3.5 or usb

[Nalyk]

Is there a good argument for using one over the other when it comes to headphones and/or microphone options.

Is the compression or codex different or something? Or doest it all depend on all of rhe traditional relevant factors? Headphones sound card etc?

 

[corkyg]

What is meant by 3.5 or USB?

 

[Nalyk]

3.5mm audio connection vs using a headset with USB.

 

[corkyg]

3.5mm jack is analog audio. USB is digital and has more power available. An argument can be made that using the 3.5mm could save a USB port for another device that has no alternative. I would use whichever one produces the best results in my system.

 

[Almighty_Denny]

I think that specifically for audio 3.5 is better.
There are some good high-end 3.5 cables with noise reduction around there, as they have audio in mind.

While through USB you use a digital data cable, it's not designed to 'sound' better or anything, just to transfer data as best as possible.

 

[Ichinisan]

I think that specifically for audio 3.5 is better.
There are some good high-end 3.5 cables with noise reduction around there, as they have audio in mind.

While through USB you use a digital data cable, it's not designed to 'sound' better or anything, just to transfer data as best as possible.

As far as I know, the overwhelming majority of USB headphones would have the same kind of DAC inside the headphones as the DAC inside your computer (unless we are talking about some audiophile headphones or something). USB can give you benefits like controlling the system volume level via USB HID controls. If the DAC is inside the headphones (instead of the USB end of the cord), the analog wires inside the headphones would be kept to a minimum distance and be somewhat less vulnerable to interference. If you have system volume controls on the headset and or software controlled button functions, you can bet the audio DAC is inside the headphones (not in the USB end of the cord).