Microsoft Modern USB Speaker

Product Information

To sum up, getting audio over USB-C can be confusing. Not every USB-C audio dongle or pair of headphones can be used with every USB-C port. Magnifying this issue is the historic inconsistency of manufacturers in labeling their USB-C audio devices as active or passive.

MICROSOFT Modern USB Type-C Conference Speaker - Black - Currys

Herein lies the key weakness with USB-C audio — there is no consistency with how the signal is sent across the USB-C signal, and some USB-C headphones or dongles will not work with some smartphones. This can get messy. You need to make sure that you're using the right "thing". If you are using a passive adapter or headphones, your phone needs to support audio accessory mode and many don't. The mess is because most dongles, adapters, and headphones aren't labeled with how they are built and we don't know if they are active or passive. In general, active headphones can be used with smartphones that send the audio stream as either a digital or analog signal and should work universally. Some smartphones use the extra wiring of USB-C for additional features, though. A prime example is HTC’s U11, which supports active noise canceling through the USB-C port in addition to audio. As such, the U11’s included earbuds (and ones that support this feature) are the only ones that work with the phone. Benefits of USB-C audio

If you are using an active set of headphones or adapter, the audio signal being sent through the USB port is still in its digital form. That means the DAC and amplifier are inside of the headphones or the dongle, and the conversion is done there instead of the phone. Plenty of computer speakers disappoint in the connectivity department, but not The Fives—you can pair these bookshelf speakers with pretty much any source, including your PC. The Bluetooth-capable stereo set supports the AptX HD codec and also features HDMI, optical, USB, and 3.5mm aux inputs. You even get a dedicated RCA turntable input with a ground-screw terminal and a subwoofer out. Who It’s For The Cable Matters USB-C to 3.5mm Headphone Audio Adapter is an active USB-C audio device, meaning that it has an onboard DAC. Further complications Although the Logitech Z407 isn't the most powerful 2.1 option on this list, it gets a nod because of its affordable price. You need to spend more to get true sub-bass levels, but this system can still muster a palpable thump at moderate to high volumes. Logitech gets some little things right here, too—the left and right speakers are angled upwards toward your ears. Who It’s For There are a couple of minor gripes that you should know about. First is that while the mute button works well during a meeting, if you mute your mic before entering a meeting, when you join, your mic will be hot.

USB-C Teams Speaker review: Enhancing Microsoft Modern USB-C Teams Speaker review: Enhancing

All speakers require power to run. Without electricity flowing into the drivers, a speaker is just a box with some weird paper and metal bits in it. The vast majority of computer speakers, along with all Bluetooth and wireless models, are powered, or "active." That means a built-in amplifier takes the signal it receives and feeds enough power into the drivers to reproduce it. This is handy because it means you don't need to get a separate amp to drive your speakers; you just plug them into your computer and they work. Few things in life are as enjoyable as high-fidelity music. But as you've probably noticed, that music only sounds as good as the system it plays through. Most PCs and Macs don't come with high-quality speakers—and that's to say nothing of the tiny built-in drivers in most laptops. Even if you're on a tight budget, low-cost speakers can improve your listening experience in a big way. The exterior of the speaker is covered in a charcoal-colored cloth that should look good on nearly any desk. It’s a muted design but fits with the corporate theme where the device will be used. Additionally, unlike other conferencing speakers on the market, this one doesn't have a built-in battery and therefore can only be used when powered via the built-in cable. Additionally, there's no wireless audio options, meaning no Bluetooth support.

How you plan to use your speakers can also help you determine the best option. You probably don't need a mammoth subwoofer if you're listening at work—small speakers with decent clarity might be the wisest choice, particularly if you're just using them to watch YouTube videos or listen to internet radio streams. For home, maybe you want larger or more stylish speakers, and the ability to blast them without distortion (especially if your PC is your main music source). For more, see our guide on how to set up your speakers. The “trust relationship between this workstation and the primary domain failed” error means that the computer cannot access a network because it is offline, or that it has lost its membership to the Active Directory (AD) domain. This guide will help you understand what’s happening behind the scenes when this error occurs, and we’ll go... Jul 27, 2022