Headphones+Mic joiner question!

[garyanmorgan]

I will be using my ATH m40x's with a modmic. Will using and adapter such as https://www.officedepot.com/a/products/812371/SYBA-Multimedia-USB-20-External-Stereo/ or https://www.officedepot.com/a/products/929113/StarTechcom-Headset-adapter-for-headsets-with/ mess with sound or mic quality?

 

[canadianvice]

For the cable analog one you have, not at all. For the USB, that's where quality ends up being a bit more impactful. However, depending on how critical time is for you.... don't waste your money like this. If the analog option is amicable to you (link #2), I'd suggest that as it's less finicky and more durable. Shipping takes a bit longer, but I guarantee you the quality will be the same for the price you pay.

Go on Aliexpress or Ebay and type in something like "usb sound card". You will find literally those ones, but going for $2 CAD. Retail is a massive markup. For your consideration:

USB version here

Analog Option here

 

[garyanmorgan]

For the cable analog one you have, not at all. For the USB, that's where quality ends up being a bit more impactful. However, depending on how critical time is for you.... don't waste your money like this. If the analog option is amicable to you (link #2), I'd suggest that as it's less finicky and more durable. Shipping takes a bit longer, but I guarantee you the quality will be the same for the price you pay.

Go on Aliexpress or Ebay and type in something like "usb sound card". You will find literally those ones, but going for $2 CAD. Retail is a massive markup. For your consideration:

USB version here

Analog Option here

so for better quality go for the analog one?

 

[canadianvice]

The wrong terms, more like.... more predictable.

The thing is it's not an issue if you get USB, the trouble is that the analog one is idiot simple to put together and uses very standard components. The USB relies on a circuit board that, depending on the quality, could affect sound transmission, particularly with things like noise. I've had two USB based ones - the second one seemed to work well enough but I haven't really a purpose for it, and the first failed fairly quickly. USB stuff from China is one of the.... less consistent categories to buy from, and given a bit of time I could probably tell you the exact factory that Startech one popped out of - but it's of a similar make to the bad one I had, so.....

My suggestion is unless you needed to, keep it simple and go with the analog one. There's really no concept of quality with these as they're always made the same at the core - pricier ones just look more presentable, that's all, and there's less to go wrong.

If you want to search offerings yourself, the query you should try is:
"headphone microphone 4 pole" and maybe mix some words like pc in there. You can get your cue on the keywords from the title of the listing I linked. There are definitely ones that look nicer, but quality wise.... I've got no opinion there. I've ordered several to go into a Turtle beach mixamp (4 pole only) I have and have never noticed any issues regardless of the unit.