Want to build a volume control for me?

[pcumming]

I have a home phone handset with a 2.5 mm jack. I like to use a headset for longer conversations.
Headset is mono (one earpiece) with a microphone attached. The 2.5 mm jack is mono and thus has only 2 insulation/separation rings on it.

I would like someone to build a small volume control for me that controls ONLY the earpiece volume (not mic).
Why? Earpiece volume is too loud regardless of headset used. When I crank the phone volume headset down to its minimum it is still too loud. This has occurred with 3 different pairs of headsets. Even bought a Plantronics headphone with a volume and mic control built-in. Problem with that item was that somehow they cut the gain on the mic so people had trouble hearing me.

So: I envision a small box with a pot on top (of some ohm-age). 2.5mm female input and output jacks on both sides of the box.

This must be tested with a mono headset with a mic. You could test perhaps with a cell phone if it accept a 2.5mm jack or a home phone handset. Testing with a pc game headset will not work since that is stereo.

****I could build my own if someone were to suggest the correct ohm-age pot (I have no clue), a suggested suppliers with links, where I might find a small case for the pot, etc... I can of course get the jacks anywhere.

Thanks so much
PC

[scott17]

Why build one? This is less expensive.

Plantronics Cordless Phone Headset with In-line Volume - M214C | Headsets.com - America's Headset Specialists

Originally Posted by pcumming

I have a home phone handset with a 2.5 mm jack. I like to use a headset for longer conversations.
Headset is mono (one earpiece) with a microphone attached. The 2.5 mm jack is mono and thus has only 2 insulation/separation rings on it.

I would like someone to build a small volume control for me that controls ONLY the earpiece volume (not mic).
Why? Earpiece volume is too loud regardless of headset used. When I crank the phone volume headset down to its minimum it is still too loud. This has occurred with 3 different pairs of headsets. Even bought a Plantronics headphone with a volume and mic control built-in. Problem with that item was that somehow they cut the gain on the mic so people had trouble hearing me.

So: I envision a small box with a pot on top (of some ohm-age). 2.5mm female input and output jacks on both sides of the box.

This must be tested with a mono headset with a mic. You could test perhaps with a cell phone if it accept a 2.5mm jack or a home phone handset. Testing with a pc game headset will not work since that is stereo.

****I could build my own if someone were to suggest the correct ohm-age pot (I have no clue), a suggested suppliers with links, where I might find a small case for the pot, etc... I can of course get the jacks anywhere.

Thanks so much
PC

[pcumming]

Per my original posting, I tried a Plantronics and it reduced the gain of the mic severely limiting peoples ability to hear me. I bought the exact one you mentioned and ripped (cut cord and re-spliced) out the volume/mic control and then the mic sounded fine but the headset was still too loud. Ended up shoving various baffles (tape, plastic etc..) I factored into the earpiece to lessen the volume.
Perhaps the mic and headphone share a wire? I wonder..

I assume a 2.5 mm plug should have 3 wires and if so does the mic and headphone share a wire??

Originally Posted by scitizen17

Why build one? This is less expensive.

Plantronics Cordless Phone Headset with In-line Volume - M214C | Headsets.com - America's Headset Specialists