We’ve written about Bluetooth technology in detail, including audio applications, common information, and the HFP, HSP, and A2DP profiles, as well as the aptX HD that audiophiles love. Several projects classified as high-profile in consumer electronics at the time, glittering with marketing and advertising, have fallen by the wayside. On the contrary, Bluetooth is here to stay! Let’s see what the latest achievements of this technology, developed since 1993, have been in modern times.
Bluetooth, which already replaces cables, has proven to be much more convenient and loyal for users. Updates are also provided with appreciable regularity.
In previous years, Bluetooth 4.2 appeared on the market and had differences, namely increased data transfer speed and privacy compared to the widely used Bluetooth 4.1 in late 2013.
The Bluetooth 5.0 standard is now popular around the world. This technology has an increased range, and the data transfer rate has also increased significantly.
In addition, this technology comes with better noise immunity than previous versions. All of this has brought audio transmission technology up to date.
It is expected that by next year, 14 billion devices in use will be equipped with this technology. One of the reasons for the great popularity of Bluetooth is its backward compatibility, meaning that if your smartphone supports Bluetooth 5.0, while the version of Bluetooth technology in your headphones is 4.2, and they interact with each other, there will be no problems with connection and use.
Benefits of Bluetooth 5.0 Technology
Let’s start by looking at the evolution of the Bluetooth Low Energy standard Bluetooth 5.0, which is finally being used by audio devices. This implies that your digital devices, including smartphones and headphones, can run longer on a single battery charge while connected with Bluetooth.
Another feature of Bluetooth 5.0 that stands out is the Dual Audio function, which allows you to play music simultaneously on two connected devices. For example, listening to the same piece of music with your loved one is quite romantic.
Bluetooth 5.0 has documented its ability to operate up to 240 meters away. The public is using these features as they become available. The developers of this technology call the documented feature a great achievement, which was made possible “after years of repeated research and testing,” which is certainly remarkable.
High Data Transfer Rates – Bluetooth 5.0
The most advantageous feature of Bluetooth 5.0 technology is its ability to operate with data transfer rates as high as 2 Megabytes per second (MB/s), twice the speed of Bluetooth 4.0. What are the concrete achievements obtained with this technology?
The answer is very simple: the ability to enjoy uncompressed high-resolution audio files, lower battery consumption and longer operation range! In addition, the transmission rate is able to bring you a much faster data transfer rate than CD.
The high data transfer on Bluetooth 5.0 is more advantageous for consuming content that requires high bandwidth, such as HD or FHD videos, while the bitrate of a CD is much higher (1411 Kbps vs LDAC 990 Kbps), which provides much better sound quality than music played on Bluetooth.
Bitrate
Bit rate refers to the number of bits or the amount of data processed in a given amount of time. In audio, it is usually kilobits per second. For example, audio files with a bit rate of 256 kilobits per second mean that each second of the song contains 256 kilobytes of data.
The higher the bit rate of the song, the more space it will take up on your computer, but it will also give you a better listening experience.
In audio and video streaming formats (such as MPEG and MP3) that use lossy compression, the “bit rate” parameter expresses the degree of compression of the stream and therefore determines the size of the channel for which the data stream is compressed.
Audio and video bit rates are most commonly measured in kilobits per second (kilobits per second, kbps), less frequently in megabits per second (video only).
Audio CDs tend to take up a lot of space, so it has become common to compress these files to fit more music on your hard drive. This is where “lossless” and “lossy” formats come in.
AptX Family: Adaptive, Low Latency, and aptX HD
From this moment, Qualcomm aptX HD appears on the scene. It was designed with the ever-increasing demand of music lovers for high-quality sound in mind. This advanced codec supports 24-bit Bluetooth music quality with frequencies as high as 48 kHz.
The signal-to-noise ratio is another great achievement and reaches 129 dB. This value is unique in that it is not found on any modern reference level DAC.
The University of Salford conducted independent tests, and a quote of the results can be found on the developers’ website, which states that after analyzing the test results of 24 test-takers, it can be concluded that the test participants were not able to consistently detect the difference between 24-bit/96 kHz encoded and decoded 24-bit/48 kHz aptX HD sound.
Now, let’s look at and analyze the implementation of aptX HD on the Qualcomm SOC CSR8675 audio chipset as an example. It can process 24-bit audio signals end-to-end, and, compared to its predecessors, it can handle deeper digital signals.
Thanks to sequential encoding and decoding during the transmission/reception process, a reduction in the signal-to-noise ratio is also achieved. This technology also claims a reduction in distortion, especially in the 10-20 kHz range.
The chipset is equipped with a programmable 80 MHz RISX processor. The integrated 24-bit Kalimba DSP processor does the audio signal processing.
A 24-bit stereo DAC is also on board and has a range frequency of up to 96 kHz. A 24-bit stereo DAC, which is also on board, works to implement sample rates up to 192 kHz while the margin is set for the parameters.
Qualcomm aptX Adaptive Audio Codec
The developers of Qualcomm chipset technology did not stop there and also proposed the aptX adaptive audio codec. It has a lower delay in dynamic mode, which is considered perfect for headphones used during games.
It also offers an adjustable bit rate, which can be matched to the data transfer rate to ensure seamless communication.
Upon its release, Qualcomm touted aptX Adaptive Audio as a tuned audio codec that is dynamic in nature and backward compatible with aptX and aptX HD.
According to the company’s claims, the codec is designed to automatically tunes itself to ensure optimal sound quality.
The aptX Adaptive is capable of operating at two-bit rates, namely 276 and 420 Kbps. In its second version, based on algorithms using advanced coding, it even lags behind aptX HD in some parameters, including the signal-to-noise ratio, but not by much.
Qualcomm aptX Low Latency
Another Qualcomm codec is aptX Low Latency, which uses Bluetooth 5.0 technology for low latency audio.
The end-to-end delay provided by this technology when transmitting via Bluetooth is no more than 32 ms.
Delays for normal Bluetooth stereo can vary considerably and depend on the implementation and buffering of the system.
Nevertheless, they are normally larger and more noticeable. Specifically, using Bluetooth devices to connect wireless headphones to the TV was almost impossible.
In fact, +40 ms to -60 ms is the recommended delay for synchronizing audio and video in television broadcasts.
For concerts and studio feedback systems, the most feasible and technical solution should be between 20 and 30 ms.
Low-latency aptX comes close and offers the latest features, especially for the gaming community. We can no longer feel the 32 ms delay.
Bluetooth MIDI & Video
More than ever, the capabilities and features of Bluetooth 5.0 have become the possessed belongings of the genuine lovers of high-quality music. But this does not imply that advancements in Bluetooth technology have not entered into the other domains of multimedia entertainment.
On the site of the Bluetooth SIG organization, which is involved in the development of technology, you can find a section that has the existing standard.
You can also find the A / V remote control profile – AVRP, HID, the standard GAVDP audio/video profile (which is in existence since 2012), the user interface device profile, the extended A2DP audio distribution profile version 1.3.2 and many other promising features.
Attention should also be paid to the Bluetooth MIDI technology, which is also widely known as Bluetooth SMART and is distributed amongst the MIDI community.
The Bluetooth MIDI standard was only recently introduced in 2017 and allowed MIDI messages to be transmitted over Bluetooth with a relatively low latency of 10-20 ms (4 ms for conventional USB).
This technology is supported by all modern operating systems, mainly iOS from version 8, Android from version 6 and Windows 10, and Mac OS from High Sierra. The technology works in an ingenious way.
The best part is that you can connect this wireless controller to your iPhone and play synths with Garage Band.
These BLE technologies have provided freedom for new experiences and given the margin for creativity, you can even use it to monitor the status of plant growth chambers. What we can expect the Bluetooth technology to provide us in the near future with its development will become evident soon with time.
I can’t find a tablet that has Bluetooth apex HD. Any specific models you know have this?
The official website might help you. https://www.aptx.com/products
Check for tablets that have aptX HD and you’ll be shown plenty of products https://www.aptx.com/products
Thanks for the informative blog! I was wondering how to decide between headphones that have bluetooth 4 and aptx codec versus bluetooth 5 but no mention of aptx. Any advice?
These are the product links:
Bluetooth 4.1 with apt-X: https://www.amazon.co.uk/LINDY-BNX-60-Bluetooth-Cancelling-Headphones-Black/dp/B01AAGIKCI
Bluetooth 5 no mention of aptX: https://www.amazon.co.uk/EvoDX-Cancelling-Bluetooth-Wireless-Headphones-Black/dp/B07JJCPYM6
Let’s assume that there are two similar headphones; the only aspect differentiating them is the Bluetooth version. One has Bluetooth 4.1 with aptX, and the other has Bluetooth 5.0 without aptX.
The headset with aptX will significantly improve the quality of your music thanks to a higher bit rate, which means that the files played back will have a much higher audio “resolution.” Bluetooth 5.0 without aptX, on the other hand, won’t give you that, but a faster data transfer rate, longer range, and lower power consumption. The problem is that you won’t get all of these benefits at once. You’ll get low power consumption and a high data transfer rate at close range (up to 2 Mbps vs. 1 Mbps at 10m), but you’ll get 125 Kbps at 800 feet and higher power consumption.
Note also that Bluetooth 5.0 has 1.7x and 4.6x higher throughput (Mbps) than Bluetooth 4.2 and Bluetooth 4.0/4.1, respectively.
In the end, your decision depends entirely on your needs and preferences. Do you want better Bluetooth capabilities or better sound quality via Bluetooth? Although you’re unlikely to find a cheap Bluetooth headphone with aptX plays much better than a professionally engineered HiFi Bluetooth headphone, you should test the sound quality in the model with Bluetooth 5.0 versus the one with aptX and see for yourself which one suits you better.
If you’re interested in a pair of headphones with Bluetooth 5.0 that also has probably the best noise cancelling systems for a mid-range model, I highly suggest you buy the Soundcore Life Q30 over the LINDY BNX-60.
Wow! Thank you very much for the detailed response, it is much appreciated. That gives me a much clearer picture of the purposes served by aptx versus bluetooth versions changes. I’ll be sure to look into the suggested Soundcore Life Q30.
Is AptX Adaptive backward compatible with AptX Low Latency?
My TV transmitter speaks LL. I am interested in earbuds that are Adaptive. I will notice the lag
No, AptX Adaptive and AptX Low Latency are two separate Bluetooth codecs. Although they belong to the same aptX family, they use different encoding layers and are not backwards compatible. On the other hand, aptX Adaptive and aptX LL are backwards compatible with the regular aptX codec.
Witrh regard to Aptx-LL. Is the “Bluetooth 5.0 low latency” spec compatible (or synonymous for that matter) with Aptx Low Latency? Meaning, would headphones/earbuds touting “Bluetooth 5.0 low latency” be compatible with a transmitter that has “Aptx-LL” technology?
Bluetooth 5.0 is more efficient at handling audio data than previous versions due to an improved algorithm that compresses and decompresses audio data, which you can make the most of when using two Bluetooth 5.0 devices.
However, that’s not what makes Bluetooth 5.0 “low latency,” but the addition of advanced codecs from the aptX family. Of course, most devices, for example gaming headsets, are advertised as Bluetooth Low Latency without specifying a codec, so their Bluetooth connection happens through a 2.4 GHz USB dongle that you connect to one of your PC’s USB ports. This type of connection offers slightly lower latency than aptX LL, around 10-15ms, but the connection only works via the USB dongle so you can’t use it with your smartphone or devices that don’t have USB unless you use an adapter. I hope I answered your question!
Well, I have a Avantree bluetooth TV transmitter that has “Aptx-LL” as its “low latency” tech and im wondering if the newer bluetooth 5.0 earbuds type of “gaming mode low latency” for android etc. (where you long press one of the earbuds to put it into “low latency mode”) would recognize the “Aptx-LL” codec from the transmitter and provide low latency? Or. does it have to be strictly Aptx-LL on both sides, transmitter and earbuds. Does that make sense? Sorry, I know it’s a very nebulous, convoluted question! I think what i’m asking is, is “gaming mode low latency” and “Aptx-LL” compatible codecs or are they two different proprietary things? Thank you so much for the quick response and education from your first reply!!
Yoykes – getting too technical stupid
And once yr over 60 yr hearing can be gone anyway ……
It is true that hearing can be impaired for many reasons. Exposure to constant high noise levels is the main one. But it is debatable as to whether it is age that is the main factor or the fact that people who live longer have been exposed to more sound, which is usually what happens.
Can bluetooth 5.0 support aac?
AAC is a very popular codec. It is not Bluetooth version dependent and can be found on Bluetooth 5.0 and older versions. If you want to know if a device with Bluetooth 5.0 supports AAC, check the specification sheet.
Being Old and living in a home for thr bewildered I resemble that remark.