Hi,
In theory, SONY claims that file 44.1kHz/16bit (Red Book CD) sent over Bluetooth with LDAC (*when used speed is 990kbps) should be the same as original file and sending Hi-Res files like 96kHz/24bit is lossy.
However:
1/ WAV file 44.1kHz/16bit has bitrate about 1400kbps (16*44100*2=1411200). Typically FLAC compression decreases the file size to 50 and 70 percent of its original size so the bitrate would be 750-950kbps so less than 990kbps which is OK. However, what about some rare files with compression ratio of 80 percent and higher? Their bit rate is more than 990kbps- what happens in that case?
2/ In this article The ultimate guide to Bluetooth headphones: LDAC isn't Hi-res - SoundGuys it is written:
"it’s quite unlikely that your phone will opt for 990kbps LDAC unless you manually force the settings via the developer options."
I checked my phone and by default "Bluetooth audio LDAC codec" is set to "Best effect (Adaptive bit rate)" and I have to change it manually every time when I connct to a DAC to "Optimized for audio quality (990kbps/909kbps)" which is quite annoying.
Second thing is that by default, when I connect to the DAC, "Bluetooth Audio Sample Rate" is set to 96kHz and "Bluetooth Audio Bits Per Sample" is set to 32bit.
What happens in that case when I'm streaming 44.1kHz/16bit content?
Is it upsampled to 96kHz/24bit and lossy sent to the device?
Do I have to manually change "Bluetooth Audio Sample Rate" to 44.1kHz and "Bluetooth Audio Bits Per Sample" to 16bit when I want to stream losselessly 44.1kHz/16bit files?
For me the question is, whether sending 44.1kHz/16bit (Red Book CD) file over Bluetooth with LDAC is really bit-perfect?
If yes, this would be enough for me since I could loselessly stream TIDAL HIFI content. However I have some doubts as mentioned above...
Can anyone answer this ?
Cheers,
Przemek
In theory, SONY claims that file 44.1kHz/16bit (Red Book CD) sent over Bluetooth with LDAC (*when used speed is 990kbps) should be the same as original file and sending Hi-Res files like 96kHz/24bit is lossy.
However:
1/ WAV file 44.1kHz/16bit has bitrate about 1400kbps (16*44100*2=1411200). Typically FLAC compression decreases the file size to 50 and 70 percent of its original size so the bitrate would be 750-950kbps so less than 990kbps which is OK. However, what about some rare files with compression ratio of 80 percent and higher? Their bit rate is more than 990kbps- what happens in that case?
2/ In this article The ultimate guide to Bluetooth headphones: LDAC isn't Hi-res - SoundGuys it is written:
"it’s quite unlikely that your phone will opt for 990kbps LDAC unless you manually force the settings via the developer options."
I checked my phone and by default "Bluetooth audio LDAC codec" is set to "Best effect (Adaptive bit rate)" and I have to change it manually every time when I connct to a DAC to "Optimized for audio quality (990kbps/909kbps)" which is quite annoying.
Second thing is that by default, when I connect to the DAC, "Bluetooth Audio Sample Rate" is set to 96kHz and "Bluetooth Audio Bits Per Sample" is set to 32bit.
What happens in that case when I'm streaming 44.1kHz/16bit content?
Is it upsampled to 96kHz/24bit and lossy sent to the device?
Do I have to manually change "Bluetooth Audio Sample Rate" to 44.1kHz and "Bluetooth Audio Bits Per Sample" to 16bit when I want to stream losselessly 44.1kHz/16bit files?
For me the question is, whether sending 44.1kHz/16bit (Red Book CD) file over Bluetooth with LDAC is really bit-perfect?
If yes, this would be enough for me since I could loselessly stream TIDAL HIFI content. However I have some doubts as mentioned above...
Can anyone answer this ?
Cheers,
Przemek
Well it won't be bit perfect by simply the fact it uses a proprietary codec to send audio over bluetooth using EDR mode which is limited to about a 1Mbps. This is the reason why the codec is running at 990kbps.
The graphic you attached says its "Same as CD quality" but it won't be the original file but will sound like CD quality.
Data transmission rates over bluetooth is limited. Codecs are used to compress the information to fit within the physical wireless data link.
If you can use wifi, that would solve your problem.
The graphic you attached says its "Same as CD quality" but it won't be the original file but will sound like CD quality.
Data transmission rates over bluetooth is limited. Codecs are used to compress the information to fit within the physical wireless data link.
If you can use wifi, that would solve your problem.
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