10/11/17

Expert - Google Employee

Orrin - Community Manager

Listening to your Pixel Phone

Hey Everyone,

We want to provide a little more information about headphone options for the Pixel 2. The Pixel 2 still comes with a headphone jack but we have moved to USB-C, a standard that is becoming commonplace in the best phones and laptops of today. Moving to the USB-C audio port with Pixel 2 allows us to provide a better audio and digital experience, as we move towards a bezel-less future.

We realize that some of you might be looking for USB-C headphones, and we want to provide some guidance around headphone compatibility with Pixel 2 devices. The main thing to keep in mind is that Pixel 2 devices are compatible with USB-C headphones that support digital audio.

Here is a list of Made By Google or Made For Google headphones that have been verified to be compatible with the Pixel 2:

Google Pixel Buds
Libratone QAdapt In-Ear USB-C - Storm/Cloud
Libratone QAdapt Over-Ear BT - Storm/Cloud
AiAiAi TMA-2 Modular MFG1 Preset (USB-C)
AiAiAi TMA-2 Modular MFG2 Preset (USB-C)
AiAiAi TMA-2 Modular MFG3 Preset (USB-C)
AiAiAi TMA-2 Modular MFG4 Preset (USB-C)
AiAiAi TMA-2 Modular MFG5 Preset (USB-C)
AiAiAi H60 - Bluetooth headband MFG
AiAiAi TMA-2 Modular Wireless MFG6 Preset (Bluetooth)
AiAiAi TMA-2 Modular Wireless MFG7 Preset (Bluetooth)
AiAiAi TMA-2 Modular Wireless MFG8 Preset (Bluetooth)
Master & Dynamic ME05 Earphones brass with black chrome finish (USB-C) - Coming soon
Master & Dynamic ME05 Earphones brass with Palladium finish (USB-C) - Coming soon
Master & Dynamic MH30 Earphones Black Or Silver (USB-C) - Coming soon
Master & Dynamic MH40 Earphones Black Or Silver (USB-C) - Coming soon
Master & Dynamic MH50 Earphones Black Or Silver (USB-C/Bluetooth) - Coming soon
Master & Dynamic MH60 Earphones Black Or Silver (USB-C/Bluetooth) - Coming soon

We highly recommend sticking to the list above, but if you are looking to buy another pair of USB-C headphones that isn’t on the list, please make sure they are compatible with digital audio and other standards.

Here are a few other tips to keep in mind:

To give people a choice of audio options, we’ve included an adapter in the box which can be used with existing 3.5mm headphones
Other USB-C to 3.5mm adapters/splitters should work, but please be sure they are compatible with digital audio and support the proper audio standards
Pixel 2 supports audio adapters and headsets that communicate digitally over USB-C as defined by USB Audio Class 1/2/3. Pixel 2 does not support an analog audio signal over USB-C and subsequently will display an unsupported notification warning when an analog audio device is attached.

If you have any other questions, feel free to post here in the forum, and we’d be happy to help!

Community content may not be verified or up-to-date.

Expert Replies (26)

8/31/18

Expert - Top Contributor

John Bowdre

Hi Parco,

As mentioned in the original post, the Pixel 2 requires a 3.5mm-to-USB-C adapter with a built-in Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC); as the name implies, this circuitry changes the digital ones and zeroes present on the USB-C side into an analog waveform that can drive the speakers in your headphones.

Many inexpensive adapters do not include a DAC and as a result will not work with the Pixel 2. These pass-through adapters only work with phones that present an analog audio signal on the USB-C port.

So if you've purchased an adapter which doesn't work I would recommend that you double-check to be sure that the adapter supports digital audio.

Cheers,

John

8/3/18

Expert - Top Contributor

Penelope R

Hi Anan. There is an extensive, ongoing thread on the subject of volume behaviour HERE that may be of interest to you.

Where the Assistant issue is concerned, I also have a similar issue when using certain types of earphones and only one, over-the-ear, type pair works properly. I do know that the Pixels do not play nicely with many types of earphones which is why I now use Bluetooth with which I've had no problems at all.

Penny

6/11/18

Expert - Top Contributor

Penelope R

Hi Earshad. It would be best to find another set of USB type C headphones that is compatible with your Pixel. If you find some that you like then it might be best to contact the headphone manufacturer to enquire as to compatibility before buying.

My HTC headphones wouldn't work with my 2016 Pixel (with headphone jack) neither would others I owned with the exception of one pair with no mic. I gave up and bought Bluetooth earbuds.

Penny

On Monday, 11 June 2018 09:33:28 UTC+1, EARSHAD wrote:

Hello everyone🙂

I have a headphone of htc u11. It carries USB type c. But my pixel is showing that it's not compatible with this device. So what can I do now?

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All Replies (428)

10/5/17

Google user

If I'm on an airplane and my phone is plugged in and I don't have Bluetooth headset how the hell am I supposed to listen to my phone. God I'm disappointed in you guys. I love my pixel but what a terrible decision.

10/5/17

Expert - Top Contributor

Salim - Product Expert

Hello Jesse, you can use the adapter below to charge your phone and plug your 3.5 mm headset at the same time:

https://store.google.com/us/product/moshi_usb_c_headphone_adapter_charger?hl=en-US

10/5/17

przemyslaw sosnowski

Look at that. And only at the low price of $50! Thanks! I can tell this whole jack elimination deal wasn't for the money ;)

10/5/17

Daniel Davis

Bezel-less future? You mean those huge bezels on the pixel 2? I sure hope that is *not* "the future" Google designers see.

This is nothing but a way to monetise on additional accessories. Google could have easily put two USB C ports if you wanted customers to shift to USB C for audio.

I'd say the Pixel 1 is the last Google phone I'll own if this hostility towards your customers continues.

10/5/17

amandaw33

"The Pixel 2 still comes with a headphone jack" is a little misleading in a world where headphone jack is AUX out, no?

I'm going to need the enclosed adapter for my 2009 car that doesn't have bluetooth. I tried AUX -> bluetooth adapter but it was annoying to keep something else charged.

I'm going to need the $45 adapter linked above for my bose noise cancelling headphones I use on planes so I can also charge phone at same time.

I'll need one of the standard adapters for running headphones. I considered the Pixel buds but think the cord will get sweaty, so no thanks there.

All that and I'll still have huge bezels on my standard Pixel 2. And no wireless charging. Thanks, google. I really hope qi comes back next year since Apple made it cool again.

422 MORE

10/7/18

Aiden Cooper

Thanks for the advice. I really want to give the new version a try, but sadly I live in PRC, where no Google Store available. I'll need to pay at least $10 oversea shipping for that $12 dongle. I guess playing games using the phone speaker, while saving budgets for a new device, is my only choice.

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Listening to your Pixel Phone

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