Converting an OMTP/CTIA headphone to a standard TRS audio connection

In the following tutorial I will show you how to modify an OMTP/CTIA headset/earphone to have compatible sound with any audio player, but loss of control functions.  However, I will also explain how to convert from one to the other with some soldering.  Please note that there are simple adapters available to do this, but I prefer to not have any extra adapter or cords when I'm using a portable audio player; for convenience and to avoid stress on the audio jacks.

In this particular instance, I have modified a Sony MH1 "Live Sound" headset or earphone so that it doesn't require any adapter to "sound" normal with any device.  This has rendered the controls useless, but I will no longer have the strange hollow, ghosting, mono-like sound with incompatible devices.  I could have converted the connection from OMTP to CTIA, but that would simply change the devices that the earphones were/weren't compatible with but not eliminate sound problems on all devices.

New JDS Labs C5 portable headphone amplifier review!

I've posted a new review of the excellent C5 portable headphone amplifier by JDS Labs.

This is a really great amp with very reference sound quality. Check out the review/overview on my channel and stay tuned for a more detailed look at the sound quality in an upcoming video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAXVyinIKvU

Soldering fail!