Qualcomm has revealed its new Snapdragon Sound tech which promises to finally offer audiophiles a lossless, high-quality Bluetooth audio experience. The new codec is designed specifically for streaming music and offers CD-quality sound that is bit-for-bit identical to the original recording. The codec will be available on devices equipped with a new version of Snapdragon Sound in 2022.
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What is aptX Lossless?
Qualcomm’s new aptX Lossless audio technology is capable of transmitting bit-for-bit CD-quality tracks over Bluetooth with no loss in audible playback. This is made possible through the optimization of “core wireless connectivity and audio technologies”. aptX Lossless is the first truly lossless audio technology, and it will send 16-bit 44.1kHz audio to supported headphones with no loss in quality. This technology will greatly improve the audio experience for users, and it is sure to be a welcomed addition to the world of wireless audio.
This means that users will be able to enjoy lossless, high-quality audio on their supported in-ear and over-ear headphones without wires. The tech is also said to offer low latency and enhanced Battery life so that users can enjoy uninterrupted music playback. With Qualcomm’s new codec, it seems that finally, we will be able to enjoy lossless music streaming over Bluetooth without sacrificing quality or experiencing any lag.
The new aptX Lossless, which will be part of Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive suite, will be integrated into the company’s overall Snapdragon Sound technology.
The codec promises to stream 1Mbps over Bluetooth when the RF conditions are ideal. However, if the connection weakens for any reason, aptX Adaptive will shift the stream quality down to 140kbps. This ensures that you will still hear your music at the highest possible quality, albeit not lossless.
Qualcomm’s aptX Lossless codec will require both Snapdragon Sound hardware at source and for reception in smartphones and other devices. In order to achieve this level of quality, Qualcomm is teaming up with a number of partners to ensure that devices are able to take advantage of the aptX Lossless codec.
aptX Lossless vs aptX HD
As any music lover knows, sound quality is essential to enjoying your favorite tunes. When it comes to streaming audio, the quality of the connection can have a big impact on the overall sound. That’s why many audiophiles prefer to use aptX HD or Lossless when streaming their music.
aptX HD is a lossy codec that uses Hi-Res audio files. This means that it offers better quality than regular Bluetooth streaming. Files that are streamed using aptX HD have a bitrate of 576kbps, which is significantly higher than the 320kbps bitrate offered by regular Bluetooth streaming. However, aptX Lossless can handle up to 1Mbps. In addition, aptX Lossless is adaptable to 24-bit 96kHz if you’re willing to sacrifice some sound quality.
Another difference between aptX Lossless and aptX HD is that the former is truly lossless while the latter’s audio is compressed. This means that with aptX Lossless, you will be able to enjoy your music at the highest possible quality without any loss in sound quality.
