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May 22, 2012

List Of Apt-X Compatible Devices (transmitters, receivers, etc.)

Updated May 2, 2013.


Apt-X is a neat audio compression technology (codec) that optimizes audio streaming through Bluetooth, basically it's trying to transmit CD level audio quality wirelessly.  The technology is owned by CSR.  Companies use "Apt-X" or "aptX" in their product pages to note this technology.

The first Apt-X devices that I used where the Sennheiser MM 550-X headphones and the Creative BT-D1 transmitter. For Apt-X to work you need a transmitter and a receiver.  Transmitters are those devices that send the wireless data. Some transmitters are built into a device and other times they need a "dongle." Eventually many devices will have Apt-X built-in, but until then you may need the dongle transmitter.  The other side of Apt-X involves the receivers, which are devices that output audio, like speakers and headphones.

This post will have a list of devices with Apt-X technology, hopefully it makes the "search" process a lot easier.

My experiences: Soundmatters foxLv2 Platinum, Braven 650, Sennheiser MM 550-X, Azio BTD-V4, Creative BT-D1.

Key Apt-X Features:
  • Compression ratio: 4:1
  • Audio Format: 16-bit, 44.1 kHz (CD Quality)
  • Data Rates: 352 Kbps
  • Frequency Response: 10 Hz to 22 kHz
  • Algorithmic Delay: <1.89 ms @ Fs 48 kHz Dynamic Range: 16-bit > 92 dB
  • THD+N: -68.8 dB
Source: Apt-X


COMPUTER SOFTWARE:

TRANSMITTERS

Bulk

PC USB

iOS Devices (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch)

3.5mm Transmitters

Tablets

 Media Players

Smartphones

Apple Products
  • Mac OS X
  •  Mac
  • MacBook
  •  iPad (needs additional transmitter, check above under iOS Devices and 3.5mm transmitter)
  • iPod (needs additional transmitter, check above under iOS Devices and 3.5mm transmitter)
  • iPhone (needs additional transmitter, check above under iOS Devices and 3.5mm transmitter)

As of right now, Apple products supporting Mac OS X operating system support Apt-X.  iOS devices do not support Apt-X natively and require the use of Apt-X transmitters.  If you run into issues with Mac OS X you can check this forum thread.

Other


RECEIVERS

Earphones

Headphones

Speaker Dock (often can connect to Apple devices, may or may not be portable)

Portable Speakers (have a battery)

Speakers (must have a connection to a power outlet)

Soundbars

Receivers


Info collected from CSR, Twitter, Amazon, Google Shopping, Sennheiser, Creative, product pages, and official support pages.
Labels:

67 comments:

  1. Sennheiser PX-360 BT also supports Apt-X but isn't in your list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. I missed that one! Thanks for letting me know.

      Delete

  2. ...but on the picture

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. The picture has a MM 550-X, which looks the same as the PX 360-BT.

      Delete

  3. I noticed Creative added FastStream codec to their BT-W1 USB transceiver and WP-450 headphones. How does this codec compare to apt-X?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. I cannot give you accurate information regarding that. I heard of FastStream years ago, and Apt-X is more recent. Both Apt-X and FastStream are CSR technologies. Since my answer is quite poor, I would recommend using Dr. Google

      Delete

    2. Thanks Jesse. Dr. Google says FastStream codec provides bidirectional audio + voice for Internet chats or in-game conversations. So it seems apt-X is better "CD" quality for listening to music unless bi-directional support is needed such as for Skype calls.

      Delete

    3. If you look at the comments under this Creative BT dongle they implemented both codecs: http://asia.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=437&subcategory=972&product=20867&nav=1

      To enable faststream codec, they tell you to force enable the mic I think. Seems like faststream is for low latency (movie watching/gaming/voip) and AptX codec is optimized for deep detail music listening. The BT-D1 dongle they have does NOT support faststream which is interesting.

      Delete

    4. But the BT-W1 does support faststream. I think kleernet is the best solution for uncompressed audio but most likely needs an extra chip which most phones and tablets won't have. If APTX takes off, it's because it just needs to use the special codec software with bluetooth 2.1 and that good enough

      Delete

    5. faststream is a low latency (low quality) codec used in gaming product. It is a quite old technology from CSR.

      APT-X is high quality codec.
      APT-X LL (I think relatively new, not sure if any product have it on the market, the license is more expensive than APT-X) is the low latency version of the high quality codec from CSR

      http://www.csr.com/products/application/headsets

      Delete

  4. This page is a Great Idea: I really believe in the development of apt-x which appart from music will also finally bring a much-needed clarity over mobile calls made over BT headsets. I've been looking for this list for months so thank you Jessie !

    Also, I'm sure you will soon update this ressource with recently announced Samsung Galaxy Note II and the JBL PlayUp and JBL PowerUp speakers announced by Nokia today. I haven't been able to get confirmation whether the Nokia Lumia 920 and 820 that were presented along with those JBL speakers today have apt-x. At least I haven't seen that on the specs..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Yes there are many new devices and I'll try to update the list soon.

      Delete

  5. Harman Kardon BT headphones have aptx

    ReplyDelete

  6. I own the MM 450-X Travel, and really want to take advantage of its capabilities.
    My Mac Pro early 2009 has apt-x, so I can hear the difference.
    I fear that iphone 5 won't support apt-x.
    My most desired product is a toslink to bt with apt-x. Unfortunately, no-one seems to make such a transmitter. I post that, so perhaps some product marketing genius might get a clue.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Sennheiser BT300i works fine with the Apple 30-pins to Lightning adapter ... thankfully :-)

      Delete

    2. looks like these same guys from Advance Acoustic listened to your wishes Eric (apt-x to toslink coax&optical):
      http://www.advance-acoustic.com/en/produits/index/detail/id/108/sec/6

      or were you looking to do contrary (i.e. receive toslink transmit apt-x?)

      Delete

  7. No toslink, but a gold (and seems shielded) 3.5mm Jack with Phono Adapter bt with apt-x:
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Qed-UPLAY-PUCK-Bluetooth-Receiver-Technology/dp/B003BF0OF2/ref=cm_rdp_product

    ReplyDelete

  8. It is in the list up but link is dead.
    New link:
    http://www.qed.co.uk/wireless-bluetooth/qed-live/qed-uplay-puck-wireless-bluetooth-receiver.htm

    ReplyDelete

  9. An apt-x bt receiver not in your list:
    http://www.amazon.fr/Advance-Acoustic-Bluetooth-Tablette-Smartphone/dp/tech-data/B007BZ0LOC/ref=de_a_smtd

    ReplyDelete

  10. APT-X Transceiver - works as either a transmitter or a receiver

    Avantree® Saturn Bluetooth Audio Converter Adapter Transceiver - A2DP AVRCP apt-x CSr - 2-in1 Receiver + Transmitter
    http://www.amazon.com/Avantree%C2%AE-Bluetooth-Converter-Adapter-Transceiver/dp/B0085HOM4K
    $42
    http://www.avantree.com/Product-Bluetooth-wireless-music-Receiver--Transmitter-saturn-aptx-decoding-technology-added_632.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. That is quite unique! Usually these devices can only do one function, but that one can do both. Excellent find!

      Delete

  11. Is your list of cell phones supporting Aptx up to date?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. At the bottom of the page I posted up to when the list has been updated. I'll try to do a revision before the year ends.

      Delete

    2. Sweet! thanks! This is the only place I have been able to find a list of cell phones with aptX.

      Delete

  12. Portable speakers: Logitech UE Boombox

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. I have not seen any legitimate evidence supporting the Logitech UE Boombox as having Apt-X.
      http://logitech-en-amr.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/33979/section/troubleshoot/crid/1419/lt_product_id/10153/tabs/1,3,2,4,5/cl/us,en

      Delete

  13. Actually Mac OS X on recent Macs does support aptX. It's just not enabled by default.

    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3891328?start=0&tstart=0

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Charles, I have read that forum discussion a few times. If a user has useful information then that is great. If enough users confirm the validity of such claims then it is more likely that the claim is true. However, this does NOT qualify as an official statement by Apple or CSR regarding Apt-X support in Mac OS X. Because of the mixed answers found within search engines I chose to keep the Apple portion on the post.

      I have sent a message to CSR regarding this topic and I will update the post when I receive a reply. Hopefully they answer soon.

      Delete

    2. Updated the post with the reply. Mac OS X does support Apt-X and iOS does not.

      Delete

  14. Any idea if the Galaxy Tab 2 7 supports aptx? Thanks...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. I'm not aware of support for Apt-X for that Galaxy Tab.

      Delete

    2. Thanks - struggling to locate to a 7.0 plus tablet. Might have to go for the 10.1 Note....

      Delete

    3. You might want to wait a few more days, there will be new Apt-X devices announced at CES in January 8-11. http://www.csr.com/blog/

      Delete

  15. Hi,

    Advance Acoustic EZY-80 all in one system is also apt-X compatible.

    http://www.advance-acoustic.com/en/produits/index/detail/id/98/sec/1

    Best regards

    ReplyDelete

  16. Hi,

    there is a very cheap and fully functional aptx-licensed usb-bt-dongle, works great:

    http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00AP7R0O2/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00

    greetz

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Good catch. Most of what I have browsed are US websites, so I might have to begin browsing other countries to find more. Thanks for finding this.

      Delete

    2. Thanks indeed, I just ordered it and will look into testing it (hope they have an english manual..)

      Delete

    3. Wow.. that is a great find. I surf amazon germany frequently and did not come across this. Too bad I have just bought Creative BT-D5 today.
      I pair the BT-D5 with my Creative WP-350. One thing that confuses me is that music from iPhone4 sounds better than iPad2, both with BT-D5. Anyone knows why is this? Or is there something I have missed?

      Delete

    4. Hi guys,

      bought this Adapter, works fine and apt-x enabled (good sound quality) but i will return it because the latency is way to high for video playback (~600ms).

      I didn't find a possibility to enable faststream or something like that. :( - can anybody confirm that or have suggestion to improve the latency?

      Before, i had the BTD-500, that worked really nice but is too big on a laptop and expensive.
      My next try will be the BT-W1 (i think its better than BT-D1 because of bi-directional functionality - and both are 39,99 EUR in GER)

      PS: i use them from Vista-Laptop to a ZiiSound D5 Speaker for Music and Video Playback.

      greetings from Germany

      Delete

    5. Guys, for the price I do recommand this dongle.

      I tested on both Windows XP and Windows 8 to Nokia Essence earphones, this dongle works beautifully (and cheap too). It came with CSR Harmony software drivers.

      I like the apt-x notification which pops up when your apt-x device connects, which is a good way to make sure you're not just using standard SBC codec (that said, you do notice the difference in sound, also making a good confort difference on Skype or VoIP).

      I just ordered a second one for another PC: Advance WTX-5 BT for 10€ http://www.audiophonics.fr/dongle-usb-emetteur-audio-bluetooth-aptx-p-7201.html (at least it looks like the same thing, based on CSR 8510 chipset).

      Delete

    6. Hi Guys, can anybody confirm that this dongle will actually work with a macbook pro (recent mac os x)? Regarding latency I am a bit concerned: Most times when audio latency gets too high video streams from the web will start to stutter as frames and sound get out of sync...

      Delete

    7. Hi guys,

      as described in my answer above, can anybody confirm or decline the latency Problem with this cheap APT-X Dongle?
      Latency ist 600ms min, sometimes up to ~1200ms, but after time it goes back to ~600ms.

      In other words: Do you have same latency, less, more?

      Maybe this Problem is based on the drivers?
      I think mine is "CSR Harmony Bluetooth-Software-Stack Version 2.1.63.0"

      Please tell me your experience with the latency, thx!

      Delete

  17. The Telme Tosblue II transmitter is aptX enabled.

    http://www.telme2.com/webshop/index.php?id_product=8&controller=product

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Forgot to say that the Tosblue transmitter supports 3.5mm input as well as optical digital (toslink, only PCM supported, not Dolby Digital).

      Delete

  18. Hi,
    does anybody know if it's possible to pair a Advance Acoustic WTX500 with a transceiver like Avantree Saturn, JayBird uSport or Sennheiser BTD 300 ??
    WTX500 appear like a bluetooth device without pin code

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Hi, just buy the usb dongle 2 pos. before - it works perfect with WTX 500 !

      Delete

  19. Bonjour,
    Je possède un PC portable Médion Erazer série X681 CPU i5, M460 2,53 GHz. Apparemment, il n'est pas compatible Air Blue, pourriez-vous me dire si une mise à jour future pourra arranger cette comptabilité ou cela restera impossible. Merci pour votre réponse.
    F. Quérinjean

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. No parlevu le France, or something like that. Please use an English translator so everyone can understand what you wrote.

      Delete

  20. The newly announced Klipsch KMC-3 portable speaker supports aptX, as well as the new Jaybird BlueBuds X headphones.

    http://www.klipsch.com/kmc-3-wireless-music-system

    http://www.jaybirdgear.com/bluebuds-x-bluetooth-headphones/

    Great site! Thanks for providing a good source

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. The BlueBuds X do NOT have Apt-X. The claim by JayBird is that they have "Shift Premium Bluetooth Audio: Premium sound & warm bass, outperforms most wired headphones without needing apt-X." This is what the box that 's sitting in front of me says. Be careful, not every product page that mentions "apt-X" actually has Apt-X. In this case Jaybird acknowledges Apt-X, but does not provide it.

      Delete

  21. Yours is the single most useful web site on this topic. Thanks! Hoping to add an Apt-X transmitter to an iPhone 4S, should one go with an "iOS device" or an "3.5 mm transmitter" option (e.g. JayBird iSport vs. uSport)?

    I remain utterly confused about whether the cheap internal DAC can be bypassed either way, but am not sure that bypassing even matters. Which is the "better" signal?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. I'm not sure, but I would go for the adapter as it will attach easily. The 3.5mm is fine, but you may end up using rubber bands or something to keep the adapter together (at least if you are moving the iPhone). I'm not sure which would provide better signal.

      Delete

  22. Hi Jesse,

    This might be an interesting find and worth checking up on regarding the iPhone 5:

    https://discussions.apple.com/message/21066292?ac_cid=tw123456#21066292

    User J-M-M apparently has proof of the fact that the iPhone 5 in fact has native APT-X streaming.

    ReplyDelete

  23. Ok it just got debunked ... never mind .. no APT-X on the iPhone 5 :-(

    ReplyDelete

  24. it was about time HTC came out with an apt-x earbud style headset to go with their Android 'One'serie: BH S600
    http://www.htcaccessorystore.com/uk/p_htc_item.aspx?i=237009&phone=209267

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Updated post with your addition. Thanks!

      Delete

  25. Hi I have long studied the issue and found a few more devices that are not in your list.
    1. The products of Marmitek (http://www.marmitek.com/en/product-details/audio-video-at-home/listen-anywhere/bluetooth-music-solutions/boomboom-90.php)
    2. The products of lintech (http://www.lintech.de/bluelino/)
    Here are the two devices, but they need to check?
    3. http://www.alibaba.com/product-free/101266810/Bluetooth_Audio_Receiver_apt_x_decoder.html
    4. http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/747590560/Bluetooth_V4_0_Mini_Bluetooth_music.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Updated post with your additions. Thanks!

      Delete

  26. bluetooth aptx-X transmiter
    http://www.wayengineer.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1664
    http://www.avantalk.com/products02.php?id=62
    http://pro2.com.au/

    ReplyDelete

  27. http://www.amazon.de/gp/offer-listing/B0096Y2HFW/sr=8-1/qid=1363540981/ref=olp_page_2?ie=UTF8&colid=&coliid=&condition=new&me=&qid=1363540981&shipPromoFilter=0&sort=sip&sr=8-1&startIndex=15

    ReplyDelete

  28. Like to know is tab2 (GT-p3100) having this feature ?

    ReplyDelete

  29. Hello,

    I am currently trying MM 450 X with Samsung Galaxy S3 (latest 4.1.2 ROM) and am experiencing quite a lot of lags and scratches, connection seems to be very sensitive to distance / layers, like in a jacket / ...
    Did any of you experience that? Or do I just have a faulty headphone or phone?

    ReplyDelete

  30. Altec Lansing inMotion Air IMW725 is a portable speaker. It has a battery and does not need to be connected to a power outlet.

    ReplyDelete

  31. Excellent listing up!!!
    Wow. its an awesome information for those who are interested in aptx. including me!
    Thank you so much
    from Seoul, Korea

    ReplyDelete

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