Windows 11: Microsoft wants to improve Bluetooth sound
The loss of quality in voice chats via Bluetooth headsets should come to an end. Microsoft wants to make Bluetooth LE Audio socially acceptable in Windows 11.
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Microsoft is updating Bluetooth support in Windows 11. Over the course of the year, the first desktop PCs and notebooks will learn a new variant of the Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio wireless standard. The integrated sound profiles enable better sound than the previous mode as soon as the microphone of a Bluetooth headset is used.
Until now, Microsoft has largely relied on the old Bluetooth Classic Audio wireless standard, which alternates between the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) and Hands-Free Profile (HFP). Only A2DP reproduces sound in high quality.
The Hands-Free Profile is necessary for voice chats with a microphone, for example in video conferences, but audibly reduces the sound quality in order to save bandwidth. Instead of stereo sound, there is only mono sound, and the audio signal is also considerably compressed. The sampling rate is only 8000 to 16,000 hertz.
LE Audio to the rescue
Bluetooth LE Audio has long since enabled better audio quality with 32,000 Hertz and the LC3 codec, even when using a microphone at the same time. Microsoft is extending this to stereo sound. This is considerably less of a disadvantage compared to Bluetooth without a microphone than the previous approach.
Theoretically, Windows systems were already able to play back limited LE audio in the past. However, most desktop PCs and notebooks lack the appropriate drivers. Microsoft now wants to tackle this problem and is promising new driver packages from manufacturers. The first updates should be available by the end of the year, probably via a Windows update.
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Suitable hardware required
In addition to Windows, the wireless module in the computer and the connected headset must also support Bluetooth LE audio. This is currently the case with most wireless modules and headsets with Bluetooth LE support. It should be noted that not all Bluetooth LE hardware also supports LE Audio. Headsets can be filtered accordingly in the price comparison. New Wi-Fi 7 cards should support LE Audio.
If in doubt, users can buy a suitable wireless module for less than 20 euros. Bluetooth radio is always part of WLAN cards, which are plugged into desktop PCs and notebooks via M.2 E-Key as standard.
Microsoft wants to work with partners to further refine LE Audio via firmware and software and achieve CD quality with a sampling rate of 48,000 hertz. The company has not yet announced a timetable for this.
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