Sonnect SoundWire USB-C to XLR Cable Review

[AnalogSteph]

I imagine a device like this is a good bit less clunky than doing it the traditional way, i.e. dongle DAC --> 3.5 mm to 2x TS cable --> Behringer HD400 --> 2 pcs. short TRS to XLR cables. Due to the required transformer integration and niche character of the product, that extra neatness is coming at quite a price premium though.

 

[Multicore]

That's probably the very definition of a bad DAC.))

In other threads here people fuss over how DACs handle inter-sample overs. No need to worry about that with this DAC that clips at -12 dBFS.

 

[phoenixdogfan]

Thanks for the review, Amir. Unfortunately, as some have already mentioned it just doesn't cut it. Price too high, not the standard 4 volt output, and it really is substandard as a dac because it oversaturates and has a relatively poor SINAD. If someone wanted to run their monitors directly from their phone or pc, there are certainly better options.

 

[sealman]

Based on ocinn's (post 14) description of the use case for this cable I voted fine.
As a dac only I would have voted poor.

 

[daftcombo]

It is for plugging into devices such as this one where the inputs can be mic, instrument, or line. Therefore, 48 V phantom power (to power the mic) may be present at the connection.

Do you mean that phantom power can "go back" into the XLR cable?

 

[NTK]

Do you mean that phantom power can "go back" into the XLR cable?

Phantom power is applied by raising the (common) voltage of both +ve and -ve signal pins in the XLR connection by 48 VDC relative to the shield/ground, with the shield/ground wire functions as the phantom power return.

If the source is not a microphone designed for phantom power (e.g. the output of a DAC as in this case), the output circuit will be subjected to an electrical supply of 48 VDC (referenced to the shield), which can disrupt the operation of the DAC, as well as causing damage.

Picture source: https://schoeps.de/en/knowledge/knowledge-base/technical-basics/phantom-power-p48p12.html

 

[Sokel]

Do you mean that phantom power can "go back" into the XLR cable?

To the addition of the above, phantom power buttons are not close to inputs where an accidental push/plug-in/plug-out could activate them and risk potential damage at smart designed gear.

At the OP, probably fine at its use case.

Thanks Amir!

 

[solderdude]

And you get free 'tube sound' to boot. For 'tube goodness' the harmonics are a bit low in level though.
Perfectly fine for the intended use case.

 

[CedarX]

Dum question: if they use transformers on the output, why not selecting one with a 1:4 ratio to get the standard 4V output? Assuming such “audio” transformers exist…

 

[beeface]

I used to work in AV events. Other than Radial, we'd use these for USB devices: https://www.arx.com.au/worldwide/audibox.htm

No way we'd use these cables in a live environment though

 

[amirm]

Dum question: if they use transformers on the output, why not selecting one with a 1:4 ratio to get the standard 4V output? Assuming such “audio” transformers exist…

It is a mystery to me why both of these products I tested produce 0 dBu level.

 

[Rja4000]

It is a mystery to me why both of these products I tested produce 0 dBu level.

I think @ocinn answered the question :
Because they are meant to be connected to the preamplified microphone inputs of a console.
Therefore, a lower level is more likely to be universally compatible than a higher one.

As @ocinn hinted, FOH engineers will often work with equipment that they don't own, so they may like to have in their bag something like this to be able to plug their smartphone to it whatever it happens to be.

The Radial box solution is more likely to be provided by the mixer's owner, to allow any engineer to plug in, IMO. But the engineer himself can not be sure of what he'll find (unless it's contractually required, of course).
And, well, a box like the Radial is indeed quite heavy and bulky.

 

[kandamrgam]

It is a mystery to me why both of these products I tested produce 0 dBu level.

This is what Sonnect told me:

The smaller transformers are the more they distort at low frequencies. The good news is that the DAC’s output is under our control so we limited the maximum output to 0dBu which ensures a good THD of -103 dB. Which is one of the best THD you’ll get in the market for live sound.
-----------
On a side note, cant we create a new category for these kind of products? I don't think these should be considered as dedicated DACs, because that will affect your recommendations based on other dedicated DACs. I am talking about "Device Type" here. May be 'Cable DAC'...

 

[Karmacoma]

Expensive.

 

[Miley_B]

Many of my peers have this device, it is very useful.
For the use case I think this is adequate but nothing more. The low output is ok for my needs.
I’m not aware of a direct alternative that combines isolated outputs whilst being small and light enough that I could forget I’ve got it hidden away in the bottom of my bag. Something like the Radial USB might offer better performance but is too heavy for me to carry everywhere I go.
Hopefully another manufacturer will find a way to raise the audio performance bar for this type of device.

 

[daftcombo]

Phantom power is applied by raising the (common) voltage of both +ve and -ve signal pins in the XLR connection by 48 VDC relative to the shield/ground, with the shield/ground wire functions as the phantom power return.

If the source is not a microphone designed for phantom power (e.g. the output of a DAC as in this case), the output circuit will be subjected to an electrical supply of 48 VDC (referenced to the shield), which can disrupt the operation of the DAC, as well as causing damage.

Picture source: https://schoeps.de/en/knowledge/knowledge-base/technical-basics/phantom-power-p48p12.html

On my Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 2nd Gen, there is a phantom power button, I switch phantom power on when the mic is plugged (for measuring speakers output in-room for instance) but switch it off when the output of my phono stage is plugged (for ripping vinyl records).
I didn't know there could be potential damage to the phono stage if phantom power is on, so thank you.

 

[SuicideSquid]

To the addition of the above, phantom power buttons are not close to inputs where an accidental push/plug-in/plug-out could activate them and risk potential damage at smart designed gear.

On the example in the photo, sure, but on many mixing boards and audio interfaces the +48v phantom power switch or button is literally right next to the XLR in.

For that price? You can buy a usb powered DAC and two very decent XLR cables and have 4V out, a SINAD of +100 and tens of $ to spare. It won't be that compact, but by all other standards this is bordering on a scam.

I wonder who might have real demand for such simple, yet "underwhelming" solutions.

I can't see this being very much more lightweight than for example an Apple dongle plus cable. And no cheaper.

The refrain of "what's the point of this? I don't need it so it's dumb" on every review of a professional/live product is getting really tiresome. If you're not a musician, DJ, or someone who mixes/engineers live sound, the devices that are clearly labelled "live" or "professional" are not for you.

I've got a show on Thursday. At the end of the show I need to trigger the playback of a 1.5 minute-long mp3 file. Being able to go straight out from phone USB-C to XLR-in on the soundboard would be the easiest way to do this for me, and this device would be extremely useful, mediocre measurements notwithstanding. It is not practical to bring a full audio interface with XLR outs or to daisy-chain an Apple dongle to 1/8" headphone out through some kind of other adapter to XLR, especially because "better SINAD" is not a concern at all with an mp3 being played over PA speakers at a bar.

 

[SuicideSquid]

On my Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 2nd Gen, there is a phantom power button, I switch phantom power on when the mic is plugged (for measuring speakers output in-room for instance) but switch it off when the output of my phono stage is plugged (for ripping vinyl records).
I didn't know there could be potential damage to the phono stage if phantom power is on, so thank you.

Are you plugging the phono stage in via XLR into the mic pre input, or RCA into the line in? You should be going RCA into the line ins. An interface can't supply phantom power over line ins so there's no need to be concerned.

 

[respice finem]

The refrain of "what's the point of this? I don't need it so it's dumb" on every review of a professional/live product is getting really tiresome. If you're not a musician, DJ, or someone who mixes/engineers live sound, the devices that are clearly labelled "live" or "professional" are not for you.

Why so aggressive? I never said it's dumb, just underwhelming IMHO.
Even more so, if it's really a professional product, "clearly labeled" - where?

 

[SuicideSquid]

Why so aggressive? I never said it's dumb, just underwhelming IMHO.
Even more so, if it's really a professional product, "clearly labeled" - where?

From Amir:
Compared to our generic adapter cable, the price is much higher but in the context of professional applications. If you were on strict budget, you could use a headphone dongle with XLR adapter but that would be less robust physically.

From the product description on its website:
The SoundWire is the go-to USB-C DAC to dual ISO-XLR™ cable interface, reliably streaming 192 kHz, 32-bit audio from your playback directly to the mixing console, bypassing DI boxes and protecting against 48V.