What Is LDAC And How Does It Work?

LDAC is a high-resolution Bluetooth audio codec developed by Sony that enables wireless transmission of up to 990kbps bitrate audio, three times faster than standard SBC codecs. By dynamically adapting between 330/660/990kbps based on signal strength, it preserves more audio details in 24-bit/96kHz Hi-Res formats while maintaining connection stability.

How does LDAC achieve higher sound quality?

LDAC's triple-rate transmission uses efficient packetization and optimized coding to maximize Bluetooth's bandwidth. Unlike SBC's fixed 328kbps ceiling, it intelligently prioritizes frequency ranges where human hearing is most sensitive, preserving 20kHz+ ultrasonic content that standard codecs discard.

The codec employs a hybrid approach combining modified subband coding with lossy compression. When streaming 96kHz/24bit audio, LDAC first splits the signal into multiple frequency bands (up to 32kHz), then applies psychoacoustic modeling to eliminate inaudible details. Pro Tip: Enable LDAC's "Best Effort" mode on Android devices for automatic bitrate switching—fixed 990kbps modes may cause stuttering in crowded RF environments. Imagine sending a water balloon through a pipe: LDAC reshapes the balloon (audio data) to fit pipe diameter (Bluetooth bandwidth) without losing essential liquid (audio quality). Current implementations in devices like Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones demonstrate 35% wider frequency response compared to AAC at similar bitrates.

What devices support LDAC?

Android 8.0+ devices natively support LDAC as part of AOSP, while specific headphones like Edifier Free Pro require dedicated hardware decoding chips. iPhones remain incompatible due to Apple's AAC-focused ecosystem.

Compatibility extends beyond Sony products—brands like Huawei (P70 Pro) and SoundPEATS (Capsule3 Pro) implement LDAC for Hi-Res Wireless certification. However, dual-device connections often force bitrate reductions to 660kbps. Pro Tip: Check developer options on Android to verify actual transmission bitrates—many devices default to 660kbps even with strong signals. The table below compares LDAC adoption across platforms:

Is LDAC truly lossless?

Despite marketing claims, LDAC remains lossy—it discards 45-60% of original PCM data depending on bitrate. However, its 990kbps mode preserves 132% more musical information than aptX HD (576kbps), subjectively approaching wired 16-bit/44.1kHz CD quality.

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