M1 Mac Mini Speakers - USB vs Headphone Jack

[southerndoc]

Is there any advantage to using USB for speakers as opposed to the mini's headphone jack?

I recently ditched using the internal speakers with my Dell U3421WE speakers because (1) I couldn't select the volume with the macOS slide control (was forced to use the monitor's volume controls) and (2) the monitor's built-in speakers must be at the top of the monitor because it created audio feedback with my Logitech Brio camera (a "spinach" remix; was weird -- sounded like "spinach" was being repeated over and over).

I purchased the Logitech S-150 USB speakers. This allowed me to set the volume with the macOS slide bar, and there was no feedback on my Brio webcam. However, the quality isn't the greatest.

So I was looking for a decent pair of speakers and was wondering if there is any advantage to using USB over the audio out jack. Any recommendations for good quality sounding speakers?

 

[Spindel]

If your speakers have a better DAC than the one built in to the Mini and you think (or claim) you will notice it, go USB, otherwise it doesn’t matter.

I use Edifier Exclaim e10BT, and they have good sound (considering size and price). I have them connected to audio out.

 

[Spindel]

Oh and also if you have problems with feedback from your web cam you can always try to reduce the audio in volume for your webcam. It sometimes fixes feedback problems unless you have really loud volume on your speakers.

For web meetings I personally usually use my AirPods (partly because I share my home office with my wife and she does not need to hear what everyone says) and also I don't have to worry about feedback from them.

 

[BrianBaughn]

What are your size and price limitations?

Be aware that some USB audio devices do NOT use the system volume control.

 

[southerndoc]

I probably couldn't tell the difference for most speakers. I can tell with the current Logitech USB speakers they sound "off," but I am definitely not an audiophile (actually partially deaf).

I lowered the webcam audio in, but unfortunately Teams keeps resetting it. Open to any ideas for how to keep it from doing that. I created an audio device in Apple's MIDI app, but it was autoresetting it as well.

 

[BrianBaughn]

Probably a Teams problem.

The plastic on those Logitech speakers probably cost more than the electronics. I'm not really up on what small speakers to get. It's nice to have good ones, though.

 

[southerndoc]

Probably a Teams problem.

The plastic on those Logitech speakers probably cost more than the electronics. I'm not really up on what small speakers to get. It's nice to have good ones, though.

Yea, I think it's a Teams problem. Winning the lottery is probably easier than getting Microsoft to fix their macOS Teams.