USB-C splitter for power and audio?

[wynand32]

I'm seriously considering getting a U11 to replace my dead Nexus 6P. One of the most attractive things about the U11 is the audio quality.

Once question I haven't been able to find an answer for is if there's any way to charge while connecting to external audio. I'm okay with using the included USB-C - 3.5mm adapter for normal headphone use, as I rarely let my phones get so low in power that I need to worry about charging while listening to music that way.

However, I'm very concerned about being able to charge while connected to my car's AUX audio. If I'm driving somewhere and using GPS, I need to charge, and my car doesn't support Bluetooth audio. I don't care about sound quality improvements if a third-party USB-C power/3.5mm audio jack adapter will work at all.

Can anybody confirm if this is possible? Thanks in advance!

 

[NEXUS_HTC_PS]

I'd recommend a Bluetooth solution. Below is a link to a Bluetooth car kit that will plug right into your aux port. There are many options on Amazon but, this one has over 5k reviews and a hair under 5 stars. I did a little research on what your looking for specifically and came up with nothing.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU5893577

 

[wynand32]

I'd recommend a Bluetooth solution. Below is a link to a Bluetooth car kit that will plug right into your aux port. There are many options on Amazon but, this one has over 5k reviews and a hair under 5 stars. I did a little research on what your looking for specifically and came up with nothing.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU5893895

Okay, thanks for taking the time to research. Yeah, a Bluetooth adapter sounds like my only option, and I suppose it could work in a pitch.

 

[James E1]

I'm seriously considering getting a U11 to replace my dead Nexus 6P. One of the most attractive things about the U11 is the audio quality.

Once question I haven't been able to find an answer for is if there's any way to charge while connecting to external audio. I'm okay with using the included USB-C - 3.5mm adapter for normal headphone use, as I rarely let my phones get so low in power that I need to worry about charging while listening to music that way.

However, I'm very concerned about being able to charge while connected to my car's AUX audio. If I'm driving somewhere and using GPS, I need to charge, and my car doesn't support Bluetooth audio. I don't care about sound quality improvements if a third-party USB-C power/3.5mm audio jack adapter will work at all.

Can anybody confirm if this is possible? Thanks in advance!

Maybe this thread on XDA may help. I have not read it so I don't know what kind of info it has.

https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3614645

 

[Doug Moffat]

A crude-but effective-solution if your car doesn't have audio Bluetooth is to plug an audio adapter into your cassette player while leaving the charger port free. The sound through your radio is quite excellent.

 

[wynand32]

Maybe this thread on XDA may help. I have not read it so I don't know what kind of info it has.

https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3614645

Thanks, I'll check it out.

 

[BigDinCA]

A crude-but effective-solution if your car doesn't have audio Bluetooth is to plug an audio adapter into your cassette player while leaving the charger port free. The sound through your radio is quite excellent.

Still can't use that and charge the device simultaneously.

 

[wynand32]

So, after some additional research, it's looking like it's either a Bluetooth adapter or a portable USB-C hub. We've already covered Bluetooth in this thread, so to cover the hub idea: it would mean plugging the HTC USB-C to 3.5mm adapter into the hub, the USB-C charger into the hub, and then the hub into the U11. That would power the U11, while the digital signal would pass through the hub, through the HTC adapter, then be converted to analog and through the 3.5mm cable.

Either way, it's a lot of work just to overcome the loss of the 3.5mm jack.

Is the audio on the U11 really worth all that hassle?

 

[NEXUS_HTC_PS]

Either way, it's a lot of work just to overcome the loss of the 3.5mm jack.

Is the audio on the U11 really worth all that hassle?

The Bluetooth adapter really isn't a hassle at all. It's plug, pair and play. The U11 is worth it, even with this one misstep.

 

[Doug Moffat]

Still can't use that and charge the device simultaneously.

I'm not sure why not. The cassette connects to the audio port and the charge port is free. What am I missing?

 

[wynand32]

I'm not sure why not. The cassette connects to the audio port and the charge port is free. What am I missing?

Well, hmm... The U11 doesn't have a 3.5mm audio jack, only a USB-C port that's used for power and for connecting to USB-C headphones or 3.5mm audio cables via an adapter. So, once you plug in the USB-C charger cable, then you can't plug in the adapter to connect to a 3.5mm cable.

 

[wynand32]

The Bluetooth adapter really isn't a hassle at all. It's plug, pair and play. The U11 is worth it, even with this one misstep.

Yeah, I hear you, the Bluetooth adapter isn't a big deal. It's probably what I'll go with, seems like the least hassle.

And if the U11 provides awesome audio otherwise, then yes, it's definitely worth it.

 

[Doug Moffat]

Well, hmm... The U11 doesn't have a 3.5mm audio jack, only a USB-C port that's used for power and for connecting to USB-C headphones or 3.5mm audio cables via an adapter. So, once you plug in the USB-C charger cable, then you can't plug in the adapter to connect to a 3.5mm cable.

I apologize for my ignorance. Is there a splitter available so power and audio can run off the same plug?

 

[wynand32]

I apologize for my ignorance. Is there a splitter available so power and audio can run off the same plug?

No problem, it's certainly not intuitive. Unfortunately, no, as far as anyone can tell there doesn't seem to be a simple splitter. The audio is coming out digital and needs a digital analog convertor to run through a 3.5mm audio jack and cable. The DAC is in the HTC USB-C to 3.5mm adapter, and HTC hasn't yet made splitter. Maybe they will at some point, assuming it's possible -- and that's something I can't answer.

 

[isdaako]

You can avoid the hassle of adapters and still have an awesome device. Get the 10.

 

[wynand32]

You can avoid the hassle of adapters and still have an awesome device. Get the 10.

That's an idea, and I've thought about it. I do kind of want to buy a phone with the most likelihood of getting the newest updates, and I do want the faster components.

 

[jwbekens]

Get the HTC stereo clip. I have been using in the 3.5 mm AUX port in my VW R32 for years. You can charge it while it is plugged in. Battery lasts 4 or 5 hours per charge. Sound is fantastic. You can then charge the phone with the USB-C port.

https://www.amazon.com/HTC-Bluetoot...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU5897434

 

[wynand32]

Get the HTC stereo clip. I have been using in the 3.5 mm AUX port in my VW R32 for years. You can charge it while it is plugged in. Battery lasts 4 or 5 hours per charge. Sound is fantastic. You can then charge the phone with the USB-C port.

https://www.amazon.com/HTC-Bluetoot...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU5897599

Looks like a good option, thanks

 

[anon(9785393)]

If they are going to pull the headphone jack, they should release a splitter for charging while listening. This is ultra annoying and I am a user who charges while listening often with past phones.

 

[jwbekens]

If they are going to pull the headphone jack, they should release a splitter for charging while listening. This is ultra annoying and I am a user who charges while listening often with past phones.

This will solve all your problems. I am waiting for the final production. Should be ready any day now.
https://www.bluewaveaudio.ca/?v=7516fd43adaa