For many premium consumer electronic devices, adoption of the latest connectors is essential. These devices must perform at their very best and have very little in the way of compromise, providing the users with a product that justifies the associated price tag.
Specifically, in the high-end headphone market, we have seen the migration from Micro USB to Type-C move very quickly. Despite the growth of wireless product variants, headphones still need connectors to charge and transmit audio data. Some purists will always value the ‘near-lossless’ sound quality of a hardwired connection above wireless too, which makes selecting the right USB connection more important than ever.
Headphones adopting Type-C connections will naturally gain all the benefits it has to offer. A reversible interface for easier mating and a higher power and data throughput versus micro USB all come part of the package. But it was one of the more specific features on GCT’s USB4055 Type-C connector, which helped overcome a product issue for a premium audio and headphone manufacturer.
It was all in the shell...
A comparable connector was needed to ensure design changes were kept to a minimum. A long body, single shell horizontal mount Type-C connector was used in the original design, which helped the connector protrude off the end of the PCB and lay flush with the headphone housing.
GCT’s USB-C range were the perfect fit for this situation as it not only combines Top mount and Mid mount products, but also has short and long body options for both mount types. Given the extensive range available, the USB4055 was selected as the replacement.
The key difference on the USB4055 versus the competing part being replaced was its dual layer shell. GCT’s Type-C connector is engineered with an inner shell layer formed from a single drawn piece of stainless steel, which provides it with superior EMI shielding properties along with additional connector strength and integrity. GCT's USB4050, USB4060 and USB4065 Type C connectors also benefit from a dual layer shell, but the USB4055 was the best fit for the manufacturers design requirements.
The USB4055 was also put through temperature rise testing to ensure it can safely offer Power Delivery standard at 5W. This test confirms rapid charge capability without a significant rise in the connector shell temperature.
