Ldac help?

[WideEyedToad]

My s25 ultra phone says it supports ldac. Would getting a ldac compatible earbud would be big upgrade from the Skullcandy 360 earbuds? Currently it says AAC codec (no idea what that even means, I'm new to audio).

 

[Berwhale]

Technically, LDAC is superior to AAC and personally, I make sure to buy equipment that supports it. Amirm compared various BT codecs in this technical review of the Topping BC3 Bluetooth receiver: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...c3-review-bluetooth-receiver-bt-codecs.23740/

You might want to familiarize yourself with the Audio Precision dashboard first (Amirm uses an AP analyser to test audio electronics)...

Whether the Nothing Ears will perform better than the Skullcandy 360's is another matter. I would prioritise looking for an IEMs with decent frequency response and then find one with LDAC support. And then you have to consider fit, seal and all the other stuff that matters when you stuff something in your ear.

I received an e-mail from ShenzhenAudio a few days ago mentioning the release of the Moondrop Space Travel 2 Ultra which look interesting and support LDAC, but I can't find any frequency response measurements for them yet...

MOONDROP Space Travel 2 Ultra True Wireless Headphone (TWS)

shenzhenaudio.com: professional headphone, earphone, amplifier, dac, decoder, hifi player, cable supermarket. you will find good price here.

shenzhenaudio.com

 

[staticV3]

Here's a starter on audio over Bluetooth: https://habr.com/en/articles/456182/

TL;DR: LDAC is capable of higher audio transparency than AAC from your S25U, but should never be your top priority when shopping for earbuds.

Frequency response, fit, and configurable EQ have much greater impact on sound quality than the Bluetooth codec.

 

[ZolaIII]

Yes it would if it's for good sounding earphones but you would have to go to developer settings (which you activate by going to settings - about the phone and repeatedly tapping on OS version 5~6 times in order to show in settings afterwards) every time you connect them and adjust LDAC to 24 bit high (which is hustle). In the meantime go there and use SBC instead of AAC codec as AAC implementation on Android is horrible. Install Wavelet from play store and find and start using EQ for Crusher.

 

[Berwhale]

It's also worth noting that Samsung have their own codec called Samsung Seamless Codec (SSC) which claims to offer some of the same benefits as LDAC (which is owned by Sony and costs other manufactures to use). If you bought Samsung ear buds, e.g. the Buds FE, then they would use the SSC codec.

Note that Samsung Scalable Codec was upgraded and renamed to Samsung Seamless Codec.

Here's another article comparing the various Bt Codecs... https://www.soundguys.com/understanding-bluetooth-codecs-15352/

 

[WideEyedToad]

Here's a starter on audio over Bluetooth: https://habr.com/en/articles/456182/

TL;DR: LDAC is capable of higher audio transparency than AAC from your S25U, but should never be your top priority when shopping for earbuds.

Frequency response, fit, and configurable EQ have much greater impact on sound quality than the Bluetooth codec.

Reviews say the Nothing sounds more crisp, while 360 is bass heavy. I think I kind of prefer the clear route. But maybe I'll get it anyways and use 360 for work and Nothing for podcasts, music, and video streaming.

 

[Ropeburn]

Yes it would if it's for good sounding earphones but you would have to go to developer settings (which you activate by going to settings - about the phone and repeatedly tapping on OS version 5~6 times in order to show in settings afterwards) every time you connect them and adjust LDAC to 24 bit high (which is hustle). In the meantime go there and use SBC instead of AAC codec as AAC implementation on Android is horrible. Install Wavelet from play store and find and start using EQ for Crusher.

Has that been changed in newer Android versions? On android 12 (S10+) developer mode stays on and LDAC stays selected indefinitely. Set one time and forget it. Afaik it even remembers codec settings for each paired device separately. Couldn't be more convenient.

 

[kemmler3D]

As @staticV3 mentions, LDAC is technically better but other factors are a lot more important.

If you don't need wireless, there are really good wired earbuds these days for very cheap, (I like the Truthear Gate for the money) and you can use them with an EQ capable dongle (I use Tanchjim Stargate II but there are several others) - this gets you way beyond most wireless earbuds in terms of sound.

Now, I appreciate that wired is not always desirable or an option, but since you mentioned wanting a certain sound signature, it's worth mentioning that there are good options to achieve that if you are willing to go wired.

 

[Karmacoma]

I can vouch for the Moondrop brand, not in terms of pure performance but in terms of their performance/cost ratio which is unbeatable (in the wireless category notably).
Of course good sounding headphones is the priority but it's good to add that Ldac definitely makes a difference. (Also drains your batteries faster and reduces the range btw)

 

[ZolaIII]

Has that been changed in newer Android versions? On android 12 (S10+) developer mode stays on and LDAC stays selected indefinitely. Set one time and forget it. Afaik it even remembers codec settings for each paired device separately. Couldn't be more convenient.

Reference is how to activate developer options. While you can select LDAC and default on it you still have to go to developer options each time to configure it properly to 24 bit (from 32) high - optimised for audio quality (from best effect - adaptive). I am not on Samsung but difference is mostly cosmetic (UI).
@WideEyedToad bass elevated is totally fine with/to EQ.

 

[Berwhale]

As @staticV3 mentions, LDAC is technically better but other factors are a lot more important.

If you don't need wireless, there are really good wired earbuds these days for very cheap, (I like the Truthear Gate for the money) and you can use them with an EQ capable dongle (I use Tanchjim Stargate II but there are several others) - this gets you way beyond most wireless earbuds in terms of sound.

Now, I appreciate that wired is not always desirable or an option, but since you mentioned wanting a certain sound signature, it's worth mentioning that there are good options to achieve that if you are willing to go wired.

Or you can go semi-wireless like me

Nothing Phone (2) --> LDAC --> Qudelix 5K --> 7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2

 

[WideEyedToad]

For home, wired is fine to use, but at work, it must be wireless.
Some very good information in here!

 

[gold-sunset]

I bought a bluetooth receiver and just use AAC from an iPhone. I think it's fine!

 

[WideEyedToad]

Another question.

I have a Peachtree nova65. I believe it is aptx? Is there a work around for better sound? Maybe a way to plug it in?

 

[kemmler3D]

Another question.

I have a Peachtree nova65. I believe it is aptx? Is there a work around for better sound? Maybe a way to plug it in?

What are you using with the Nova 65? Looks like lots of connectivity there. If you are using with a phone and would like it plug it in, use a dongle DAC (the Apple one has good performance for not much money if you don't need EQ) and use a 3.5mm -> RCA cable to the Aux In connection.

 

[staticV3]

Is there a work around for better sound? Maybe a way to plug it in?

You could do S25U -> SMSL PO100 2024/Cubilux USB-C SPDIF adapter -> SPDIF -> Peachtree

However, be aware that some people have had trouble getting USB converters to work on their Samsung phones.

Seems like Samsung's implementation of USB audio output isn't super robust.

That being said, I've never had issues on my tab S5e and Tab S7+

 

[WideEyedToad]

What are you using with the Nova 65? Looks like lots of connectivity there. If you are using with a phone and would like it plug it in, use a dongle DAC (the Apple one has good performance for not much money if you don't need EQ) and use a 3.5mm -> RCA cable to the Aux In connection.

Currently using the peachtree BT dongle. It works, but feel like it's the weak link.

 

[Ropeburn]

Currently using the peachtree BT dongle. It works, but feel like it's the weak link.

I don't see how. It's aptX with digital output into amp digital input. Should be transparent.

 

[Guerilla]

Yes. Unless your Peachtree is very broken design, your speakers are the weak link. With some measurements and EQ you might get it to sound great though.
Cheers!

 

[WideEyedToad]

Yes. Unless your Peachtree is very broken design, your speakers are the weak link. With some measurements and EQ you might get it to sound great though.
Cheers!

I have budget speakers for the peachtree at the moment.
Kef q300 (bookshelf). To me, they sound great, but I know I can upgrade.