Here’s why Bluetooth LE Audio is a sound revolution

This time it’s the right one for Bluetooth LE Audio. Announced for the first time at CES 2020, this new Bluetooth standard should take wireless audio transmission to a new level. However, the pandemic has been there, somewhat upsetting the plans of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). Despite an ignition delay, the Bluetooth LE Audio intends to make its revolution on our devices and has just been finalized.

“Today is a proud day for the community of Bluetooth SIG members […] Our members have overcome the many challenges thrown at them in recent years to carry out the biggest project specification development in the history of Bluetooth SIG. LE Audio pushes the boundaries of what is possible in the wireless audio market”, announces Mark Powell, CEO of the Bluetooth SIG. The boss of the organization that manages this standard does not hide his enthusiasm for a project that has already caused a lot of ink to flow.

A revolution for Bluetooth audio

Bluetooth LE Audio has ambition and brings significant improvements. The most anticipated concern the sound quality performance which are revised upwards; as well as energy consumption and connection sharing efforts. The main curiosity of Bluetooth LE Audio and the LC3 audio codec, for Low Complexity Communications Codec, which replaces the aging SBC. Already abandoned in favor of more efficient solutions such as AAC or AptX, it promises a significant improvement over the SBC codec with the same bit rate.

The other strength of the LCD3 is to be able to offer an audio quality comparable to the SBC, with a bit rate halved. Offering a 50% lower bit rate is not insignificant and allows significantly reduce energy consumption. For devices, this means longer battery life without having to compromise on sound quality. Developers will therefore be able to extend the lifespan; or think about new options to reduce the size of devices.

The new standard is also able to transmit multiple audio streams independently synchronized between an audio source and one or more devices. In addition, it will be possible to associate two pairs of headphones to a single smartphone; or pair multiple headphones to a single device such as a TV. This last function is called Auracast and goes further than Apple currently offers with iOS and its AirPods.

Improved performance and new features

Other new features include a better support for true wireless headphones. Bluetooth LE Audio changes its approach by allowing each headset to have its own Bluetooth connection. Currently, the earphones operate with a master/slave system where the master earphone connects to the smartphone and takes care of communicating with the slave earphone.

Another curiosity, it becomes possible to search for a source in the same way as a Wi-Fi network. login using a QR Code is also present. These options are aimed in particular at airports to allow announcements to be heard or in public places with a screen. Users will be able to tune in to hear the content, without disturbing others. Finally, a new category of hearing aids will use this standard.

Compatible devices from the end of the year

The Bluetooth LE Audio standard joins proprietary technologies such as aptX Lossless to offer a true sound revolution. Products compatible with the promising LE Audio will emerge before the end of the year. It will nevertheless be necessary to wait a few months before seeing it democratize on smartphones, laptops and headphones or headsets.

The good news is that Android 13 should boost support for it. Indeed, the future version of Google’s mobile OS would support Bluetooth LE Audio. This is already the case with the beta and the standard will therefore be ready for the release of the final version.