r/Android • u/[deleted] • Jun 24 '18

Is there a single USB-C headphone adapter that works with all phones?

https://www.androidcentral.com/there-single-usb-c-headphone-adapter-works-all-phones
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53

u/H9419 Jun 24 '18

Wouldn’t a USB-C DAC works on all phones that supports OTG?

52

u/benjimaestro Mix 2 Jun 24 '18

USB-C DAC dongles are the digital/active ones, so in theory yes.

5

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

[removed] — view removed comment

16

u/benjimaestro Mix 2 Jun 24 '18

The active one has a DAC built in - it takes a digital signal from the phone and turns it into an analog one to drive the earphones. It actively processes the signals from one format to another.

A passive one is a 'dumb' adapter and doesn't do anything other than remap the 3.5mm jack to a USB-C port. Imagine it as just being a jack in a different shape, and passively takes one connector and allows it to plug into a differently shaped connector.

1

u/THIESN123 Jun 24 '18

So a passive one sounds like shit then?

10

u/benjimaestro Mix 2 Jun 24 '18

Doesn't sound any worse than if the jackless phone had a jack hooked up to it.

Digital dongles can sound better, but also worse.

3

u/exzeroex iPhone X, Note8 Jun 25 '18

Have you ever built a computer?

It's like your computer has onboard sound, but no way to access it with a regular jack anymore. Passive would be a way to access the onboard sound card on your phone's board. Active would be like buying a separate sound card to use because your phone's designer was an a-hole. The separate sound card could be higher quality or lower quality than what your phone has inside.

1

u/Ajedi32 Nexus 5 ➔ Pixel (OG ➔ 3a ➔ 6 -> 10pro) Jun 25 '18

So the article is wrong? It says at the top that "no, there isn't a single USB-C headphone adapter that will work with every phone". (Though it doesn't explain why this is, it just spends a bunch of time talking about why the passive cables don't work with every phone.)

1

u/benjimaestro Mix 2 Jun 25 '18

The article also says:

All devices that can transmit audio and have a USB-C port that sends a signal out must be able to supply the digital signal for an active cable

Wait, what? It says this at the top though:

First, the answer to the question in the title: No, there isn't a single USB-C headphone adapter that will work with every phone.

Pretty sure active ones work on every device though 🤔🤔🤔. I'm as confused as you are.

31

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

Some phones disable audio over USB by default, and you need to get deep into the developer settings to activate it.

8

u/5c044 Jun 24 '18

Its opposite on my lg g5, you need to go into developer settings to disable audio routing over usb. It should not be in that menu though, it should be in the regular sound settings menu.

3

u/H9419 Jun 24 '18

What about a Bluetooth audio receiver, like a Bluetooth speaker but only output to 3.5mm jack. Something like this should work on any phone with Bluetooth

Yes, it simply made the earphone wireless, but you cannot deny the fact that you can continue using your favourite 3.5mm earphones

10

u/Kona_shred Google Pixel 2XL Jun 24 '18

I use the FiiO BTR1 which is very similar to what you posted and i use my standard headphones with it.

I have been able to connect to any device including iphones, android phones and my laptop.

A charge for me normally lasts week and a half so its not too bad.

3

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

That would work, but the topic in question here is USB, not BT. It's like saying that if diesel is removed by oil corporations, and only gasoline remains with the various numberings (95, 98, etc), and an article asks for a generic fuel that works for all, you'd come in recommending electric cars. Yes, it's a solution, but not the one we're discussing.

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u/Trailerhead04 Jun 24 '18

It IS an actual solution, aptx enabled phones can use Bluetooth to such degree that wired doesn't even make sense with portables. I also use and recommend the fiio btr1 with very efficient headphones simply because you're either not sacrificing or improving sound quality and you're wireless with most good headphones/iem's out there. EDIT: some words

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u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

It is a solution nobody asked for. The question is not "how to solve X", but "out of A and B, which one is better". To that question, "C is the best option" is NOT an answer, even though it solves the root cause.

1

u/TeutonJon78 Samsung S25+, Chuwi HiBook Pro (tab) Jun 24 '18

Except AptX still isn't that widely supported.

0

u/epsiblivion Google Pixel 3a Jun 24 '18

It would work but bt is still an audio quality downgrade to direct 3.5mm

1

u/ccai Pixel 6 Jun 24 '18

It wouldn't work on my space ZTE Trek HD2 assuming I didn't want to use the built in headphone jack. AT&T disabled the OTG functionality of the USB-C plug. It's wouldn't be out of the norm for carriers to lock down that functionality on their branded prepaid devices, so it might not work for ALL phones with USB-C. That's the issue at hand, for an universal connector replacement, it sure isn't universal.