Can you play sound through micro USB?

Micro USB connectors have been widely used over the past decade to power and charge small electronic devices like smartphones, tablets, and portable speakers. With a compact rectangular shape, micro USB provides a convenient way to transfer both power and data via a single port (Source 1). However, micro USB ports lack the ability to directly output audio signals.

This article will examine whether it is possible to play sound or audio from a micro USB port. We’ll look at solutions like sound cards, adapters, and cables that can enable audio output capabilities for micro USB. We’ll also discuss alternative options for getting audio out of devices with only micro USB ports. The goal is to provide readers with an understanding of both the limitations of micro USB audio, as well as the available workarounds.

Micro USB as a Power Connector

Micro USB connectors are commonly used to charge smartphones, tablets, wireless headphones, fitness trackers, and many other portable electronic devices. Though Micro USB can transmit both power and data, it is primarily utilized as a power connector in these scenarios.

When connected to a wall charger or USB port on a computer, a Micro USB cable provides electrical power to charge the device’s battery. However, it does not have the capability to transmit an audio signal on its own. Micro USB can only supply power for charging, not an analog or digital audio feed that could drive headphones or speakers.

The Micro USB specification allows these cables to deliver power up to 2.5 watts for charging, though many chargers today can supply up to 15 watts of power. But regardless of the wattage, Micro USB alone cannot transmit audio. It serves purely as a power input, not a method to send sound.

Micro USB for Data Transfer

One of the main uses of Micro USB is to allow access to a device’s storage for transferring files like photos, videos, documents, etc. Micro USB ports have data transfer speeds up to 480 Mbps, which is sufficient for most storage and file transfer needs ¹. Many Android smartphones and other devices like cameras use Micro USB connectors specifically for transferring data to and from the device’s storage.

However, the Micro USB port itself does not natively transmit an analog audio signal. So while you can access a device’s files and storage through Micro USB, it does not provide the ability to send or receive audio signals directly. Converting a Micro USB port to transmit audio requires additional components like USB sound cards or audio jack adapters.

Converting Micro USB to Audio

While the micro USB port is designed primarily for charging and data transfer, it is possible to get audio output through it with some additional hardware. This is done by using a USB sound card or USB audio adapter that connects to the micro USB port (Belkin, n.d.). The sound card will have a 3.5mm headphone jack to plug in headphones or speakers. This allows the micro USB port to output analog stereo audio.

Some examples of USB sound cards that can enable audio out through a micro USB port include small dongles like the Hagibis USB External Sound Card Adapter (Hagibis, n.d.). Larger USB sound cards can also work such as Creative’s Sound Blaster Play! 3 (Creative, n.d.). With the appropriate hardware, the micro USB port can function for audio out even though that is not its native purpose.

Sound Cards and Adapters

A USB sound card can be used to add high-quality audio output to a device with only a micro USB port. These sound cards act as external converters that take the digital audio signal from the micro USB connection and convert it into an analog signal that can drive headphones or speakers.

Some popular USB sound cards that work with micro USB devices include the Creative Sound Blaster Play! 3, Sabrent USB External Stereo Sound Adapter, and TechRise USB Sound Card. These slim devices connect via micro USB and provide a 3.5mm headphone jack as well as volume controls.

For devices with USB-C ports, there are USB-C to 3.5mm headphone jack adapters available. These passive adapters do not have any digital-to-analog conversion circuitry, but allow headphones with 3.5mm plugs to connect directly to a USB-C device. Brands like Belkin, Apple, and Anker make USB-C to headphone adapters. However, it is important to verify compatibility as not all USB-C ports support analog audio output.

Audio Quality Considerations

When using Micro USB for audio output, there are some limitations to be aware of in terms of audio quality:

Micro USB is limited to USB 2.0 speeds, which have a maximum bandwidth of 480 Mbit/s. This may require audio to be compressed to lower bitrates in order to transmit over Micro USB without dropping samples. According to discussions on Reddit, the timing accuracy of USB can also impact audio quality [1].

Since Micro USB only carries digital signals, the audio must be converted from analog to digital on the source device, and then back to analog on the receiving device. This analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion can potentially degrade the audio quality compared to a direct analog connection.

There are also differences in opinion on how Micro USB audio quality compares to 3.5mm connections. While some feel the quality is comparable, others cite the 3.5mm connection as superior for fidelity according to discussions on forums [2].

Overall, while functional for audio output, Micro USB has some technical limitations compared to direct analog connections that may impact audio quality under certain conditions.

Alternatives for Audio Out

While Micro USB is capable of audio output, there are several other popular options that may provide higher quality audio or greater convenience:

Bluetooth Audio Streaming

Many modern devices support streaming audio over Bluetooth to wireless headphones or speakers. This allows complete cable-free use which can be ideal for mobility and convenience. Audio quality depends on the Bluetooth version – newer standards like Bluetooth 5.0 support improved sound quality. Lower latency Bluetooth protocols also help minimize lag between the audio source and listening device.

USB-C and Thunderbolt Ports

USB-C ports offer digital audio transmission through the USB protocol. Thunderbolt ports can also carry audio signals with very high bandwidth that enables multi-channel surround sound. USB-C and Thunderbolt provide direct digital connections that can potentially improve audio quality over analog alternatives.

3.5mm Headphone Jack

The standard 3.5mm headphone jack is still commonly found on many devices for a simple wired headphone connection. While analog, quality is often still very good. The 3.5mm jack offers broad compatibility with headphones, earbuds, and auxiliary cables to output sound to external speakers.

Micro USB for Audio In

Micro USB can also be used to input audio from external devices like microphones. There are dedicated USB microphones such as the Sennheiser Profile USB Microphone that connect via micro USB and allow you to record audio directly into a computer or mobile device. These microphones have built-in audio interfaces and convert the audio signal internally before sending it over USB.

Standard microphones can also record audio over micro USB, but this requires the device it’s connected to to have driver support and audio recording software. The microphone’s analog audio signal needs to be converted to digital through a built-in or external USB sound card before it can be transmitted over USB. So standard mics will not work plug-and-play like dedicated USB mics.

Conclusion

In summary, while it is possible to get audio output from a micro USB port, it comes with some limitations:

• Micro USB ports are designed for charging and data transfer, not high-quality audio.
• You’ll need an adapter or USB sound card to convert the micro USB to a 3.5mm audio jack.
• Audio quality may not be great, especially for music playback.
• Volume levels may be lower than a standard headphone jack.
• Not all devices support audio out over micro USB.

For better audio quality, it’s recommended to use devices with a dedicated 3.5mm headphone jack or HDMI/Bluetooth for audio output. While micro USB can work in a pinch, it’s not the ideal choice for music listening or movie watching.

References

Le, Madelaine L., Florin Riviere, and Anne Lentz. “Using a Micro-USB Port for Mic In and/or Line Out.” Maxim, Maxim Integrated, 27 Apr. 2015, https://www.maximintegrated.com/en/design/technical-documents/app-notes/3/3803.html. Accessed 10 Feb. 2023.

“Can You Use Micro USB for Audio Output – How to Repurpose Micro USB.” Movo, https://www.movocamera.com/blogs/tutorial/can-you-use-micro-usb-for-audio-output. Accessed 10 Feb. 2023.

Campbell, Mikey. “How to Add a Headphone Jack to Your Android.” MakeUseOf, MakeUseOf, 4 May 2020, https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/add-headphone-jack-android/. Accessed 10 Feb. 2023.

Moore, Matt. “How to Add a Headphone Jack to Your Android Device.” Lifewire, Lifewire, 28 Sept. 2022, https://www.lifewire.com/add-headphone-jack-to-android-5185131. Accessed 10 Feb. 2023.