LDAC990, 660 or 330 kbps
Sony's high-resolution codec, up to 96 kHz and 24-bit. It runs at 990 kbps when the connection can keep up and drops to a lower rate when it can't.
Windows Bluetooth Multicodec
LDAC and aptX HD for Windows.
Hi-fi headphones and speakers don't get to use their best codecs on Windows. Windows only sends SBC or AAC, so an LDAC or aptX HD headset gets the same basic stream as cheap earbuds. This app gives them LDAC, aptX HD and aptX, so you hear what they're really capable of.
Version 0.1.2, for Windows 10 and 11. Free to use.
990kbps with LDAC
6Codecs
24-bitAudio
FreeNo account needed
Why it matters
Windows holds hi-fi headphones back
Good headphones and speakers support codecs like LDAC and aptX HD so they can receive more detail. Windows can't use either of them. It falls back to SBC or AAC, which carry around a third of the data or less, and the extra quality your device was built for goes unused. Windows Bluetooth Multicodec connects to them in their best codec instead.
| Your headphones or speaker | With Windows on its own | With Windows Bluetooth Multicodec |
|---|---|---|
| Supports LDAC | SBC or AAC, 256 to 328 kbps | LDAC, up to 990 kbps and 24-bit |
| Supports aptX HD | SBC or AAC, 256 to 328 kbps | aptX HD, 576 kbps and 24-bit |
| Supports aptX | SBC or AAC on most PCs (aptX only on some Qualcomm laptops) | aptX, 384 kbps |
| SBC or AAC only | SBC or AAC | The same codecs, at their highest quality setting |
Codecs
Supported codecs
The app checks which codecs your headphones support and uses the best one. If you'd rather use a different one, you can pick it from the tray menu.
aptX HD576 kbps
The 24-bit version of aptX, found on many headphones and speakers with Qualcomm chips.
aptX384 kbps
The original aptX. A lot of headphones and soundbars support it.
AACup to 192 kbps
Uses the AAC encoder that comes with Windows. Common on Apple and Beats headphones.
aptX LL384 kbps
aptX sent in smaller packets, for headphones with a low-latency mode. Useful for video and games.
SBCbitpool 53
The basic codec every Bluetooth speaker supports, at its highest quality setting.
Getting started
Setting it up
You only need to do this once. After that your headphones reconnect on their own.
Pick a Bluetooth adapter
Plug in a USB Bluetooth dongle and select it in the tray menu. Windows carries on using its own Bluetooth for your other devices.
Pair your headphones
Open Bluetooth devices, put your headphones or speaker into pairing mode and click Pair & connect.
Play something
Sound from any app goes to your headphones. The Windows volume control still works, and the laptop speakers stay silent.
Sound quality
The bass stays in
A lot of laptops cut the bass in their audio driver so the small built-in speakers don't distort. Record the laptop's output and you get that cut as well. This app takes the sound from your apps before the driver changes it, so your headphones get the full range.
- Best quality by default. It picks the best codec your headphones have, and uses LDAC at 990 kbps whenever it can.
- Reconnects by itself. Headphones, speakers, mice and keyboards connect again when you switch them on.
- No extra drivers. It uses the WinUSB driver that's already part of Windows, so Secure Boot stays on.
- Easy to undo. Hand the adapter back to Windows from the tray menu, or uninstall the app.
Bluetooth adapters
Which adapters work
Bluetooth dongles are sold under lots of brand names, but what matters is the chip inside, and the app checks it before using an adapter. A dongle with a Realtek RTL8761B chip, such as the TP-Link UB500, is the easiest option.
| Chip | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Realtek RTL8761B, BU, BUV and CU | Supported | Used in most USB dongles. Firmware is included. |
| Intel AX200, AX201, AX210, AX211 and BE200 | Supported | Firmware is included. Also works as your PC's own Bluetooth (see below). |
| CSR8510, Broadcom BCM20702 | May be unreliable | Older dongles, and there are a lot of clones about. |
| MediaTek, Qualcomm, Barrot, Actions | Not supported | This includes many unbranded Bluetooth 5.3 and 5.4 dongles. |
Using your PC's own Bluetooth
If you don't have a dongle, the app can use the Bluetooth built into your PC instead. Windows can't use it at the same time, so the app also looks after your Bluetooth mice and keyboards, including media keys. Phones and Phone Link won't connect until you give the adapter back. Switching over the built-in adapter normally needs a restart.
- Windows 10 (version 2004 or later) or Windows 11, 64-bit.
- A supported Bluetooth adapter, either a USB dongle or the one built into your PC.
- Headphones or speakers that support the codec you want. All of them support SBC.
Download
Get the app
One installer. There's no account to create and nothing else to set up.
This is an early release and it isn't code-signed yet, so Windows SmartScreen may show a "Windows protected your PC" message. Click More info and then Run anyway to install it.
FAQ
Common questions
Why can't Windows do this already?
Windows' own Bluetooth audio only supports SBC and AAC, plus aptX on some Qualcomm laptops. LDAC and aptX HD have never been included.
Will my Bluetooth mouse and phone still work?
If you use a USB dongle, yes. Windows keeps its own Bluetooth adapter and nothing changes. If you use your PC's built-in Bluetooth instead, the app keeps your mice and keyboards working, but your phone and Phone Link won't connect until you give the adapter back.
How can I tell which codec is playing?
Hover over the tray icon or open Bluetooth devices. Both show the codec and the bitrate, for example "Streaming LDAC HQ, 990 kbps".
How do I undo it?
In the tray menu, choose Bluetooth dongle and then Give back to Windows. Uninstalling the app does the same thing.
Who makes it?
Incus Technologies, a UK company that looks after servers and infrastructure for digital agencies. You can find out more about us and get in touch at incustech.co.uk.
Can I use it for calls?
Not yet. It plays audio through headphones and speakers, but it doesn't support headset microphones.
Something isn't working. How do I tell you?
Choose Report a bug... in the tray menu. It can include the app's log, which helps us find the problem. If the app won't start, use the bug report form on this site instead.