Koss 155954 VC20 Volume Control, Standard Packaging, 39-Inch Cord, Compatible with Cell Phones and Headphones

This Koss 155954 VC20 should be identified as a "fader" control or maybe a " volume reducer", and not a true volume control, similar to a rotary control on your wall to gradually lower the brightness of your ceiling lights. There is no amplifier inside, only a resister type control to lower or raise the volume from a given output source, for example "AUX". However, this unit works great, I like the hidden pinwheel control that makes it difficult to turn the pinwheel control by accident. I'll give it 5 stars.

I already have two "no name" inline volume controls, but I needed another. This Koss unit was no more expensive from Amazon than another "no name" from an electronics store, and I've been a big fan of Koss since the late 70s, so I bought it.First, what it IS and ISN'T. This is a volume control, but NOT an amplifier. It will make your MP3 player, etc., quieter, but NOT louder. If your source is too quiet, look for a headphone amplifier.When I used to listen to a cassette walkman it was easy to turn down the volume when I needed to. The volume control was a thumbwheel right on the player. I have several MP3 players now, and they all have hi-tech context sensitive controls. This means (for me, anyway) that I have to look at the screen to make sure the button or slide control is set for volume. This control solves that problem. Set the player for a volume slightly on the loud side and use the inline control to get comfortable sound. If you need to lower the volume (to talk to someone, for instance) you can use the volume control without taking your player out of your pocket.This model has a three foot cord between the player and the volume control. This is nice if your player has an FM tuner -- MP3 players use the headphone cord as an FM antenna. My generic ones were only about 8 inches long and the FM reception suffered.The control has a clip on it, so you can wear your player safely in a padded pouch on your belt and clip the volume control to your chest pocket.A few reviewers have noted that lowering the volume attenuates high frequencies. I tried using the EQ settings on my player (I was also using Koss PortaPro headphones). When I had Bass Boost EQ settings I did notice some high frequency attenuation in both the Koss and generic inline volume controls; when the EQ was turned off I didn't notice as much high frequency attenuation, but the sound was very "flat." Anyway, I don't think I would have noticed it if other reviewers hadn't pointed it out.An inline volume control is very handy for portable MP3 players, etc., and this unit is well thought out, and works great.

I tend to be very selective when it comes to earbuds. One of the things I prefer in every pair of earbuds I use is an extra volume control in addition to the one from my iPod. Therefore, this little appliance is perfect: theoretically, I can use any pair of earbuds I want, as long as I use this thing along with it. This volume control is slim and compact, and does the job fantastically.Some things that could be better:In my opinion, the cord could be shorter. For the most part, most earbud cords are long enough for everyday tasks, so adding an extra 3 or 4 feet is overwhelming and unnecessary.The volume control could be a little smaller--I have an iPod nano 4G and it adds bulk when I wrap up my earbuds.The port for the earbud jack (inside the volume control) is a little defective on my volume control, and so when I connect my earbuds, it doesn't connect smoothly. I have to push it a little harder and it clicks louder.This is the second Koss volume control that I've purchased and it seems that for all of these, the jack where it plugs into your iPod or mp3 player is not durable. When I twist the wire just under it from side to side, it sounds like my music is switching from stereo to mono sound (mono sounds like it's being played to you down a tunnel or similar). So don't expect this thing to last forever, even with gentle care.

Works great. Laying in bed, often struggling to sleep, I stream podcasts to help pass time and lull me to slumber. Unfortunately my I-phones’ volume control is not smooth, the lowest setting is inaudible and the next one is too loud. This volume control solves the problem!