Headphone 101 Archives

Bluetooth Codec for Wireless Headphones and Earbuds: Everything You Need to Know

Bluetooth codec is not something that most people pay attention to when buying or using wireless devices, but it can make a big difference in your audio enjoyment.

By knowing what codecs your devices support and how to choose the best one for your needs, you can optimize your wireless audio experience and get the most out of your Bluetooth devices.

This Headphone 101 guide explains what Bluetooth codec is, why it matters for wireless headphones and earbuds, how to compare different Bluetooth codecs for headphones and earbuds, commonly used Bluetooth codecs (SBC, AAC, LC3, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Low Latency, aptX Adaptive, LDAC, LHDC, Samsung Seamless Codec (SSC), SCL6, LC3plus) for headsets, and how to properly consider the Bluetooth codec when buying or evaluating new wireless headphones and earbuds.

What is Bluetooth codec, and why does it matter for wireless headphones and earbuds?

Bluet ooth is a wireless technology that allows devices to communicate with each other over short distances. It uses radio waves to send and receive data, such as audio, video, text, and images.

However, Bluetooth has a limited bandwidth, which means it can only transfer a certain amount of data per second, usually capped at 2Mbps. This poses a challenge for audio transmission because audio files are usually large and require a lot of bandwidth, usually exceeding the capacity of Bluetooth, to stream without losing quality or interruptions.

To solve this problem, Bluetooth uses a codec to compress the audio data before sending it (e.g., from your phone) and then decompress it by the receiving devices (e.g., headphones and earbuds) after receiving it. A codec is software or hardware that encodes and decodes data using a specific algorithm. By compressing the audio data, the Bluetooth codec reduces the size of the file and the amount of bandwidth needed to transmit it. However, compression also involves some trade-offs, such as loss of quality, latency, and power consumption.

Essentially, Bluetooth codec is a software format that compresses and then encodes audio data so that it can be efficiently transmitted wirelessly between devices before being decoded by hardware that supports that same codec. In other words, a codec determines how your music is packed (compressed) and unpacked (uncompressed) when it travels from your phone to your headphones (and earbuds).

However, not all codecs are created equal. Sound quality can vary among codecs due to factors like bit depth, bit … Read the rest

Unleashing the Power of LDAC Codec: How to Enable Hi-Res Audio on Android Devices with WF-1000XM4, WF1000XM5, and WH-1000 series?

Bluetooth headphones, Headphone 101, noise cancelling headphones, wireless earbuds

With the release of Sony WF-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM5, more and more owners are wondering how to enable Hi-Res audio, which is one of the key features of high-end Sony wireless headphones and earbuds, in addition to the signature noise canceling feature.

This guide explains and shows you how to use LDAC codes to enable Hi-Res audio on Android devices so that you can enjoy the best quality audio you have paid for. Detailed step-by-step instructions are included. Questions you may have on LDAC codec and Hi-Res audio are also answered.

This guide applies to all wireless headphones and earbuds with LDAC codec support. We use Sony WF-1000XM4, WF1000XM5, and WH-1000 series just as examples.

Background info on Bluetooth codecs and Hi-Res audio

Bluetooth codec and Hi-Res audio were discussed thoroughly in other posts. In this post, we will focus on how to use LDAC codec and enable Hi-Res audio on Android devices.

However, some readers may need some background info.

Bluetooth audio sucks.

Many cheap wired headphones are better than high-end wireless headphones.

Most wireless earbuds, including the AirPods Pro series, Sony WF-1000 series, and the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds series, are inferior to most cheaper wired headphones.

But Bluetooth audio solves the problem when “wire” is unavailable (or not an option). Especially in the current market, almost all “flagship” or high-end phones have removed the most useful (for audiophiles) 3.5mm audio jack. You may have to look for a Bluetooth headset or wireless earbuds.

Bluetooth codec makes a difference.

All Bluetooth “audio” devices must support the baseline codec: SBC (subband codec), which is part of the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP). This guarantees that all Bluetooth headphones or earbuds work with all “sending” devices (e.g., iPhone and Android phones).

AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) was standardized by ISO and IEC. Almost all headphones and earbuds manufacturers support it, although it is not royalty-free. Generally, AAC offers better (arguable)audio quality than SBC with the same bandwidth. Of course, this depends on the implementation of the sending and receiving devices.

Hi-Res means different in file format and Bluetooth codec.

When talking about individual music files, Hi-Res usually means either uncompressed (e.g., WAV) or compressed but lossless (e.g., FLAC and ALAC). MP3 and AAC are two common examples of the opposite side: compressed and lossy.

For the codec, the Japan Audio Society certifies Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res Audio Wireless. … Read the rest

What is Samsung Seamless Codec? 4 things you should know about this new codec

Bluetooth headphones, Headphone 101, noise cancelling headphones

With the release of Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, Samsung touted the 24bit Hi-Fi audio, which is enabled by the Samsung Seamless Codec. Samsung shared very little technical information about this codec except for some marketing exaggerations.

Many Galaxy Buds 2 Pro owners have some questions about the Samsung Seamless Codec, for example, how “better” it is.

This Bluetooth headphone guide explains the four aspects of this new codec:

When/where can you get and use Samsung Seamless Codec?
The relationship between Samsung Seamless Codec and Scalable Codec.
How better is Samsung Seamless Codec compared to other codecs?
The role of a codec (like Samsung Seamless Codec) in the Bluetooth streaming process.

Currently, Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is the only wireless earbuds that support Samsung Seamless Codec. Very likely, new earbuds will be added to the list.

#1. Samsung Seamless Codec is proprietary and only works on Samsung devices

First, Samsung Seamless Codec is proprietary, and Samsung owns it. No other hardware manufacturers have licensed it yet.

So, currently, it is only available on Samsung devices and works only on Samsung devices.

This means if you want to enjoy the Hi-Res audio with Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, you have to use it with a supported Samsung phone or tablet.

Samsung Seamless Codec is supported in Samsung phones and tablets with Android 11, 12 or 13. For example, Galaxy S10 , S20, S21, S22, Galaxy Note 10, and Note 20 are all on Android 12. So, you can pair Galaxy Buds 2 Pro with any of these phones (and some Galaxy A and J series) and try the Hi-Res audio codec.

For headphones and earbuds, currently, Samsung Seamless Codec is only available on Galaxy Buds 2 Pro.

In short, Samsung Seamless Codec is only for the Samsung ecosystem. You cannot even try it if you are using a phone or tablet of other brands. Galaxy Buds 2 Pro itself is only a receiving (sink) device.

#2. Samsung Seamless Codec is a new version of Samsung Scalable Codec.

The name of the new codec is very confusing: it is too close to the existing Samsung Scalable codec.

And the truth is that Samsung Seamless Codec is just a new (or updated) version of Samsung Scalable Codec.

Samsung Scalable Codec was created by Samsung (AKG) for their first wireless earbuds: Galaxy Buds. It was then supported in all … Read the rest

How to use Samsung Galaxy Buds and Galaxy Buds+?

Bluetooth headphones, Headphone 101, wireless earbuds

Samsung Galaxy Buds is Samsung's first wireless earbuds for Android devices, although you can also use them on iOS, Linux, or Windows devices.

This wireless earbuds guide explains everything you need to know about Samsung Galaxy Buds (and Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus): box contents of the buds, the layout of the buds, how to use the buds, how to charge the buds, how to check the battery status, how to pair the buds with other devices, how to use touchpad commands to control the buds. A concise review of the Galaxy Buds was also included.

Of course, some questions you may have on Samsung Galaxy Buds and Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus were also answered. So, this guide covers both Samsung Galaxy Buds and Galaxy Buds Plus (Galaxy Buds+).

Please note, Samsung released Galaxy Buds Live with Galaxy Note 20. Because of the new active noise cancelling (ANC) feature and new design, you may check this page (coming soon) on how to use Galaxy Buds Live. Galaxy Buds Pro was released with Galaxy S21 in Jan 2021 with some new and improved features (compared to Galaxy Buds Live).

What is Samsung Galaxy Buds?

Samsung announced Galaxy Buds, a wireless earbud for Android phones, together with the Galaxy S10 in March 2019.

Prior to Galaxy Buds, Samsung already offered Gear IconX as a fitness (and wireless) earbud.

Galaxy Buds is smaller and lighter by removing the built-in storage and workout-tracking ability in IconX. If you need earbuds for a workout with a heart rate monitor, the best option is the Jabra Elite Sport.

So, you can think Galaxy Buds is the wireless in-ear earbuds for Android phones matching AirPods for iPhones.

In 2020, Samsung updated Galaxy Buds with Galaxy Buds+ (Galaxy Buds Plus) with longer battery life, better sound and audio quality as explained in this guide. The MSRP price is $149. In many regions, Samsung Galaxy Buds+ is bundled with Galaxy S20 as a free gift.

What devices are compatible with Galaxy Buds?

The official spec sheet of the Galaxy Buds requires Android 5.0 and Galaxy Wearable app.

But this is for “quick” pairing.

In fact, you can use Samsung Galaxy Buds as a normal Bluetooth headset. Therefore, you can use the Samsung Galaxy Buds with most devices that support Bluetooth audio, for example, iPhone, Windows PCs, and laptops.

Unlike AirPods, Galaxy Buds … Read the rest

What is active noise canceling (ANC)? How active noise-cancelling headphone works?

Bluetooth headphones, Headphone 101, noise cancelling headphones, wireless earbuds

You need an active noise cancelling (ANC) headphone if you want to block the ambient low-frequency noise, like engine noise in the aeroplane. For example, Sony WH-1000XM (XM1-XM4) series, Bose Quietcomfort series (e.g., 15, 25, 35, earbuds), Apple AirPods Pro, and Samsung Galaxy Buds Live all have ANC.

Active noise cancelling (ANC) is different from noise blocking/isolating, which passively blocks both high and low-frequency noises.

This headphone guide explains what the active noise cancelling (ANC) is and how the active noise cancelling headphone works. It will not only help you understand ANC but also help you choose proper active noise-cancelling headphones.

What is active noise cancelling (ANC)?

Active noise cancelling (ANC, aka active noise control) is a set of audio technologies that actively cancel the ambient noise.

Both the annoying noise and music reach your ear as sound waves transmitted through the air.

So, one simple way to reduce noise is to physically and passively block it. For example, there are many soundproofing materials and technologies.

In the airport, you may notice ground staff are wearing earmuffs to block the engine and other noises. In the shooting clubs, it is also common that earmuffs are used.

Active noise cancelling (ANC), on the contrary, uses negative sound waves to actively cancel the noise.

This means ANC requires at least three components:

Power source. Active noise cancelling (ANC) always requires a power source to detect and analysis noise and then generate a negative wave.
Noise detection. Normally, one or more microphones are used to sample the ambient sound.
Anti-noise sound wave generator. Once the ambient noise is sampled, an active noise cancelling (ANC) system must generate an inverted (negative) sound wave (with similar amplitude) to cancel the low-frequency noise.

When the ambient noise is cancelled, you will get a quieter environment for your music.

Active noise cancelling (ANC) is still evolving, especially on how to sample ambient sound, how to analyze the sampled ambient sound, and eventually how to effectively cancel the low-frequency ambient noise in real-time.

Please note, active noise cancelling (ANC) currently is most effective for low-frequency noise only.

Active noise cancelling (ANC) vs passive noise blocking

As discussed earlier, noise can be “blocked” (passive) and/or “cancelled” (active).

Most headphones, in-ear or on-ear or over-ear, can block certain ambient sounds. For example, some in-ear headphones are designed to seal the ambient sound (e.g., Sony … Read the rest

What are the differences among in-ear, on-ear and over-ear headphones?

Headphone 101

Normally, headphones are classified as in-ear, on-ear, and over-ear based on their sizes and ways of wearing.

This headphone guide explains the differences in size and sound quality among these 3 types of headphones. Then we explain whether you should get an in-ear, on-ear, and over-ear headphones to meet your needs (and comfort).

Why do you need to know the differences among in-ear, on-ear and over-ear headphones?

When buying a new headphone, the first question you need to ask yourself is what “size” of the headphone should be.

In the market, there are roughly 3 types of headphones based on their sizes (both wired headphones and Bluetooth headphones):

in-ear headphone (aka earphone, or earbud);
on-ear headphone; and
over-ear headphone.

The differences among in-ear, on-ear and over-ear headphones are NOT just about the size.

Quite often, a certain type of headphone may be better than others for a special group of users (e.g. people with glass), or better for special occasions (e.g., for running).

So, it is important to know the differences among in-ear, on-ear and over-ear headphones to get the headphone that is most suitable for you when you plan to get a new headphone.

Size matters: the obvious difference among in-ear, on-ear and over-ear headphones

In-ear headphone, aka earbud or earphone, is the smallest among the three. For example, Samsung Galaxy Buds, AirPods, AirPods Pro, Jabra Elite Sport are all in-ear wireless earbuds.

Because of the small driver (aka transducer), a unit that converts an electrical signal into sound (air pressure), in-ear headphone is small enough to fit inside your ears.

The on-ear headphone usually uses larger drivers. But the padding is not large enough to cover your ears. Instead, the headphone sits on your ears without fully covering them.

The over-ear headphone has a large enough padding to cover your ear. Manufactures can put larger drivers in over-ear headphones thanks to the additional space.

Sound quality difference among in-ear, on-ear and over-ear headphones

When sound quality is concerned, size is NOT the major factor.

Many headphone buyers have the wrong impression: the bigger driver means better sound quality. This is wrong.

Large drivers generally can boost high volume (louder) with higher capacity for the bass. But unlike the volume or bass, the sound quality (audio quality) is NOT simply determined by the driver size.

For all headphones, sound quality … Read the rest