I am not asking about the port that connects to external devices. I am asking about the port that connects the earcups to the cable that runs through the headband. I ask per:
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If you have those headphones, have you considered just plugging them into a computer and seeing what happens? If they actually get detected as USB devices, a Linux system might be able to give you some more information about the protocol used.
But my best guess is that the USB-C connectors are just for convenience and the actual transmission is something proprietary - possibly just analog audio/mic plus power.
PS: This is of course at your own risk! I would not expect anything to break, but if it’s not USB, it could damage the computer, the headphones or both!
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@mde, that potential caveat is why I haven’t. Otherwise, I’d:
I love when you post, because you make me want to try weird stuff for science.
I tried plugging the left ear cup into an amplifier via Fairphone’s official 3.5 to usbC cable. I couldn’t. The C end is too fat. The headband usb cable seems to be using a thinner plastic around the connector.
Were I successful, and the left earcup made sound, that would imply it’s receiving analouge signal as per the usb audio aaccessory mode.
Which the right earcup can receive with it’s “actual” usb port.
The fairbuds xl can have it’s battery removed, and still be made to work via an analouge input. And since I doubt that carries enough power for any sort of processing to kick in, I’d assume the signal bypasses any logic, and the left channel is sent to the left earcup through the headband cable via the same method.
So to answer your question, idunno LOL.
But it’s probably USB Audio Accessory Mode.
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@Nabalazs, hehehe. Thank you. Likewise, in retrospect.
Thank you, also, for the attempt! I’ve now an old pair that I need to send back to Fairphone that I’ll attempt to check with.
Although I’m unfamiliar with that portion of the specification, some information online appears to indicate that it’s been deprecated: [1]
Though, I suppose USB 2.0 has been, too, yet it’s ubiquitous.
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The original cable doesn’t register (I see no connection notification in dmesg, and no entrant in lsusb), and I can’t fit any of my cables’ houses, either.
This is a complete shot in the dark from me, but is the headband cable even a proper spec usb c cable? Since it’s purpose in practice is to transmit power and analouge signals, you don’t necessarily have to add any of the extra components.
If I had the tools, I’d start probing each usb pin. Come to think of it, a continuity test could reveal which battery pins correspond to which usb pin for power.
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