Headphones: 3 button remote with USB-C dongle

[Martin_F]

Has anybody had any issues using their old 3.5mm headphones with the USB-C dongle?
My Marshall Monitors don't fully work with the dongle on the pixel 3.
Only the play pause button works, but not the volume up or down.
I've used the same headphones on my old iPhone 7 with Apple's dongle and everything is fine.
Any ideas what the problem could be and how to fix it?

 

[klau25]

With wire buttons, there's always issues for me. I remember a lot of them would work on my wife's iPhone but not on my android. That's one of the main reasons I been using Bluetooth for many years now. Buttons always work as it should for my Bluetooth headphones. I think it's something has to do with the way it send the signal. I could be wrong. I reseched this long time ago and haven't really use wired headphones for years now. Sorry can't be more help.

 

[Martin_F]

I've tried another set of headphones and the result is the same.
Volume doesn't work, play/pause works.
Does anybody know it that's a dongle issue, or a phone issue?
In other words, is it worth hunting for a different dongle or not?

 

[Martin_F]

Apple just released the new iPad with USB-C port. That means the now also sell a USB-C to 3.5mm dongle for $9.
I just got my order in and will report back if it fully works with my Pixel 3.
Worst case, I spent $9 instead of $12 from Google

 

[radgatt]

I found that the dongle that came with the Pixel 2 XL works fine with my Pixel 3 XL and I was using the Samsung AKG headphones that came with the Galaxy S8+. But at the same time, they are not premium headphones like the OP's are.

 

[Martin_F]

I found that the dongle that came with the Pixel 2 XL works fine with my Pixel 3 XL and I was using the Samsung AKG headphones that came with the Galaxy S8+. But at the same time, they are not premium headphones like the OP's are.

That's interesting.
Google changed their dongles right before they released the Pixel 3. They said they made it a lot louder and also raised the price from $9 to $12.
My wife has the Pixel 2, so I will try her dongle and see if that works with my headphones.

Amazon still sells the old one: https://www.amazon.com/Google-Pixel...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU6386080
The Item number is: GA00218
Unfortunately Google doesn't tell us the item number of the current (Pixel 3) version.

 

[PhobicCarrot]

I bought this one from Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU6386171) and it works for sound. The single button on my earbuds functions to stop/start the music.

 

[Martin_F]

Just checked my wife's and it's the same, the middle button works for play/pause, skip and Assistant, but the volume doesn't work.

I bought this one from Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU6386183) and it works for sound. The single button on my earbuds functions to stop/start the music.

Thanks for the note. Seems like Android doesn't support volume control through the 3.5mm dongle.
A shame really...

 

[sblair1269]

I'm using the dongle and can't skip tracks. volume works and so does pause/play but double tapping for skip, nada. using a pair of B&Os.

 

[Martin_F]

I'm using the dongle and can't skip tracks. volume works and so does pause/play but double tapping for skip, nada. using a pair of B&Os.

Are you using the one that came with the Pixel 3/3XL?
Maybe the manufacturer does make a difference.
Should have the Apple made dongle in on Friday, I'll update you guys...

 

[Devlyn16]

Just a reminder that headsets/earbuds designed FOR Apple are different from the standard ones:View attachment 293351
Not sure how this affects things when used with the dongle but doubt they thought ahead and included software to detect and auto switch based on plug design

Edit: It seems My Information is outdated. Most cell phone use the same set up now, Unfortunately Apple signals things differently so the issue is with how they signal


Apple's non-standard signalling and control method means many designed for iPhone headsets are incompatible with other devices. In general the audio out and one button control on such headsets will work, but the audio-in (microphone) and volume controls will not. Some headset manufacturers produce dual version products that have wider support (presumably supporting more than one signalling method), but working out which is which is a little hit and miss. Its advisable to avoid iPhone specific headset accessories where possible; instead look for AHJ or OMTP compatibility as suited to your specific device. SOURCE: https://help.longtailproducts.com/h...-Headset-Standards-Apple-iPhone-AHJ-CTIA-OMTP

 

[Martin_F]

@Devlyn16 thanks for the info.

Alright, I got my Apple dongle in today.
It doesn't work with the Marshall headphones at all. Not a single button.
But it does work well with the Apple EarPods. All the buttons work with it. $9 well spent.
Now I'll try a different cable (3.5mm on both ends with the remote made for Android) to see if I get the headphones to work.
An interesting side note, the Apple dongle has two more contacts inside the USB-C connector compared to the Pixel dongle.