Most Users Now Use Bluetooth Connectivity To Play Audio On Speakers, Headphones, And Car Players.
But if you have an Android smartphone, there are ways to improve the Bluetooth audio playback experience that you can have a different experience from Bluetooth.
The manufacturers hide many Bluetooth settings on Android devices, and to enable them, you must enter the secret section of your phone settings. Fortunately, these are easy to access, and the best Bluetooth codecs are described below.
There is no doubt that Bluetooth headphones are very easy to use, but they do not fit wired headphones in terms of sound quality. That’s why buyers should always choose between comfort and good quality.
Fortunately, the sound quality of Bluetooth headphones can improve by changing your device’s default audio codec. This article will get acquainted with the different codecs available on Android devices and how to change them.
Before any explanation, let’s say that codecs are an algorithm (or even a chip and device) that handles the process of encrypting and decrypting stored audio signals. In this regard, the compression process and vice versa are related to the codec. The higher the efficiency of the codec, the higher the quality of the audio in the recovery to the original version.
Why should you change your Bluetooth codec?
It depends on how you use your existing Bluetooth device. If you want to listen to Hi-Fi music, you need a codec that delivers excellent sound quality. For voice calls, monotony is also an essential factor, and audio and video must be synchronized well while watching a movie, which requires a low latency of the audio codec.
None of the audio codecs are complete enough to deliver high-quality, low latency audio. It would help change the default Bluetooth codec based on your usage and signal strength.
Changing the default codec can help you make the most of your Bluetooth headphones. However, it is essential to note that an audio codec will only work if your headphones are compatible.
Before learning how to change the default codec on your device, it is essential to know which codec is best for what purpose, and then you can choose one based on your needs.
1. SBC
Low Complexity Sub-band Coding SBC is the most common audio codec, which, although not the best, most Android devices support. The SBC codec divides the signal into several frequency bands and encrypts each one separately.
SBC can be considered the most basic Bluetooth codec used globally. This codec supports data transfer speeds between 192 and 320 kbps, which reduces the quality of the transmitted sound, and users experience more latency than other codecs.
Of course, SBC has performed well in power consumption and is a good option for devices with limited battery capacity. Finally, SBC is not suitable for avid users with high-quality sound and watching movies or playing games.
2. aptX
aptX is a Qualcomm audio codec that has been introduced in six versions so far, and its sound quality is higher than the SBC codec.
aptX LL, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive are other versions of this codec used in the best Bluetooth headphones. The AptX codecs are known for low latency. The aptX LL also has very low latency, ideally less than 40 milliseconds.
The aptX audio codec supports 16-bit audio with a sampling frequency of 48 kHz, capable of transmitting data at 352 kbps. And the aptX HD codec supports 24-bit audio at 48kHz and transfers data at 576kbps.
AptX is probably the best Bluetooth codec right now. Qualcomm codecs only have problems with sound levels greater than 90 decibels and frequencies above 18,000 Hz that most humans cannot hear; In fact, it can say that this shortcoming is not a big problem for this codec.
3. AAC
The AAC codec stands for Advanced Audio Codec and is quite similar to the SBC, consuming energy. The data transfer rate of this codec is 250kbps per second, but this rate should not be considered as reducing the quality of this codec. The AAC codec is commonly used in Apple products, and the iOS operating system is optimized for use. The popular YouTube platform also uses this codec as its audio standard.
AAC decryption requires heavy-duty processing algorithms that consume a lot of energy. Therefore, manufacturers of Android devices do not have much desire to use AAC. iPhone users, however, can enjoy superior AAC quality over SBC. The leading solution to AAC compression is eliminating sounds that humans cannot hear.
4. LDAC
Like Qualcomm, Sony has its Bluetooth audio codec called LDAC. Theoretically, LDAC can transmit three times more audio data than SBC. However, devices that choose LDAC must use high bitrate to provide the desired quality. Another unique and attractive feature of this codec is the variable bitrate with a maximum rate of 990kbps.
The default mode of most smartphones is 330kbps transmission, in which the SBC, AAC, and aptX codecs all perform better. It would help if you forced the phone developer to accept a higher bitrate from the settings section to change this. The performance of the handsets will vary in these conditions.
5. LHDC
THE HI-RES WIRELESS ASSOCIATION (HWA) AND SAVITCH DEVELOPED the LHDC, or Low-Latency and High-Definition Audio Codec were developed by the Hi-Res Wireless Association (HWA) and Savitch. Provides high-resolution sound quality while minimizing latency. This codec is a good choice for listening to high-quality audio and watching movies.
LLAC, sometimes referred to as LHDC LLAC, is an alternative to LHDC with lower latency. This audio codec was first used in the Huawei P30 and can handle a minimum latency of 30 milliseconds at 400 or 600 kbps. This Bluetooth codec is ideal for gamers.
How to change Bluetooth codec in Android
But to change your Bluetooth audio codec in the Android operating system, you must follow the following steps:
1- Go to the settings section of your phone and select the System option.
2. In the System section, select the Developer Options option. (You may need to enable this option first).
3. Find the Bluetooth audio codec menu and then open it.
4. Select the audio codec you want.
It’s in addition to selecting the codec from the given codecs.
Enable optional codecs and Disable optional codecs to enable and disable them.
Although wireless audio transmission is not yet able to compete with wired technology, you can still improve your sound quality by switching your Bluetooth codec to experience less latency. None of the audio codecs are the best in all areas, but aptX Adaptive and LDAC meet almost all user needs.