FWIW:

Transferring 8 mp3 files, first via USB and then via ethernet:


USB:

emptool --usb /dev/ttyUSB0

Result:

Transferred 13511068 bytes in 30.389429 seconds, 444597.625013 bytes/sec
Transferred 13445716 bytes in 29.717606 seconds, 452449.507041 bytes/sec
Transferred 14333458 bytes in 32.297737 seconds, 443791.400804 bytes/sec
Transferred 15438454 bytes in 34.266193 seconds, 450544.763591 bytes/sec
Transferred 10144620 bytes in 22.350897 seconds, 453879.773807 bytes/sec
Transferred 10930186 bytes in 24.453403 seconds, 446980.151950 bytes/sec
Transferred 11847606 bytes in 27.390331 seconds, 432547.013906 bytes/sec
Transferred 11962999 bytes in 26.944464 seconds, 443987.273970 bytes/sec

Average:

12701763 bytes in 28.476258 seconds, 446097.188760 bytes/sec

Ethernet:

emptool empeg-car

Result:

Transferred 13511068 bytes in 23.165836 seconds, 583232.472382 bytes/sec
Transferred 13445716 bytes in 23.202858 seconds, 579485.338259 bytes/sec
Transferred 14333458 bytes in 24.696688 seconds, 580379.772991 bytes/sec
Transferred 15438454 bytes in 26.170258 seconds, 589923.655114 bytes/sec
Transferred 10144620 bytes in 16.904146 seconds, 600126.139664 bytes/sec
Transferred 10930186 bytes in 18.598417 seconds, 587694.416907 bytes/sec
Transferred 11847606 bytes in 20.452353 seconds, 579278.397740 bytes/sec
Transferred 11962999 bytes in 20.248751 seconds, 590801.831932 bytes/sec

Average:

12701763 bytes in 21.679913 seconds, 586365.253124 bytes/sec


I think this means:

Ethernet is 31.4% faster and takes 23.8% less time than USB.

Alternately:

USB is 23.9% slower and takes 31.3% more time than Ethernet.

Six of one, half a dozen of the other, take your pick.

YMMV.

Disclaimer: Tests were run on hardware of dubious reliability under the watchful eye of JAFI, and may require a suitable application of a PCR Tool. Don't take internally. May cause drowsiness. Brush after every meal. Signal before merging.