When you connect wireless headphones to your phone, audio is compressed, transmitted over Bluetooth, and decompressed before reaching your ears. The algorithm used for this process is called a codec, and it has a significant impact on sound quality.
SBC (Subband Coding) is the universal Bluetooth audio codec — every Bluetooth device supports it. It works reliably but compresses audio more aggressively than modern alternatives, which can result in a slight loss of detail, particularly in high frequencies.
AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) is the codec used by Apple devices and supported by most premium Android phones. It offers meaningfully better sound quality than SBC with lower latency and is the best choice for Apple users, as iOS devices prioritise it over other codecs.
aptX and aptX HD are Qualcomm codecs that offer higher bitrates and lower latency than AAC. aptX HD supports up to 576 kbps, compared to AAC's 320 kbps, allowing more audio data per second. However, both your phone and your headphones must support aptX for it to be used.
LDAC is Sony's high-resolution audio codec and the current gold standard for wireless audio quality. It can transmit up to 990 kbps — more than three times aptX HD — allowing true hi-res audio over Bluetooth. If sound quality is your priority and your devices support LDAC, enable it in your phone's Bluetooth settings.
Our headphones support SBC, AAC, aptX HD, and LDAC, automatically negotiating the highest quality codec supported by your connected device.