Y Cable Merger and Spliter Cable

Many computers including smart phones these days have the audio and microphone 3.5 mm jacks merged into a single jack. If you have a headset that also has only one jack, then this connection is fine. however, some headphone and microphone combo headset have two separate cables that requires two jacks on the device. To use such a headset, you need to get a Y adapter that merges these 2 jacks into one connector. Notice there bands on the male end has 3 bands or rings. These 3 bands are needed to carry both the sound out and the sound in.

This particular adapter is color-coded and marked with icons for speaker and microphone which make its function explicitly clear. Sometimes these visual clues are not there, so the only clue is the 3 bands.

Do not confuse this adapter with one whose purpose is to split the audio output to two speakers. For

example you want the audio of your computer to output to a pair of speakers on your desk and your headphone at the same time. Then you need a Y spliter like this. Notice the characteristic 2 bands.