Does 2012 iMac support "4-pole (TRRS)"? *Audio related

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Does 2012 iMac support "4-pole (TRRS)"? *Audio related

I don't completely understand what "4-pole (TRRS)" is, so it would be better if I explained what I am wanting to do...

I'm looking to possibly get an Astro Gaming A30 headset to use with both my iMac and PS3. Normally, on a PC the A30 would connect via their "quick connect" cable to the PC's headphone and mic inputs, but since the 2012 iMac does not have a mic input, I asked Astro Gaming if there was another solution.

Below is my question to them and their response.

ME: I was looking into getting the A30s for mt iMac and PS3. I like the idea of the quick connect cable and was planning on having the mix amp plugged into my PS3 and when using the A30s with my iMac i could use them via the quick connect cable. However, the 2012 iMac does not come with a mic input... Is there a quick connect cable for usb instead? If not, what are my options?

ASTRO:Most iMac's feature a combined 4-pole (TRRS) connector which uses a single port instead of a seperate port for the audio and microphone. If yours features this (Apple support can verify), then you can connect the A30 Headset directly into the iMac and both the audio and microphone work correctly.

The A30 Headset features a single 3.5mm connector (TRRS) although we also include a PC Splitter which splits it into two separate connectors if needed which normally isn't for Mac's.

iMac (27-inch Mid 2011), Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on May 10, 2013 1:25 PM

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Answer 1

May 10, 2013 2:02 PM in response to jedolley

Perhaps someone else can confirm, but I cannot find anything that suggests the 2012 iMacs support audio input via the headphone port. Specifically, this link doesn't say anything about it: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5522

I thought there were a few models that do support two-way audio through the headport port, but I can't find anything to confirm that right now. My understanding is that audio input on the new iMacs is only supported through either the built-in mics or USB microphones.

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Answer 2

jedolley Author

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May 10, 2013 4:14 PM in response to Brandon2184

I think I was able to solve this myself... Once I got home I decided to test this with my iPhone 5 Earpods. I plugged them in and covered the iMac mic with tape. Covering the mic with tape turned out to be unecessary because once I plugged in the Earpods the "Input" device in the Sound settings changed from "Internal microphone" to "External microphone". I went on to test it by whispering directly into the Earpod mic and it registered on the input level. I then launched Ventrilo and confirmed that people were able to hear me.

I would like to see it documented somewhere, but my "test results" will have to do.

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