Qualcomm launched aptX Lossless, a new feature of
aptX Adaptive that offers CD-quality lossless audio via Bluetooth. AptX
Lossless claims to produce theoretically bit-for-bit CD-quality audio at 16bit/44.1kHz,
with bit rate scalability ranging from 1Mb/s to 140Kbit/s. When audio is
encoded and decoded with aptX Lossless, Qualcomm claims no data is lost. When
aptX Adaptive recognizes that the source file is lossless, the lossless audio
option is automatically enabled.
aptX Adaptive works in collaboration with Qualcomm's
"Qualcomm Bluetooth High Speed Link" technology to enable data
throughput over 1Mbits/s and CD-quality lossless music. It easily scaled down
to 140kbits/s in congested areas to avoid audio dropouts and glitches.
It's important to note that aptX Lossless isn't a
brand-new Bluetooth codec. It's actually a component of the aptX Adaptive
codec. To begin with, aptX Adaptive is a highly scalable Bluetooth codec that
supports variable bitrates, minimal system latency, and high data throughput.
The new aptX Lossless will be part of Qualcomm's
Snapdragon Sound technology and will be part of the aptX Adaptive range of
technologies.
That means it can be used to broadcast 1Mbps via
Bluetooth when the radio (RF) circumstances are ideal. If the connection
becomes unstable for whatever reason, aptX Adaptive can reduce the stream
quality to as low as 140kbps. That way, you'll always be able to hear your
music (or podcast, audiobook, etc.) in the greatest possible quality, even if
it's not lossless at the time.
Features of aptX Lossless:
Bit-rate: 140 kbit/s – >1Mb/s
Supports 44.1kHz, 16-bit CD lossless
audio quality
Designed to scale up to CD lossless
audio based on Bluetooth link quality
Users can select between CD lossless
audio 44.1kHz and 24-bit 96kHz lossy
Auto-detects to enable CD lossless audio when the source is a lossless audio
Difference between aptX Lossless and
aptX HD
You might be under the impression that Qualcomm
already has a high-resolution audio codec in the form of aptX HD. It can, in
fact, transmit audio at a higher resolution than aptX Lossless, up to 24-bit
48kHz. However, the audio is compressed and not sent losslessly.
aptX HD has a maximum bitrate of 576kbps, but aptX
Lossless has a maximum bitrate of 1Mbps.
Another advantage of aptX Lossless is that it can
achieve 24-bit 96kHz if you are willing to accept lossy audio, making it
versatile. Depending on your preferences, you will be able to choose between
the modes.
Availability:
No headphones or earbuds currently support the new
codec. True wireless in-ears and other headphones will need to support a new
version of Qualcomm's Snapdragon Sound technology to be compatible. They will
be available in early 2022.
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