mitrobeaptX formerly known as apt-X is an audio compression company that offers headset and speakers with filtered audio offering the best quality at the low size. In our previous post, we shared how to connect a headset to Mac PC, most of the headsets feature the aptX technology. This post will review aptX, aptX review, Bluetooth and your music, also the pros and cons.
What is aptX?
aptX may be a proven technology that compresses and decompresses audio because it travels from a source device sort of a phone to a receiving device sort of a wireless speaker, in a way that it is often transmitted over Bluetooth without damaging the standard. This ensures that you simply get the very most from your audio. aptX audio may be a bit rate efficient technology that ensures you receive top-quality audio from your Bluetooth device, so you’ve got a far better listening experience.
Bluetooth, in its native form, is not really capable of supporting high sample/bit-rate audio streams. The first generation, 1.0, had a theoretical maximum throughput rate of 1Mbps, Bluetooth 2.x basic rate has a theoretical maximum rate of 3 Mbps. By the time Bluetooth reached 4.x the theoretical maximum allowed using Subband coding (SBC) was 328 Kbps, but the audio quality using this codec was still less than the best MP3.
But there are ways to improve Bluetooth audio. First is Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP). This profile relies on AVDTP and GAVDP. It includes mandatory support for the low-complexity SBC codec, and supports optionally MPEG-1 Part 3/MPEG-2 Part 3 (MP2 and MP3), MPEG-2 Part 7/MPEG-4 Part 3 (AAC and HE-AAC), and ATRAC, and manufacturer-defined codecs, such as aptX. Using A2DP portable device makers can add better quality audio codecs, which is exactly what they have done.
aptX comes in two varieties, aptX and aptX HD. aptX can transmit 16-bit/44.1kHz audio with a compression ratio of 4:1 at 352kpbs, while aptX HD can transmit 24-bit/48kHz audio with a “gentle” compression ratio of 4:1 at 576kpbs. While still not technically not “high resolution,” this rate does allow for Redbook CD sound quality to fit through the Bluetooth “pipe.”
Aptx Review The Pros And Cons Of Aptx
aptX employs audio-codec for the consumer as well as automotive wireless audio applications, notably the real-time streaming of lossy stereo audio over the Bluetooth A2DP connection/pairing between a “source” device (an example can be a smartphone, tablet or laptop) and a “sink” accessory (e.g. a Bluetooth stereo speaker, headset or headphones). The aptX technology will be incorporated in the transmitter as well as receiver to derive the sonic benefits of aptX audio coding over the default sub-band coding (SBC) mandated by the Bluetooth standard. Products bearing the CSR aptX logo are certified for interoperability with one another.
How aptX Works
aptX audio technology significantly reduces the latency to stay your audio and video in sync. If you imagine watching a movie with wireless headphones, you hear the sound at an equivalent time because the lips are moving on the screen.
However, the cynical audiophile will probably have spotted the fact that aptX HD isn’t a lossless format, it still relies on compression in order to transmit data over limited Bluetooth bandwidth. Qualcomm targets a 4:1 compression ratio with its codecs, so classic offers a group 352 kbps bitrate while HD ups this to 576 kbps – 1 / 4 of the bitrate of an uncompressed 24-bit 48 kHz file.
Just like aptX, the HD version is based on split-band adaptive differential pulse-code modulation (ADPCM) technology but offers up extra bit-depth and therefore better noise performance in each of the sub-bands.
ADPCM differs from common PCM files in that it doesn’t encode each sample at a specific amplitude, but encodes the difference between samples instead.
This means that fewer data has to be sent each sample, helping fit higher quality audio into a small data packet
Pros
- aptX may be a lossless algorithm that’s less efficient at compressing the signal.
- aptX has the high-bandwidth connection
- They offer audio filtration on their headsets.
Cons
- The limitations of Bluetooth data speeds still means that wireless can’t offer fully-fledged lossless quality regardless of the codec.
- Qualcomm’s intelligent application of split-band ADPCM means that few will be able to make any meaningful compromises.
aptX HD
In an effort to enhance things further still, Qualcomm launched aptX HD in 2016. This promised to supply support for wireless high-res audio, up to 24-bit/48kHz.
Despite its “better than CD” boast, technically it’s still a lossy format, thanks to bandwidth restrictions that make it impossible to use lossless coding at every step.
However, it’s still considered “near-lossless”, since it maintains high-res qualities such as a dynamic range of at least 120dB and audio frequencies up to 20kHz.
aptX vs aptX HD
The frustrating thing about aptX (and also, aptX HD) is that it needs both a decoder and a receiver to figure. That means that both your source device (whatever is sending the audio via Bluetooth), and the device on which you’re receiving it (be it a speaker or a pair of headphones), must support the technology in order for it to work.
That means most Apple fans are out of luck (Macs support aptX, but iPhone and iPad do not) since the company doesn’t recognize it.
The majority of Android smartphones do, however, as will tons of wireless music players.
If it’s the simplest in the audio quality you would like, then aptX HD remains to play a touch of catch-up. However, more than 60 devices now support it, with manufacturers including Sony, LG, Audio Technica, Bowers & Wilkins and Naim adding the improved tech to their devices.
Conclusion
I’m an attempt to offer lossless audio compression, aptX technology is at the forefront in the audio filtration system.
Although from a review online, a test was conducted between a device with aptX technology and an iPhone without aptX technology. From the result, both devices sounded the same with little or no change in audio quality. Regardless, they still offer good audio compression.
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