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If you want a single cable that lets you plug your SteelSeries Arctis headset into a MacBook, iPhone or almost any modern USB-C device, choose Arzweyk Replacement USB C; if you need to repair the actual 3.5mm headphone jack inside an older MacBook Air, choose HAWSON A1932.
• Arzweyk Replacement USB C — biggest strength: one 5ft USB-C audio cable that works with SteelSeries Arctis Prime/Pro/7/5/3 headsets and a long list of USB-C phones, tablets and laptops, including MacBooks.
• Arzweyk Replacement USB C — biggest trade-off: it is a cable, not a repair part. If your headphone jack is physically broken, a new cable will not fix it.
• HAWSON A1932 — biggest strength: a direct-fit replacement audio board with headphone jack and flex cable for the MacBook Air Retina 13" A1932 (2018–2019).
• HAWSON A1932 — biggest trade-off: installation requires real disassembly skill, and HAWSON itself warns that it is not an easy job for beginners.
• Buy Arzweyk Replacement USB C if you just want to connect an Arctis headset to a MacBook or USB-C phone with zero tools.
• Buy HAWSON A1932 if you already know how to open a MacBook Air and your A1932's headphone jack is dead.
The Arzweyk Replacement USB C is a 1.5m (5ft) male-to-male USB-C audio cable aimed at SteelSeries Arctis owners. The compatibility list reads Arctis Prime, Arctis Pro, Arctis 7, Arctis 5 and Arctis 3 — the whole mainstream Arctis family. On the other end it talks to USB-C phones and laptops: iPhone 17/16/15, Samsung Galaxy S25 down to S20, Google Pixel 9/8/7, iPad 10th/Pro/Air/Mini, and MacBooks. That last one is the point for most readers here.
Why does this matter for a MacBook? Because modern MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models lean on USB-C and often drop the old round audio jack on some configurations — and even when a jack is present, a headset that expects USB-C audio simply needs the right cable. Arzweyk's cable carries the audio signal over a USB-C connector, so you can keep using a headset you already like instead of buying a new one just to match the ports.
The build is where the spec sheet gets specific. The core is high-purity oxygen-free copper with a braided shielding layer, which Arzweyk says reduces signal interference and loss for "pure and transparent" high-fidelity sound. The outer shell is high-density nylon, described as tangle-free and scratch-resistant, rated to survive more than 20,000 bending cycles. In plain terms: this is a cable built to live in a bag and get yanked around.
Who should buy it: anyone with a compatible Arctis headset who wants to use it with a MacBook, USB-C phone, iPad or PC without adapters or dongles. The 5ft length is the sweet spot for desk use and casual movement.
Who should skip it: people whose MacBook's built-in headphone jack is physically broken. This cable routes audio through USB-C; it does not repair a damaged port or board. Also skip it if your headset is not on the compatibility list.
HAWSON A1932: Who It's For
HAWSON A1932 is a completely different kind of product. It is an internal audio board with a headphone jack connector and attached flex cable, sold as a replacement part for the MacBook Air Retina 13" A1932 from the 2018 and 2019 model years. If your headphone jack stopped working, got bent, or you are restoring an A1932, this is the part that goes back inside the machine.
The pitch is narrow and honest. HAWSON states each A1932 audio jack board with flex cable is tested before shipping and confirmed working. It also tells you plainly to check your computer's year before ordering, and to review the description and pictures carefully so you get the correct part. That is the right advice — Apple's internal parts change across model years, and A1932 compatibility is not the same as A1931, A2179 or anything newer.
The bigger caveat is installation. HAWSON's own bullet point warns that this is not an easy job for someone without technical skills in disassembling or assembling a laptop, and says to only buy it if you know how to install it. I take that seriously. Replacing an internal audio board means opening the bottom case, disconnecting the battery, carefully freeing the flex cable, and routing the new one without pinching it. It is a job for someone with the right tools and prior repair experience — or for a shop you pay to do it.
Who should buy it: experienced DIY repairers, refurbishers and repair shops working on a 2018–2019 MacBook Air A1932 with a faulty headphone jack. If you are restoring one of these machines and need a fresh audio jack, this is the specific part.
Who should skip it: anyone who just wants to plug headphones into a working MacBook. If your jack works and your problem is "my headset uses USB-C," this part is irrelevant — you want a cable, not a board. And if you have never opened a laptop, this is not the project to learn on.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for a broken internal headphone jack on a MacBook Air A1932 (2018–2019) → HAWSON A1932. It is the replacement part.
• Best for travel and daily carry → Arzweyk Replacement USB C. Nylon, tangle-free, 5ft, rated past 20,000 bends.
• Best for a repair bench → HAWSON A1932. Internal flex cable and jack, meant to be installed.
• Best for USB-C phones and tablets → Arzweyk Replacement USB C. Covers iPhone 15/16/17, Galaxy S20–S25, Pixel 7/8/9, iPad.
• Best if you have zero technical skill → Arzweyk Replacement USB C. HAWSON explicitly says its part is not for beginners.
• Best for restoring a 2018–2019 MacBook Air → HAWSON A1932. Its entire reason for existing.
• Worst mismatch → buying HAWSON A1932 to "fix" audio on a laptop with a working jack, or buying the Arzweyk cable for a physically damaged jack. Neither solves the other's problem.
In my opinion, the Arzweyk Replacement USB C is the one most people searching this comparison actually want. If your goal is "headphones for MacBook" — meaning you own a SteelSeries Arctis headset and a USB-C MacBook, and you just want them talking to each other — a 5ft tangle-free cable with a shielded oxygen-free copper core is the simple, no-tools answer. I would only steer you to the HAWSON A1932 if you are repairing a 2018–2019 MacBook Air A1932 and already know how to open it. Two different jobs, two different products — pick the one that matches your actual problem.
FAQ
how to use headphones for macbook
how to connect headphones macbook
For a wired USB-C headset, connect the cable between the headset and the MacBook's USB-C port, then select the device as the audio output in System Settings. The Arzweyk cable is male-to-male USB-C, so it bridges a compatible Arctis headset to a USB-C MacBook directly, with no adapter.
how to connect headphones macbook air
On a MacBook Air with USB-C ports, the same logic applies: use a USB-C audio cable for a USB-C headset, or the built-in jack if your model has one. The Arzweyk Replacement USB C lists MacBook among its compatible USB-C devices, so it is an option for Air owners with a compatible Arctis headset.
how to use headphones macbook pro
MacBook Pro models include USB-C ports, so a USB-C headset cable is the cleanest route for a headset that expects USB-C audio. If you have an Arctis headset, the Arzweyk cable is designed for exactly that pairing. If instead your MacBook Pro's headphone jack is dead, a cable will not help — that is a hardware repair, which is where a part like the HAWSON A1932 (for its specific A1932 MacBook Air fitment) fits the picture.
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