CD-quality Bluetooth is NOW A REALITY -- but is it worth it?

[@notesfromafar]

To hell with the audio, where can I get the umbrella? 😆

[@fakeklg]

For real … that umbrella is ace

[@fakeklg]

Kinda want to do a tap dance and ride in a limo

[@bintururong]

I think it's available on the official merch store of Aphex Twin 😄 (idk if it's still in stock tho)

[@koffie123]

YES!! what he said! Want one

[@notesfromafar]

@@fakeklg a very, very long limo...

[@alfrednerstu]

Don’t think you need to excuse the nerdiness or complexity of this stuff. That’s what we’re all here for.

[@PeterComber]

If a tree falls in the forest can an audiophile tell whether the sound is lossless?

[@IainMacUK]

Only if it's recorded. Then yes.

[@ChatGPT1111]

Yes but only if it is hardwood. Softwood is too soft.

[@BSuzz-g6y]

Depends on if the tree fell in the matrix

[@ronaldweed6103]

As a hair, I heard the tree fall

[@ivan-j4l9x]

Only if they are not lost in the woods.

[@rickbrookes9491]

Nerdy? Yes. But, I enjoyed it very much. And I’m an iPhone user. Which I heard the disclaimer in the beginning of the video, yet I watched it all the way until the end. A testament to how interesting and informative your videos are. Thank you.

[@buddhamack1491]

Bring back the headphone jack

[@sethlennberg4516]

It's there. You need to look for it.

[@adox66]

So ironically it’s quite an Apple type move where the listener is locked out of controlling the codec selection. My read from this video is that lossless just can’t be consistently stable over Bluetooth so the best you will get is the occasional lossless playback in a adaptive variable playback that you have no control over and is marketed as lossless.

[@NostalgicMem0ries]

imo its ldac alternative, as ldac scales down and up, same with aptx now, just qualcomm named their perfect condition loseless, sony could have done that too, but they didnt.

[@JensVesterChristiansson-wr4lz]

In Sennheiser momentum 4 true wireless app you can select the codec, either Aptx Adaptive or Aptx lossless, and afterwards in android developer settings you can for Aptx Adaptive select the 48 or 96 khz.

[@scottwatson8656]

Great Video, John Darko. Thank you; I listened all the way to the end! Yes, it was technical. However, it is necessary to understand this subject for buying or upgrading purposes. Nobody else explains this material, for the most part, better than you. Thanks Again

[@deiruch]

Some clarifications: 1. SBC is adaptive as well, not only LDAC. SBC codes adjust the "bitpool" parameter, depending on the connection. 2. By default, most SBC codecs are configured with comparatively low quality settings, but we can adjust parameters. I currently run SBC at 684 kbps. It's easy to run SBC at higher rates as well, e.g. 990 kbps, but at some point you run the risk of producing dropouts when you hit the bandwidth limits of the Bluetooth connection. 3. LDAC fares worse in listening tests, compared to SBC-With-High-Data-Rates and/or AptX. Don't use LDAC. 4. Some codecs, like AptX, compresse audio data not by removing content, but by increasing noise. LDAC and SBC remove audio data.

[@agent4704]

interesting cose for me ldac sounds the best, run from windows 11 by a2dp driver, while i can switch between sbc, aac, aptX aptX hd and ldac, and ldac is simply the best quality for me

[@kostasjezuz4846]

@@agent4704 for me as well

[@aglobalnomad]

This is exactly the type of video I was hoping it would be! Thanks for keeping it nerdy

[@mikewebsdale4777]

Thanks John! Fun to follow along wading through the information.

[@markkavanagh93]

Love this. Super nerdy but brilliant. Keep up the good work!

[@mrtreevis]

In my experience, LDAC has been a game-changer. It's been the most reliable for sound quality and constant uninterrupted connection which was something that plagued my many other Bluetooth headphones/iems. I also agree that the hardware makes a bigger difference. For me the now old Sony WFXM3's are just unbeatable! I love them and they can be had for so little now relative to their new price.

[@Kodiak-1984]

Sony is great, I have the headphone Wh-1000XM4 its very nice, but it gets too hot in the summer. Now I give a chance for Technics EAH-AZ80. This premium brand is owned by Panasonic in 1965. I've watched a lot of comparison videos, most of the time this one came out on top. I can't wait to use it, I'm very curious about it.

[@robertrachwa2582]

BROTHER TRY FOCAL BATHYS WITH DAC MODE ON MOBILE WITH DUAL DAC LG V60 IS GAME OVER FOR YOU

[@JM-if1mo]

"Staying put" Thank you for the awesome perspective.

[@keesv8000]

Thanks for this vid. I liked not only the Nerd Factor, but your shirt as well.

[@LDN_BOX]

I’ve been using LDAC for ages and happy with it!

[@andrewdhome]

Not many people might watch it .....but one of your most useful videos for those who do!!!

[@Kruziform]

Great Video, i really like this kind of content

[@1337sim1]

Great video Darko! Thank you for your quality of research on this topic.

[@saumygaur70]

Just what I was looking for, great explanation. You got yourself a new subscriber!!

[@msquareist]

Great video John. Good advice. Will definitely wait before switching to one other three IEMs

[@paulofoliveira]

Really good, I love these nerdier videos 👌👏

[@tehkik]

Yeah it was nerdy but really liked it. Kinda confirmed all my suspicions. To get real lossless on wireless there are just too many factors in play (phone, IEM/headphones, software, bluetooth chips and the air in between). So wired for quality and wireless for ease of use it is 😊

[@rav78]

Have always think the same, however maybe in the next ten years wireless could be for quality as well.

[@eugenenelson9124]

Great. That’s an improvement. With time they will perfect the technology and make it available across platforms. Keep up the good work Qualcomm. Thanks for the video John. Much appreciated!

[@rickmepham8819]

Has there ever been a hobby as confusing as HiFi? Great video John, you did a superb job in explaining all of this. Thanks.

[@510maddog]

I just purchased a Creative BT-W6 which supports aptX Lossless. Sounds pretty legit.

[@Johan-qy6yb]

The ever long and troublesome quest for perfect sound. It’s a deep deep rabbit hole

[@burhanbudak6041]

If a codec is locked behind a app its not a codec. You should be able to enable it from the settings and Dev Settings, see 7:55.

[@Ryubiru]

Go wireless when you need convenience. Wire when you need quality. That's it for now. Bluetooth audio is messy things

[@Emi-rd1lk]

Nuff said

[@martinhinge1462]

So nothing new then: If you want the best sound quality at all times you’ll want to use wired headphones, as always.

[@conorfurlong]

The vast memory of wired headphones do not have active noise cancellation, so I wouldn’t agree they are the best audio experience unless you’re at home or some other quiet location.

[@lalaha4241]

Thx for digging so deep! I give it another year or two to upgrade untill more developements....

[@darkblueturbo]

Just as you said “…this is so nerdy” I was thinking “this is fantastic!” Thanks John. Love it. I’m in iPhone user and I have a DAC and a cable, but it’s still wonderfully interesting stuff to know.

[@D1N02]

Take into the equation the noise floor out on the street due to traffic and wind and it is all moot unless you turn up the sound level so much you'll likely cause long term hearing damage.

[@harrisfogel6992]

For me the problem lies with Apple. The way to get a Mac to work with AptX codecs, is normally by using Bluetooth Explorer from Apple. But... it doesn't seem to work with Silicon Macs, and Apple hasn't updated the app. Love to see you do a post on getting the best Bluetooth audio from a Mac. I hate it that my Android phone, using LDAC, sounds so much better with a Bluetooth receiver than my new Mac!

[@ozboyblu]

Try the sennheiser BTD 600. You can get AptX quality audio on your Mac or iPad Pro. I hear it works with the iPhone 15 Pro Max also. But I haven’t tested this. Absolute game changer using focal Bathys or momentum 4 or TWM4 with Apple devices.

[@GaryMatthews1]

Fantastic video John. Whilst I am a cable guy, you explained the subject matter very well and I followed it all. Thx

[@TheJimi74]

I am glad that I still got some wired headphones as well

[@taidee]

Thanks JD, yep, it's going to be a battle to get things just right for a little while longer.

[@MichaelLopresto]

Thanks John, loved this informative video.

[@aphex2k]

25 seconds in and I'm pausing just after I saw the Aphex logo on the handle. This video gets a thumbs up before I've even watched it. Fantastisch!

[@roumiaou]

Very instructive for sure. PLUS the Windowlicker umbrella is a killler 🙂.

[@Soundoverload]

Superb quality review as always.

[@jesusarevalo5790]

John, I have to admit, recognize and congratulate you for how well structured your explanation is about aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive, it was like having seen the best science fiction movie, complex, disconcerting at times but wow, what an amount of information so well developed. Yes, I love technology, innovation and nerdy things, as always excellent content, greetings from Mexico! You should seriously consider writing a science fiction novel, you have a great ability to explain complex topics.

[@MrChoppington]

"Hello ladies" - that got a belly laugh from me. Touché, John

[@tommymichalski9989]

This reminds me of the good old days, when 1080p was 1080i and when megapixels in phones ruled.

[@davidbailey6350]

Damn, I’m glad I listen to LP’s and CD’s….

[@aaronwade2382]

Getting In depth reviews of earbuds I have my eye on , very soon . Looking forward to it

[@Abhinav_Nayana_Sailen]

need that umbrella mate

[@hvskyline1368]

Wow lossless Bluetooth before lossless Spotify

[@abhijeetdey]

😂😂😂

[@i_dont_know_who_i_am69]

Spotify probably knows that most of their users don't even know about what lossless means, so they're not prioritizing it

[@Okamine]

You do know that Spotify isn’t the only music streaming service, right?

[@varungawande9321]

This Video really validates my experience of not being able to hear a difference in lossless vs normal music on my Sennheiser Momentum 4 (headphones, not TWS). I have a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 phone, so I guess I'll try connecting via a USB cable next.

[@varungawande9321]

Couldn't hear a difference with a wired USB connection either. 💀

[@olivierstritt83]

Brilliant and well explained! Thanks🎉

[@hypie69]

We are all here. We are all watching this video. We love what you do. It is important to us.

[@mattybryan2011]

Silversun Pickups just chillin' in the corner...nice!

[@czondag]

Thanks… I will definitely go for wired now…

[@suryaaje5245]

lol happy that a video discuss that much details about things we care about

[@isaacapeltz]

Dude absolutely fantastic analysis

[@KorakMartin40]

Hi John Darko. Tanks for a very informative video about apt lossless bluetooth, I think it was a bit nerdi but not to much., you do make great videos, keep going. on please. Thanks for yours big work and often with a bit of humør, that make it funny to watch and learn something from. Have a nice week Mr. John Darko. Vh Martin.

[@harrym8556]

Great video. I find that the Bose QC earbuds II sound better and flatter with stock firmware, but become too bassy, overwhelming the vocals, with the newer firmware. The QC Ultra have the same bassy audio profile. So upgrading from the QC II to QC Ultra just to get AptX lossless is not worth it. I much prefer the QC II with stock firmware, even if it just uses AAC.

[@Spleen250]

Just one Word: BRAVO!

[@rufoneq]

Excellent explanation ofJohn thank you, as a Sennheiser user I can say there is a notable difference between the two codecs Aptx and Aptx Adaptive. I recently started using the BTD600 dongle so I can extract every ounce of sound from my Momentum 4 since it enables the full AptX suite and you can even FEEL the difference. Tried that dongle with the MTW3s and the diference was not that perceptible. So I can agree in you conclusion: hardware totally matters at the end.

[@EmblemParade]

Bluetooth is such a nightmare. It's 3.5mm headphones all the way for me. Few phones have the jack, but the USB C dongles are tiny and good these days. Nothing extra to charge, hard to lose, and It Just Works.

[@kostasjezuz4846]

I have the Sony Xperia 1 V, it is, and sounds, amazing! Even the onboard speakers sound amazing, for listening to some music while talking a shower!

[@maubetproductions]

Your videos are great Darko. Casual 25 year old iPhone user here and hoping to start upgrading my audio gear as soon as I’m able to afford nicer gear haha. Super informative and thanks for sharing

[@IainMacUK]

Great video John. Not in any way confusing. I assume requirements are BT 5.3, Qualcomm Snapdragon, and the phone manufacturer to pay the appropriate licences. Samsung only pay for APT-X. Never APT-X HD or above. Because they have their own high quality codec... Would be good to tell your audience about this... They are a major player. Can't install a better codec either..

[@glennbucc7107]

I appreciate your videos, they offer so much information that is very helpful. I just purchased the Sennheiser Momentum 4 earbuds. I had no idea I could adjust the audio quality with them with my Samsung phone. This was not an option as I do not have this option with my B&W PX8 wireless headphones. Sure enough when I went to my Sennheiser Smart Control app, I was able to increase the audio quality to higher quality with aptx Now the Smart Control app says "Audio resolution" Standard: - For all day listening Low Latency: for gaming High Resolution: For audiophile listening 24bit/96kHz AptX Adaptive Lossless: For audio listening 16 bit/44.1kHz AptX Lossless. Based on this information, the High Resolution with Aptx Adaptive provides higher quality than the Lossless Aptx Lossless Now on my Galaxy phone when I open up Tidal and play through the Momentum 4's, the audio quality in Tidal says Max. When I open the message, it says Bluetooth: Audio is compressed when listening via Bluetooth. Not sure what this means; does it stop audio quality from going to high?

[@skampster]

I own the Denon Pro’s, I wish you gave an opinion between those and the Momentum 4’s.

[@1423big]

Just give me a dang headphone jack. Augh

[@leegodwin2071]

Loving the nerdy 🤓 Also has john made the tweeters cry on the speakers in the back ground?

[@AngeredNumber1988]

Love the content mate, Always a quality watch! Do you have any plans on reviewing the new Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 earbuds??

[@sudipchatterjee]

I am using the Final Audio ZE3000 which has the aptX adaptive codec. It sounds phenomenal! For the first time, I felt that it could do justice to all those lossless albums that I’ve purchased and saved on my phone. At first, I attributed all of this excellence to aptX adaptive; but gradually, when I played those same songs from devices that did not support aptX adaptive, I realized that the hardware of the ZE3000 was as much in play as the codec. So I agree with your conclusion here. And John, thanks for reminding me of that Yorke and Donwood book! 🙌

[@upbeatbeacon]

Interesting! What phone are you using , may I ask?

[@pickyaudio]

I love your videos and the effort to decipher the madness that is hi-res/lossless streaming over Bluetooth! I own all three earbuds as well as the Zenphone 10. I found to consistently stream 44.1khz on the PerL Pro I had to disable Aptx Adaptive Hi-Res 24bit 96khz streaming in the Qualcomm settings in Bluetooth settings. But even then, when I enter developer settings it still shows the connection is 24bit not 16bit. So yea even more confusing but basically I agree, going from regular Aptx to Aptx lossless is the slightest improvement. The same difference using the Denon PerL pro on my iPhone 15 pro with AAC vs Aptx Lossless.

[@kevinmcgrath3591]

yes, ANY transducer in the audio chain distorts / changes the sound, you are so right the 'lossless' thing comes second to the actual earbuds. Similarly LP cartridges and the whole vinyl thing distorts the signal, hey lots of people like it - and why not - Marmite comes to mind for some reason 😅

[@Tura67]

Kudos John with all those tongue twisters!

[@spda242]

Using an iPhone, I can use any codec I want as long it is AAC 😂 begun looking at the new Sennheiser offering but there seem to be some issues according to other reviewers with transparency mode and microphone placement. When investing this I found raving reviews for Technics AZ80 so I am thinking of giving those a try, didn’t even knew Technics was in this space

[@humeyboy]

Lossless is build on top of Adaptive so if the signal etc is not good enough it drops to Adaptive, it really is like a chasing a Unicorn and the newer using XPAN (BT+WIFI) will probably be more stable.

[@ad_fletch]

They named a new codec after a Hasselblad?

[@sultantoure4220]

What a great job thank you !!!!

[@ebidaukoru]

Thanks great detailed update nothing to apologize about ....looking forward to more info on anything tech related ...looking forward to when codecs like snapdragon aptx lossless will be more main stream and verifiable with videos like these the manufacturers may be influenced to change their marketing strategy and be more transparent..

[@JensVesterChristiansson-wr4lz]

@DarkoAudio the Sennheiser momentum 4 true wireless control app allows you to select either Aptx Adaptive or AptX Lossless. If you after selecting Aptx Adaptive go into developer options you can select the bitrate to be either 48 or 96. In the Sennheiser control app select Aptx lossless and in developer options you only have 44.1 khz available. Funnily enough both have in developer options only 24 bit available and they are both called Aptx Adaptive. The Aptx Lossless should be 16 bit so the 24bit is a bit weird but if I get better lossless dynamic range who am I to complain. Another thing is that you can only play Hi-res 96khz files bit-perfect if you select Aptx Adaptive. AptX Lossless does not play files higher than CD-quality, but it plays CD-quality streaming very well.

[@AdamCarrCom]

I stayed until the end. I’m here for it. I’ll sign the petition too. Show us the lossless. 😀

[@thejasontlewis]

So 16-bit, 44.1khz? Yay. Bluetooth has reached 1990 levels of sound quality.

[@starbase218]

Which is still more than enough today. Anything more is useless. And if you hear a difference between a CD and high-res format, that’s probably because it wasn’t the same source material to start with.

[@shawnorjiakor]

LMAO An achievement is still an achievement.

[@94nolo]

to be fair, bluetooth buds are a new thing. 10 years ago, if someone saw 2 white airpods in your ears, they'd think you took your apple earphones and cut the cords off of them.

[@conorfurlong]

I know your thing is to be sarcastic but, come on, if you went back to 1990 and showed someone your phone and told them you can listen to anything you want that’s ever been recorded and stream that to ear phones that were not connected to the device at CD quality, they would wet themselves.

[@toadman0]

80s, you mean

[@gertost]

I had the Sennheiser momentum 4 tws. Great sound.But had some issues regarding connectivity and sound quality with lossless. I sold them and ordered the meze alba which are wired iems. Has also ordered the fiio fh1. Which also are wired. I like the functionality of Bluetooth and noice cancelling. But wired iems are often more comfortable. And sounds better. Its something with that wired analog sound. And the fact that it just works. Always when i have sold my wired iems or headphones, i almost always regrets. But its great to have from both world . Bluetooth and wired. 😀

[@DFrencel]

wired anc headphones do exist

[@FelipeBudinich]

I'm happy enough with LDAC on my phone due to use (moving around in noisy spaces). What I want is support of LDAC/Aptx Lossless in desktop devices, so I can enjoy that in my house. (Of course it's awesome it is getting better accross the board)

[@AuggieG]

Thank you for the detailed breakdown! I’m still rocking the Samsung Galaxy Buds+ (2020). I’ll probably wait until I upgrade.

[@Krell666]

Thinking about sound quality while discussing bluetooth is like discussing the quality of coffee in freeze-dried instant coffee.

[@dazza5456]

B&W PX8 + GALAXY S22 ULTRA (Australia) WITH aptX + Apple Music = 16Bit/44.1kHz on Bluetooth :) Thanks for the video

[@davidferrandez470]

My friend, I guess that's because your Samsung works over an Exynos CPU. Apparently Samsung uses Qualcomm chips in some regions and Exynos in sone others, the last being compatible with neither aptX HD nor Adaptive. However, the PX8 must be great headphones anyway.

[@dazza5456]

Hi mate@@davidferrandez470 Yes I am in Australia which now uses Qualcomm...from google...Performance. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra uses a brand spanking new 8th generation Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. This would usually be inconsequential to us Australians, as we usually get Samsung's proprietary Exynos processors instead. Not anymore! Yes PX8 are a great set of cans, I also use Truthear Hexa, and you?

[@ajay55556]

I just purchased the campfire orbit. I bought the Sony DAP to play aptx hd. But the iPhone AAC sounds incredible . There is a codec website that performed tests and concluded that iPhone had the smoothest response. Only difference was the minuscule higher freq was slightly better in aptx hd

[@AndrewYouTubehandle]

Codecs are about 10% impact of audio quality. More important is the hardware, the recording, the person's listening, ear tipa, fit... I have Status Between ANC and they sound fantastic - no aptx, no LDAC. Triple drivers, great battery life. They sound better with an iPhone 15 pro max than my Samsung ultra. Though my lg v60 is better still. I have other earbuds, supporting aptX adaptive, LDAC etc and even with my android phones that support aptX adaptive and LDAC, the Status Between ANC sound better.

[@BSuzz-g6y]

No other bluetooth headphones on the area when i look on the street they are everywhere

[@EthanHMoore]

Thank you for being as nerdy as me! Could you do a video on the variable quality levels of AAC and just the whole psychoacoustic codec stuff in general? TheSoundGuys did a big deep dive some years ago, and it'd be great to hear your thoughts.

[@petererk8064]

Ditto below. Thanks for another helpful and very watchable review.

[@conorfurlong]

My head hurts. As an iPhone user, I’m looking forward to the day when Apple releases its updated AAC, with lossless - which is something they’re apparently working on. I won’t need a degree in audio codecs to know what the hell is playing on my earbuds!

[@hanamichi-sakuragi]

Finally someone with my problem not seen anywhere aptx loseless

[@joebass5163]

I'm just going to use wired headphones if I want the highest audio quality lol

[@camhyde9701]

I hardly ever use BT nevertheless I totally agree that the codec, sample and bit rate should be at least readily available information as it is for example in Roon, DACs etc

[@PatrickPecoraro]

Moral of the story use wired headphones.

[@NostalgicMem0ries]

while cycling, running or workouts its not comfy, wireless is very practical these days and im happy we are moving closer to cd quality, with bt 6 or future version we might get even better quality, beyond cd quality most people cant tell diference unless they are audiophiles or musicians. if they can make stable cd quality with bt, im absolutely fine with that over wires and mess

[@Big-J-8579]

Thanks again. An emerging technology that needs a good year or two.

[@frudolf5999]

In the developer options LDAC's adaptive behaviour can be changed to 'optimised for audio quality', so it stays at 990-900kbps. Annoyingly this one setting resets itself when disconnecting. But it's only a few taps, I got used to it.

[@gavaniacono]

Excellent, thanks.

[@ozboyblu]

I’d like to add The Sennheiser BTD 600 Bluetooth Transmitter Adapter for Mac and PC and also work on iPad Pro . Adds AptX quality sound to your Device. Yes Apple Devices can use AptX quality Bluetooth with the BTD 600 Dongle. Absolutely a game changer. I sincerely hope Darko does a review on this. Using the sennheiser TWM4 with the MacBook with AptX quality audio or the iPad Pro sounds amazingly good. Hope someone reads this.

[@spoon072000]

Great video. It can be quite confusing, but I'm pretty sure that most codecs employ a scalable bit rate level. I have tried quite a few and, ultimately, the hardware does make the biggest difference. Especially out in the world. Indoors makes it a bit easier to differentiate, but if I'm listening indoors, it isn't going to be wireless!

[@nightkid42]

Hardware at this stage definitely matters more. I have IE600 on portable amp vs AAC momentum tw3 on iPhone….man….day and night in every aspect of the music. Yes I know it’s not fair comparison 😂 but still, I wish iPhone can support lossless Bluetooth

[@skyhero1888]

I tested weeks and month all Bluetooth codecs on the marked and can say u will not hear different between ladac and aac and no different between Alac and aac ( on a Apple device,aac sucks on android.) I used Meze 109 Pro ,Philips Fidelio x2hr ,x3 ,Sennheiser 660s2 , fiio jt1, Sony xm4 ,xm5, Philips Fidelio L4 ,AirPods Pro 2 and many different dac/amps and tablets like iPad Pro 12,9 M2 ,Xiaomi tab and more . These Bluetooth codecs are just marketing much more important is ur device and headphone .

[@lunatrics]

That umbrella neeeds brown slip on shoes white summer pantalon and white summer blouse. Aaaand a creepy smile

[@modellbobby]

There is another amazing invention coming up!!!! Cable