Listening to high quality music over a Bluetooth connexion has until recently been something of a via media . Bluetooth codecs , did n’t have the scrap - rate , depth and sample distribution rate to support high - resolution music , which is a drift that Sony ’s LDAC looks to change .

Launched in 2015 , LDAC is a proprietary wireless audio technology plan to aid ‘ widen ’ the Bluetooth pipeline for higher character music . While wireless engineering has become massively popular in the last ten year , the quality of wireless audio frequency is restricted compare to pumped-up connections , with those of more audiophile tastes having to settle for lesser quality .

If you listen to digital medicine and require to hear your favourite creative person in undecomposed quality , you ’ll desire to know how LDAC can make that potential .

Sony LDAC chart

What is LDAC?

LDAC is an audio put one across technology for the transmission of high - firmness sound recording and the name stands for – well , in reality we ’re not whole certain what . If it ’s an acronym , Sony has n’t said what it stands for , strangely .

What Sony has claim about LDAC is that it expend three time more data streaming over Bluetooth due to the use of optimise packetization of information and more effective cryptography .

you’re able to well out LDAC audio up to 32 - bit/96kHZ over Bluetooth at up to 990kbps compare to a standard Bluetooth connection ( SBC codec ) , which has a maximum data rate of 328kbps . LDAC propose better data infection .

Sony LDAC chart

LDAC also come with three different type of connection modes that quality , normal and connective . These are usable unlike bitrates in at 990kbps , 660kbps and 330kbps , severally . These can be manually toggled in your smartphone menu or headphone app , but it can also mechanically switch between the choice for the best sound quality at any given second .

Sony ’s applied science also beats out Qualcomm’saptX HD , which can stream at 576kbps , although the aptX Adaptive codec can surmount the bitrate from 279kbps to 420kbps . However , despite the fact that it offers higher - calibre sound , it is a lossy formatting which means data is fall back in the transmission of audio . Qualcomm’saptX Losslesswith itsSnapdragon Soundecosystem propose to offer true lossless sound overBluetooth .

Which devices support LDAC?

Unsurprisingly , lots of Sony product confirm LDAC from headphones to soundbars and wireless loudspeaker system . you’re able to feel LDAC support on products such as theWH-1000XM5,WH-1000XM4andWH-1000XM3over - ears , as well as theWF-1000XM4andLinkBuds Strue wireless .

Soundbars and speakers also add up with bread and butter for the codec , with Sony again having the widest range of mountains of products , like theHT - ST5000andHT - A7000models .

But it ’s not all Sony . The Japanese stain has been buttonhole LDAC to other stain to take the codec with Shure , Audio - Technica , Audeze , Oppo , Panasonic , Pioneer , 1More , Astell & Kern , Technics and Edifier just fall of the companionship that use the codec in their products .

Sony LDAC chart

And Sony has worked with Google to embed LDAC within the Android platform , so nearly any new Android smartphone ( anything from Oreo 8.0 onwards ) should have sustenance baked in for LDAC .

Though to get welfare of LDAC ’s increase performance , you require both a rootage and a receiving system that are compatible , so check before you corrupt . We ’ll always mention which codecs an audio product has in the master written matter of the review and specs section .

Like with audio devices , Sony exact the leading with French telephone with theXperia 1 II , Xperia 5 II , Xperia 5 IVandXperia 5 IIIall integrating LDAC . Other noteworthy smartphones that have it includeOnePlus 9 Pro , OnePlus 8 Pro , Xiaomi Mi 11and theHuawei P40 Pro .

Sony LDAC chart

You wo n’t observe any LDAC support on Apple products , in causa you were wondering , with Apple stick resolutely to their AAC and ALAC . Pair an Apple wireless earphone with an Android twist and the highest codec you ’ll get is AAC .

Is LDAC worth it?

LDAC offers good audio quality than either SBC or AAC codecs but it is not true lossless sound , and therefore you wo n’t be pick up every ‘ bit ’ or detail in a piece of music . It is a compromise , especially compared to a pumped up connection , it is a compromise worth experience .

If you ’re someone who regularly streams fromSpotifyorYouTube Music , then there ’s less of a need to have LDAC . LDAC is really for higher quality avail such as Tidal , Deezer , Amazon Music and Qobuz .

So we ’d recommend considering LDAC if you have audiophile and you want to experience higher tone audio recording in your home and when you ’re out and about .

Sony LDAC chart

OnePlus 9 Pro

OnePlus 9 Pro

OnePlus 9 Pro

Sony LDAC chart

Sony LDAC chart

OnePlus 9 Pro

OnePlus 9 Pro