What’s aptX HD?

Over the previous few years, smartphone producers have facilitated the increase in wireless headphones by eradicating the three.5mm headphone jack, which was a mainstay characteristic on all moveable gadgets. That meant wi-fi expertise needed to get higher, and Qualcomm has been one of many largest names on the forefront of that change.

Utilizing Bluetooth for audio has at all times meant a dip in audio high quality when in comparison with a wired connection. That is as a result of Bluetooth is not pretty much as good at transferring excessive quantities of information in a brief period of time. That hasn’t essentially stopped individuals utilizing it — sacrificing good sound high quality for comfort is hardly a brand new factor in spite of everything, particularly for different activities — however there was a push for higher high quality audio from supply to gadget extra lately, and aptX HD is only one a part of that puzzle. Sadly, because of the limitations of the expertise, Bluetooth won’t ever fairly match up in audio high quality and velocity of wired connections, however with developments in expertise, it will get nearer on a regular basis.

aptX HD is a Bluetooth codec that permits for higher high quality audio than different frequent codecs that got here earlier than it. However how does it work and which gadgets help it? Enable me to elucidate.

aptX HD, defined

Compression strategies and transmission expertise

aptX HD is an evolution of aptX, which you could have heard of earlier than. The compression algorithm has been round because the Nineteen Eighties however is now owned by Qualcomm, the producer of the Snapdragon processing chips which can be discovered within the majority of Android smartphones.

aptX has help for ‘CD-like’ 16-bit/44.1kHz high quality with a most bitrate of 352kbps, nevertheless it will get compressed when transmitted over Bluetooth, so you are still dropping audio high quality when in comparison with utilizing wired headphones. The compression is there to assist preserve latency at an absolute minimal when transmitted wirelessly to headphones or a Bluetooth speaker — meaning the time that it takes to get out of your supply gadget to your headphones.

aptX HD helps as much as 24-bit/48kHz audio, with a bitrate of 576kbps at most, making it considerably higher than aptX, however nonetheless removed from lossless. The newer expertise was launched in 2016 to supply larger high quality streaming, and Qualcomm says it presents “better-than-CD” sound high quality and might even improve the sound of normal decision music recordsdata. Remember the fact that, in actuality, it is in no way “higher than CD” high quality, as a result of aptX HD continues to be not lossless, like all different Bluetooth codecs at this time limit. It comes with the territory, however Bluetooth simply is not there but.

aptX HD has additionally been designed to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio, which means you need to have the ability to hear extra element within the songs you take heed to when in comparison with different codecs. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless a lossy format, so it is nowhere close to what you’ll get with wired listening.

The corporate has tried to take this additional with the likes of aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless (which isn’t really lossless) however, for now, aptX HD stays essentially the most supported codec that Qualcomm presents.

Associated

Wired headphones are making a comeback, so what is lossless audio?

Wired earbuds are in once more, ushering in lossless audio — which is bringing CD-like high quality to the streaming period.

Which gadgets help aptX HD?

You want the fitting tech to reap the advantages

With a view to benefit from the advantages of aptX HD, you will must ensure you have a tool that helps it — each as a supply to play it and a tool to obtain it. These gadgets can have the CSR8675 Bluetooth audio system-on-chip (SoC) because it’s able to supporting 24-bit audio from end-to-end.

On the time of writing, Qualcomm lists some 570 gadgets launched since 2019 that help the codec, and you may head over to this list on Qualcomm’s web site to see what they’re, starting from smartphones and media gamers to headphones and amps.

Nevertheless, it is price noting that Samsung gadgets presently do not help the format and neither does Apple, so you will be taking a look at utilizing a special codec in the event you personal a Galaxy telephone or iPhone.

Associated

What is Bluetooth LE Audio and why does it matter? Higher quality, audio sharing and more

Twenty years after Bluetooth revolutionised wi-fi connectivity, an replace will convey higher high quality, multi-device streaming, broadcast and extra.

FAQ

Q: Do any iPhones help aptX HD?

iPhones have not ever supported aptX HD. The one codecs iPhones presently help are SBC and AAC. It is unlikely that iPhones will ever help aptX HD, however something might occur.

Q: Is aptX HD lossless?

aptX HD isn’t lossless and does not come shut, regardless of what Qualcomm states about it. Lossless audio isn’t presently attainable over Bluetooth due to information switch limitations.

Q: How do I be certain my telephone is utilizing the fitting codec?

To ensure you’re utilizing aptX HD in your suitable telephone, or see which codec you are utilizing by default, you will have to enter Android developer settings. To get there, go to Settings > About telephone > Software program info, after which faucet on the construct quantity seven instances. Afterward, you may return to the Settings menu, and you will see a Developer choices menu to press on. From there, discover the part known as Bluetooth audio codec and faucet on it, and you will see which codec you are presently utilizing, and which you’ll be able to select from.