● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportMedium impact1 neutral
LE Audio brings improved voice quality and battery life to Bluetooth headphones
Key points
- LE Audio uses LC3 codec for better voice quality.
- Unified Telephony and Media Audio Profile (TMAP) replaces A2DP and HFP.
- Native multi-stream audio prevents asymmetrical earbud battery drain.
- JBL, Sony, and Bose are implementing LE Audio in their products.
LE Audio Adoption Increases
The transition from Bluetooth Classic to LE Audio is progressing, with major manufacturers like JBL and Sony releasing headphones and earbuds featuring LE Audio. Bose recently updated its flagship headphones to support LE Audio via an over-the-air firmware update.
Improved Voice Quality with LC3 Codec
LE Audio incorporates the Low Complexity Communication Codec (LC3) and the unified Telephony and Media Audio Profile (TMAP). This combination handles audio streams and voice calls simultaneously. Bluetooth Classic, in contrast, relies on separate Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) and Hands-Free Profile (HFP), which alternate and result in lower voice quality during calls on platforms like Zoom or Teams, or while gaming.
Balanced Earbud Battery Life
A significant improvement in LE Audio is native multi-stream audio. In Bluetooth Classic, audio is typically sent to one earbud, which then retransmits it to the other, leading to uneven battery drain. While some premium earbuds have workarounds, many mid-range and budget models do not. LE Audio enables independent audio streams directly within the Bluetooth stack, eliminating the need for manufacturers to implement their own solutions to balance battery consumption.
Addressing Ecosystem Fragmentation
LE Audio also addresses fragmentation caused by software and hardware ecosystems. Proprietary codecs and features often restrict advanced audio capabilities to devices within a specific ecosystem, such as Apple's iOS or Samsung's Galaxy. LE Audio's standardized approach aims to reduce these limitations.
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Reporting from
LE Audio, now supported by new headphones from JBL, Sony, and Bose, improves voice call quality and earbud battery life. It replaces Bluetooth Classic's dual-profile system with a unified codec and enables independent audio streams to each earbud.