Review: Apple vs Google USB-C Headphone Adapters

[jaynyc]

Unless you can show me how I can get that one to run on Windows, it will be a pain to test.

@amirm would it help you if the iOS device was a Roon endpoint?

https://community.roonlabs.com/t/iphone-and-ipad-capabilities-with-and-without-attached-dac/42437

 

[wiggum]

Thanks for the review.

This dongle is my first Apple product that I ever bought, and I found the sub-bass to be better than my Android phone. The max. volume that can be achieved seems to vary with the phone.

On my Zenfone 3, the volume is sufficient. If your phone is rooted, you can probably edit the mixer_paths.xml file and increase volume.

P.S. Even though SQ is good, the adapter seems to be fragile. Many have reported that the old non-USB to 3.5mm adapter doesn't last long because the cord is very thin. I have put tiny amounts of super glue around every joint in the adapter. Let's hope it survives atleast a year.

 

[Roen]

When did Apple start making Type C dongles?

 

[wiggum]

When did Apple start making Type C dongles?

It is actually very new new. Just introduced a few weeks ago.

 

[Roen]

How is the SINAD 100 but the SNR 94? I thought SINAD < SNR by definition? (Unless distortion can be negative)

 

[Jimster480]

What is the USB-C dongle for? The iPad or something?

Are you sure that your desktop isn't routing the audio through the USB-C adapter instead? Is the performance close to your PC's integrated sound card?
I'm just not sure how these things work because they do have this "USB-C audio routing" feature.

So not every dongle is the same.

 

[rebbiputzmaker]

What is the USB-C dongle for? The iPad or something?

Are you sure that your desktop isn't routing the audio through the USB-C adapter instead? Is the performance close to your PC's integrated sound card?
I'm just not sure how these things work because they do have this "USB-C audio routing" feature.

So not every dongle is the same.

There is a dac/amp that is what is active, there is no pass through.

 

[Roen]

What is the USB-C dongle for? The iPad or something?

Are you sure that your desktop isn't routing the audio through the USB-C adapter instead? Is the performance close to your PC's integrated sound card?
I'm just not sure how these things work because they do have this "USB-C audio routing" feature.

So not every dongle is the same.

iPad uses Lightning, so maybe MacBook?

 

[svart-hvitt]

iPad uses Lightning, so maybe MacBook?

iPad pro 2018 uses USB C.

 

[Roen]

iPad pro 2018 uses USB C.

No wonder! makes sense now.

 

[Johnb]

And the next bump up in price amongst dongles is Speaka / Extrempro at $33 Amazon, ASIN B01FQHBDI4, DF Black copy. Wonder if that one works with Android.

 

[bakker_be]

Regarding the Android issues: the USB-C connection of lots of phones doesn't pass through a digital signal, instead handing out analog sound to be routed to the jack ...

 

[amirm]

How is the SINAD 100 but the SNR 94? I thought SINAD < SNR by definition? (Unless distortion can be negative)

You guys are getting really good at scrutinizing these graphs! I thought that number was strange but when I got back to the project I forgot to re-check. I re-ran it and it is indeed much better:

I updated the review.

These dongles expose volume control to Windows and for some reason default to low value on install. I re-ran all the measurements at max volume before the review but didn't on this test. Sorry about that.

 

[amirm]

Regarding the Android issues: the USB-C connection of lots of phones doesn't pass through a digital signal, instead handing out analog sound to be routed to the jack ...

That seems to be the case with my Samsung S8+.

 

[bakker_be]

That seems to be the case with my Samsung S8+.

My Huawei P20 Pro as well. It's the only blemish on it's SOTA-status to me ...

 

[amirm]

@amirm would it help you if the iOS device was a Roon endpoint?

https://community.roonlabs.com/t/iphone-and-ipad-capabilities-with-and-without-attached-dac/42437

It is a bit helpful but it is still a manual process of running test files through roon. It is a good option to know about though!

 

[amirm]

Even though SQ is good, the adapter seems to be fragile.

It is exceptionally so. The wire gauge is substantially thinner than the two Google ones.

 

[generalako]

Will wait until you get to test the other two dongles -- which I assume are the Razer and the Hidizs dongles.

 

[Kyle / MrHeeHo]

What is the USB-C dongle for? The iPad or something?

Are you sure that your desktop isn't routing the audio through the USB-C adapter instead? Is the performance close to your PC's integrated sound card?
I'm just not sure how these things work because they do have this "USB-C audio routing" feature.

So not every dongle is the same.

Their new iPad Pro dropped lightning in favor of USB-C for the sake of video out.

 

[Jimster480]

Their new iPad Pro dropped lightning in favor of USB-C for the sake of video out.

Oh wow, amazing!