Issues Using Studio Display with USB-C to Headphone Adapter

[nmancini]

I am using a MacBook Pro (2021 M1 Pro) with the new Studio Display. Typically I have had my external speakers (Harmon Kardon Soundsticks III) plugged into my iMac, but since switching from iMac to MacBook Pro + Studio Display, I would have to plug multiple cables into my MacBook Pro every time I returned to my display. I wanted the "one cord" lifestyle, only having to plug in the Thunderbolt cable to my MacBook Pro and having everything just work, including the external speakers. If the Studio Display had a headphone jack, that would be easy, but since it doesn't, I purchased Apple's USB-C to Headphone Jack adapter. I figured, now I can keep my speakers plugged into the Studio Display using the adapter, and everything will work properly when I plug my MacBook Pro into the single Thunderbolt cable.

However, I've run into some issues when the speakers are plugged into the USB-C to Headphone Jack adapter (which is all the time):
1. Whenever I am using a different audio source than the speakers (for example, I switch the audio output to my AirPods), the speakers make popping noises every couple minutes. This did not and does happen when they are simply plugged into a headphone jack.
2. I was playing some audio in Final Cut Pro (through the speakers plugged into the USB-C adapter) and the audio sounded like it was peaking; it had some distortion. I tried playing the same audio again with the speakers plugged into the MacBook Pro's headphone jack, and this did not happen.

How can I solve this problem? Did I get a faulty USB-C to headphone jack adapter? Or is there some kind of limitation of USB-C to headphone jack adapters that I'm not aware of? Why would the performance be different from that than from a headphone jack? Do I need to get an external DAC? — I thought that was essentially what the USB-C to headphone jack adapter already was. Anyone else running into these issues?

Any help is much appreciated.

 

[imcquill]

I am having the same issue with the Apple usb-c to headphone adapter and the Studio Display (still in the most up-to-date firmware). Did you ever find a solution?

 

[nmancini]

@imcquill, unfortunately I never found a solution. I hope there is one!

 

[xraydoc]

@imcquill, unfortunately I never found a solution. I hope there is one!

Have you tried a different brand of USB-C to 3.5mm adapter? Worth a shot.

 

[imcquill]

@imcquill, unfortunately I never found a solution. I hope there is one!

I took one for the team and ordered this: https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-External-Adapter-Windows-AU-MMSC/dp/B071HJ98Q6?crid=1CUAHHO3D3KRL&keywords=sabrent+usb+type-c+external+stereo&qid=1663273081&sprefix=sabrent+usb+type-c+external+stereo,aps,117&sr=8-3 It all seems to work! I've test it for an hour here using the method that would cause a problem for me before (as described by @nmancini above, where you change playback to be AirPods so that the speakers are not the output device). Not sure if this makes a difference but it shows up as "USB Audio Device" in System Preferences rather than USB to headphone adapter like the Apple adapter.

FYI I had previously tried to change the output format and frequency of the Apple adapter in Audio Midi Setup and that didn't work. New adapter though is good.