Can a Budget Type-C Balanced Dongle Sound Good? H-Turbo S2, Tested at Entry Level
The S2's form is rare among DACs: it is simply made into a cable. USB-C in, 3.5mm balanced out, the cable body uses 8-strand 49-core silver-plated oxygen-free copper, and the H-Turbo custom chip handles decoding and amplification. The whole cable is CNY 59 (USD 9).
| Parameter | S2 Value | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| PCM Decoding | 32bit / 384kHz | Full coverage of lossless streaming |
| ADC Recording | 24bit / 48kHz | With microphone path, in-line call available |
| SNR | 105dB | Reasonable for entry-level, no audible noise in daily environments |
| Distortion | -90dB | Clean sound, but spec enthusiasts may find it average |
| Impedance Adaptation | 16-32Ω | Clearly for IEMs, not marketed for over-ear headphones |
| I/O | Type C in + 3.5mm balanced out | Balanced drive at earphone end, better channel separation than single-ended |
| Cable | 8 strands x 49 cores, silver-plated OFC, 1.5m | Cable specs are unusually robust at this price |
105dB SNR and -90dB distortion are the normal level for entry-level chips. Don't compare it to the 02 Pro's 135dB – the price is more than 8 times different. Its goal isn't "extreme performance" but "getting clean sound from your phone for 59 bucks."
Plug and play, most Android phones recognize it directly, and it can sound without an App (turn it on only for exclusive output). The 1.5m cable is much longer than usual dongles, so it's easy to put in your phone pocket or connect to a tablet for movies. It supports EQ tuning, and you can switch styles within the App.
- For: Students, first HiFi upgrade, users who want to add a headphone jack to their tablet/laptop.
- Not for: Those who already own 02 / 02 Pro (overlapping positioning and low output); those needing 4.4mm balanced or driving over-ear headphones should look at the 02 / 02 Pro.
The sibling H-Turbo S1 is its AUX version; the output is not a headphone jack but a 3.5mm TRRS male connector, for car stereos, speakers, old headphones—choose as needed.
FAQ
What's the difference between S2 and a regular 3.5mm headphone jack?
S2 has a built-in independent decoding chip, bypassing the interference and noise floor of the phone's built-in sound card. With a 105dB signal-to-noise ratio, the sound is cleaner; also, the headphone end is balanced-driven for better channel separation.
Does S2 support iPhone?
S2 has a Type-C input. iPhone 15 and later models with USB-C can connect directly; Lightning models require an adapter, and compatibility is not guaranteed.
What does 16-32Ω mean?
This is the headphone impedance range recommended for S2 driving, covering most in-ear monitors and portable over-ear headphones. 300Ω high-impedance over-ear headphones are not within the design target.
Can the inline remote and microphone be used for in-game voice chat?
Yes. The S2 has an ADC input path (24bit/48kHz), and the microphone transmits through the same cable, so it can be used for daily voice and mobile gaming chat.
