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Cited specifications, third-party measurement references and device support matrices for every Bluetooth audio codec. With sources and verification dates on every page.
To hear the classic codecs side by side instead of reading about them, the main site hosts a listening test covering SBC, AAC, aptX and LDAC with FLAC samples: Hear Bluetooth Codecs Yourself.
The section also carries chip data for the DAC silicon that spec sheets name at the end of the decode chain; the DAC chips hub holds the full profiles.
| Chip | Manufacturer | Max spec | Datasheet source | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES9018K2M | ESS Technology | 127 dB DNR | ES9018K2M datasheet v3.7 (ESS-hosted PDF) | Legacy at ESS; ES9039Q2M and ES9020 named as newer versions |
| CS43131 | Cirrus Logic | 130 dB dynamic range, A-weighted | DS1155F2, December 2022 | Current Cirrus product page; in current devices |
| CS43198 | Cirrus Logic | 130 dB dynamic range, A-weighted | DS1156F2, December 2022 | Current Cirrus product page; in current devices |
LDAC codec data: 990 kbps max, three adaptive bitrate modes, Hi-Res Wireless certification and 324 ms measured lag. See the numbers with sources and dates.
Read LDAC →Bluetooth AAC codec data: 264 kbps cited max, 320 kbps Android default, 369 ms lag on Android, Apple's official AAC statements. Numbers and dates.
Codec profileaptX codec data: classic 352 kbps specs, Adaptive at 279-420 kbps and about 80 ms, Lossless status, and 316 ms measured lag. Sources and dates included.
Codec profileaptX HD codec data: 576 kbps bitrate, 24-bit/48 kHz audio, official THD+N and SNR specs, and measured lag on the fallback chain. See the numbers and dates.
Codec profileaptX LL codec data: Qualcomm pins latency at approximately 40 ms, with the 16-bit spec, the dual-end requirement and the device list. Sources included.
Measurement compilationBluetooth codec bitrate data in one table: published rates from 127 to 990 kb/s, the 44.1 kHz reality, and one observer rig. Sources and dates on every row.
Measurement compilationEvery published Bluetooth codec latency figure in one place: SBC 308 ms, aptX 316 ms, LDAC 324 ms, AAC 369 ms, plus wired and dongle reference points.
Measurement compilationPublished Bluetooth codec spectrum findings: LDAC 303 cuts at 16.5 kHz, macOS AAC at 15.4 kHz, aptX dithers to -100 dBFS. One rig, every row sourced.
Codec profileBluetooth profiles data: A2DP 1.4.1, AVRCP 1.6.3, HFP 1.10 and HSP 1.2 as adopted, and how device spec sheets actually list them. Rows dated.
Chip reference hubDAC chip profiles: ESS SABRE and Cirrus parts used in portable audio, with datasheet specs and measured figures, sourced and dated.
Codec profileLC3 codec data from the Bluetooth SIG spec: 7.5 and 10 ms frames, 8-48 kHz sampling, 12.5 ms algorithmic delay, LE Audio role. Sources included.
Codec profileSBC codec data: the mandatory A2DP fallback, the official 127-345 kb/s example ladder, and 308/259.8 ms measured lag. Sources and dates included.