With the world on the go, even technology has advanced and become more productive. Especially gadgets like Bluetooth headphones have become crazily popular among today’s generation. You can use them while working, cooking, traveling, and doing day-to-day work. As the routine use of wireless headphones is increasing daily, choosing the best Bluetooth headphones is important. And for that, you must select the right technology that goes inside them. And to help you out with that, we have a perfect guide for you on aptX vs. LDAC. In today’s article, you will learn a great deal about codecs. And most importantly, a much-needed aptX vs. LDAC comparison with the list of LDAC supported phones. So, let us start knowing more about Bluetooth codecs immediately.
aptX vs. LDAC: Which is the Best Bluetooth Codec?
Keep reading further to find out which is the best Bluetooth Codec between aptX vs. LDAC in detail for better understanding.
What are Bluetooth Codecs?
To know more in detail about what are Bluetooth codecs, check out the points listed below:
- Bluetooth codec is a compression technology that makes it easy to transfer data.
- It is a software program that transmits audio from a source like a phone or a computer to headphones.
- Bluetooth codec helps in compressing the data to be transferred to reduce its file size and encodes it in a format understandable by the headphones.
- A codec has usually two major components, one is an encoder that compresses the files and the second is a decoder to decompress.
- Codec language is used for communication between a phone or a system and headphones.
- To connect and to hear music via your phone to headphones, both devices must support the same audio codec.
- Codec with a low bit rate provides greater compression and reduced audio quality, however, a codec with high bit rate results in less compression and therefore greater audio quality.
- A Bluetooth codec has a Sample Rate (Hz), the frequency with which an analog signal is transmitted.
- Bit Depth (-bit) of a codec is the number of bits per audio sample that dictate a file resolution.
- The Bit Rate (Kbps) of a codec is the number of bits processed per unit of time which is measured in seconds and recorded as kilobits/second or megabits/second.
- The Latency of a Bluetooth codec is the lag that occurs between signal transmission and signal output.
- Bluetooth Codec has another feature known as Data Rate which is the amount of data transmitted per second.
- Sampling depth is also a codec feature that represents the resolution of sound data that is stored in files.
Read until the end to learn the difference between aptX vs. LDAC and the supported device too.
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What is LDAC?
LDAC is a codec technology that is used in Bluetooth headphones for good-quality audio. You can know more about what is LDAC from the points listed below:
- LDAC is an audio coding technology developed by Sony in 2015.
- LDAC offers high-resolution audio over Bluetooth connections.
- The resolution audio offered by LDAC is 32-bit/96kHz over Bluetooth at up to 990 kbps.
- The technology used by LDAC is Enhanced Data Rate (EDR).
- EDR technology helps to increase data speeds outside of usual A2DP profile limits.
- LDAC uses three times more data streaming over Bluetooth due to optimized packetization of data and more efficient coding.
- The maximum data rate of LDAC is 328 kbps.
- LDAC also offers better data transmission than other codecs.
- LDAC has three different types of connection modes including quality, normal, and connection.
- Different bitrates for these connections are 990 kbps, 660 kbps, and 330 kbps respectively.
- These LDAC options can be manually toggled on mobile phones or headphone apps.
- There are a number of Sony products that support LDAC such as WH-1000XM5, WH-1000XM4, WH-1000XM3, WF-1000XM4, and LinkBuds S true wireless.
- LDAC codec is supported by Soundbars and speakers as well.
- For LDAC codec’s increased performance, both source and receiver should be compatible.
- LDAC is more compatible with higher-quality services such as Amazon Music, Deezer, Tidal, and Qobuz.
Keep reading to learn what is the difference between aptX vs. LDAC nad which one is the best.
What is aptX?
aptX codec is primarily used for voice-calling audio and for gaming devices. Learn more about what is aptX below:
- aptX is a codec technology that supports A2DP.
- It offers a set of instructions to encode and decode Bluetooth transmissions.
- The aptX codec offers premium audio quality and low latency.
- This Bluetooth audio codec is owned by Qualcomm.
- It helps in compressing and then decompressing the audio traveling from mobile phone to Bluetooth headphones without the loss of audio quality.
- The aptX codec does not compromise the sound quality.
- It offers high-definition voice quality using Bluetooth wireless technology.
- The aptX technology is popularly used to enhance the quality of voice during calls.
- aptX is known to deliver CD-like audio quality, which is an uncompromised and uninterrupted audio experience.
- While processing the audio, aptX drains less battery.
- aptX codec technology is also preferred for gaming audio.
- aptX codec also demands a compatible transmitter and receiver.
- Android devices and many high-quality Bluetooth headphones support aptX technology.
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Do Bluetooth Codecs Make a Difference?
Bluetooth Codecs have their own unique compression algorithm and speed of transmitting the data. All these features affect the quality of wireless audio in terms of latency and fidelity. Also, reducing the file size while maintaining the fidelity of the audio data is not simple as it sounds. Therefore, to answer the question do Bluetooth codecs make a difference, yes, they do make a big impact on the quality of sound for the listener.
What is the aptX vs. LDAC Comparison?
aptX and LDAC, both Bluetooth codecs are supreme when it comes to their features. These are known as one of the best codecs available for Bluetooth headphones. However, there are a few features that can help you make a comparison between the two. So, let us look at some briefly mentioned points below for aptX vs. LDAC:
- Music Listening Quality: The quality of the audio that comes out of your Bluetooth headphone is of utmost importance. Therefore, you must make sure that you select a codec offering high-quality audio that remains consistent even when you are far away from your device. While aptX is a great choice, LDAC produces the best sound audio with an upper end of 990 kbps bitrate.
- Streaming: Both the codecs, aptX, and LDAC stream music with great depth. At the same time, aptX streams up to a maximum of 384 kbps and a maximum sample rate of 48kHz, LDAC on the other hand offers a max sample rate of 96kHz.
- Gaming: For gaming purposes, codecs with low latency are preferred more. As aptX supports low latency (50-150 ms) with stable audio quality, it is suitable for mobile games like PUBG and LDAC which have highly unstable audio quality and more latency which is not optimized for gaming.
- Calls: Another aptX vs. LDAC comparison is for calling. Calling audio requires good quality which is promised by both the codes, aptX and LDAC. Also, aptX Adaptive has a dedicated feature for clear audio during calls which is known as aptX Voice.
- Videos: As much as good music, calls, and gaming audio is essential, it is also important that your Bluetooth codec offers high-quality video audio as well. As is the case for gaming, video audio also requires low latency to ensure both video and audio from Bluetooth headphones or speakers are in sync. Therefore, you can move forward with aptX in this case.
What are the LDAC Supported Phones?
LDAC is supported by Android phones with Android version 8 or newer. You can check some most popular LDAC supported phones listed below:
- OnePlus
- Huawei
- Xiaomi
- Oppo
- Sony Xperia
- Realme GT
- Asus Zenfone 8
- Poco F3
- Honor 30 Pro+
- HTC U11+ Plus
- Google Pixel 2 XL
- Vivo X60 Pro (Asia)
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Which are the LDAC Supported Devices?
LDAC codec is a Sony product and is therefore compatible with a number of Sony devices including Sony Walkman, headphones, active speakers, home theaters, and Xperia smartphones. Other than these devices, there are other LDAC supported devices as well:
- Asus
- Cayin
- LG
- Xiaomi
- Panasonic
- Pioneer
- Fujitsu
- Grandsun
- Radius
- Realme
- Toyota
- TEAC
- Vivo
- miniDSP
- iRiver
- Hiby
- HTC
- Huawei
Is LDAC Better than aptX?
Yes. If you are wondering whether is LDAC better than aptX, then yes, LDAC is a clear winner. LDAC makes it possible to provide the best sound possible to Bluetooth headphone users. While aptX codec offers low latency and stable audio quality, especially to mobile game users, LDAC is a better choice because of the high latency that most users require.
Which Bluetooth Codec is Best?
To answer the question, of which Bluetooth codec is best, LDAC is a great choice for users who want to listen to a premium streaming service with as little loss of quality as possible.
Does aptX Drain Battery?
Bluetooth headphones are known to drain the battery out of a device. However, if you are curious about does aptX drain battery, then to answer your query, aptX is known to do a better job at compressing and then decompressing music, which drains less battery from your mobile device.
Does Spotify Support LDAC?
Yes. If you are finding an answer to does Spotify support LDAC, then to answer your query, Spotify does support LDAC. However, there are some optimal settings for Bluetooth using LDAC that need to be done.
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This brings us to the end of our article on the aptX vs. LDAC comparison and which are the LDAC supported phones. We hope that our guide was successful in guiding you well about aptX and LDAC codecs in general and their comparison. If you have some more doubts or any suggestions to share with us then please drop them in the comments section below.
