No Sound to 3.5 mm Headset on 2020 MacBook Pro

[trevor25220]

I have a headset with mike using blue and pink 3.5 mm plugs but I can't get it to work on my new MacBook. Plugging in to the body's headphone jack does not cut out the speakers. Changing sound preferences does not help at all. For Zoom sessions I have to use the built-in mike and speakers, which work well in quiet environments, but I prefer to use the headset (which worked on my 2011 MBP 13"). Also tried the headset socket on my multi-RCA hub but no use either. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[Slydude]

Looking online, I found at least two variations of that Mac. One released early in the year and one in October of the same year. Do you know which one you have? The audio jacks seem to be combined audio in/out jacks that may be slightly different. That can affect how some headsets work.

One solution would be to purchase an adapter that has separate 3.5 mm jacks (headphones and mic) that plugs into a USB port. Then plug the headset into that.

 

[trevor25220]

Looking online, I found at least two variations of that Mac. One released early in the year and one in October of the same year. Do you know which one you have? The audio jacks seem to be combined audio in/out jacks that may be slightly different. That can affect how some headsets work.

One solution would be to purchase an adapter that has separate 3.5 mm jacks (headphones and mic) that plugs into a USB port. Then plug the headset into that.

2 x Female 3.5 mm into USB-C ...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0761L1TYK/

Presumably would need to adjust sound preferences to USB for input and output of headset?

Actually it's a 2019 model, one of the first MBP 16" made, bought in May 2020. Could you also comment on the battery's design capacity which has always been low-90s% since new? Initially I ran it on battery between 40% and 80% of full charge, but now leave power plugged in all the time. Should I be sufficiently concerned to take it to my Apple Store for assessment? I know they guarantee batteries to hold 80% after 3 years ... but it's heading that way. Have a feeling the battery may have been sub-standard from new, not helped by lying unused for 7 months before sale, a point I could make at the Genius Bar.

 

[Slydude]

2 x Female 3.5 mm into USB-C ...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0761L1TYK/

Presumably would need to adjust sound preferences to USB for input and output of headset?

If I remember correctly, the last time I used similar devices, I had to adjust sound input/output settings.

I'm not 100% sure that particular cable handles audio in and out. The description and the pictures included lead me to suspect it is intended to be used as a headphone splitter. It took a bit of digging, but something like this should work https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FDLBYYJ/?tag=macforums0e4-20

I'll let others comment on the battery question. I have not followed that question for some time.

BTW sorry for the initial confusion. I misread your post and thought you were asking about the 2011 machine you had been using.

 

[trevor25220]

If I remember correctly, the last time I used similar devices, I had to adjust sound input/output settings.

I'm not 100% sure that particular cable handles audio in and out. The description and the pictures included lead me to suspect it is intended to be used as a headphone splitter. It took a bit of digging, but something like this should work https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FDLBYYJ/?tag=macforums0e4-20

I'll let others comment on the battery question. I have not followed that question for some time.

BTW sorry for the initial confusion. I misread your post and thought you were asking about the 2011 machine you had been using.

How about this 2 x 3.5mm female into 1 x 3.5mm male cable directly into the 3.5 mm audio socket on the MBP body? Important to have 4-pin TRRS for microphone to work too? My individual 3.5 mm headset plugs seem shorter than this product's 3.5 mm combining plug -- so that could be why my speakers are not cut out, in favour of the headphones, on insertion into Mac body.

DuKabel Headset Adapter TRRS Splitter (3.5 mm CTIA Jack Plug to 2 x TRRS Socket) 4 Pin Microphone Adapter Headphone Splitter for Headphones, Speakers and TRRS Microphone

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07QQY9NC9/

Or possibly this slightly-cheaper offering? Which do you think best?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07252L46K/

 

[krs]

How about this 2 x 3.5mm female into 1 x 3.5mm male cable directly into the 3.5 mm audio socket on the MBP body? Important to have 4-pin TRRS for microphone to work too. My individual 3.5 mm headset plugs seem shorter than this product's 3.5 mm combining plug -- so that could be why my speakers are not cut out, in favour of the headphones, on insertion into Mac body.

DuKabel Headset Adapter TRRS Splitter (3.5 mm CTIA Jack Plug to 2 x TRRS Socket) 4 Pin Microphone Adapter Headphone Splitter for Headphones, Speakers and TRRS Microphone

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07QQY9NC9/

Based on what I see on everymac.com for the 2019 16-inch MBp,the 3.5mm audio socket will take a TRRS plug to handle both left and right output and mono mike input.
So this splitter should work if the TRRS socket has the Apple assignment of mike and ground - that is TRRS are assigned left, right, ground, mike and NOT left, right, mike, ground.
Good description here:

Understanding TRRS and Audio Jacks - Cable Chick Blog

Learn about the varieties of audio jack and how to identify them, plus discover why one TRRS cable won't work for all your AV needs.

www.cablechick.com.au

The physical length of the TRS and TRRS plugs are the same - or should be.

 

[Slydude]

After looking at Apple's specs for the 16-inch model and found the following:

• High‑fidelity six‑speaker system with force‑cancelling woofers
• Wide stereo sound
• Support for Dolby Atmos playback
• Studio‑quality three-mic array with high signal-to-noise ratio and directional beamforming
• 3.5 mm headphone jack

https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro-16/specs/

This suggested to me that the jack you are speaking of is strictly a headphone jack and not a combined headphone/mic input. If it's just speaker jack it's not going to pick up mic input AFAIK.

After reading the post from member krs I'm a bit confused about the type of jack though. If it is a combo jack then you will need a 4 pole 3.5 mm plug for the adapter.

 

[krs]

We had this discussion about the MacBook headset jacks several times on this forum already.
I think it would be useful if the Mac Forum Administrator(s) consider creating a resource page for these types spec details where Apple's information is sadly lacking - specifically details about the headphone jack of the various models.
I looked up the port information on everymac.com - it states that the 2019 16-inch model has headphone output and mike input but no optical input/output.
But the way it is shown, I would interpret it that this Machas both a headphone jack and a separate mike jack-so not a TRRS as I thought.

 

[krs]

And when I check MacTracker - it shows only a headphone jack, no mike input of any type other than the built-in ones.
So it seems the only way to use an external mike is via a USB adapter

 

[Slydude]

And when I check MacTracker - it shows only a headphone jack, no mike input of any type other than the built-in ones.
So it seems the only way to use an external mike is via a USB adapter

I suppose there are some adapters out there that are input only, but this one should work.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FDLBYYJ/?tag=macforums0e4-20

 

[krs]

I suppose there are some adapters out there that are input only, but this one should work.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FDLBYYJ/?tag=macforums0e4-20

I agree - this should work,but when one reads the reviews, some people say it works "great" and for others the mike input doesn't work at all.

 

[Slydude]

I didn't think about looking at the reviews. I often find reviews on Amazon not to be very helpful. There is often such a disparity between reviewers that I wonder if the reviewers are talking about the same product.

That was the first example that I found. I'm sure there are others, and perhaps some that are more reliable. The key thing to look for will be that one of the two 3.5 mm connections is clearly marked as a mic connection; otherwise, all the adapter likely does is split the headphone signal to two different headsets.

 

[krs]

I didn't think about looking at the reviews. I often find reviews on Amazon not to be very helpful. There is often such a disparity between reviewers that I wonder if the reviewers are talking about the same product.

That is very true!
I mostly look for any reviews where the comments specifically refer to the Mac I want to use the product with.
But when people mention using a product with the Mac they often don't tell you which specific Mac - that's why I think for a product like these USB-audio adapters, a resource page on this forum would be very helpful. People could post there in one area which of those products work/don't work with a specific Mac and what any 'gotchas' might be.

That was the first example that I found. I'm sure there are others, and perhaps some that are more reliable. The key thing to look for will be that one of the two 3.5 mm connections is clearly marked as a mic connection; otherwise, all the adapter likely does is split the headphone signal to two different headsets.

Yes - there seem to be very few of these with a USB-C plug; I rember seeing a lot more with USB-A plugs.
I did a quick google search and came up with two more:
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B071HJ98Q6/

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B075YFDJ4Q/

 

[Slydude]

Those should work as well. If the iMic from Griffin technologies were still being made I'd have recommended that; It just works. I know it has the wrong type of USB connector but that is easily remedied. I have two in the wire box somewhere and they are getting hard to find.

My work Mac has USB-C, so I am just beginning to get used to that. I purchased a USB-C hub that has the older USB connections as well as HDMI and ethernet connections. It set me back about $60 US, but I can connect external monitors, older flash drives, and anything else aI might need.

 

[trevor25220]

My RCA USB-C Hub also has a headphone socket. Apple needs to distinguish between a headphone socket and a headset socket. I've ordered this one ... review by someone else follows ...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07252L46K/

5.0 out of 5 stars Works great on a new MacBook Pro. 2 July 2020

I bought this to give me headphone output and microphone input on a 16" MacBook Pro. It works great - I can choose the headphones and/or microphone under the sound settings and in some situations it's much better than the quality from the internal microphone, and the headphones mean you can use the set-up effectively in noisier environments. Good value.

 

[Slydude]

Hope that sorts things out for you. Let us know. I'm sure there are others with similar questions.

I have a similar hub that has a 3.5 mm connection. I need to test it to see if it is headphone audio out only or handles both input and output.

BTW if you are going to use the headset with Zoom check the audio preferences in Zoom. Although it can be set to follow Mac's sound settings for input and output, sometimes that setting does not seem to "stick". It could be a user error on my part but checking that setting beforehand has saved me a ton of troubleshooting time.

 

[krs]

duplicate

 

[krs]

Apple needs to distinguish between a headphone socket and a headset socket.

Agree - but unfortunately they don't.
This question about mike input on specific MacBooks comes up over and over again, so I will start to keep a track of what works and what doesn't.
Appreciate if you provide feedback once you get the item

I've ordered this one ... review by someone else follows ...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07252L46K/

5.0 out of 5 stars Works great on a new MacBook Pro. 2 July 2020

I bought this to give me headphone output and microphone input on a 16" MacBook Pro. It works great - I can choose the headphones and/or microphone under the sound settings and in some situations it's much better than the quality from the internal microphone, and the headphones mean you can use the set-up effectively in noisier environments. Good value.

Based on the review, this should definitely work.
But if it does, it also means both everymac.com and MacTracker are wrong.
everymac.com shows the 16-inch 2019 MacBook pro as having a separate external mike and headphone jack (like my 2012 Mini)
MacTracker shows the 16-inch 2019 MacBook pro as having no separate external mike input of any kind

 

[trevor25220]

Yes, that headset 2-into-one cable works fine in the 'headphone' jack, and cuts the speaker sound. Some splitters are for doubling headphones only ... in which case headset mikes won't work. Don't forget to turn on/up the headset's in-line mike control, if it has one.