What is aptX? Cutting through the clutter of Qualcomm’s Bluetooth codecs

Bluetooth can't always accommodate digital music in its original format, so it can’t always be compressed.

Qualcomm’s “aptX” (pronounced “ap-tex”) has been the default Bluetooth audio device to stream stereo sound over Bluetooth since 2003 .

With aptX , aptX offers different levels of performance qualities that can enhance sound, reduce latency, and more.

AptX Low Latency (aptX LL ) reduces latency dramatically, down to 38 milliseconds.

aptX LL is limited to lossy, 16 -bit audio, so it won’t be anyone’s first choice for critical music listening, but it makes wireless headphones a genuine alternative to wired headphones when a fast connection is needed.

With support for audio at up to 24-bit/48kHz, aptX HD has a boosted, fixed data rate of 576 Kbps .

AptX Adaptive supersedes aptX and aptX HD and has the ability to ramp its data rate from 110 Kbps to 620 Kbps as link conditions change.

It can also respond to the kind of audio activity you’re engaged in, such as gaming and gaming.

The only way to know if your devices will deliver a specific feature is if they are listed in the specifications for both products.