helmutcheese
Headphoneus Supremus
I have used all 3 and repeated the same thing over and over in this thread, sometimes you need to make your own decisions.
Ok, then antoher question. Do YOU hear difference between kb9p or BT-W4I have used all 3 and repeated the same thing over and over in this thread, sometimes you need to make your own decisions.
That sounds like a known issue with USB 3. So that's not software problem, but rather a hardware one. And it's not the problem of BT-W5 (or any other dongle as they're all USB 2), it's probably caused by the insufficient shielding of USB 3 port. Maybe Creative should've done something to prevent noise from USB 3 port to interfere with the antenna, but apparently they didn't do enough.USB 3/3.1
That sounds like a known issue with USB 3. So that's not software problem, but rather a hardware one. And it's not the problem of BT-W5 (or any other dongle as they're all USB 2), it's probably caused by the insufficient shielding of USB 3 port. Maybe Creative should've done something to prevent noise from USB 3 port to interfere with the antenna, but apparently they didn't do enough.
Guys I received the T10P 2 days ago and compared it against the BT-W5. I am positively surprised by its performance so far.
First things first, what is the same compared to BT-W5:
Now to the points T10P peforms better at then BT-W5:
- The T10P also exhibits crackling/atifacts when directly connected to a USB 3 port. This can be fixed like with BT-W5 by plugging it into a USB 2 port or using an adaptor.
- The range is noticeably better, meaning it can hold the bitrate better on longer distances. I first connected the BT-W5 to a port on my docking station and connected it to my Qudelix 5K in aptX Adaptive HQ mode. Then I went from my office to the corridor of my apartment (roughly 5m + 1 wall in between). The bitrate settled at 270 kbit/s, which is not very good at all and was fluctuating to even lower values. I noticed that even in the same room, the BT-W5 struggles to hold the 430 kbit/s of aptX HQ mode. I then redid the test by unplugging the BT-W5 and connecting the T10P to the same port via another adaptor. In the same room, T10P in its aptX Adaptive mode is at a rock solid 430 kbit/s. This is the maximum Qudelix 5k is capable of with its aptX Adaptive implementation. I then again went to the corridor and the bitrate settled at 370 kbit/s, a much better result! Also the bitrate was fluctuating much less. Overall this leads to a sound identical to my Pixel 2 XL via aptX HD, BT-W5 often sounds a little compressed due to the bitrate fluctuating more frequently.
- T10P does not need a SW and actually gives the user the choice of switching between codecs with a quick tipple press. This is very useful for use with my H95, as they have aptX Adaptive but perform better via aptX HD. You can identify the used codecs as follows during playback of audio (verified via Qudelix 5k):
- 3 X Green light flashing: aptX Adaptive in its HQ Preset (there is no LL preset, but you don't need it with this device)
- 1 X Green light flashing: aptX HD (nice!)
- 5 X Green light flashing: aptX
- No green light flashing: SBC
- Auto Switching to HFP modes (Headset mode) works quicker than with BT-W5 and more reliably. I have an issue where BT-W5 sporadically will not automatically switch to HFP mode and I have to manually do so by pressing the button twice.
- Latency is noticeably better when comparing aptX Adaptive HQ on both devices. T10p has around 33ms of delay using it with an M1 MacBook Air, which is exceptional with 430 kbit/s! This is good enough for watching YouTube videos without noticing lip sync issues. BT-W5 has 66ms in my test, which introduces noticeable lip sync issues when watching videos on YouTube. I used this video for testing the audio/video sync:
Points where BT-W5 performs better:
That's pretty much it. Overall, I would not buy the BT-W5 again as I have no use for its close to 0 latency in aptX Adaptive LL mode and its lag is very bad in HQ mode compared to T10P. Also the range is bad, which is to be expected with its size and no external antenna. If you are a gamer and value a non perceivable lag, then I guess you have to buy both -> T10P for HQ content consumption with minimal lag, BT-W5 for gaming.
- It has an SW, but on MacOS it really isn't the best. You can't even update its FW with it. But yeah I guess at least it has one.
- It's smaller and doesn't have an antenna.
- Drawback: This leads to a noticeably weaker signal. Could be useful for mobile use though, but one could argue that T10P could also be used with a smaller aftermarket antenna for that use case. Also when using the BT-W5 mobile there is no possibility to switch between LL and HQ mode, as you need the SW for that.
- It has a LL mode with no perceivable lag, at least I can't notice one in the latency test video above.
- Drawback: This mode caps the max bitrate to 276 kbit/s. Not useful for music listening and watching movies, but useful for competitive gaming I guess. I would still rather use the T10P with a lag of 33ms but with HQ sound though.
For the price Creative is charging for the BT-W5 it's almost hilarious a dongle from AliExpress is so much better in so many points. Another proof that price does not always lead to a better performing product.
Edit: If some of you guys are interested in the lag of T10P in its other modes let me know. The user manual states that T10 in fact has aptX LL (not aptX Adaptive LL), but it seems that the Qudelix 5k does not support that mode.
I will report back once BT-W5 arrives!The BT-W5 unlike the BT-W4 is officially 24/96 BT (both are 24/96 USB).
Be nice to have a LED or LCD screen at the other end to confirm this but none of my device have thisa bar one and that is only for Codec not bitrate.