What's the Difference Between USB and Aux? GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Smart & Connected Life > Connected Car Tech 246 246 people found this article helpful
USB vs. Aux: What's the Difference?
Which audio input is superior and when should they be used?
By Jeremy Laukkonen Jeremy Laukkonen Writer Shoreline Community College Jeremy Laukkonen is automotive and tech writer for numerous major trade publications. When not researching and testing computers, game consoles or smartphones, he stays up-to-date on the myriad complex systems that power battery electric vehicles . lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on July 24, 2020 Reviewed by Kayla Dube Reviewed by Kayla Dube J. Everette Light Career Center Kayla Dube has 4+ years' experience in videography and filmmaking. She frequently works in production with indie film companies. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email In This Article
Expand Jump to a Section Overall Findings Aux Pros and Cons USB Pros and Cons Formats and Definitions Old vs New What Is DAC Most phones and media players have both USB and auxiliary outputs, which are sometimes referred to as aux or headphone jacks. Both deliver music from a phone to a car or home stereo, but they are different in terms of how they work. We compared the two so that you can make the best choice for you. Overall Findings
USB Not as common or universal as aux inputs. Safer and more convenient for driving: Allows hands-free control of a smartphone or tablet. Superior sound quality, though not everyone notices the difference. Digital-to-digital: No lossy conversion of audio. Aux Universal: Available on most smartphones, tablets, CD players, head units, portable speakers, mixers, and some musical instruments Converts audio from digital to analog, which may result in noise or loss of information, though most people won't notice a difference. Tends to wear out sooner than USB. The main difference between a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection and an auxiliary input is that USB cords send digital information while aux cables send analog signals. USB cords transfer data as you would to a computer, while aux cables transmit audio as you would to an amplifier or pair of headphones. Which cord you should use depends on the speaker system and setup. USB cords are generally more convenient and deliver better sound, but are only available on digital systems. Aux cords are useful in situations where there is no USB or digital interface, like an old car, record player, or home theater receiver. In some cases, USB controls playback from the device you're connected to, like a car head unit. Since auxiliary jacks only transfer analog audio signals, you often don't have the same degree of two-way functionality. Aux Pros and Cons
Advantages Universal: Available on most smartphones, tablets, CD players, head units, portable speakers, mixers, and some musical instruments Disadvantages Wears out sooner than USB, leading to noise and hiss. Inferior sound quality, but most people won't notice a difference. The chief benefit of an aux input is that it's widely used. It's available on most smartphones, tablets, CD players, head units, portable speakers, record players, and some musical instruments. (The biggest exception being every iPhone made since 2016.) Playback is also simple and easy, with none of the compatibility problems that sometimes plague digital connections. The main drawback is that aux cords tend to wear out faster than USB cords, due to the minimal surface area of the metal jacks. Aux cords also introduce more audible noise due to shorts in the electrical flow. The cords are often shorter, flimsier, and more expensive than USB. With Apple signaling its intent to phase out the 3.5 mm standard on its devices, the standard is not as future-proof as it once was. The 10 Best AUX Cables USB Pros and Cons
Advantages Superior audio quality, though most people won't notice a difference. Digital-to-digital conversion: No loss of information. Disadvantages Not as common or universal as aux inputs, particularly on older devices. When you connect a phone or mobile device to a head unit or other USB audio interface, the mobile device transmits the data unprocessed. The head unit or speaker system uses its DAC (Digital Audio Converter) to convert the data into an audio signal, resulting in clearer sound with no loss of information. This contrasts with aux cords, which only transmit digital audio if it's been processed by the audio source, resulting in more lossy sound. Some head units and audio interfaces take direct control of a smartphone through the USB connection. This is sometimes referred to as direct control, and it’s safer and more convenient while driving. The level of integration varies from one unit to another. Despite their growing use, USB connections aren't as universal as aux or headphone inputs. Apart from modern iPhones, you can use an aux connection on almost every audio playing device. The same cannot be said of USB. The 5 Best USB-C Cables Formats and Definitions Old vs New
USB Industry standard for connecting computers to peripheral devices like printers, audio interfaces, instruments, keyboards, external batteries, and hard drives. Aux Any type of auxiliary or secondary audio connection. Most commonly associated with 3.5 mm headphone jack. An auxiliary input isn't a specific type of connection like USB. It refers to an additional or secondary connection. There are many kinds of Aux cables and connections. The most common is a 3.5 mm jack, which is the same type of tip-ring-sleeve (TRS) or tip-ring-ring-sleeve (TRRS) connector used to connect headphones. (That's why they're sometimes called headphone jacks.) Anytime you see “aux input” on a head unit, home theater receiver, or audio interface, it refers to this type of input—a male-to-male 3.5 mm TRRS cable. Home stereos usually have the same connection, as well as RCA, optical, 1/4-Inch TS, and other connections. USB is an industry-standard for digitally connecting computers and peripheral devices. Having gone through several generations since its invention in the 1990s, USB remains the go-to wired format for connecting and controlling digital audio devices, as well as peripheral tools like storage drives, printers, keyboards, and modems. What Is DAC
DAC stands for Digital-to-Analog Converter. A DAC takes digital data and turns it into an analog signal that can then drive speakers or headphones. Whenever you listen to digital audio on a car or home stereo, a DAC takes the digital information from your phone and processes it into an audio signal. While auxiliary inputs and USB are both ways to connect a phone to a stereo, there can be a difference in quality based on the DACs involved. This is because an aux connection utilizes the DAC in a phone. In contrast, a USB connection allows the DAC on a car stereo or audio interface to process the data. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Is Bluetooth or Aux Better for Sound Quality and Convenience? The Complete Guide to Home Audio Systems for Beginners How to Use an MP3 Player in Your Car How to Use an MP3 Player Like an iPod in a Car With No Head Unit How to Listen to an iPod in a Car What Android Auto Is and How to Use It How to Listen to Music in a Car From a USB Flash Drive Using a USB-to-Aux Cable in Car Audio The 6 Best Bluetooth Audio Receivers, Tested by Experts Yamaha MCR-B020BL Stereo System Review: Compact and Versatile Bose Wave SoundTouch IV Review: Good Audio, Poor Design PC Audio Basics: Connectors The 5 Best CD Recorders and CD Recording Systems of 2022 Turn an Android Phone Into an Infotainment System The 9 Best Computer Speakers, Tested by Lifewire Adding USB To An Older Car Stereo Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies