I’d like something like JBL Charge, but with USB port that I can connect to PC and speaker would act like external audio device. I’ve only found ones with USB-A to insert pen-drive, which is not the same.

I use headphones exclusively at my PC, but there are times when I’d like to show something to my wife and since I have only one pair of headphones it’s no sound for either me or her. Audio quality is not crucial, so I thought I’d buy bluetooth speaker (which I can use everywhere with my phone) and connect it with one USB cable and it’s done. It would charge when I’m out and I could use it whenever I needed. Well, it seems this idea was wrong since every single one I’ve checked has USB port only for charging. Are there any of these that act as USB audio device?

Does thing like this even exist? If so I’m probably too stupid to pick right keywords to search engine. Thank you everyone!

  • aleph@lemm.ee
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    8 months ago

    Why does it have to act like an external USB audio device? Can’t you just use a standard AUX cable > headphone jack instead?

    • kurcatovium@lemm.eeOP
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      8 months ago

      Main reason is I have small desk and my OCD is really picky about cable mess. So the lowest possible amount of cables is a must. Two cables for such a single-purpose device is too luxurious.

      The other one is I have audio interface/headphone amp which has only balanced outputs, thus requiring bulky Y cable from this one to speaker. Or bypassing the interface with AUX cable from lowend motherboard audio.


      Well, thinking about it if nothing comes up, I might buy bluetooth dongle and use the speaker wireless. And charge it with regular phone charger every once in a while… (Then I’d have to find one reliable linux friendly dongle.)

      • aleph@lemm.ee
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        8 months ago

        Ah fair enough.

        I don’t actually know of any portable wireless speakers that also act as an external USB DAC/Speaker. Going wireless is probably going to be the easiest solution.

    • kurcatovium@lemm.eeOP
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      8 months ago

      As stated couple times in my replies. My PC doesn’t have Bluetooth capability. Need to buy dongle first.

    • kurcatovium@lemm.eeOP
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      8 months ago

      I know, but my PC doesn’t have Bluetooth. Yet. USB dongles are pretty cheap as I see…

      • Mr_Blott@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        Yeah that’s what I did. A Bluetooth dongle is twenty quid for a decent one, works perfectly with my JBL

  • ABCDE@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    There are plenty with 3.5mm also, like the JBL Go, or keep it plugged in for charging and use Bluetooth.

  • jordanlund@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    Not a USB input, but I have one of these with a 1/8" mini-jack input:

    Marshall Stockwell Portable Bluetooth Speaker, Black (4091390) https://a.co/d/8GiMgOE

    So if you convert from USB to 1/8" mini… maybe?

    ANDTOBO USB to Aux Audio Adapter, 3.5mm Male to USB Female for Playing Music with USB Drive in Your Car https://a.co/d/d7KGLpv

    No idea if that would work.

    • kurcatovium@lemm.eeOP
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      7 months ago

      I’m sorry to bother again, but would you know whether it can be powered and fed audio from regular USB-A port (with A to C cable)? Does it get enough juice that way? Because regular USB specs is 5V/500mA, which is lower than USB-Cs standards (5V and basically anything from 900mA to 3A). I don’t need it to shake walls, just want to listen sitting by the table it is placed on.

      • indomara@lemmy.world
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        7 months ago

        Hey there, I’m not sure since my laptop only has usb c free, but one of the reviewers on Amazon said that it works fine over usb a.

  • froh42@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    My over 10 year old chinese bluetooth speaker connects as an audio device when plugged in with the USB cable to a PC.

    This seems to be a feature that’s hard to search for, as it wasn’t even announced in the marketing material.