How can I boost my Bluetooth audio?

Bluetooth audio has come a long way over the years, but many users still experience issues with audio quality over Bluetooth compared to wired connections. There are a few key reasons you may want to improve Bluetooth audio quality:

You notice hissing, popping, or choppiness in your Bluetooth audio playback.
The audio sounds compressed or lacks dynamics and detail, especially in the treble.

You want to get the highest possible sound quality out of your high-end headphones or speakers when using Bluetooth.
You want to minimize latency issues like lag or lipsync problems when watching videos over Bluetooth.

The good news is there are several ways to boost Bluetooth audio quality, from using more advanced Bluetooth codecs to reducing interference. This guide will explore the main options to improve your listening experience.

Understand Bluetooth Audio Codecs

Bluetooth audio uses different codecs to encode and transmit audio signals between devices. The codec determines factors like audio quality, latency, and power consumption. Here are some of the main Bluetooth audio codecs:

SBC (Low Complexity Subband Coding): The default and most basic Bluetooth audio codec. SBC provides reasonable audio quality at bitrates up to 328 kbps, but higher bitrates use more power. It has high compatibility across devices.^[1]
AAC (Advanced Audio Coding): A more advanced codec that can provide better quality than SBC at similar bitrates. However, AAC has slightly higher latency. It supports bitrates up to 328 kbps and sample rates up to 48kHz.^[2]

aptX: Developed by Qualcomm, aptX aims to improve audio quality over SBC with lower latency. Standard aptX has a bitrate of 352 kbps. aptX HD supports high-resolution 24-bit/48kHz audio.^[3]
LDAC: An advanced codec developed by Sony which can support bitrates up to 990 kbps and high-resolution audio up to 96 kHz/24-bit. However, it’s mainly found in Sony devices.^[1]

In summary, higher bitrate codecs like aptX HD, LDAC, and AAC provide better audio quality compared to basic SBC, but may have higher power consumption or be less compatible. Comparing codecs can help choose optimal quality and device support.

Get Advanced Bluetooth Audio Codecs

To get the highest quality Bluetooth audio, it’s important to have devices that support advanced audio codecs like aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, or LDAC. These codecs can transmit CD-quality or near CD-quality audio over a Bluetooth connection, unlike standard SBC which is limited to 328kbps.

Some phones that support aptX HD or LDAC include the Asus ROG Phone series, Sony Xperia 1 III, and certain Samsung Galaxy and OnePlus devices. You can check if your phone supports these codecs by going into your Bluetooth settings and looking at the codec options.

If your phone doesn’t support these codecs, you can also get a Bluetooth transmitter or receiver that supports them. Devices like the 1Mii B03Pro and Monoprice Bluetooth Transmitter/Receiver allow you to add aptX HD support if your phone or audio gear doesn’t have it built-in.

Using advanced codecs can make a noticeable difference in Bluetooth audio quality, so it’s worth checking your device capabilities and upgrading if needed.

Use a High-Quality Bluetooth Transmitter

One way to boost your Bluetooth audio is by using a dedicated high-quality Bluetooth transmitter. A specialized transmitter will often have better internal components, antenna design, and software optimization compared to the basic Bluetooth built into devices.

A good Bluetooth transmitter can increase range, reduce dropouts, and provide higher bandwidth to maintain audio quality at a distance. High-end transmitters support advanced codecs like aptX HD and LDAC for even better sound.

According to The New York Times, some top Bluetooth transmitter recommendations include:

1Mii ML300 – Best overall portable Bluetooth transmitter
Avantree Oasis Plus – Budget transmitter with aptX Low Latency

Nulaxy KM29 – Long range car Bluetooth transmitter

By using one of these high-quality dedicated transmitters designed for Bluetooth audio, you can get a stronger and more reliable wireless signal to improve the listening experience.

Adjust EQ Settings on Your Device

EQ (equalizer) settings allow you to adjust the frequency levels in your audio to achieve a customized sound. EQ presets boost or reduce levels at specific frequency ranges like bass, mids, and treble to shape the overall sound. The right EQ adjustments can significantly improve the listening experience for different genres, whether you want punchy bass for hip hop or more sparkling highs for classical music.

Here are some tips for adjusting EQ settings to boost your Bluetooth audio quality:

Try the different preset EQ options in your device or headphone app to find one that sounds best to your ears.
If the presets don’t suit your taste, create a custom EQ setting. Start by boosting bass and treble slightly, then make minor tweaks until you achieve your ideal sound.

Be careful not to overboost frequencies as this can cause distortion. Make adjustments in small increments.
Consider the music genre or audio content when tuning the EQ. For example, podcasts may benefit from boosting midrange frequencies a bit to improve speech clarity.
If your headphones have an app, check for EQ options there before tweaking EQ at the device level.

Getting the right balance with EQ can noticeably improve audio detail, dynamics, and immersion. Take the time to experiment with different EQ settings tailored to your preferences for the optimal listening experience.

Source: https://www.soundguys.com/how-to-eq-bluetooth-headphones-62430/

Upgrade Your Headphones or Speakers

One of the easiest ways to significantly improve your Bluetooth audio quality is by upgrading to high-quality headphones or speakers. The audio drivers and components used in premium headphones and speakers are designed to reproduce sound with clarity, depth, and accuracy. Consumer-grade audio devices often cut corners in build quality in order to keep costs down.

High-end audiophile Bluetooth headphones from brands like Sennheiser, Bose, Sony, and others will provide a noticeable audio boost over cheaper options. Some top-rated models include the Sony WH-1000XM5, Bose QuietComfort 45, and Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless. These headphones have excellent audio drivers, noise cancellation, and Bluetooth codec support.

For speakers, some top Bluetooth options praised for audio quality include the JBL Charge 5, JBL Boombox 3, and Sony SRS-XG500. Upgrade your portable or home speakers for room-filling sound. Larger speaker drivers and advanced components make a big difference.

Change Bluetooth Audio Codec Settings

You can manually select which Bluetooth audio codec your device uses in some cases. This allows you to prioritize audio quality over connectivity. Here are instructions for various platforms:

On Android 8.0 and higher:

Go to Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences > Bluetooth Audio Codec
Select your preferred codec such as LDAC, AptX, or AAC

On Windows 10 and 11:

Go to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Bluetooth
Select your headphones and click Properties

Under Advanced, choose your preferred codec from the Audio Quality dropdown

For iOS devices, you are limited to AAC or SBC codecs. There is no system setting to change this. You would need a third-party Bluetooth transmitter that supports advanced codecs.

Some Bluetooth headphones have apps that allow changing the codec priority. Consult your headphone manual for details.

Sources:
https://www.reddit.com/r/ios/comments/kvdh8h/change_the_bluetooth_audio_codec_on_ios/
https://www.soundguys.com/bluetooth-codec-support-headphones-61989/

Upgrade Transmitter and Receiver Antennas

Upgrading the antennas on your Bluetooth transmitter and receiver devices can significantly improve your Bluetooth audio performance and range. Higher quality antennas provide better transmission and reception which leads to faster data rates, lower latency, and reduced dropouts.

Look for antennas that support the latest Bluetooth versions (4.0+) and have high gain ratings, ideally around 5dBi or more. Popular easy-to-install antennas include the Audioengine Bluetooth Antenna (https://audioengine.com/shop/accessories/bluetooth-antenna/) and the Fosi Audio Bluetooth Antenna (https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Antenna-Wireless-Extender-SMA-Male/dp/B07VSD24DM). These can dramatically increase your Bluetooth range from the standard 10 meters up to around 100 meters with clear line of sight.

For desktop computers, laptops and some speakers, you can add a USB Bluetooth 5.0 adapter with a high gain external antenna like the Asus BT400 (https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-Bluetooth-Dongle-Adapter-USB-BT400/dp/B00DJ83070). This makes it easy to position the antenna for optimal reception.

Installing higher gain antennas on both your transmitting device and receiving device will compound the range and performance improvements. Just make sure the connectors match the required interface (typically RP-SMA or U.FL). With quality upgraded antennas you can massively boost your Bluetooth audio range and performance.

Troubleshoot Interference Issues

Bluetooth operates on the 2.4 GHz band which can result in interference from other devices using this frequency band like WiFi routers, cordless phones, microwaves, and wireless security cameras. This can cause issues like audio dropout, static, or reduced range. There are some steps you can try to reduce interference:

Choose a different WiFi channel for your router – try channels 1, 6 or 11 which don’t overlap with Bluetooth’s frequency [1]. Keep Bluetooth source and receiver devices closer together and within line of sight. Increase distance between WiFi router and Bluetooth devices. Enable 5 GHz WiFi (less interference than 2.4 GHz) if available [2]. Turn off other wireless devices when not in use.

Use a shielded USB or audio cable for the Bluetooth transmitter to block interference. Upgrade to Bluetooth 5 which has better frequency hopping. Check if your headphones have an antenna that can be repositioned for better reception. Use a ferrite choke clip on headset cables. Consider a Bluetooth interference isolation device.

Summary

To summarize, there are a few key things you can do to boost your Bluetooth audio quality:

Use advanced high-quality codecs like aptX HD or LDAC that allow for better audio quality over Bluetooth.
Get a good Bluetooth transmitter that supports these advanced codecs.
Adjust EQ settings on your device to optimize the sound for your preferences.

Upgrade to high-quality Bluetooth headphones or speakers that can take advantage of the better audio codecs.
Make sure your devices support and are set to use the optimal codec for audio quality.
Consider upgrading the transmitter and receiver antennas for extended range if needed.

A few other tips to further improve your listening experience: use antenna extenders to minimize interference, position devices optimally to maintain a strong connection, and try a different audio player app if the default one has quality issues or lacks codec support. With a few simple tweaks, you can transform the audio coming from your Bluetooth devices.