ysimhoni
Level 1 (4 points)
Apple Music

Q: Bluetooth audio compression with W1 chip?

Hi,

 

I have recently ordered the new iPhone 7 Plus, and was wondering about the different options available for connecting headphones, now that I cannot connect the iPhone to power at the same time I plug in my headset. I know that there are already third party connectors, which should solve exactly this problem, but they are still a tad expensive - and the audio quality could be very degraded due to the use of a cheap DAC.

WIth that in mind, it seems that the best option would be switching to wireless headphones. However, as far as I know, Apple only supports the A2DP Bluetooth audio protocol, which further compresses a usually already compressed  stream or file. This equals double compression, which means, degraded audio. Do you happen to know if this is still the case with the iPhone 7? Alternatively - do you happen to know if the W1 chip, installed in the Airpods and 2 other Beats headphones - solves this issue? I couldn't find an answer anywhere else.

 

Best,

 

Joe

Posted on Sep 24, 2016 5:00 AM

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ysimhoni

Q: Bluetooth audio compression with W1 chip?

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  • by Rudegar,Helpful

    Rudegar Rudegar Sep 24, 2016 11:14 AM in response to ysimhoni
    Level 7 (29,028 points)
    Apple TV
    Sep 24, 2016 11:14 AM in response to ysimhoni

    doubt compression does not double degrade audio

     

    think of it if you make audio into mp3 then yes you get degradation but if you zip the mp3 file and bring it to your friend and unzip it it will be the same quality as the mp3 you had in the first place, but the thing is compression of something already compressed does not really compress at times the file would even take up more room 

  • by ysimhoni,

    ysimhoni ysimhoni Sep 24, 2016 11:15 AM in response to Rudegar
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple Music
    Sep 24, 2016 11:15 AM in response to Rudegar

    That would be correct if you were using lossless compression (as in zip, rar etc). My assumption is that Apple uses lossy compression in audio Bluetooth transfer. I am trying to figure out whether the W1 chip or even the new iOS devices, use a revised protocol which doesn't utilize lossy compression - hence - no degradation. Can't find an answer yet.