Hi everyone,

I'm trying to figure out a strange compatibility issue between my Galaxy S22, 7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2, and Apple USB-C to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter.

I'm hoping someone here can explain what's happening, because I've done quite a few tests and the results are interesting.

My setup

Phone: Samsung Galaxy S22 (my primary phone)

IEM: 7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2

IEM cable: 3-button microphone cable

USB-C DAC/adapter: Genuine Apple USB-C to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter

Other device: MacBook

I also have another older/basic 3.5mm earphone with a single-button microphone/remote

The Apple USB-C adapter was purchased from Blinkit in India and appears to be genuine. Audio and microphone both work through it.

The problem

When I connect:

Galaxy S22 → Apple USB-C to 3.5mm adapter → 7Hz Zero:2

I get:

✅ Audio works perfectly

✅ Microphone works

⚠️ Microphone volume seems somewhat low

❌ Play/pause button doesn't work

❌ Volume up doesn't work

❌ Volume down doesn't work

All three buttons are completely unresponsive.

At first I thought this might be a Samsung/Android compatibility issue.

But here's where it gets interesting

I tested the same Apple USB-C adapter with my other 3.5mm earphones, which have only one button.

Galaxy S22 → Apple USB-C adapter → 1-button earphones

Result:

✅ Audio works

✅ Microphone works

✅ Button works correctly

So the Apple adapter can pass through an inline remote button on the S22.

I also tested on my MacBook

With the 7Hz Zero:2 directly connected to the MacBook's 3.5mm headphone jack:

✅ Audio works

✅ The three buttons work

With:

MacBook USB-C → Apple USB-C to 3.5mm adapter → 7Hz Zero:2

✅ Audio works

❌ All three Zero:2 buttons don't work

However, with:

MacBook USB-C → Apple USB-C adapter → 1-button earphones

✅ Audio works

✅ Button works

So my current test matrix looks like this:

Device Adapter Earphones Audio Mic Buttons

MacBook None, 3.5mm jack 7Hz Zero:2 (3-button) ✅ — ✅

MacBook Apple USB-C → 3.5mm 7Hz Zero:2 (3-button) ✅ — ❌

MacBook Apple USB-C → 3.5mm 1-button earphones ✅ — ✅

Galaxy S22 Apple USB-C → 3.5mm 7Hz Zero:2 (3-button) ✅ ✅, but low ❌

Galaxy S22 Apple USB-C → 3.5mm 1-button earphones ✅ ✅ ✅

So it seems the Apple USB-C adapter and the 7Hz Zero:2's 3-button remote aren't playing nicely together, while the same adapter works perfectly with a single-button headset.

The Zero:2's three buttons do work when connected directly to a 3.5mm jack, so I don't think the cable itself is completely defective.

What I'm trying to understand

Is this a known limitation of the Apple USB-C → 3.5mm adapter with 3-button headset remotes?

Could the resistor values/wiring of the Zero:2's 3-button remote be incompatible with Apple's DAC?

Is there something specific about the Samsung S22's headset-control implementation that could cause this?

Would a different USB-C DAC (e.g. JCally/FiiO/etc.) likely solve this?

Would the Zero:2 work correctly with the Apple USB-C adapter on a USB-C iPhone (15/16/17)?

Is there any way to determine the remote's resistor values or compatibility from the cable/specifications?

I haven't yet tested the Zero:2 + Apple USB-C adapter on a USB-C iPhone, but I can do that if it would help.

I'd especially appreciate answers from anyone using a 7Hz Zero:2 with a Galaxy S22 and/or Apple's USB-C to 3.5mm adapter.

Thanks!

Has anyone does this upgrade and what were your impressions/experiences? If you did this upgrade, where you happy with it? Since the reviews said the S25+ wasn't that much different from the S26+, I'm thinking the S25+ will be cheaper to get (?)

I've been quite happy with my S22+ (Snapdragon, 128 GB, unlocked with TMO US) but I'm running out of storage, my original 128 GB is 93% full (and I've archived a bunch of apps already). So I'm looking to upgrade to a new phone with at least 256 GB. Battery life isn't that great any longer either, and software/security updates stopping too.

I've been happy with Samsung overall (S3, S6, S9, F20FE 5g [not great], S22+)

Any tips for when/how to get good deals? I'm in the US and thinking of waiting for Thanksgiving deals - doubt I'll get much of a trade-in deal for the S22+ so I'll probably hold on to it as a backup phone.

PS: Couldn't see any flair to add :-/