Why use a Qudelix 5k instead of good Bluetooth headphones?

[Miguelón]

Depending on implementation, it can be as transparent as wired.

Thanks, what do you mean by implementation?

I red also about Aptx Adaptive, in this case I can get a little dongle with a Qualcomm chip that transforms to this format connected to usb c.

I cannot find nothing similar on LDAC

 

[Berwhale]

Is LDAC as good as the Sony publicity claims?

I love don’t have cables but I hate AAC of my iPhone: perhaps is the last year I support Apple’s way of managing other’s patents.

LDAC is transparent for 16-bit (i.e. CD quality) content according to Amir's testing... https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...c3-review-bluetooth-receiver-bt-codecs.23740/

I drive my Q5K and 1more Sonoflows with LDAC directly from a Windows PC with the A2DP driver.... https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...without-vm-dongle-or-other-shenanigans.42471/ (ignore my initial comment. A2DP works perfectly with my new motherboard with Intel wireless and an external antenna)

 

[Miguelón]

LDAC is transparent for 16-bit (i.e. CD quality) content according to Amir's testing... https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...c3-review-bluetooth-receiver-bt-codecs.23740/

Thanks, the only problem I have is I cannot find a cheap and portable way to emit in LDAC from my iphone.

Do you know how behaves Aptx Adaptive?
Creative has a little dongle usb C that connects BT headphones to computers or smartphones.

At long term I will sell my iphone but I’m now hesitating between Sennheiser true wireless momentum 4 (aptx adaptive) and Sony WF XM5 (LDAC)

 

[Berwhale]

Thanks, the only problem I have is I cannot find a cheap and portable way to emit in LDAC from my iphone.

Do you know how behaves Aptx Adaptive?
Creative has a little dongle usb C that connects BT headphones to computers or smartphones.

At long term I will sell my iphone but I’m now hesitating between Sennheiser true wireless momentum 4 (aptx adaptive) and Sony WF XM5 (LDAC)

I've used a Shanling M0 as an LDAC transmitter to a DAC... https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...dows-10-pc-to-topping-d50s.14215/#post-436557

I don't know if it would work with an iPhone and it's not a exactly a cost effective solution.

I've not seen any independent measurements of Aptx adaptive, so I can't comment on how good or bad it is.

 

[Robert Weide]

Because Qudelix 5k is one of the very few hardware solutions to do PEQ on iOS devices, and the app is really good. Software solutions like Neutron Player cannot access Apple Music playlists.

 

[Curupira]

Thanks, what do you mean by implementation?

I red also about Aptx Adaptive, in this case I can get a little dongle with a Qualcomm chip that transforms to this format connected to usb c.

I cannot find nothing similar on LDAC

LDAC is just one piece of the puzzle, it serves as a medium to deliver the digital information into chunks that'll be decodified by the receiving device. Everything after that will also impact the signal, i.e, the Digital-to-analog conversion. Therefore, LDAC can deliver transparent information to the DAC as good as wired, what the rest of the circuit does with this will determine the end result.

Aptx Adaptive is a codec aimed at funcionality rather than performance, what it offers vs. the other is lower latency (important when playing games) and a quicker adaptative bit rate so that the sound doesn't chop when the signal is weakened (with some quality loss). Marketing aside, I find LDAC latency's to be sufficiently low for most applications and it (and others) also uses adaptive bit rate (the AD2P driver on windows for LDAC already comes with this option checked), albeit not as fast as Aptx Adaptive.

 

[Miguelón]

LDAC is just one piece of the puzzle, it serves as a medium to deliver the digital information into chunks that'll be decodified by the receiving device. Everything after that will also impact the signal, i.e, the Digital-to-analog conversion. Therefore, LDAC can deliver transparent information to the DAC as good as wired, what the rest of the circuit does with this will determine the end result.

Aptx Adaptive is a codec aimed at funcionality rather than performance, what it offers vs. the other is lower latency (important when playing games) and a quicker adaptative bit rate so that the sound doesn't chop when the signal is weakened (with some quality loss). Marketing aside, I find LDAC latency's to be sufficiently low for most applications and it (and others) also uses adaptive bit rate (the AD2P driver on windows for LDAC already comes with this option checked), albeit not as fast as Aptx Adaptive.

Very clear information, it matches what I red on specs and is comprehensive.

What give me some perplexity is why Sennheiser, being a well known headphone brand choose a codec more based on agility and efficiency and not on audio quality.

I guess that LDAC codec will suppose a canon to pay to the proprietary, but given the price of the Momentum 4 U think they can offer both LDAC, aotx Adaptive and even aptx HD

Maybe the best way to go in my case is Sony’s if I change the phone, or a Bluetooth dac portable with jack conexion and cabled cheap IEMs: they are so light and offer all the disposable codecs on the market.

The use is connecting to my phone or tablet without occupying the usb C port

 

[Curupira]

What give me some perplexity is why Sennheiser, being a well known headphone brand choose a codec more based on agility and efficiency and not on audio quality.

Their BT headphones are not aimed at audiophiles per se, you can find them everywhere in Europe, even at airports. So the most obvious answer is saving cost, specially considering that most people won't be able to tell the difference from LDAC/Aptx.

 

[jdjung]

I watched a couple of reviews on the Qudelix 5k and also the Fiio BTR 15. Why use a Bluetooth DAC/amp like these instead of just using a good Bluetooth headset or earbuds?

When I'm going to be using Bluetooth, it is because I am doing something where I don't want wires.

If I am going portable and don't mind wires, I will just plug IEMs into my DAP, or use a good dongle DAC/AMP with my phone.

What am I missing or misunderstanding? I just don't see the point or advantage of these.

Because for me it has PEQ and a LOT of automated eq based on many IMHO reputable reviewers based on measurements such as Crinacle. Also the battery saving feature and balanced output is icing on the cake. The PEQ make such a huge difference based on the IEMs. I've had mine for over 3 years and it's still acts as if new and is constantly updated.

 

[Brianc]

PEQ and balanced capabilities the obvious ones, but also it has crossfeed which some, myself included like (though I wish it had the Meyer version of crossfeed).

 

[jdjung]

PEQ and balanced capabilities the obvious ones, but also it has crossfeed which some, myself included like (though I wish it had the Meyer version of crossfeed).

Where are the crossfeed options in the app?

 

[Brianc]

In my version (not sure if it's the newest update), it's above whatever PEQ settings you're using. It's labeled XFEED. The range is 0 to 50. In previous versions it was in a separate tab.

 

[Miguelón]

PEQ and balanced capabilities the obvious ones, but also it has crossfeed which some, myself included like (though I wish it had the Meyer version of crossfeed).

Good option, I frequently get fatigued with headphones if stereo is very pronounced… wish streaming services had this parameter on apps

 

[woppinger]

I really wish crossfeed was more a more common headamp feature - I would think it's relatively easy to implement in software (if not hardware, even, there are simple DIY circuit designs out there) - it make a lot of good stuff like hard panned early stereo jazz much more listenable

 

[shuppatsu]

For every one person who uses the Qudelix5K for BT, I’d guess there are 10-50,000 people who use TWS or wireless headphones.

So why would some people pursue a niche endeavor? Niche reasons. Which doesn’t make them bad reasons. Just ones that won’t dissuade you (or me) from using TWS.

 

[jdjung]

For every one person who uses the Qudelix5K for BT, I’d guess there are 10-50,000 people who use TWS or wireless headphones.

So why would some people pursue a niche endeavor? Niche reasons. Which doesn’t make them bad reasons. Just ones that won’t dissuade you (or me) from using TWS.

TWS headphones generally don't sound great and considered lossy, only ldac arguably being nearly losseless. Qudelix let's you change the profile of the sound, is true lossless with a usb cable, crossfeed, 1000's of profiles for popular headphones/iems, PEQ, has crossfeed for tweeking imaging, can be used as a transmitter for speakers, dac for a computer without Bluetooth and shown to have great sound quality. Not the best compared to some desktop setups, but more than good enough for most people. It's also inexpensive when considering other options. One more edit, it has amazing bluetooth range.

 

[shuppatsu]

TWS headphones generally don't sound great and considered lossy, only ldac arguably being nearly losseless. Qudelix let's you change the profile of the sound, is true lossless with a usb cable, crossfeed, 1000's of profiles for popular headphones/iems, PEQ, has crossfeed for tweeking imaging, can be used as a transmitter for speakers, dac for a computer without Bluetooth and shown to have great sound quality. Not the best compared to some desktop setups, but more than good enough for most people. It's also inexpensive when considering other options. One more edit, it has amazing bluetooth range.

Like I said, not bad reasons. Just niche reasons.

 

[jdjung]

Like I said, not bad reasons. Just niche reasons.

I guess I don't understand what you mean as a niche vs a non niche reason. Sound quality is the reason why people buy better TWS.

 

[ShadowBoxer]

My TWS headphones & earbuds sound decent. However, they don't sound nearly as good as my (wired+Q5K).

 

[shuppatsu]

I guess I don't understand what you mean as a niche vs a non niche reason. Sound quality is the reason why people buy better TWS.

Ok, I admit sound quality is not niche, though AptX vs AAC vs LDAC certainly is. I think the general consensus is that the AirPods Pro 2 and Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 are right up there with high quality IEMs.