Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT
I have a Sennheiser headphone that I pair with my iMac over bluetooth. For best audio quality I want the aptx codec to be active.
The problem is, that I can't force the aptx codec to be active. Sometimes my imac uses SBC, sometimes it uses aptx. I already tried the force setting aptx using the Bluetooth explorer but that doesn't work either.
Anyone an idea?
I have a 2012 27" iMac running OS-X El Capitan 10.11.4
iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5)
After some digging, the only solution I found is to switch the Input from Bluetooth to Internal Microphone in Sound Preferences. After a few seconds, this switches the audio codec from SCO to SBC, with huge audio quality improvements.
I'm guessing all this is caused by the microphone present in the QC35, which seems to cause the Bluetooth connection to use SCO codec. This might also have to do with Bluetooth Profiles, using HFP (Hands-Free) instead of A2DP or something like this.
After some digging, the only solution I found is to switch the Input from Bluetooth to Internal Microphone in Sound Preferences. After a few seconds, this switches the audio codec from SCO to SBC, with huge audio quality improvements.
I'm guessing all this is caused by the microphone present in the QC35, which seems to cause the Bluetooth connection to use SCO codec. This might also have to do with Bluetooth Profiles, using HFP (Hands-Free) instead of A2DP or something like this.
Switch the Input from Bluetooth to Internal Microphone in Sound Preferences.
It works for me, Sony 1ABT.
I'm so sorry you need additional hardware packages, but you can download them from Apple Developer website (https://developer.apple.com/) and try to register for free
These steps for installation:
1. Open https://developer.apple.com/downloads/
2. Search "Hardware IO Tools for Xcode 7.3"
3. Click + symbol and download Hardware_IO_Tools_for_Xcode_7.3.dmg file
4. Go to /Applications/Utilities/
5. Create new folder with name Hardware IO Tools
6. Open Hardware_IO_Tools_for_Xcode_7.3.dmg
7. Copy all of files to Hardware IO Tools folder
8. Turn on your Bluetooth and connect to your headphone
9. Open Bluetooth Explorer.app inside of Hardware IO Tools folder
10. Choose Edit > Tools > Audio Options...
11. Tick Force use of aptX
Done 🙂
Thanks for your extensive reply!
I followed your steps but alas, it is still not working. My headphone keeps connecting with the SBC codec.
The strange thing is, two days ago it was connecting with APTX most of the time. I can't figure out what circumstances lead to a SBC or APTX connection.
I tried to remove and reconnect my headphone over bluetooth, but now I can't connect my headphone at all! I tried several times but the headphone won't connect. The problem is with the iMac/OS-X as the headphone connects with no problem to my iPhone.
I also tried deleting the com.apple.bluetooth.plist and rebooting my iMac but that didn't help either. BTW my magic mouse connects with no problem over bluetooth.
I don't have a good feeling about OS-X and bluetooth..... 😟
Well, after some more fiddling I managed to pair my headphone, and now bluetooth also uses the APTX codec! 🙂 I'm happy for now, hopefully APTX will keep working the coming days.
Spoke too soon I guess..... 😟
My headphone is still working over bluetooth but SBC is always selected as codec. I tried force APTX again via the Bluetooth Explorer but that doesn't work. Yesterday the APTX codec was always selected without needing to force set it. I think the Bluetooth Explorer is not working on my system.
I guess I have to live with this erratic behaviour 😟
I'm in the same situation, Bluetooth Explorer seems not to set the codec to aptX properly...
Although I swear the sound quality was much better a few weeks ago.
I'm having the exact same problem.
2015 iMac running El Capitan.
My Bose Quietcomfort 35's connect fine to my Macbook and my iPhone, but when I connect them to my iMac at work it defaults to the SCO codec and sounds terrible. It also sounds like the microphone is picking up ambient sounds and voices around me. When I restart my computer, the first time I connect it sometimes chooses APT-X but if I turn my headphones off and then back on it defaults back to SCO.
I've tried Bluetooth Explorer, Terminal commands, trashing the preference, Resetting PRAM and SMC, but nothing seems to be working.
Hi,
I am having the exact same problem with my QC35. Did you find a solution to this issue?
Thanks in advance.
I didn't find a solution. Subjectively, things seem to better in MacOS Sierra. But I'm not sure as I haven't paid attention lately.
I have the same problem (Bowers & Wilkins P5 Wireless) and MacBook with macOS Sierra 10.12.4.
I need help.
Followed all the steps and AptX is still not working 😟 Active codec still says SBC.
You are a rockstar, thank you so much.
Problem getting bluetooth apt-x codec to work
