Qualcomm aptX Lossless: Codec for lossless sound over Bluetooth

Qualcomm has introduced a new Bluetooth codec called aptX Lossless, which enables wireless transmission in lossless audio quality. As part of aptX Adaptive, the integration should already find its way into numerous Bluetooth headphones in the near future.

Better Bluetooth sound

The market for wireless Bluetooth headphones is booming. New true-wireless headphones flood the market on a weekly basis, surpassing each other in terms of technical specifications.

Audio-savvy users will soon be able to enjoy lossless sound transmission via Bluetooth. This is made possible by the new aptX Lossless Codec from Qualcomm, which already provides two of the best Bluetooth codecs with aptX HD and aptX Adaptive.

These currently achieve a data rate of 576 kbit/s in the best case with correspondingly high-quality source material. The new Lossless codec for lossless sound, on the other hand, achieves a maximum bandwidth of 1 Mbit/s, which, in combination with appropriate compression, allows music to be transmitted in full CD quality (16 bit at 44.1 kHz).

Another special feature is the adaptive matching, which is achieved in combination with aptX Adaptive. Depending on the prevailing conditions, the transmission quality can scale completely dynamically to ensure the best possible audio quality even in difficult conditions.

Unlike aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless does not support data encoded in 24-bit at 96 kHz. However, it currently uses lossy compression. By integrating the new codec in the future thus the choice between lossless CD quality or Hi-Res Audio with 24-bit and 96 kHz.

Start targeted for 2022

The first products that support aptX Lossless are expected to appear next year. The basic requirement, in addition to a Qualcomm Bluetooth chip, is a small license fee to be allowed to use the Lossless codec.

The new codec will be integrated as part of the recently introduced Snapdragon Sound and in aptX Adaptive, but not retroactively on already sold devices. Due to the new hardware requirements, it is unlikely that current Bluetooth devices will get support for the new codec via a software update, but Qualcomm has not explicitly ruled this out.

According to Qualcomm, 31 licensees already offer the “Snapdragon Sound”, in particular Master & Dynamic, Motorola, Xiaomi, Asus, Audio Technica, Cleer and Edifier are mentioned for the integration of aptX Lossless.