Here is a more detailed explanation for Fairphone 1. It appears that the headphones specs are somewhat similar, if I’m right.
Thanks Stephan. I hope I’ll find an adaptor…
Hi,
this was the thread that finally made me register to the forum.
First of all, many, many thanks to Elispus for mentioning the standards. This question was bugging me for years. I am currently using a Galaxy Nexus until my FP2 arrives, and I had a headset not working and couldn’t find out why. Ok, I’m still found no specification for my phone and obviously no headset seller sees it necessary to give information about the used standard, which drives me nuts. But thats just my rant to this topic.
Why I answered is actually this very useful information; concerning your specific problem the following part is important:
Additionally, Apple has patents on their TRRS connection- in fact on the resistances (the actual ohm resistance in-line on the controls- not to get scientific or anything ) so that the headphones are designed to work only with Apple products. In other words- you could have a device with the same TRRS Pinout as apple products- but the headset wont work because the resistances (ohms) of the headphones send signals that your phone is not allowed to interpret into the correct actions (since apple patented these)
I hope this helps.
Wow, that’s kind of frustrating. Yesterday I tried my headset I used for many years on my iPhone4 and everything worked – except the mic. I can use the volume buttons and also the third button on the remote control for starting/stoping music and to skip to the next song worked (with Spotify at least). If anyone has a fully FP2 working headset with remote controlls and mic, which one is it? Or did you just get an adapter to get your old headset working?
There are headsets that say specifically for android. I have a headset intended for iphone, where the mic is working and out of 3 buttons it recognizes one (there is an app, I think its called jayz headset control, where u can check if the phone gets any imput from the buttons and then change what they should do). This is not optimal, so I guess one of the “android” headsets would be.
I tested a cheap PC headset with the FP2 and it worked, you can also use the microphone. Of course you need an adapter to connect the headset (two plugs) with the FP2 (one receptacle). You have no buttons which control the smartphone, but a microphone switch (on/off) and a volume control (with both no effect to the smartphone). And it does not really fit in a pocket.
For usage at home this headset would be a better alternative to an in-ear headset. I couldn’t decide yet which in-ear headset to take so I haven’t got one.
Hello again, thank you for your interest and contributions, however, this is getting more and more confusing to me…
As I reported earlier, I have a headphone set and an earphone set, both working as expected in apple devices (stereo sound, microphone, start/stop button, volume buttons) but have limited use in FP2 (stereo sound and start/stop button only).
FP2 specifications say that the jack standard is CTIA.
The manufacturer of my heaphones say that they are perfectly designed to be used with apple products AND that they are “CTIA 4-pole”. http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/Headphones/Headphones/Headphones/P5-Series-2.html
Wikipedia says that there are no standards for TRRS, but identifies two usages for audio, CTIA, including apple products and OMTP, that is essentially the same as CTIA but with mic and ground reversed. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phone_connector_(audio)
If that was the case, a simple adapter would do the trick http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Sony-EC250-CTIA-to-OMTP-Adapter-Converter-Headphones-Handsfree-Earphones-/261463302409?hash=item3ce06d6109:g:A4MAAOSwVFlT~eFK
I have not checked, so I cannot say it works…
An interesting contribution here also says that there is a resistance incompatibility, even if the jack is correctly adapted on the contactors side. It would mean that the adapter would be (almost?) useless… http://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-s3/189523-final-soultion-why-most-headsets-won-t-work.html
Btw, which Llama app do they refer to?
To summarize, the more I understand the more questions I have and my frustration was even increased when I found out who is behind CTIA http://www.ctia.org/about-us/current-members
Even if my impression is that apple is to be blamed for their proprietary design.
Any practical idea to use the B&W with FP2?
Thanks much Sonne
A lot of terms going on here and much confusion. I’ve got some standard Philips headphones which don’t state which kind of remote it has. The thing I notice is not being able to use the remote. It used to have start/stop and skip (double click) function and I was always told that’s industrie standard.
Anyone known with this?
http://www.philips.nl/c-p/SHO7205WT_10/oneill-de-construct-hoofdtelefoon-met-hoofdband/overzicht
The question is whether the mic works. If it does then the headset is probably CTIA (if it would be OMTP the mic wouldn’t work). If the mic works then your question is about the buttons on the remote - which judging by other posts on the forum can be tricky to get right. There are some apps that are occasionally recommended to map the buttons to a specific function - I can’t specifically recommend any (no experience) try searching around a little for recommendations (though I do note there appears to be a philips specific one that offers button customisation - but maybe only for 1 button models - and audio ‘enhancements’).
Hi everyone,
I have been following this thread for a while and now I’m going to post a conversation that I had with the support about this issue:
So… the one precise information is the hint not to use Apple-compatible headsets (even though some of you stated that this “CTIA” standard is used by Apple?).
If I get any update on this, I will let you all know!
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Ok so as far as I understood, there are two standards concerning the plugs (with mics): CTIA and OMTP. But they are only hardwarewise which ring is for what, and a adapter can change from one standard to the other.
The Apple only headsets have an ADDITIONAL thing named TRRS conncection that is more interesting softwarewise, and that is patented though not usable for android phones (-> no mic, not full button function). There you can do nothing.
But any headset lacking this TRRS with buttons should be work, either with or without adaptor.
Unfortunately enough most headsets don’t have a detailed descrition about used standards (which annoys me incedible). But with something like “android headset” you should be on the save side.
But concerining a good android headset there are many discussions on the internet, so a little bit of research should do.
Hey all,
I opened a wiki to create a list of headphones that work or not with the FP2.
Please add the type and model of your headphone to the list so others can learn from it.
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The Wiki is a great idea, thanks very much!
Hi Douwe, there is a lot of info on the different standards, and it seems like FP2 opted for changing its position compared to the last FP1. In most cases it seems like a converter cable would work, and this would be a better advice then to buy a new headphone I think. Mobile Phone Headsets for sale | eBay
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Does somebody have an advise which other smartphone company is the closest to the FP2? I just went to a store a tried some headsets… all without succes 
… at least the wiki is extended with models that don’t work
I have also two simple HeadSets, which are not properly working with the FP2 but did it like a charm with the FP1 and another old Nokia phone.
I made some more research I want here to share and which I also sent to support.
The 3.5mm headsets are 4-wired (2xstereo sound, 1 mic, 1 ground) with a call button.
Strange behaviour includes:
- If I plug in the headset slowly I** can’t see any symbol** in the notification bar (maybe normal behaviour of Android 5.1 in contrast to 4.2, which clearly showed me If I have plugged in a headset or a headphone)
- During plugging in, I can feel different “snaps” according to the 3 black rings of the jack-stick which are connected with the outer contact of the jack.
a) if it connects to the contact between 2nd and 3rd ring: my right headphones of the set begins to make clicking noises continously
b) if it connects exatly the 3rd ring there is nothing to hear
c) if it connects to the last contact after the 3rd ring: the clicking noise at the right headphone is back, just quieter - If I only play music through the headset I basically CAN hear the music, but in a very bad quality. Only during pressing the CALL-BUTTON the sound is as expected!! Releasing the button, sound again bad!
- If I try to call through the headset the mic seems to work - but in an unexpected way:
The headphones itself do not work (or extrem quietly). But during PRESSING the CALL-BUTTON I can instantly clearly hear everything correct (as Nr. 3 above). The MIC is working quite OK, but DURING PRESSING the CALL-BUTTON, the MIC is disabled.
Thus it is not possible to make a normal call !! - During plugging-in any headphone/-set one should care about to fully plug-in the jackstick, as the last 1mm needs some stronger pushing… see pictures
- If I plug-in the headset, the software makes different things.
-sometimes a grey screen appears just announcing “Initializing” in the middle
-sometimes the music player continues to play (could be intended behaviour)
-sometimes the music player does not continue to play
-sometimes it appears the screen from “Google Now - please speak now”
forum threads in connection: here, here, here and the semi-official list here
For me it seems that there is any contacts inside the FP-jack wrong connected.
OR: my headset is not suitable for the FP2. BUT: Why it worked without problems with the FP1 and another Nokia-phone?
Plus the (hopefully) software-side is not programmed fully functional…
Playing Music through other headphones (without any mic) works well!
Any comments ???
Cheers, Robert
My headsets are:
Nokia WH-102 HS-125: 
and
B7 ZTE Blade: 
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Thank you for detailed information, Robert! I have delivered a support request approx. one week ago, still waiting for answer. I will supply them with your information, too. I have checked my FP2 more in depth, and it seems to the “little plate” at the entrance of the “hole” that “only” may have to be removed a little bit. But I do not dare to do that without having asked the support.
I will forward their answer, when arrived.
/regina