I'm having trouble with my Blackstorm Squad II gaming headset, which I believe is a brand from a Finnish store called Verkkokauppa. It came with two cables: a USB-C to 3.5mm cable that connects to a 3.5mm splitter cable. Recently, the USB-C to 3.5mm cable broke, and now it only outputs some sounds. The splitter works fine with other headphones. I tried getting a new USB-C to 3.5mm cable, but it provided no audio at all. I even tested a DAC adapter with a standard 3.5mm cable, but still no luck. The retailer suggested I buy a pricey Apple USB-C to 3.5mm cable. I've used the headset on both my Windows PC and phone, but neither worked. I suspect there might be a special feature in the original cable that I can't figure out. Any advice?
2 Answers
The issue seems to stem from your need for an active conversion from USB-C to 3.5mm. Most adapters only work one way—either converting digital to analog or vice versa. That's why your DAC didn't work; it's meant to take USB-C audio from your PC and turn it into an analog signal, not the other way around. Unfortunately, finding a suitable ADC adapter for your setup is rare. Your headset likely needs a proprietary adapter that handles both outputs, so a standard replacement probably won't suffice.
Generally, when moving from USB-C to 3.5mm, there's a specific tech behind the original cable that’s crucial. Those custom converters can indeed be hard to replace because they often integrate with specific audio features of the headset itself. The fact that they suggested an expensive branded cable might indicate that replacing it with a third-party option won't give you the same quality or functionality you’re used to.
Yeah, that's exactly where I'm stuck. It's just disappointing that I'd have to dip into that price range for what seems like a simple problem. I wish there was more clarity with these proprietary parts.
That's unfortunate! If the headset's otherwise great, it feels rough to be stuck without a proper replacement. I looked into some similar models that have the same USB-C to 3.5mm setup, but you're saying they're likely incompatible? It sounds a bit sketchy if the manufacturer makes it hard to find replacements.