While that understanding is generally correct, there’s more to using Bluetooth than meets the eye.
While this design may be perfectly fine for phone conversations, it’s not ideal for music reproduction.
But one key thing to remember is that a Bluetooth systemdoesn’t have to applythis additional compression.
Lifewire / Chloe Giroux
Here’s why: All Bluetooth devices must support Low Complexity Subband Coding.
By design, Bluetooth does not necessarily add additional data compression to material that is already compressed.
However, some music services experiment with other formats, such as how Spotify uses theOgg Vorbis codec.
But according to Bluetooth SIG, the organization that licenses Bluetooth, compression remains the norm for now.
Thus the notifications would have the compression applied, but MP3 or AAC files would pass unaltered.
What About aptX?
The quality of stereo audio throughBluetoothhas improved over time.
Just remember that both the Bluetooth source and sink devices must support the aptX codec to make it benefit.
Factors Beyond Codecs
Every step in the audio chain affects the output of sound.
Codecs and wireless standards must work with hardware that may or may not be engineered to deliver high-quality output.
The listening environment has to be considered as well.
While Bluetooth as commonly implemented does degrade the audio quality to varying degrees, it doesn’t have to.
In most situations, Bluetooth will not have a significant impact on the sound quality of an audio gadget.
