Most consumers are content with the sound that comes out of their wired headphones and earbuds. It’s sufficient for keeping them entertained at their cubicles or during long flights back home for the holidays. Could it be better? Absolutely. Granted, that request often comes at a premium.
Not everyone can splurge on upscale hi-fi gems like the $400 Sony WH-1000XM5 or $700 Bowers & Wilkins Px8. However, there are affordable accessories that can transform your budget wired cans or buds into sonic powerhouses. One recommendation is a headphone jack optimizer — in particular, Anker’s USB-C audio adapters.
This basic attachment is inexpensive, portable and universally compatible with all media devices supporting USB-C audio such as the iPhone 15 series, Android phones like the Galaxy S23, tablets, desktops, laptops and the latest iPads. Most importantly, it produces full 96kHz/24-bit transmission for full hi-res audio.
So, if you want something that can bring out your headphones’ or earphones’ full audio potential, consider purchasing this $15 dongle (or its Lightning counterpart, which was sold out as of this writing).
Buy the Anker USB-C to 3.5 or Lightning Audio Adapter to give your basic wired headphones, earphones or earbuds a hi-res audio boost.
How I found the Anker USB-C Audio Adapter
I discovered these adapters after testing another under $25 scores product: the Sony ZX Series. These wired headphones are a great option for bass lovers on a budget, though pairing them with an audio-enhancing accessory improves sound significantly.
My Questyle M15 portable DAC (digital-to-analog converter) increased the clarity and volume on Spotify tracks and made details more transparent on Tidal tracks. This experience piqued my interest in low-priced accessories capable of enhancing sound on entry-level headphones. An online search for headphone accessories under $25 led me to Anker’s audio adapters, and I’m grateful for it.
Why the Anker USB-C Audio Adapter is a score
Never say no to better sound quality, especially when Anker makes it so relatively attainable. Connecting their audio adapters to my Sony MDR-ZX110AP and Apple EarPods elevated audio performance from acceptable to greatly satisfying.
Sony’s warm, boom-heavy sound profile was given more brightness and cleaner presentation. Despite what Anker says, there is a drop in bass, though it remains punchy on contemporary tracks.
The built-in DAC chip converts digital signals to analog incredibly well, which makes for pleasant music streaming. Sound quality on Spotify isn’t anywhere near what hi-res music streaming services produce, but I was impressed by what Anker’s USB-C to 3.5mm adapter contributed. Rock classics like Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” had a vibrance that exuded with every strum from the iconic bassline. Background vocals also sounded crisper. Even lo-fi tracks received a bump in fidelity; the distorted ad-libs and gritty drums on early Wu-Tang Clan recordings like “7th Chamber” and “Bring the Ruckus” had greater presence.
The Sony MDR-ZX110AP aren’t engineered to deliver the full hi-fi sound that Tidal offers, but Anker’s adapter fixes the problem. Don’t expect to hear MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) tracks at their best. Instead, appreciate the increased fidelity and treble produced by the accessory.
I’ve never been much of an Apple EarPods guy. My only reason for using them is for testing purposes. They’re not terrible by any means, but it’s hard not to acknowledge their sonic blemishes; the low end is heavy and muddy at times. Anker’s Lightning adapter produces tighter bass and balances frequencies much better than when using the earphones by themselves. Give Wham!’s “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” a listen to hear for yourself. The “jitterbug” chants are less harsh on your ears, while the accompanying finger snaps sound delicate and, well, snappy.
The Lightning adapter also performs well across all streaming platforms, including video services like Netflix and YouTube, though it’s best suited for Apple Music. Why? Lossless audio with 48KHz/24-bit transmission. You should be able to hear subtle differences in sound compared to Spotify tracks.
The unsung feature of Anker’s audio adapters is portability. Compact and featherlight, they don’t weigh down mobile devices, nor do they take up space on your desktop setup. They’re durable as well, specifically the 3.5mm version with its woven nylon cable.
Ultimately, these dongles are a smart investment for audiophiles who don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on high-end headphones or professional audio equipment such as preamps and DACs. Being able to use them with most modern devices is a huge selling point, which is something that not many audio products offer, especially ones made by Apple.