LDAC on Soundbars: Hi-Res Audio Over Bluetooth

What is LDAC?

LDAC is a Bluetooth audio coding technology designed to stream high-resolution audio wirelessly. It is one of several codecs that can carry audio over a Bluetooth connection, and it is known for allowing more data to be transmitted than standard codecs, which can preserve more detail in your music.

Because LDAC needs support from both the source device and the soundbar, not every soundbar includes it. The technology is most commonly associated with Sony devices, but other brands have adopted it as well. If you are shopping for a new soundbar and wireless music quality is a priority, checking for LDAC support is a useful step.

How LDAC works over Bluetooth

Bluetooth audio typically uses the Bluetooth Classic radio. According to the Bluetooth SIG, the Bluetooth Classic radio is the standard radio protocol behind wireless speakers, headphones, and in-car audio systems. LDAC is one of the codecs that can operate over this radio, which means it can carry audio between your phone and soundbar without wires.

The Bluetooth Classic radio streams data over 79 channels in the 2.4GHz band, and it supports point-to-point communication. LDAC uses this bandwidth intelligently to prioritize audio quality, though the actual performance depends on both the source and the sink device.

Unlike Wi-Fi, Bluetooth audio is designed for short-range, low-latency connections. That makes it convenient for personal listening, but it also means that the codec used can affect the fidelity of the audio you hear. LDAC is one of the few codecs that aims to deliver high-resolution audio over this connection type.

What LDAC brings to a soundbar

The most obvious benefit of LDAC is better wireless audio quality, especially for music. If you listen to high-resolution audio files or lossless streams from your phone, LDAC can preserve more of the original detail than standard SBC or AAC. For casual listening on a small soundbar, the difference may be subtle, but on a high-quality soundbar with good drivers, it can be noticeable.

LDAC also offers a convenience: you can get high-quality sound without connecting a cable. That makes it easy to play music from your phone on a whim. For movie watching, LDAC is less important because most soundbars receive movie audio via HDMI ARC or eARC, which handles surround sound and object-based audio better than Bluetooth.

If you are interested in the broader picture of wireless audio, you might also want to consider Wi-Fi streaming as an alternative, since Wi-Fi can carry higher bandwidth audio that isn't limited by Bluetooth codecs.

LDAC vs. other Bluetooth codecs

The most common Bluetooth codecs are SBC, AAC, aptX, and LDAC. SBC is the default for many devices, while AAC is common on Apple devices. aptX is popular on Android and some Windows devices. LDAC is often seen as a step above these because it is designed for high-resolution audio, but it requires both devices to support it.

If your phone doesn't support LDAC, the soundbar will automatically fall back to a codec it shares with the phone. For example, an iPhone uses AAC, and many soundbars support AAC. That is still better than SBC, but not as good as LDAC for hi-res content. If you want to dig deeper into the differences, see our aptX HD vs. LDAC comparison.

You can also read about Bluetooth versions to understand how the underlying radio affects codec performance, or check aptX support if you are comparing Android-friendly codecs.

How to check if your soundbar supports LDAC

Look at the soundbar's specifications, usually in the Bluetooth section. The spec might list 'LDAC' among the supported codecs. Some manufacturers also show the codec in the app or on the soundbar's display when you connect a phone.

On the phone side, Android devices often have a developer option to select LDAC. If you see LDAC listed in your phone's Bluetooth settings, you can force it on. On an iPhone, LDAC isn't supported, so you'll be limited to AAC. If your phone is older or lacks LDAC, the soundbar will still work, but it will use the best shared codec.

For a soundbar that is likely to have LDAC, you can look at Sony's soundbar lineup as a starting point. However, always verify the individual model's spec sheet.

LDAC is not the only thing that matters

Even with LDAC, the sound quality you get depends on the soundbar's speakers, amplification, and DSP. A soundbar with small, low-quality drivers won't sound hi-res no matter what codec you use. Room calibration and placement also play a big role. Check out our guide on soundbar room calibration to understand the impact.

For a full home theater experience, HDMI is more important than Bluetooth. If you watch movies with Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, you'll want to use an HDMI ARC or eARC connection, not Bluetooth. See our HDMI ARC vs. eARC article for details.

Volume is another factor. Listening at very high levels can damage your hearing; the National Institutes of Health notes that sounds at or below 70 dBA are unlikely to cause hearing loss, while prolonged exposure above that can be harmful. That's a good reason to keep music at reasonable levels even with a high-quality codec.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Does LDAC work with iPhones?

No, iPhones do not support LDAC. They use the AAC codec over Bluetooth. If you have an iPhone, look for a soundbar with good AAC support or use Wi-Fi streaming methods like AirPlay 2.

Is LDAC the same as hi-res audio?

LDAC is a means to transmit hi-res audio over Bluetooth. But the actual quality also depends on the audio source and the soundbar's components. LDAC is not a guarantee of hi-res output; it simply allows more data to be sent wirelessly.

Do all Sony soundbars have LDAC?

Not all, but many Sony soundbars include LDAC. Check the specifications for each model before buying. Some newer models may also support other codecs like aptX HD.

Is there a noticeable difference between LDAC and SBC?

The difference can be noticeable on a high-quality soundbar with well-recorded music. SBC is more lossy, while LDAC aims to preserve more of the original signal. However, the gap may be small for casual listening on small speakers.

Can I stream LDAC from a PC?

Some Windows PCs support LDAC, but it's not as common as on Android. You'll need a Bluetooth adapter that supports LDAC and a soundbar with LDAC. Check your PC's Bluetooth driver and device capabilities before expecting it to work.