The Bluetooth LDAC codec  Currently, the most qualitative Bluetooth codec is the Sony LDAC. Its operation is based on the Bluetooth 4.0 standard so that a CD-quality audio file (16-bit / 44.1 kHz) can be transmitted without damage. A transmission up to 24 bits / 96 kHz is even possible, but with a. High quality audio with wide range of content. Cost: £9.99/mth or £19.99/mth (HiFi tier). The Bluetooth LDAC codec Currently, the most qualitative Bluetooth codec is the Sony LDAC. Its operation is based on the Bluetooth 4.0 standard so that a CD-quality audio file (16-bit / 44.1 kHz) can be transmitted without damage. A transmission up to 24 bits / 96 kHz is even possible, but with a minimum of compression. The M6 comes with dual-mode Bluetooth 4.2, and supports every high-resolution wireless format to date, including: 24-bit aptX HD (backwards compatible with aptX), LDAC, and HWA Hi-Res Bluetooth Audio.

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How does Bluetooth transmission work?

Let's take the example of a smartphone and a Bluetooth device. When the two devices are combined (by detection or grazing when an NFC chip is present), they present themselves to each other and list their respective capabilities.

As far as audio transmission is concerned, no less than 5 compression modes are possible. Their choice is (almost) never left to the user and it is the Bluetooth chips that determine the transmission mode to be used. If the radio frequency conditions allow it (low interference, proximity of the two devices, possible Bluetooth keyboards or mice connected to the source), the most qualitative mode is automatically chosen.

When conditions deteriorate (in public transport, for example, due to the proximity of other smartphones and Bluetooth headsets), transmitters and receivers adapt and change their communication methods seamlessly. The apt-X HD codec is then switched to the next lower quality codec.

Namely: when you listen to Spotify, Deezer, Qobuz, Google Music or Apple Music, the stream is automatically recompressed according to the codec chosen by the transmitter and receiver.

Which Bluetooth codec to choose: LDAC, aptX, SBC or AAC?

Many Bluetooth codecs coexist, the main ones being LDAC, Apt-X HD, Apt-X, AAC and SBC. These codecs make it easy to identify the maximum rate allowed when transmitting the Bluetooth signal and therefore the resulting audio quality. Here are the features of each of these Bluetooth codecs.

The Bluetooth LDAC codec

Currently, the most qualitative Bluetooth codec is the Sony LDAC. Its operation is based on the Bluetooth 4.0 standard so that a CD-quality audio file (16-bit / 44.1 kHz) can be transmitted without damage. A transmission up to 24 bits / 96 kHz is even possible, but with a minimum of compression.

For a long time remained the exclusive technology of the Japanese brand, only Sony devices could use it with each other. Fortunately, this codec has now been used by other brands for a few years. It can be found on many Bluetooth devices such as the Technics F70, Technics F50, Sony WH-1000XM3 headsets, as well as some personal music players such as the Shanling M0, Fiio M6, Shanling M2X or the Sony NW-ZX300.

Attention! As with any other Bluetooth codec, to enjoy LDAC audio transmission, the receiver (speaker, amp, etc.) and transmitter (computer, smartphone, tablet) must be LDAC compatible.

The Bluetooth codecs Apt-X and Apt-X HD

Now widely used, apt-X codecs offer high transmission quality, with a throughput of about 576 Kbits for apt-X HD and 350 Kbits for apt-X. The sound compression method is deteriorating (information is deleted), but the playback remains very good. Qualcomm, the company that developed the apt-X HD codec and markets the apt-X HD Bluetooth chips, evokes a quality close to the CD. Listening, we notice a rather pleasant ventilation and a wide frequency response.

The Bluetooth AAC codec

If you own an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad, you will not be able to take advantage of the apt-X codec, Apple having chosen another Bluetooth controller supplier for its devices than Qualcomm (the only manufacturer to market apt-X chips). As a result, the impasse has so far been made on the apt-X. Apple has opted for AAC audio compression, which is also the format chosen for iTunes and Apple Music.

The qualitative differences with apt-X are very small, especially since if you listen to music with iTunes in AAC format, no re-compression is performed.

The Bluetooth SBC codec

The Sub Band Codec (SBC) uses a compression algorithm comparable to Microsoft's WMA. When radio conditions are good, the data rate is 350 Kbits /sec with a correct listening quality. On the other hand, when the rate drops to 128 Kbps, audio artifacts are audible in the high frequencies. If you have ever had the impression that your Bluetooth headset was crackling, you didn't dream and the SBC codec is to blame.

How to enjoy a high quality Bluetooth listening experience?

If you are looking for a Bluetooth lossless transmission (without loss of information), you will need to choose LDAC-compatible devices such as an audiophile or Sony smartphone, as well as a Bluetooth headset, Bluetooth speaker or any other LDAC-compatible receiver device.

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If you want to broaden the choice of compatible equipment, it is better to choose an apt-X or apt-X HD compatible source and broadcaster. For computers, Bluetooth apt-X HD transmitters are available in the form of USB micro keys. Many smartphones are (Samsung, Motorola, etc.), as well as the vast majority of audiophile players.

Finally, if after consulting your smartphone's manual you discover that it only has a Bluetooth SBC transmitter, be aware that some headphones and speakers have settings to force the smartphones to transmit music at a rate of 350 kBits / sec.

As today more and more people use wireless headphones and speakers to enjoy music, the loss of sound quality during Bluetooth transmission becomes an issue. We suffered from heavily compressed sound quality for years by using the traditional audio codec such as SBC and aptX. But with Sony’s LDAC codec, we can enjoy much better music quality by using wireless devices.

LDAC is Sony’s audio codec introduced in 2015.Sony claims that this codec can fully support transferring Hi-Res audio via Bluetooth. It also can transfer at a higher bitrate up to 990kbps than the traditional SBC(328kpbs) and Qualcomm’s aptX(352kbps) and aptX HD(576kbps). So when we listen music from wireless devices, the LDAC has the closest bitrate to uncompressed CD quality sound (1411kpbs). From data, we can easily tell that LDAC is way more efficient than those older codec.

The LDAC only works when both output devices (Music players or phones) and receivers (headphones or speakers) equipped with it, which used to be only Sony’s products. But now, as an important contributor to Android, Sony authorized Google to use this technology in Android system (Android O or newer version). Now, every android users can use this feature on their phones, however, only Sony’s headphones and speakers can use LDAC. So, it is a smart move to expand Sony’s market share on wireless audio product.

Although LDAC offers much better sound quality than other codecs, there is a problem for it: it is too good. For nowadays, most people use stream medias such as Spotify and Deezer on their phones to listen music. The music quality on these medias is very low. For instance, Spotify only offers up to 320kpbs music to its premium members, which is way lower than Hi-Res or CD quality music. That is being said, although consumers are able to use this technology, many of them are not truly able to enjoy the full potential of LDAC.

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Cites:

“What you need to know about Sony’s LDAC”. https://www.androidauthority.com/sony-ldac-codec-790690/, retrieved 17 January 2019.

“What is Sony LDAC, and how does it do it?”. https://www.avhub.com.au/news/sound-image/what-is-sony-ldac-and-how-does-it-do-it-408285, retrieved 17 January 2019.

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“LDAC Features”, https://www.sony.net/Products/LDAC/, retrieved 17 January 2019.