USB-C

USB-C equips wired headphones and in-ear earphones designed for smartphones and tablets that have done away with the 3.5 mm jack. This connector carries a digital audio signal from the source to the earpiece, bypassing the host device’s sound circuit.

Digital-to-analog conversion is handled by a DAC integrated into the cable or the headphone housing, and its quality directly determines the sound reproduction. Some models operate in passive mode and rely on the source’s DAC, which makes them dependent on the device’s compatibility. The USB-C connector is gradually replacing the jack on wired earphones for mobile devices.