Really stupid cable question

[MJ2]

Probably the most Noddy, simple question asked this year, but I don’t know and need to know, so I’m up for the lambasting

Above is a picture of the 2 ends of my headphone cable. Both jack’s are 3.5mm.

If I plug the 3 ‘element (?)’ jack into the headphones and the 2 ‘element’ jack into the headphone amp all works perfectly. If, however, I reverse the cable, I only get output on the right hand side !

Why is this and is it usual ?

Also I need to order a longer cable, so what is the correct terminology for what I need to order ?

Thanks for your understanding and for helping the needy.

[pbg]

one of the 4 poles (3 element end) is probably for a mute button or similar (or they have split the ground for some reason). The 3 pole end (2 elements) is just stereo (L, R, ground).

[MJ2]

Yes, there is a mute button inline, but a 3 pole jack each end lead also gives sound only on the right channel.

If it helps, at all, the cans are Oppo PM-3’s.

[pbg]

prob the sockets, or maybe the mute is connected to ground somehow - it might just short the signal lines to ground. Id say thats a 3.5mm 3pole to 4 pole cable youre looking for

like this?

Replacement Control Talk Mic Cable Audio For Beats Monster Dr Dre Solo/Solo...

[MJ2]

I don’t need or want the talk control, but a 3 pole to 3 pole lead only gives output on the right channel.

[pbg]

You’ll need the right number of poles for the ground to line up in the socket.

You’re unlikely to get a plain 4 pole to 3 pole cable as the inline button is where the signal lines are joined - how would they know which two to join in a generic cable?

[MJ2]

OK, looking at / thinking about it further, it looks like I might need a slim 3.5mm jack plug.

The ones on the 3 pole to 3 pole lead are normal, not slim, so, I think, won’t push quite far enough into the indented headphone socket.

Headphone socket and 3 pole to 3 pole jack pictured below.

If so, stupid design on the headphones.

[ICHM]

They do this to make you buy the replacement cables from them at ten times the generics. Not so stupid.