Develop Bugs

[Q] Audio line-out for Galaxy Nexus

Hello all ,
Is there a way to get an audio line-out from the Galaxy Nexus, either using an adapter or a docking station? I'm not looking for a solution like the one offered by the Samsung Galaxy S2's car dock (which streams bluetooth audio from the phone to the dock, then the dock turns the bluetooth streaming to analog audio through a 3.5mm port) but rather something like an adapter for the MHL port or from the docking station.
Appreciate all the help!

The obvious solution (at least to me) is to plug into the headphone jack. You could also use either the media dock or MHL adapter in conjunction with an HDMI-to-analog adapter such as the one linked below:
http://www.amazon.com/HDMI-RCA-comp...OQPU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1321905031&sr=8-2

vespoid said:
The obvious solution (at least to me) is to plug into the headphone jack. You could also use either the media dock or MHL adapter in conjunction with an HDMI-to-analog adapter such as the one linked below:
http://www.amazon.com/HDMI-RCA-comp...OQPU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1321905031&sr=8-2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He's asking for a line out solution because it will bypass the internal headphone amp that is utilized when the 3.5mm port is used. If you're plugging the phone into speakers or a sound system that way you'll get much better sound.

If the mhl -> HDMI cable adapter carries both audio and video, you could use an hdmi breakout adapter to split the digital audio. It depends on the HDMI output capabilities of the phone and the acceptability of digital audio for your needs.
Edit: would no doubt be a cumbersome solution. It all comes down to your usage scenario for the output.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk

Thank you vespoid, ardabey.
What OJ in Compton said, I'm looking to bypass the internal headphone amp, not sure if there are any details on the car dock or desk dock, I hope 3rd party manufacturers come up with something, any solutions are welcome.
Ali

Never thought about this, but a contactless dock with HDMI out directly to the AMP = audio bliss. Thanks to the forum for letting me see the obvious

Bumping this thread...has anyone successfully done this? I want line out audio for my car's 3.5mm AUX input - had it with my ipod and it sounded much better than through the headphone jack, as well the convenience of not having to maintain two volumes.
Hoping the official car dock that uses the 3 pin connector and has a 3.5 out would do this, but I'm worried it will just use BT to transmit the audio to the dock like I read the Nexus One dock did.

I wish too that the NG had line level out.
I think it's a limitation of the hardware. I think Apple is the online one that really uses line level out via it's dock connector.
I hope someday Google will use some sort of line level out on their reference hardware or built support directly into a newer OS.
I remember my old Dell DJ had line level out. Soooooo much better.

There is nothing wrong with the 3.5mm output sound quality wise.
Trying to drive headphone-like impedance (lower) with a line out isn't the best idea, but driving higher impedance inputs like your car deck isn't that bad as long as you let the amps do the "work" of boosting the volume and not your phone. While not optimal, the decrease in sound quality shouldn't be very noticeable.
The main advantage of the digital audio though USB (what apple does) IMO is that it eliminates the need to have both the USB plugged in to charge and the 3.5 mm cord for audio. It also allows song data to be shared and device control from the speaker/head unit. Good setups will recognize most android devices as mass USB storage and provide the same functionality, but I'm not sure how the MTS on the GN will affect this.

I would wait and see how the audio quality is from the dock. Even if it is bluetooth, the audio quality may not be that bad.

Lithoss said:
There is nothing wrong with the 3.5mm output sound quality wise.
Trying to drive headphone-like impedance (lower) with a line out isn't the best idea, but driving higher impedance inputs like your car deck isn't that bad as long as you let the amps do the "work" of boosting the volume and not your phone. While not optimal, the decrease in sound quality shouldn't be very noticeable.
The main advantage of the digital audio though USB (what apple does) IMO is that it eliminates the need to have both the USB plugged in to charge and the 3.5 mm cord for audio. It also allows song data to be shared and device control from the speaker/head unit. Good setups will recognize most android devices as mass USB storage and provide the same functionality, but I'm not sure how the MTS on the GN will affect this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is, that if the head unit supports MTP then yes it can read the device like mass-storage, thats fine, but it doesn't allow you to stream media from radio apps, youtube and turn-by-turn directions from gps, this is what we are looking for...
technically it's not sending analog audio output through the USB, its just reading the stored media on the phone.
I have read that samsung phones are able to accomplish sending analog audio through the USB while charging, with the correct resistance values (adapter) or possibly with software pointing the audio in that direction (for example code build into the framework/API)
this is one major thing that Android lacks over iPhone, this problem should be addressed ASAP. I'm hoping CM9 might be able to find a solution for this.

I agree, i hope they fix this soon toi. It would make the development of accessories much easier for all android phones. Seems like a no brainer but I guess Google has other priorities...

A feature request for Android 4.0 to enable USB audio:
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=24614

Juvenall said:
A feature request for Android 4.0 to enable USB audio:
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=24614
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just starred this, if the hardware is able to do that I find it completely stupid that they do not allow it.
Smartphones audio amps are not exactly famous for being top-quality so having this possibility would be great.

Thanks. The lack of this feature is ridiculous/mind-boggling/suprising.

Well, if you were waiting for the card dock to solve your problems... it doesn't. Plugging into the dock's "line out" gets you amp driven sound. I really do not understand why this is such an issue for Android. When I plug somoething into my 3 year old Nokia smartphone a window pops up for me to choose headphones, headset or line out. Why can't ICS offer the option and if in the car dock, default to line out? A USB solution is not going to help if you are using the car dock.

Juvenall said:
A feature request for Android 4.0 to enable USB audio:
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=24614
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, most def. I want to use several USB dacs on hand. Off for some op amp rollin'.
Edit: The pogo pin dock has a 3.5mm analog/digital output, FYI

Oops

flacoff said:
Edit: The pogo pin dock has a 3.5mm analog/digital output, FYI
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which if I understand correctly uses Bluetooth to transmit compressed audio from the phone to the dock, then delivers it through the 3.5mm jack. Why not just have a digital signal go through the USB port!?

ali87 said:
Which if I understand correctly uses Bluetooth to transmit compressed audio from the phone to the dock, then delivers it through the 3.5mm jack. Why not just have a digital signal go through the USB port!?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually the pogo pin transfers the digitial audio and the dock decodes it into analog to the 3.5mm output

play music in car

What's the best/optimal way to listen to music in car?
I used those tape cassette things from Griffin, they're good but they break/wear out easily.
I don;t have AUX in the car. Any suggestions?

I'm not going to help much - I have one of those cassette thingies. I have used it for many years now, and it has never broken or failed. I use it for about an hour every workday, and on long trips, some of over 9 hours.
Another way I found and used for a while (no idea where it is now) was an FM transmitter. You plug into a 3.5 mm socket, and it transmits on a selected FM signal. You then just tune your radio to that frequency. I found a bit of interference, so I went back to the cassette. That also does not require batteries or cable (except audio).
When I abandon my current 13-year-old Volvo, I may try and get a car with a BT music receptor for the stereo. More likely I'll settle for one with Aux in.

I have an Aux input and a USB input but Im playing music through the bluetooth link. Ive given my GPS away and just use my note now with the google nav.

I bought jabra cruiser (Bluetooth hands free with FM transmitter ) and I have it in my car .
Once I am in I switch it on and it pairs to my note and transmits through FM.
It is a very good and handy accessory for those who doesn't have aux in nor Bluetooth stereo systems.it even have music control buttons which work perfectly well with my note.battery life is amazing too (lasts around a week with an average of 1hour playback, it can auto switch off after a few moments of inactivity so ubwont have to worry shutting it down ecevrytime )
I can't recommend it enough bcos of its many other features...
Hope this helps
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

Am aftermarket headunit is the way to go.....Pioneer's 2012 line-up allows you to stream music and Pandora via bluetooth......none of that fm modulated crap....horrible SQ

Twistedchild420 said:
Am aftermarket headunit is the way to go.....Pioneer's 2012 line-up allows you to stream music and Pandora via bluetooth......none of that fm modulated crap....horrible SQ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have high hopes for the App Radio 2.

Twistedchild420 said:
Am aftermarket headunit is the way to go.....Pioneer's 2012 line-up allows you to stream music and Pandora via bluetooth......none of that fm modulated crap....horrible SQ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pioneers only support pandora on ios devices. At least my unit does. You can ofcourse stream whatever you want via a2dp bluetooth connection. Regardless the app you use to reproduce audio.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk

Quick question to add to this, I am looking at getting a new car and chances are it will have aux-in, usb and bluetooth connections.
I know the aux-in will just plug straight into my Samsung dock, but what about the usb/bluetooth.
Will I be able to control the phone music from the stereo with these, or will the usb connection even work?
That Appradio2 looks smart, hope it comes to the UK.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk

Get a pioneer car stereo with aux-in. I just got their cheapest model with aux for about $70... Great sound, it has built-in 4x50watt mosfet amplifier and also line out if you want to upgrade using your own amplifier.
Sent from my Galaxy Note with Tapatalk

mfractal said:
Pioneers only support pandora on ios devices. At least my unit does. You can ofcourse stream whatever you want via a2dp bluetooth connection. Regardless the app you use to reproduce audio.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All new pioneer bt units can stream pandora from android....i work at a stereo shop...lol
se1988 said:
Get a pioneer car stereo with aux-in. I just got their cheapest model with aux for about $70... Great sound, it has built-in 4x50watt mosfet amplifier and also line out if you want to upgrade using your own amplifier.
Sent from my Galaxy Note with Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aux input does not = "great" sound...lol

Twistedchild420 said:
All new pioneer bt units can stream pandora from android....i work at a stereo shop...lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
all new pioneer units can stream whatever music app from android as long as the device supports a2dp.
When you see the Pandora logo on pioneer devices however, it means that this pioneer device can control pandora (next, previous, radio selection etc) on iOS. that's all i meant.
Just don't expect the head unit to control your pandora app on android.

jock23 said:
Quick question to add to this, I am looking at getting a new car and chances are it will have aux-in, usb and bluetooth connections.
I know the aux-in will just plug straight into my Samsung dock, but what about the usb/bluetooth.
Will I be able to control the phone music from the stereo with these, or will the usb connection even work?
That Appradio2 looks smart, hope it comes to the UK.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The answer is probably yes for the Bluetooth, probably no (in my limited experience) for the USB.
Bluetooth does remote control through the AVRCP profile which works with the Note. As long as your stereo does AVRCP right, the note should play along.
USB is hit and miss. Most of those systems either expect an ipod attached or a simple mass storage device.

I didn't want to play around with installing a new stereo as it was a but complicated in my car. Went with the Parrot MKI9100:
www.parrot.com/uk/products/hands-free-car-kits
It's basically it's own separate amp rigged through existing setup. Sound quality is fairly good, it does have an output if you're using a power amp.
It's got full a2dp, syncs contacts to use it's own voice recognition which is much more accurate than built in Android. Voice quality is great to hear other person, not so great for other person to hear you. Big bonus is that it also has connectors for latest gen apple devices, USB, and 3.5 audio so pretty good options. Other bonus is it's well supported with firmware updates, had 2 since I've had it which have improved device compatibility and voice quality.
Installed it myself, was pretty easy once I'd looked at the wiring diagrams.
For the price though, I would probably have bought a high end double height new stereo as they have all this built in.... however, I'm a slave to impulse buys
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

Yeah i was a bit confused how it would recognise all the music in the 32gb of data on the phone over usb.
Probably won't bother me in the end, will normally have it in the dock to control it on long journeys anyway. As long as the music plays through usb I don't care.
If I plug it in USB how will the phone know to send the music via that rather than its own speakers like it would do with the aux-in??
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk

jock23 said:
Yeah i was a bit confused how it would recognise all the music in the 32gb of data on the phone over usb.
Probably won't bother me in the end, will normally have it in the dock to control it on long journeys anyway. As long as the music plays through usb I don't care.
If I plug it in USB how will the phone know to send the music via that rather than its own speakers like it would do with the aux-in??
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you play through Aux out:
Galaxy note reads a file on your SD (or internal memory) and the CPU feeds it to your audio chip that converts the digital file into analog voltages that go out your headphone jack and into your stereo. The quality is limited by the encoding of the file and the quality of the Note's audio chip.
If you play through A2DP:
Same as above but the CPU feeds the file to your bluetooth chip. The quality is limited by the bit rate and encoding of the A2dP protocol.
If you connect via USB to your stereo:
Your card (or internal memory) is read by the stereo, not the note. The stereo converts the file into audio output. Quality is limited by the file encoding and the quality of the stereo's sound chip (which is probably better than the note).
Make sense?
David

Sounds good to me. I just hope that the usb cable works with my car dock (official samsung one)
Ideally I would be able to stick a usb cable from the dock to the car and it would charge and play music, instead of me having the usb port taken up by the charger and having to use the aux-in port.
If that makes sense...
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk

jock23 said:
Sounds good to me. I just hope that the usb cable works with my car dock (official samsung one)
Ideally I would be able to stick a usb cable from the dock to the car and it would charge and play music, instead of me having the usb port taken up by the charger and having to use the aux-in port.
If that makes sense...
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably will work and I am interested in your results. One minor issue is that your stereo probably will only supply a small charging current to the phone so it won't charge as fast.
You might have to put your phone in mass storage mode but maybe not. Let us know if it works.

My note does not play music via bluetooth. Car is opel insignia if it matters... Any ideas how to connect? Accept of course to turn the car is on .
qunick

I have been using a Jabra Cruiser2 with all of my cellular phones and highly recommend it. The sound quality over bluetooth+FM is, somehow, is better than what I get when I plug the phone into my vehicle's aux input.

i just tested a2dp in my MVH-8300BT pioneer and turns out that the new pioneer units do not support BT music streaming and require a bluetooth module (sold for ~150$). Aux cable for me

[Q] Developing a NFC, Wireless charging dock

Hi to the fantastic team of minds on XDA! I'm currently working through building a wireless charging/streaming dock with NFC for my Nexus 5, although the plan is to extend support to any device that supports Wireless Charging & NFC.
Basic concept is for use in a car, but could also be adapted for other situations easily. Basic operation is drop phone in charging area/cradle, NFC tag is read by phone and either launches the music player OR for me in my case, runs tasker to set volume max, play library on shuffle, launch GPS tracking for work/private mileage etc and the phone would stream audio to a receiver wired into the cars headunit.
NFC/Wireless charging.. piece of cake. Audio streaming... not so fun.
I would really like decent audio quality, not quite audiophile level but certainly at least as good as the 3.5mm line out from the headphone jack. Initially I disliked the idea of bluetooth due to quality however looking around I found some Bluetooth 4 APT-X enabled boards that seemed to fit the bill fairly well as apparently APT-X sounds much better in comparison to A2DP (haven't tried out for myself though). Only problem is the Nexus as well as a lot of other devices don't support APT-X. Other than bluetooth I'm really struggling to find a good quality wireless streaming standard that is fairly plug and play. I found a WiFi option via DTS using DLNA but the details on the receiving hardware are sketchy, it also doesn't seem very transparent (requires input from 3rd party apps etc).
I also found a few posts relating to Chromecast enabled media servers that will allow Play music to cast music to them, but again, can't really find any pre made WiFi enabled DLNA "dumb" servers designed to simply capture an audio stream. Again, not very transparent. Ideally it would work natively and without much 3rd party input.. although this may not be entirely possible so I'm open to all options.
So, what are my options? Also, why with Bluetooth 4 with the max bitrate of 20+mbps do we not have a high bit rate audio streaming profile/protocol?
I did consider the idea of a wired DAC, but the major plus on the cable free design is being able to just drop the phone in and grab it out without fiddling for cables. Also the Nexus 5 doesn't support USB DAC OOTB. I also had difficulty sourcing a DAC that would output acceptable audio (at least as good as the headphone jack) for a good price. Everything I found was either expensively high end or nasty & cheap. All I need is a bare board that gets stuffed into a cable box and works! I bought a cheap $5 DAC off ebay ages ago for testing. Worst mistake ever!!! Horrible sound, but hey it was $5
Thanks for any input!
- Auzeras

If bluetooth sound qualitiy is too bad for you (for me its ok with my JVC radio) i think the aux cable is the only option. But if you have to plug in the cable the "just drop your phone"-concept is gone. I suggest trying to use the USB port for audio out (because aux input isnt a big deal for most of the cars) und charging at the same time. For the dock i think using the brodit docks is ok although these docks are expensive. Alternativly you could try to use a cheaper dock.
For USB audio out i think a cheap DAC like this should be fine, but you need the usb audio recorder pro app (see this thread). Next thing is charging at the same time. Maybe its possible to do it like this with an powered usb hub but you'll have to try that. Overall its more the developing of an USB aux output with the ability of charging but i think its the only option to get the audio qualitiy you want.

[Q] Behringer UCA202 DAC - sounds horrible compared to headphone jack/bluetooth

So I found a Behringer UCA202 DAC online for really cheap and thought why not try it just for fun. Everything I've read says having one can help a bit and I figured at the least it would sound the same, but I plugged it into my Nexus 5 via OTG then plugged the AUX cord to my Jeep into the DAC and all bass and pretty much any other level of detail is gone from my music whether it's from Pandora, YouTube HD, or FLAC audio files. Audio sound quality is equal to listening to music over old mono bluetooth, you hear it fine but any highs and lows are removed. Has anyone else used this DAC that could give some suggestions?
Otherwise it's just as I assumed, DACs are pointless on good quality phones and that's why I can't find any DAC threads with the Nexus 5 involved.

herqulees said:
So I found a Behringer UCA202 DAC online for really cheap and thought why not try it just for fun. Everything I've read says having one can help a bit and I figured at the least it would sound the same, but I plugged it into my Nexus 5 via OTG then plugged the AUX cord to my Jeep into the DAC and all bass and pretty much any other level of detail is gone from my music whether it's from Pandora, YouTube HD, or FLAC audio files. Audio sound quality is equal to listening to music over old mono bluetooth, you hear it fine but any highs and lows are removed. Has anyone else used this DAC that could give some suggestions?
Otherwise it's just as I assumed, DACs are pointless on good quality phones and that's why I can't find any DAC threads with the Nexus 5 involved.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ummm, it's not a DAC. It's an interface.

theesotericone said:
Ummm, it's not a DAC. It's an interface.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, with a DAC in it. You need a DAC to get audio output through USB, there is no analog audio output through USB/USB OTG...

herqulees said:
Yes, with a DAC in it. You need a DAC to get audio output through USB, there is no analog audio output through USB/USB OTG...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it has a DAC but it's not meant as a stand alone DAC. It's an interface or soundcard. Does your phone have enough juice to even operate the thing? Also for a device that sells for less than 30 bucks what exactly where you expecting? Get a real DAC. You will notice a huge difference. Until then do some more research on what you have and see if your meeting it's power requirements.
This is actually a pretty good review of the unit with lots of technical info.
http://nwavguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/behringer-uca202-review.html

theesotericone said:
Yes it has a DAC but it's not meant as a stand alone DAC. It's an interface or soundcard. Does your phone have enough juice to even operate the thing? Also for a device that sells for less than 30 bucks what exactly where you expecting? Get a real DAC. You will notice a huge difference. Until then do some more research on what you have and see if your meeting it's power requirements.
This is actually a pretty good review of the unit with lots of technical info.
http://nwavguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/behringer-uca202-review.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While I can't see power being an issue I suppose I'll test with my Nexus 7 and laptop. I know it's a cheap DAC but I've read many reviews using this DAC with tablets and phones for car audio, along with the nwavguy in-depth review and testing showing how it's not a multi-hundred dollar unit but still does amazingly well. My issue is it doesn't even sound decent. It sounds like I'm playing rap/hip-hop through an old Nokia on speaker phone, you can hear it clearly but there's no depth.

So I tossed this DAC in a closet after I got bored of trying to make it work right and forgot about it for a year or so till earlier today when I found it while cleaning. My Nexus 5 has been retired and serves no purpose other than a security camera now. I now have a Samsung Galaxy S5 and an RCA Maven Pro tablet. The RCA Maven Pro is an 11.1inch 2-in-1 Android tablet with detachable keyboard for around $120. You'd assume it's horrible thanks to the brand and price but they managed to cut corners in all the right places it seems. Downsides are no GPS, 1GB of RAM, terrible cameras, and a horrible speaker. Other than that it has faithfully replaced my $1200 laptop with zero issues other than adjusting to ditching Windows.
Now back on track when I listen to music I'm either using an aux cord plugged into my work truck or bluetooth when using headphones or in my new car. When doing a side by side comparison bluetooth, to no surprise, shows no difference between my Maven and S5. However when using an aux cord the RCA doesn't put out as much bass and highs are... I guess not as clear? I think audiophiles are insane most of the time so it's hard for me to describe when I do notice a difference. Anyways I plugged the UCA202 into the RCA's USB port (no OTG here, it has a full size USB port) and plugged my Sony MDR-XB950BT headphones in to it with an aux cord (these headphones are 100% passive when wired, no bass boost or other enhancements) and sound quality is just as great as my S5, all bass and highs are restored. Just to further the test I plugged it into my S5 and did the same test with the same results. These are the same FLAC song files from the same network location that my Nexus 5 was playing a year ago.
The whole time the issue was something in my Nexus 5. What it was I don't know and sorry you guys I don't plan on investigating, I just wanted to inform everyone that the Behringer UCA202 is in fact a quality budget DAC since this thread is a top Google result for "Behringer UCA202 Android". If you have a cheap device that you want the audio to be on par with the high end phones this will do it, and for my original purpose of at the same time giving a bit of amplification for a weak head unit without distortion it does that decently too. To finish this off I am NOT an audiophile. Just a human with human hearing that likes songs with bass on car head units that weren't always designed for it (I glued a 80mm CPU fan to the back of the HU in my Jeep ) So take my finer details however you'd like.

the DAC works great for my Nexus 7 2013 model.

maybe otg cable is sh1tty
Sent from my D820 CAF using Tapatalk

USB C + 3.5mm Cable?

I bought this "3 in 1 USB C Aux Adapter" cable to use in my car but it doesn't seem to work right with my car for some reason.
When my Pixel 3 is plugged into the USB C side it only outputs the left channel
When my Pixel 3 is plugged into the 3.5mm w/ an adapter it only outputs the right channel
With my iPod Classic plugged into the 3.5mm side it seems to output both L and R channels
Anyone know of a similar type cable that definitely works with the Pixel 3? I don't really want to have to use an adapter.
::EDIT::
Well, slightly embarrassing but I actually wired up the aux cable incorrectly in my car. All is well and the cable works properly.

ramdyc said:
I bought this "3 in 1 USB C Aux Adapter" cable to use in my car but it doesn't seem to work right with my car for some reason.
When my Pixel 3 is plugged into the USB C side it only outputs the left channel
When my Pixel 3 is plugged into the 3.5mm w/ an adapter it only outputs the right channel
With my iPod Classic plugged into the 3.5mm side it seems to output both L and R channels
Anyone know of a similar type cable that definitely works with the Pixel 3? I don't really want to have to use an adapter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me preface...I'm definitely not an expert in the whole audio conversion area. I did start doing some light research a while back regarding USB-C --> 3.5mm adapters because I noticed that the dongle provided with the Pixel 3 caused sound quality issues with my 3.5mm Bose buds. I fly on airplanes a lot and noticed the sound output volume is significantly less with the dongle and 3.5mm headphones than using the USB-C Pixel buds. From what I've been able to gather is that the digital audio converter (DAC) chip built into most of these dongles is garbage or nonexistent.
Regarding the 2-in-1 adapter / chargers...I was also looking to buy something where I could listen to my 3.5mm buds and charge my phone at the same time BUT I stumbled across some article that basically said none of those work. If I remember correctly it had something to do with the phone itself, I think it was software related?? Maybe do some searching on this but I remember reading enough stuff where it sounded like a scammy product line so I didn't purchase. Maybe this has something to do with your L vs R channel issue??
Back to the regular dongle converter...you know how things are on Amazon sometimes, 3rd party vendors can be shady and say something is higher quality when it's really not which has made me hesitant to pull the trigger on a slightly more expensive dongle. That said, I finally purchased one today that is definitely a bit more expensive than others but it seems legit and I've found reviews in other forums referencing it. Here the link: https://www.adv-sound.com/products/accessport-lite (it can also be found on Amazon).
It should arrive in a few days so I can report back but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that audio output volume / quality isn't lost like it is with the standard dongle.

Alright, the Accessport-Lite (APL) converter arrived today. Here's what I think...regular 3.5mm headphones (I'm using Bose buds) into APL into device are definitely higher quality sound than using the converter that came in box with Pixel. You can hear more background noise, overall it's more crisp and max volume is a little bit louder, not as loud as I was hoping for however but an improvement that will make a difference when flying.
Another option...I picked up a 3.5mm splitter months ago so two people could listen at the same time. I noticed that 3.5mm headphones into splitter into Pixel box converter into device actually has higher max volume than simply headphones into Pixel box converter. Go figure. Splitters are really cheap at electronic stores. Although, I would recommend buying one from the audio equipment section as opposed to the phone section. They really upcharge you for the same exact thing that's supposed to be "specially made for a phone" which is garbage.
I also tried 3.5mm headphones into splitter into APL converter, sound quality wasn't noticably better than just APL. If anything some of the crispness seemed less.
Pixel Buds straight into device remain the loudest option. However, they do not cancel or shut out loud background noise like when flying so peak volume means nothing.
Long story short...I'm decently satisfied with the APL converter. Didn't blow me away but you can tell it's quality made and every but counts when trying to overcome loud airplane noise.

Carppopotamus said:
Maybe this has something to do with your L vs R channel issue??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, slightly embarrassing but I actually just had the aux cable in my car wired up incorrectly lol
Carppopotamus said:
Long story short...I'm decently satisfied with the APL converter. Didn't blow me away but you can tell it's quality made and every but counts when trying to overcome loud airplane noise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the heads up on this adapter! Definitely good to know about. I've seen good things about the Apple adapter too but have also seen reports of it not working properly? Have you tried that one? At $9 it's definitely on the cheaper end.

ramdyc said:
Well, slightly embarrassing but I actually just had the aux cable in my car wired up incorrectly lol
Thanks for the heads up on this adapter! Definitely good to know about. I've seen good things about the Apple adapter too but have also seen reports of it not working properly? Have you tried that one? At $9 it's definitely on the cheaper end.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't tried the Apple one

ramdyc said:
Well, slightly embarrassing but I actually just had the aux cable in my car wired up incorrectly lol
Thanks for the heads up on this adapter! Definitely good to know about. I've seen good things about the Apple adapter too but have also seen reports of it not working properly? Have you tried that one? At $9 it's definitely on the cheaper end.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been using the Apple USB-C to 3.5mm adapter for half a year. I like it: the Google adapter was too loud on lowest volume, and had an issue with echo in calls when using earbuds with a mic (Shure SE215). The Apple fixes all these issues and is smaller and lighter.