Robert Triggs / Android Authority
TL; DR
- aptX Lossless is the first Bluetooth audio codec with bit-precise music support in CD quality.
- The technology will be part of Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive and Snapdragon Sound ecosystems.
- Expect the first aptX lossless products in 2022.
Stop Audiophiles; You will finally be able to hear lossless quality audio through your bluetooth headphones. Qualcomm has opened the lid on the latest version of its aptX Lossless Bluetooth audio codec.
aptX Lossless delves directly into the core details and is the first Bluetooth audio codec that offers bit-accurate transmission of audio in CD quality (16 bit, 44.1 kHz) via Bluetooth. Finally, your wireless headphones can support lossless sound. Compression is still used to fit the 1.4Mbps bit rate of CD into Qualcomm’s more limited 1Mbps maximum bandwidth, but the company notes that it uses completely lossless compression. In contrast to existing lossy Bluetooth codecs, the audio stream at the output exactly matches the input when listening via aptX Lossless.
With the switch to aptX Lossless, Qualcomm has significantly improved the data rate compared to its existing codecs aptX (352 kbps) and aptX HD (576 kbps). In fact, it can even outperform Sony LDAC’s 990kbps data rate. Maintaining this high bandwidth, however, is the main problem Qualcomm has solved thanks to the end-to-end control and optimization of its radio stack through its Snapdragon sound ecosystem. Therefore, Qualcomm states that Snapdragon Sound is a requirement for sustainable aptX Lossless and intends all branded products to support the new codec in the future. Unfortunately, the new hardware requirements mean that existing products are unlikely to be backwards compatible.
See also: Everything you need to know about bluetooth codecs
Fortunately, aptX Lossless is not another standalone codec in an ever-growing list. Instead, it falls under the aptX Adaptive tool suite, which means devices can also benefit from Qualcomm’s other codec capabilities. For example, the audio bit rate scales from lossless down to 140 kbps without interruption if you move into an area with high levels of radio interference. That means you shouldn’t experience any glitches or dropouts. aptX Adaptive also supports 24-bit 96 kHz playback, albeit with lossy compression, and a dynamic, low-latency mode for gamers and voice calls.
Qualcomm’s decision to support lossless audio over Bluetooth is in part due to the growing list of music streaming platforms that now support lossless formats. Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal and others offer high resolution and / or lossless tracks for streaming and downloading. To get the most out of this audio quality over Bluetooth, however, new codecs and a flawless wireless hardware and software implementation are required. Qualcomm’s latest Bluetooth audio codec could become the preferred way of listening for audiophiles who also want to enjoy the benefits of Bluetooth headphones and earbuds.
aptX lossless products with Snapdragon sound branding and interoperability testing are expected to be launched in 2022.
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