cable is only $1.58 and the shipping is free. The other sites charge shipping in the range of $20+ just for the cable that can fit inside an envelope.

Thanks for anyone that can help. Here are some other sites that I have found but I don't know if they WILL work or not:
http://www.opentip.com/Electronics-Computers/Cmple-Stereo-Audio-Headphone-Extens ion-Cable-Mm-Inches-p-3363898.html

http://www.cmple.com/p-1050-stereo-audio-headphone-extension-cable-35mm-6-inches .aspx

iPod nano, Earphone extension cable

Posted on May 19, 2012 11:21 AM

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Answer 1

CMBC Author

Level 1

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May 21, 2012 11:07 AM in response to CMBC

I just located this from a different post on here:
http://www.cablejive.com/products/headphoneXtender.html

It looks like it is EXACTLY what I need. The site declares that it works for Ipods specifically that are using protective cases that most other male pins can't properly penetrate. I believe this is what will work.

Only problem is, they actually want $10 for shipping to Canada. It's ridiculous. You can send an envelope with a small thing in it for a couple dollars at most. And they charge $10.

I'm going to contact them and ask them to give me a fair shipping charge, as this is absolutely ridiculous.

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Answer 2

May 22, 2012 1:12 AM in response to CMBC

A headphone extension is just three wires (or two with a shield) with three contact points (tip, ring and sleeve), and as long as it's the Phone Mini (or 1/8th") type, it will work. The only other consideration is whether your headphones have a built-in microphone. If the jack on your Nano is obstructed by a case of some sort, and the plug doesn't go all the way into the jack, I suppose there could be a cable designed to compensate, but that would really be an inconvenience to the user, so I doubt they would sell many of those cases. Radio Shack might be a place to check.

As far as shipping, it's not just postage that you have to consider. There's the cost of packaging, paying the people who work the line, and once you've covered those two expenses, you are just breaking even. It's not unreasonable for a company to want to make a profit from shipping as well (some clearinghouse businesses practically give away the merchendise just to make money on the shipping). That said, free shipping is a benefit to the consumer that can mean making a sale or not, so vote with your dollars.

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