Hi everyone, I need your help with something.

My old JBL headphones are starting to degrade, and so I’m looking for a replacement. As I have a FairPhone now, I don’t have an aux jack anymore. I’m also not a huge fan of audio over bluetooth.

So I’ve started searching for some simple over-ear or on-ear cabled headphones that connect with a USB C cable. I have found one from lenovo, but it is a headset with a boom mic. Ideally I just want headphones, simple and robust. I don’t care about noise-cancelling or other bells and whistles.

Anyone have anything?

Note: I know adapters are a thing. I find them annoying and prone to damage. I don’t want to use one.

  • Oneser@lemm.ee
    7·
    4 months ago

    Check out linsoul if you are in the EU or massdrop if you are in the US.

    There are a huge amount of basic, low cost earphone manufacturers. The budget audiophile community can also provide more targeted help if needed, just be sure to include more info like price range, how you plan to use the headphones and what quality you expect, to get more helpful advice.

    I’m currently using a €25 set which have almost identical sounds quality to my €200 headphones in many situations.

    *Edited because apparently I can’t spell…

      • Oneser@lemm.ee
        1·
        4 months ago

        No problem, just note shipping times can be higher than other stores. Also be sure to use the EU domain (linsoul.de) otherwise customs duties may be added :)

  • Singletona082@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    4 months ago

    i realize your’e specifying chorded, but jlab retro rewind (second revision) is USB-C so would make an OK pair of backups or loaners. audio quality is ‘good enough’ but no it isn’t the same nor will I claim it is. Hence ‘good as a backup.’ https://www.jlab.com/products/rewind-2-wireless-retro-headphones-black

    I had a pair that’s still going decent after two years of abuse (and getting glued back together through said abuse,) that work well enough, but that pair’s micro-USB. New pair has a better feel, usb c, and some other longstanding nicities.

    Not premium by any streach though.

  • UNY0N@lemmy.worldOP
    1·
    4 months ago

    Thanks, that retro look is actuality a great idea for a backup, they look very light and uncomplicated.

  • SannKa@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    1·
    4 months ago

    Koss just came out with portapros with (partially) detachable Usb C and jack cables, if you would like something that doesn’t go inside your ears.

    • UNY0N@lemmy.worldOP
      1·
      4 months ago

      Thanks, I will definitely check this out, koss looks like just the right kind of manufacturer.

        • UNY0N@lemmy.worldOP
          1·
          4 months ago

          This actually looks really solid. I was thinking more about the traditional seashell shape, but from the functionality these are perfect. Thanks!

  • bpev@lemmy.world
    1·
    4 months ago

    fwiw, I found the form factor of this dac to be much more enjoyable than the pigtail adapters, because it feels more like “part of the headphone cable”: https://www.ddhifi.com/en/product-review/11321/

    I’ve found that for me, the most “prone to damage” part for usb-c audio is just the usb-c connection… so idk how much a usb-c headset improves over an adapter… I just want them to add back headphone jacks. 😭

    • UNY0N@lemmy.worldOP
      2·
      4 months ago

      Thanks for the link, that does look good.

      I agree, the usb-c connection is th3bmost prone to damage. However, my real problem with the adapter is that there is a stiff part added to the cable in the worst place possible for a pocket. I constantly feel uneasy about the stresses put on the USB poet of the phone by this extra bit of cable with the AUX jack, that’s what I want to get rid of.

      The adapter you linked partially solves this problem, but it’s also longer and bulkier than “just” a USB plug attached to a cable.

      I’m being nitpicky about it, but only because it really is a very important detail to me

      • bpev@lemmy.world
        1·
        4 months ago

        Yupyup I understand that feeling for sure. I have the same nitpick problem. Just figured I’d mention this one because it’s the least dongly feeling dongle that I’ve tried by a large margin, and so has become the only one I’ve actually continued using.

        • UNY0N@lemmy.worldOP
          2·
          4 months ago

          I’m actually considering buying larger aux headphones, taking them apart, and installing this inside so that the USB port shows on the outside. It is a little more of a project than I want, but then I could just use a USB c extension cable to connect to whatever.

      • IMALlama@lemmy.world
        1·
        4 months ago

        No problem! That list will contain active headphones that have an onboard DAC, so they look like a USB audio device to whatever you plug them into.

  • solarvalleys@lemmy.ca
    11·
    4 months ago

    I honestly love my Apple earpods with the USB-C end. I don’t like the in-ear earphones, and I haven’t come across any other earphones that are good quality for about the same price as the Apple earpods. They have been durable in my experience, and if they ever get broken within the year, you could get it changed for free from the Apple store.