USB-C ports seem to be showing up on more and more devices these days, and many people may be confused about what they can and can’t do. For example, is it possible to transfer audio through a USB-C cable?
Yes, a USB-C cable can transfer audio. This has led to the invention of USB-C headphones and adapters that can convert your analog headphones to USB-C headphones. This has also led to many smartphone companies abandoning the analog headphone jack on their devices.
Regarding USB-C cables and ports, some simple questions usually pop up. What is a USB cable, and why are they so popular? Let’s get into the topic of USB-C audio, beginning with the basics to give you an easy understanding of the port and its benefits.
What is a USB-C Cable?
The USB-C cable (on Amazon) is one of the market’s most popular and common cables. However, many readers may not know what precisely a USB-C cable is or just what sets a USB-C cable apart from other USB cables.
The term USB stands for “Universal Serial Bus.” The “Universal” part of that name refers to the creators’ original intention for their invention: for it to become the only connector cable on the market.
Unfortunately for the creators, many other connectors have been made since the original USB-A, including the mini-USB, micro-USB, and USB-C.
The USB-C is the latest in the line of USB connectors. The USB-C has a round thin-oval shape that makes it perfectly symmetrical. This symmetry is vital as this makes it impossible to insert a USB-C cable the wrong way, as you could do with other USB cables.
We’ve gone over the USB-C’s looks, but the USB-C isn’t only a design upgrade. The USB-C also has a much higher data flow rate, meaning it can move more data in a given time than other USB connectors.
Can USB-C Carry Audio?
For the simple answer: yes, USB-C cables can carry audio to and from your devices. The USB-C cable’s ability to transfer audio has inspired many devices (specifically smartphones) to abandon the traditional analog audio jack instead of just having a USB-C port.
How it Works
When you tell your phone to play music through your headphones, like all things on your phone, the sound begins as digital information (1s and 0s).
This digital information is then passed through a Digital to Analog Converter (DAC), which converts the digital information into an analog audio signal.
This analog audio signal is then run through an amplifier to increase its signal. Finally, it reaches your headphones, where it causes a membrane to vibrate, creating the sound waves you hear as music.
DACs and USB-C Ports
Devices with a USB-C port will either have the necessary DAC in their processor or not. In this case, it falls on either the headphones to contain a DAC or you need to purchase a dongle for your phone that contains one.
Unfortunately, if neither your device nor your headphones have a DAC, this results in the possibility that you may buy headphones that do not work with your device. Though again, all you need to do is purchase a dongle that contains one. You can buy one of these here (on Amazon).
Who is a USB-C Cable For?
A USB-C cable is necessary for anyone who owns a device that requires a USB-C cable, whether for charging or just for transferring data.
As time has passed, the USB-C has become increasingly popular, and with this popularity, more and more devices have begun using USB-C connections.
Laptops
A modern laptop computer is one of the most common devices containing a USB-C port. Some laptops use USB ports for charging, while others can use them to charge and transfer data. Some laptop accessories like mice and keyboards can even connect to a computer using a USB-C connection.
Smartphones
Another ubiquitous device that can use a USB-C connection is a smartphone. Smartphones can use a USB-C connection to charge, transfer audio to headphones, and even connect to other devices.
As we mentioned, many phone manufacturers have stopped adding analog audio jacks to their devices in favor of having a USB-C port.
Video Game Consoles
A type of device that uses a USB-C connection that you may not have considered is a video game console.
For example, as a small portable system, the Nintendo Switch gets away with using a USB-C connection to charge the entire console. Another gaming console that uses USB-C is the Playstation 5, which uses a USB-C connection to charge its official controllers.
As you can see, USB-C connections are starting to be found on more and more electronic devices in more and more fields. This means that the answer to the question “who is a USB-C cable for” is everyone who uses modern technology.
Active vs. Passive USB-C
Typically, an analog headphone plug would contain a DAC to convert the digital information to an analog audio signal. However, with a USB-C connection, things are not so uniform.
Some USB-C devices have a DAC somewhere in their processor. This would be activated when you order the phone to play audio through the USB-C port. The digital data is sent through the DAC in the processor and then is converted to an analog signal, which would then be sent through your headphones.
However, the problem is that some USB-C devices do not contain a DAC in their processor. So for your headphones to work with your device, they would need to have a DAC of their own. Again, this creates the possibility that not every pair of headphones you buy may work with your device.
The terms active and passive come in when discussing things you can connect to your USB-C port. For example, active USB-C headphones would be headphones that contain their own DAC somewhere in their connection.
On the other hand, passive headphones do not have a DAC and instead pass this responsibility onto your device.
Why Go Passive?
From this description, active headphones seem the better option, so why would anyone ever want to buy passive USB-C headphones? The answer is simple: passive USB-C headphones are typically the cheaper option.
Since the manufacturers don’t have to include a DAC processor in their headphones, they can sell them for much lower prices and still make a profit.
What are the Benefits of USB-C?
USB-C is a considerable step forward compared to USB-A or even micro-USB. This huge step forward obviously comes with many benefits to switching to a device that supports USB-C. Let’s go through a couple of these benefits.
Fast Connection
First, the biggest draw for USB-C; it is a much faster connection than standard USB devices.
A standard USB-A cable will, on average, transfer data at a speed of 12 megabits per second. At the same time, some USB-C connections can reach speeds of even up to 10 gigabits per second, significantly faster than a standard USB connection.
Symmetry
Another big benefit of the USB-C connector is its symmetrical design. One of the most common problems people have with the old USB-A and micro-USB connectors is when they try to plug them in, a lot of the time, they have the cord upside down and need to reverse it to plug it in.
The USB-C cable’s symmetrical design makes it so it can be plugged in both right side up and upside down.
Size
A smaller benefit of the USB-C connector is its small size compared to the USB-A cable. USB-A connectors are the blocky design you imagine when you hear the term USB, while in contrast, the USB-C cable is a nice small oval shape. However, it is slightly larger than the micro-USB.
Flexibility
Finally, another huge draw to the USB-C connector is its flexibility. USB-C connection can carry both digital and analog data. This allows many things to connect to your device via USB-C, including headphones and even an ethernet connection.