Just for kicks I tested three different Monster cables that I have from various sources. In pictures, top is from the Nokia Purity On-ear headphones, middle from the Dr Dre Beats Solo, bottom from the Dr Dre Beats Studio:
Results:
The Nokia set is a three button controller, and works with every Windows Phone I've owned, as it should. Buttons don't work on my iPod shuffle.
The red three button Dr Dre cable from the Solo headset doesn't work on my 1520 at all. Only sound. None of the buttons work: volume, pause/play/next/previous. It does work with my iPod Shuffle, as expected.
The black single button cable from the Studio headset works perfectly on my 1520. Being a single button controller, it doesn't have volume, but pause/play worked, as did holding the button and using voice commands. Buttons don't work on my iPod Shuffle.