What is LDAC? Your Guide to Sony's Hi Res Bluetooth Codec

You love the freedom of wireless headphones. We all do. But for years, audiophiles knew they were making a tradeoff: convenience came at a cost—audio quality. Bluetooth, the technology that connects your devices, simply could not handle the massive data load of a true high-resolution audio file.

Then, things started to change. You may have seen a logo on new headphones or a setting on your phone: LDAC.

This technology claims to deliver high-resolution audio wirelessly. But what exactly is LDAC? Is it just clever marketing, or is it a genuine game changer for music lovers? Let’s break down what this codec is, how it works, and what you need to use it.

The “Alphabet Soup” of Bluetooth: Why Codecs Matter

When you stream music from your phone to wireless headphones, the audio cannot be sent as-is—it’s too large. Instead, your phone compresses the file, sends it through Bluetooth, and your headphones decompress it. This software process depends on a codec (“coder–decoder” or “compressor–decompressor”).

Common codecs include:

• SBC: The default codec required for all Bluetooth audio. It’s universal but offers average sound quality. Its priority is connection stability.

• AAC: The preferred codec for Apple devices. It delivers better quality than SBC on iPhones and iPads but is still a lossy format (some data is discarded).

These are fine for casual listening, but they limit high-fidelity sound. Sony developed LDAC to break that bottleneck.

So, What Is LDAC Exactly?

LDAC is a proprietary audio codec developed by Sony. It enables high-resolution audio streaming over Bluetooth, supporting bitrates up to 990 kbps—about three times the data of standard Bluetooth codecs like SBC.

This larger bitrate means less compression and more musical detail reaching your ears. LDAC is certified by the Japan Audio Society (JAS) as meeting the Hi-Res Audio Wireless specification. You can read more about the core technology on Sony's official LDAC page.

How LDAC Works: The Adaptive Bitrate

Here is the clever part. The bluetooth ldac codec does not always run at 990 kbps. That high speed requires a very strong and stable Bluetooth connection. If you are in an area with a lot of wireless interference (like a busy airport or subway), trying to force 990 kbps would lead to stutters and dropouts.

LDAC dynamically adjusts its bitrate to suit connection quality. It has three operating modes:

• Quality Priority (990 kbps): Maximum quality, best for stable environments.

• Normal (660 kbps): Balanced mode—still excellent quality with improved connection reliability.

• Connection Priority (330 kbps): For environments with interference or weak Bluetooth signals.

Most phones default to an "Adaptive" or "Best Effort" setting, which automatically switches between these bitrates based on your connection quality.

The Big Debate: Is LDAC Truly Lossless?

This is a key question. You will see "Hi Res" and sometimes even "lossless" used in marketing. Let's be clear: LDAC is not technically lossless. A true bit perfect lossless file, like aptX Lossless, is a perfect clone of the CD source.

So, what is LDAC audio then? It is best described as a very, very high quality lossy codec for Hi Res content. It can accept a 24 bit/96kHz Hi Res audio file and transmit it in a way that preserves far more detail than any other lossy codec.

While it is not bit perfect, its highest setting (990 kbps) is sonically superior to CD quality and is the closest you can get to a wired high resolution experience over Bluetooth today. The difference is absolutely audible.

LDAC vs. The World: How It Stacks Up

How does this Sony codec compare to its main competitors?

• LDAC vs. aptX HD: This is the classic battle. aptX HD, made by Qualcomm, is another high quality codec. Its maximum bitrate is 576 kbps. On paper, LDAC's 990 kbps ceiling allows it to transmit more data and provide a more detailed sound, especially when playing 24 bit/96kHz files.

• LDAC vs. AAC: This is not a fair fight. AAC is designed for efficiency, especially on Apple devices. LDAC is designed for pure quality. An LDAC stream at 990 kbps carries vastly more audio information than an AAC stream.

In practice, LDAC’s 660–990 kbps operation usually provides more detail than aptX HD, especially for Hi-Res sources. However, aptX Lossless (part of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Sound suite) can achieve actual lossless transmission, which LDAC cannot.

This is why what is ldac bluetooth is a different conversation than other codecs. It is in a higher class of performance.

How Do I Get LDAC? A Practical Guide

You need two things for this audio magic to happen: a source that can send LDAC and a receiver that can understand it.

1. The Source (Your Phone or Player)

This is the most important part.

• Android: Good news. LDAC has been part of the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) since Android 8.0 (Oreo). This means most modern Android phones from brands like Samsung, Google, OnePlus, and Sony support it right out of the box.

• Apple: Bad news. iPhones, iPads, and Macs do not support LDAC. Apple's ecosystem is locked to SBC and their preferred codec, AAC.

• Other Devices: Many dedicated high resolution audio players (DAPs) from companies like FiiO and Astell&Kern also support LDAC.

2. The Receiver (Your Headphones or Speakers)

Your device might be able to send LDAC, but your headphones have to be able to receive it. You must have headphones that are specifically advertised as supporting the LDAC codec. This is what is ldac headphones: they have the specific Sony chip and license to decode the signal.

Many premium wireless headphones now include this. For example, the Baseus Inspire XH1 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones are designed to support high fidelity audio codecs, giving you that immersive experience.

3. How to Enable LDAC on Android

Just because you have a compatible phone and headphones does not mean LDAC is on! Many phones default to a more stable codec.

You often have to enable it manually:

1. Pair your headphones to your Android phone.

2. Go to your Bluetooth settings and tap the settings icon next to your paired headphones.

3. You will often see a toggle for "LDAC" or "High Quality Audio." Turn it on.

4. If you do not see it, you may need to enable "Developer Options" on your phone (you can search how to do this for your model). Inside Developer Options, you can scroll down to "Bluetooth Audio Codec" and manually select LDAC. You can sometimes even force the 990 kbps "Optimized for Audio Quality" setting here.

Conclusion: Is It Worth It?

If you are a music lover who has invested in high quality streaming (like TIDAL, Qobuz, or Amazon Music HD) and a great pair of headphones, then yes, LDAC is absolutely worth it. It bridges the gap between wireless convenience and audiophile quality. The difference in clarity, instrument separation, and overall richness is not subtle. It is a true upgrade to your listening.

It finally makes wireless audio a no compromise solution for those who care about sound.

Ready to hear the difference for yourself? Explore our full collection of premium audio gear on the Baseus Inspire Series page and unlock the full potential of your music.

FAQs

What does LDAC stand for?

While Sony does not officially spell it out, it is widely understood to stand for "Lossless Digital Audio Codec." However, this name is a bit of a marketing point, as it is not technically bit perfect lossless, but rather a very high resolution lossy codec.

Do iPhones support LDAC?

No. This is one of the most common questions. iPhones, iPads, and all Apple devices do not support the LDAC codec. They use SBC and AAC as their primary Bluetooth codecs.

Do Samsung phones support LDAC?

Yes. Most modern Samsung phones, especially in the Galaxy S, Note, and Z series, have support for LDAC built into the Android operating system. You may need to enable it in your Bluetooth or Developer settings.

Does Android support LDAC?

Yes. Google integrated LDAC into the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) starting with Android 8.0 "Oreo." This means almost all modern Android phones have the ability to use LDAC.

Does Amazon Music support LDAC?

This is a great question. Amazon Music provides the high resolution files. LDAC is the transport to your headphones. So, yes, if you play an "Ultra HD" track from Amazon Music on a compatible Android phone connected to LDAC headphones, you are using LDAC to transmit that high resolution audio.

Does LDAC support lossless?

Technically, no. It is not bit perfect lossless. It is a highly advanced lossy codec that compresses Hi Res Audio (like 24 bit/96kHz files) with minimal data loss, transmitting at up to 990 kbps. It sounds fantastic and is certified as "Hi Res Audio Wireless," but it is not lossless in the same way as a FLAC file or aptX Lossless.

Does Bluetooth 5.0 support LDAC?

Yes. LDAC is a codec, not a Bluetooth standard itself. It can work over Bluetooth 4.0 and higher. However, the increased bandwidth and stability of Bluetooth 5.0 (and newer versions) make it much easier to maintain a stable connection at LDAC's highest 990 kbps bitrate.

Does Galaxy Buds 2 Pro support LDAC?

No. Samsung's Galaxy Buds, including the Buds 2 Pro, do not support LDAC. They support SBC, AAC, and Samsung's own proprietary codec, the Samsung Seamless Codec (SSC), which works best with Samsung phones.