An IEM cable with mic is a detachable earphone cable with a microphone built in, so your in-ear monitors work as a headset for games, calls and voice chat. Null Audio makes two: Ethos MKIII Pro-Gaming, an analogue 3.5 mm cable with a recording-grade microphone, and Capri USB-C, which adds a DAC and a microphone in one plug.
This guide is for anyone who wants to talk through their IEMs without a separate headset. You'll learn how an IEM cable with mic works, which plug suits a phone, console or PC, and what each of our options can and can't do.
Key takeaways
- A 3.5 mm headset plug has 4 contacts (TRRS); a plain stereo plug has 3.
- Two wiring standards exist, CTIA and OMTP, which swap the microphone and ground contacts, so Ethos MKIII Pro-Gaming includes a CTIA-to-OMTP adapter for Xbox.
- Capri USB-C has a MEMS microphone and a hi-res DAC supporting 24-bit audio up to 192 kHz, and its cable is 1.27 m long.
- Ethos MKIII Pro-Gaming is a 1.2 m silver-plated copper cable with a recording-grade microphone probe.
- iPhone 15 and later use USB-C; iPhone 5 to iPhone 14 use Lightning, which suits Capri Balanced.
What is an IEM cable with mic?
An IEM cable with mic is a replacement cable for in-ear monitors that carries a microphone on the cable itself. The earphone end plugs into your IEMs as normal. The player end carries both your audio and your voice.
Most stock IEM cables have no microphone. That is fine for listening, but not for a team chat or a phone call. Swapping to a mic cable turns the same IEMs into a headset, with the isolation and fit you already have.
Analogue or digital?
There are two ways to do it. An analogue mic cable ends in a 3.5 mm headset plug and relies on the device's own headphone output and microphone input. A digital mic cable ends in USB-C or Lightning. It contains its own DAC (digital-to-analogue converter), amplifier and microphone, so the phone or computer only sends and receives digital data.
A DAC is the chip that turns digital audio into the analogue signal your IEMs play. For more on why phones need one, read IEMs with your phone: USB-C DAC cable, dongle or Bluetooth?
IEM cable with mic options compared
All of these are in our gaming IEM cables with mic collection or linked from it.
| Cable | Player end | Microphone | Length | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethos MKIII Pro-Gaming | 3.5 mm headset plug, plus CTIA-to-OMTP adapter | Recording-grade microphone probe | 1.2 m | Consoles, controllers and devices with a 3.5 mm headset socket |
| Capri USB-C | USB-C with built-in DAC and amplifier | MEMS microphone | 1.27 m | USB-C phones, tablets and laptops |
| Capri Balanced | Lightning or USB-C, balanced output | Phone calls, remote and Siri functions | See product page | iPhones with Lightning |
| Nyx+ | Bluetooth 5.3, no plug | Calls with cVc noise cancellation | 58 cm | Wireless calls and music |
Ethos MKIII Pro-Gaming: an analogue cable with a microphone
Ethos MKIII Pro-Gaming is a special version of our Ethos Plus cable with a recording-grade microphone probe. It is designed for gaming, where clear voice pickup matters as much as the sound.
What it is made of
The conductor is silver-plated copper, UPOCC cast. Silver-plated copper is a copper conductor with a thin silver layer on each strand. We describe the Ethos sound as textured, with tight, controlled bass. The cable has little memory effect and is very flexible, which helps on the go.
The cable is 1.2 m (48 inches) long. Pin contacts are 99.9% gold hard plating over brass, and joints use our custom 10% silver solder. It starts at USD 89 and carries our 1-year warranty.
The Xbox adapter
The box includes a 3.5 mm CTIA-to-OMTP adapter for Xbox. That adapter exists because headset plugs are not all wired the same way, as the next section explains.
Capri USB-C: a DAC and microphone in the cable
Capri USB-C builds a hi-res DAC, a headphone amplifier and a microphone into an earphone cable. It plugs straight into a USB-C phone, tablet or laptop. It starts at USD 39.
Features
- 24-bit playback at sample rates up to 192 kHz.
- A MEMS microphone, with phone call, remote, recording and voice assistant functions.
- Fully shielded OCC silver-plated copper wiring, 1.27 m (50 inches) long.
- Detachable 2-pin or MMCX plugs; other connectors such as A2DC to order.
- No driver needed on Windows or macOS.
Know the limits
Capri USB-C is tuned for sensitive IEMs. With IEMs above 18 Ω and below 105 dB sensitivity, you may need more volume than usual. Gain is lower on phones and higher on laptops, so turn the volume down when you switch devices.
Cellular calls do not work on Samsung and Huawei phones and tablets, although voice call apps such as Skype do. Some other Android brands may not support cellular calls either. It is not compatible with the iPad Pro 11 or MacBook Pro. The product page states that no returns are accepted on these grounds, so check first.
Which plug works with your phone, console or PC?
The right IEM cable with mic depends on the socket you are plugging into.
3.5 mm headset sockets
A plain stereo 3.5 mm plug is TRS: tip, ring and sleeve, 3 contacts. A headset plug is TRRS, with a fourth contact for the microphone (Wikipedia). There are two layouts. The OMTP standard puts ground on the sleeve and the microphone on the second ring. The CTIA standard reverses them. A headset wired to one layout needs an adapter on a device that uses the other, which is why Ethos MKIII Pro-Gaming includes one.
Phones
iPhone 15 and later use USB-C, while iPhone 5 to iPhone 14 use Lightning (Apple). Capri USB-C is designed around Android phones and works with most USB-C phones. For a Lightning iPhone, Capri Balanced supports Lightning with full phone call, remote and Siri functions.
PCs and laptops
On a laptop, Capri USB-C needs no driver on Windows or macOS. If your PC has a combined 3.5 mm headset socket, an analogue cable such as Ethos MKIII Pro-Gaming is the other route. If you are unsure which socket you have, contact us.
Consoles
Ethos MKIII Pro-Gaming includes the CTIA-to-OMTP adapter for Xbox. For other consoles, contact us before you order.
For more on plugs, see our player plug guide and 3.5 mm, 2.5 mm or 4.4 mm balanced?
Can you get a mic on an upgrade cable?
Yes, on selected cables. A microphone option is available on some of our cables when you build them to order. Every Null Audio cable is built by hand in Singapore with the connector and plug you choose.
A microphone needs its own contact. A 4.4 mm balanced plug already uses all 5 of its contacts for 4 signal wires and ground. Ask us which cables and plugs can take the microphone option for your IEMs.
Whichever cable you choose, the earphone end has to match your IEMs. Our IEM connector guide and 2-pin, MMCX, IPX or Pentaconn Ear explain the options. MMCX sockets can loosen with frequent swapping (Audio-Technica), so if you switch between a mic cable and a music cable often, handle the connectors with care. How to make your IEM cable last covers this.
Cable noise
Microphonics is the noise a cable makes when it rubs or moves (Sennheiser). Ethos is designed with little memory effect and an ultra-flexible build for use on the go and on stage.
What about wireless calls?
If you would rather have no wire to the device, Nyx+ is a Bluetooth 5.3 cable for IEMs. It handles phone calls with Qualcomm cVc noise cancellation.
Nyx+ supports LDAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, AAC and SBC. It plays for up to 20 hours per charge, with a range of up to 15 m. The cable is 58 cm long, weighs 15 g and charges over USB-C. A wired cable, by contrast, never needs charging or pairing.
Choose your IEM cable with mic
Start with the socket on your device. For consoles and 3.5 mm headset sockets, choose Ethos MKIII Pro-Gaming. For USB-C phones and laptops, choose Capri USB-C. Then check your IEM's connector with Find My Cable, which covers 400+ models.
You can browse both in the gaming IEM cables collection. If your device or IEM isn't listed, contact us and we'll tell you what fits.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my IEMs as a gaming headset?
Yes, if your IEMs have a detachable cable. Swap the stock cable for one with a built-in microphone, such as Ethos MKIII Pro-Gaming with a 3.5 mm headset plug, or Capri USB-C with a DAC and microphone in the plug. Check your IEM's connector first with Find My Cable.
Does an IEM mic cable work with Xbox?
Ethos MKIII Pro-Gaming comes with a 3.5 mm CTIA-to-OMTP adapter for Xbox. The adapter swaps the microphone and ground contacts, which are wired differently under the two headset standards. For other consoles, contact Null Audio before ordering.
What is the difference between CTIA and OMTP?
They are two wiring layouts for 4-contact 3.5 mm headset plugs. OMTP puts ground on the sleeve and the microphone on the second ring, and CTIA reverses them. A headset wired one way needs an adapter on a device that uses the other.
Does Capri USB-C work for phone calls?
Capri USB-C has a MEMS microphone with phone call, remote, recording and voice assistant functions. Cellular calls are not available on Samsung and Huawei phones and tablets, although voice call apps such as Skype work. It is not compatible with the iPad Pro 11 or MacBook Pro.
Which IEM cable with mic works with an iPhone?
iPhone 15 and later use USB-C, and iPhone 5 to iPhone 14 use Lightning. Capri Balanced supports Lightning with phone call, remote and Siri functions. Capri USB-C is designed around Android phones and USB-C laptops.
Can I add a microphone to a Null Audio upgrade cable?
A microphone option is available on selected Null Audio cables, built to order with the connector and plug you choose. A 4.4 mm balanced plug already uses all 5 of its contacts for audio and ground. Contact Null Audio to check which cable and plug combinations can take a microphone.
Sources
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