Supported Codecs - Sony WH-XB900N Help Manual

Help Guide
Wireless Noise Canceling Stereo Headset
WH-XB900N

Supported codecs

A codec is an audio coding algorithm used when transmitting sound via a Bluetooth connection.
The headset supports the following 5 codecs for music playback via an A2DP connection: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD and
LDAC.
SBC
This is an abbreviation for Subband Codec.
This is the standard audio coding technology used by Bluetooth devices.
All Bluetooth devices support SBC.
AAC
This is an abbreviation for Advanced Audio Coding.
AAC is mainly used by Apple products such as iPhone, and it provides higher sound quality than that of SBC.
aptX
This is an audio coding technology. aptX is used by some Android smartphones, and it provides higher sound quality
than that of SBC.
aptX HD
This is an audio coding technology. aptX HD is used by some Android smartphones, and it provides higher sound
quality than that of aptX.
LDAC
LDAC is an audio coding technology developed by Sony that enables the transmission of High-Resolution (Hi-Res)
Audio content, even over a Bluetooth connection.
Unlike other Bluetooth compatible coding technologies such as SBC , it operates without any down-conversion of the
Hi-Res Audio content (*), and allows approximately 3 times more data (**) than those other technologies to be
transmitted over a Bluetooth wireless network with unprecedented sound quality, employing efficient coding and
optimized packetization.
*
excluding DSD format contents
** in comparison with SBC when the bitrate of 990 kbps (96/48 kHz) or 909 kbps (88.2/44.1 kHz) is selected.
With the headset set to the "Priority on sound quality" mode, when music in one of the above codecs is transmitted from
a connected device, the headset switches to that codec automatically and plays back the music in the same codec.
However, depending on the device to be connected with the headset, you may need to set the device beforehand to
listen to music using the desired codec on the headset, even if the device supports a codec of higher sound quality than
SBC.
Refer to the operating instructions supplied with the device regarding setting the codec.
Related Topic
About the sound quality mode
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