aptX Adaptive / aptX Lossless USB Transmitters

[CactusPete23]

Qualcomm's files are not accurate and always changing so you shouldn't trust them. Especially the older ones.
my Xiaomi 13 Pro already supports aptX Adaptive up to 24bit/48.96kHz by default, since r2.2 is disabled. After rooting and enabling r2.2, I can also use 24bit/44.1kHz 1.2Mbps, and I can already freely use 24bit/96kHz before enabling r2.2.This is ridiculous.

First of all, based on the old files, I thought that the QCC 308x chipset didn't support 24/48bit lossless via LEA, but Xiaomi claimed when the Buds 5 with QCC 3081 chipset and the foldable smartphone with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 first came out, that pairing the two would support 2.1Mbps 24/48 lossless via LEA for the first time. So you can't always trust Qualcomm files.
fma120 also recently released QLEA feature so it seems like it wouldn't follow the previous specs
Here are the aptX Adaptive specs that I know so far:
r2= 24/48 ~470kbps
r2.1= 24/96 ~800kbps
r2.2= QHS 24/44.1(16/44.1 Ls) ~1.2mbps
r3= QLEA 24/48 Ls ~2.1mbps
r4= XPAN 24/96 Ls~4.2mbps
https://www.52audio.com/archives/208123.html
https://m.mi.com/commodity/detail/20159

I get confused with all of this/ LOL! Isn't XPAN (R4) when it is connecting to your WIFI network, and no longer Bluetooth? While R3 is still Bluetooth?

Xiaomi now claims that 3 of their phones (Xiaomi 15 Ultra, Xiaomi 15, Xiaomi MIX Flip) will deliver R3 with their New Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Earbuds ( Regular or the WIIFI Version)... And only their Xiaomi 15 Ultra phone can deliver R4 rates over WIFI, but ONLY with the New Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro WIFI Earbuds. (the regular buds don't have WIFI, and just to confuse things, there are Chinese and Global Versions of both...) And the earbuds and phones must both be Chinese Market Version, or both be Global version. Evidently you can't pair their Chinese market phone with their Global market Buds 5 Pro Ultra WIFI, and vice versa. So be careful what you buy if stepping into Xiaomi's XPAN capable phones and earbuds.

 

[KB8P]

I get confused with all of this/ LOL! Isn't XPAN (R4) when it is connecting to your WIFI network, and no longer Bluetooth? While R3 is still Bluetooth?

Xiaomi now claims that 3 of their phones (Xiaomi 15 Ultra, Xiaomi 15, Xiaomi MIX Flip) will deliver R3 with their New Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Earbuds ( Regular or the WIIFI Version)... And only their Xiaomi 15 Ultra phone can deliver R4 rates over WIFI, but ONLY with the New Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro WIFI Earbuds. (the regular buds don't have WIFI, and just to confuse things, there are Chinese and Global Versions of both...) And the earbuds and phones must both be Chinese Market Version, or both be Global version. Evidently you can't pair their Chinese market phone with their Global market Buds 5 Pro Ultra WIFI, and vice versa. So be careful what you buy if stepping into Xiaomi's XPAN capable phones and earbuds.

Although it is not a common method, Xiaomi 15,15 Pro, f7 Ulta already support XPAN. After enabling the XPAN function in the developer options, reboot and connect mi buds 5 prowifi then connect to LE Audio and it will work.
Xiaomi is not alone. Clear Arc 5 wifi and Clip wifi, which support Xpan, also appeared the day before yesterday.

 

[helmutcheese]

First update in a while:

 

[Nick24JJ]

I've received the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Translucent Black (Wi-Fi) today, paid £172.80 after some discounts.
I bought them to experience XPAN, mainly. The soundstage is expanded significantly and the detail retrieval is quite substantial with these buds.
I sincerely hope that this year we will see a GO Pod V2 from iFi Audio with same capabilities.

PS: UAPP does not recognise this format, yet.

 

[mikp]

Im guessing these dongles work from a usb hub?

Got the mtw4, would be interesting to try lossless. was looking at Creative BT-W6 or for half the price AK3040ProMax .
After a quick research both seems to have problems, any idea what to try if i decide too on a samsung tab?

 

[Nick24JJ]

Does anyone here own and use the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Translucent Black (Wi-Fi) with a compatible phone to achieve 4.2M Lossless Audio over Wi-Fi?

I believe only the Xiaomi 15 Ultra supports this feature at the moment, although I am not entirely sure.

@Gilroypro, I think you own them as well, correct?

I’ve been encountering some issues when using the earbuds in Wi-Fi mode. Specifically, I experience intermittent sound cut-offs and an odd echo effect, as if hearing double audio, particularly when I am upstairs and my phone is downstairs. Additionally, there are occasions where one earbud completely stops playing, and I need to close and reopen the Music App to resolve the issue.

Have you come across anything similar? What has your experience been like?

Interestingly, when I disable Wi-Fi mode and switch to aptX Lossless, the earbuds perform flawlessly.

For reference, my ISP is Virgin Media, providing speeds of 1,000Mbps download and 100Mbps upload, and my Xiaomi 15 Ultra utilizes 5G connectivity.

 

[ZMan2k2]

Im guessing these dongles work from a usb hub?

Got the mtw4, would be interesting to try lossless. was looking at Creative BT-W6 or for half the price AK3040ProMax .
After a quick research both seems to have problems, any idea what to try if i decide too on a samsung tab?

I’ve had the BT-W6 for a few months now. Biggest issue I have is listening to a playlist, if you have a mix of lossless and hi-res files together, when switching there’s a 2 sec delay. Other than that, been pretty flawless with my iPhone 16.

 

[itchyears]

Does anyone here own and use the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Translucent Black (Wi-Fi) with a compatible phone to achieve 4.2M Lossless Audio over Wi-Fi?

I believe only the Xiaomi 15 Ultra supports this feature at the moment, although I am not entirely sure.

@Gilroypro, I think you own them as well, correct?

I’ve been encountering some issues when using the earbuds in Wi-Fi mode. Specifically, I experience intermittent sound cut-offs and an odd echo effect, as if hearing double audio, particularly when I am upstairs and my phone is downstairs. Additionally, there are occasions where one earbud completely stops playing, and I need to close and reopen the Music App to resolve the issue.

Have you come across anything similar? What has your experience been like?

Interestingly, when I disable Wi-Fi mode and switch to aptX Lossless, the earbuds perform flawlessly.

For reference, my ISP is Virgin Media, providing speeds of 1,000Mbps download and 100Mbps upload, and my Xiaomi 15 Ultra utilizes 5G connectivity.

Was about to suggest try another wifi network and retry, but since you switched to BT and its totally stable then it feels it has to be the VM wifi signal. How is the connection and quality when you are right next to the router with your phone and buds?

If its good & stable next to the hub5 (got the same) than it could be a signal issue around the home, you can ask VM tech support for free wifi pods to boost the wifi range around the home especially if up stairs, its worth a shot. I got 2 of them free and they can boost pretty well and if you do already have them try them disconnected in case they are causing issues.

I don't like the hub 5 its badly built, its very intrusive and causes BT drop outs and crackling, interference etc to certain devices for myself, namely my main BT eppfun LE audio transmitter which I had to mod it just to fix it.

There are some other tweak and settings you maybe able to try on the hub 5, but try the above test and post how you get on.

 

[Nick24JJ]

Was about to suggest try another wifi network and retry, but since you switched to BT and its totally stable then it feels it has to be the VM wifi signal. How is the connection and quality when you are right next to the router with your phone and buds?

If its good & stable next to the hub5 (got the same) than it could be a signal issue around the home, you can ask VM tech support for free wifi pods to boost the wifi range around the home especially if up stairs, its worth a shot. I got 2 of them free and they can boost pretty well and if you do already have them try them disconnected in case they are causing issues.

I don't like the hub 5 its badly built, its very intrusive and causes BT drop outs and crackling, interference etc to certain devices for myself, namely my main BT eppfun LE audio transmitter which I had to mod it just to fix it.

There are some other tweak and settings you maybe able to try on the hub 5, but try the above test and post how you get on.

Thank you for your response - I truly appreciate your input, and I wish more people would take the time to share their experiences, especially given that these buds are still a very new product.

I am aware of the Wi-Fi Pods, as I have already received marketing emails about them. However, I am not interested at this time.

I have observed that when Wi-Fi mode is enabled, Bluetooth LE Audio is also activated. Disabling Bluetooth LE Audio, switches the buds back to regular Bluetooth, which means they use aptX Lossless.

I have the Virgin Media Connect App and have conducted multiple Wi-Fi speed tests in each room I care about. Please see the attached screenshots—the filenames indicate the corresponding rooms. Based on the results, I believe my Wi-Fi connection is consistently strong and reliable throughout my home. I have never encountered any issues while streaming Amazon Prime Video or Netflix at maximum settings.

Additionally, [recently] I have very rarely—if ever—experienced drop-outs or crackling sounds with any of the devices listed in my signature, especially the FiiO BTR17 and the iFi GO Pod, which I use every day/all the time. The BTR17 connects via aptX Lossless, and while I am aware that the bitrate may fluctuate as I move closer to or farther from my phone, I have never noticed any audible indication of this during playback. The music continues uninterrupted, and I do not perceive any degradation in sound quality. The same holds true for my GO Pod, which I have recently been keeping on Best Effort mode—except when listening via UAPP, which automatically switches LDAC to “Optimized for audio quality.”

Additionally, I reached out to Xiaomi Support earlier today regarding this matter.

To be honest, I am not particularly concerned about the situation—I purchased these buds primarily for the experience.
What I am genuinely excited about is the prospect of an iFi GO Pod with similar capabilities. (@iFi audio )

 

[itchyears]

Thank you for your response - I truly appreciate your input, and I wish more people would take the time to share their experiences, especially given that these buds are still a very new product.

I am aware of the Wi-Fi Pods, as I have already received marketing emails about them. However, I am not interested at this time.

I have observed that when Wi-Fi mode is enabled, Bluetooth LE Audio is also activated. Disabling Bluetooth LE Audio, switches the buds back to regular Bluetooth, which means they use aptX Lossless.

I have the Virgin Media Connect App and have conducted multiple Wi-Fi speed tests in each room I care about. Please see the attached screenshots—the filenames indicate the corresponding rooms. Based on the results, I believe my Wi-Fi connection is consistently strong and reliable throughout my home. I have never encountered any issues while streaming Amazon Prime Video or Netflix at maximum settings.

Additionally, [recently] I have very rarely—if ever—experienced drop-outs or crackling sounds with any of the devices listed in my signature, especially the FiiO BTR17 and the iFi GO Pod, which I use every day/all the time. The BTR17 connects via aptX Lossless, and while I am aware that the bitrate may fluctuate as I move closer to or farther from my phone, I have never noticed any audible indication of this during playback. The music continues uninterrupted, and I do not perceive any degradation in sound quality. The same holds true for my GO Pod, which I have recently been keeping on Best Effort mode—except when listening via UAPP, which automatically switches LDAC to “Optimized for audio quality.”

Additionally, I reached out to Xiaomi Support earlier today regarding this matter.

To be honest, I am not particularly concerned about the situation—I purchased these buds primarily for the experience.
What I am genuinely excited about is the prospect of an iFi GO Pod with similar capabilities. (@iFi audio )

I wish I had the buds and phone to test them, those results look good for your rooms. Can you still test it with the buds and phone right next to router?

It just eliminates any signal quality or interference concern really.

That is a good idea, while its new and within 30 days best to log any issues with the phone and buds with Xiaomi in case of any returns or repairs. They maybe able to get to the root of the issue also since other owners may have experienced the same issue.

Only last things I can think of is isolating the 2.4ghz and 5ghz wifi networks on the hub5 within the hub5 wifi settings, separate them each and name one example wifi2.4 and the other wifi5, and you can adjust the bands and channels.

Its also worth using an wifi analyser App to see the least busy channels and than use the non busy ones instead for your main devices ie phone/buds. You may also want to connect the phone and buds to the 2.4ghz and re-test it and if that does not work try the 5ghz band wifi network and see if it improves.

see these 2 links for bit more info on the hub5 set up here and here

 

[Nick24JJ]

I wish I had the buds and phone to test them, those results look good for your rooms. Can you still test it with the buds and phone right next to router?

It just eliminates any signal quality or interference concern really.

That is a good idea, while its new and within 30 days best to log any issues with the phone and buds with Xiaomi in case of any returns or repairs. They maybe able to get to the root of the issue also since other owners may have experienced the same issue.

Only last things I can think of is isolating the 2.4ghz and 5ghz wifi networks on the hub5 within the hub5 wifi settings, separate them each and name one example wifi2.4 and the other wifi5, and you can adjust the bands and channels.

Its also worth using an wifi analyser App to see the least busy channels and than use the non busy ones instead for your main devices ie phone/buds. You may also want to connect the phone and buds to the 2.4ghz and re-test it and if that does not work try the 5ghz band wifi network and see if it improves.

see these 2 links for bit more info on the hub5 set up here and here

Thank you once again for taking the time to reply—it is greatly appreciated!

I have not yet attempted isolating or separating the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. Unfortunately, the issue persists even when I am in the same room with the router. For example, right now, I am sitting at my desk, and the Hub 5 router is directly underneath me with no obstacles or coverings. Despite this, I continue to experience problems such as music stopping on one earbud or an echo effect, as if the audio is being played twice simultaneously. To resolve this, I have to close and reopen the player application. This behaviour occurs across all platforms and applications I use, including YouTube Premium, Qobuz, UAPP, and even online news-radio stations accessed via Chrome.

I did install a firmware update immediately after receiving the earbuds a few days ago, but unfortunately, it did not address these issues.

The situation is truly unacceptable. Either I have received a faulty unit, or Xiaomi needs to release a firmware update to resolve these problems. As I mentioned earlier, I have reached out to Xiaomi Support today and am waiting for their response, which, according to their SLA, should arrive within two working days.

Thank you again for your support, and I will keep you updated on any developments.

 

[itchyears]

Thank you once again for taking the time to reply—it is greatly appreciated!

I have not yet attempted isolating or separating the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. Unfortunately, the issue persists even when I am in the same room with the router. For example, right now, I am sitting at my desk, and the Hub 5 router is directly underneath me with no obstacles or coverings. Despite this, I continue to experience problems such as music stopping on one earbud or an echo effect, as if the audio is being played twice simultaneously. To resolve this, I have to close and reopen the player application. This behaviour occurs across all platforms and applications I use, including YouTube Premium, Qobuz, UAPP, and even online news-radio stations accessed via Chrome.

I did install a firmware update immediately after receiving the earbuds a few days ago, but unfortunately, it did not address these issues.

The situation is truly unacceptable. Either I have received a faulty unit, or Xiaomi needs to release a firmware update to resolve these problems. As I mentioned earlier, I have reached out to Xiaomi Support today and am waiting for their response, which, according to their SLA, should arrive within two working days.

Thank you again for your support, and I will keep you updated on any developments.

Yeah its sounding like a bad pair of headphones or buds or both, worth still double checking both of them are fully up to date software wise and maybe see if they are actually on the latest firmware's compared to other users say china owners since they get firmware's first usually. Maybe Xiaomi have those staggered late firmware roll outs so Brits/Euro may not get it till after a few weeks, in case of fault issues.

Try 2.4ghz and 5ghz separate wifis and maybe finding less busy channels and try different ones just in case.

Forgot also, turn off any VPNs or proxys on your phone if you got any on, it should be on a clean Virgin Media connection. Also worth switching off the router for 10 minutes and unplug the router and then switch it back on, sometimes a router reboot can solve glitches.

Also a complete long shot, if possible try and connect to a different wifi network outside of your home maybe a neighbor, friends or family members wifi network or a shopping center or store wifi and retry. You could also use another family members phone with mobile provider 5G connection+good data, turn it into a wifi hot spot and connect to that to test it while close to the wifi hot spot phone.

I think if you do those lot, there is not anything left to do I think, apart from exchange/refund sadly.

 

[helmutcheese]

Virgin's HUB's need to be left on Auto channels and Optimised box checked and do not sperate the 2.4/5 or the WIFI POD's will not work.

 

[itchyears]

Virgin's HUB's need to be left on Auto channels and Optimised box checked and do not sperate the 2.4/5 or the WIFI POD's will not work.

Defaults are usually best, but its worth a long shot test just in case it does improve or work for Nicks gear. He does not have the wifi pods so not an issue, could also factory reset the router.

All 3 of us on Virgin media? No wonder why we have grey hairs left.

 

[Nick24JJ]

Hello again,

First of all, I apologize for spamming this thread with my personal issue with these buds.

I have switched off and unplugged my Hub 5 router for 10+ minutes and also restarted my smartphone. The issue persists, it is the same. I gave up, switched off Wi-Fi mode and I'm currently listening happily to aptX Lossless.

I am not going to alter the set-up of my home Wi-Fi, which is functioning perfectly both for personal and business use, for these buds.

On my Xiaomi 15 Ultra, I utilize a Private DNS, which effectively blocks all advertisements across applications and websites. This configuration is identical to what I have used on my Samsung 23 Ultra. Everything—mobile banking applications, government portals, insurance platforms, and more—works without any disruptions, and I do not encounter advertisements. I see no reason to compromise this functionality for the sake of these earbuds. For thoroughness, I temporarily disabled the Private DNS, but the results remained the same.

Either I have a faulty pair or Xiaomi needs to really work on it. I do not have any issue with aptX Lossless or any other Bluetooth codec on these buds or any other of my Bluetooth devices.

One last thing: in my previous message, when I first got them, I mentioned that I perceive an expanded soundstage and more clarity. False impression, and I apologise. These buds come with an audio effect (Harman Audio EFX) which is on by default. To hear how these buds really sound, you need to scroll down the list, shown in the screenshot, and select Custom and make sure all values are set to zero. Otherwise, you are equalizing the sound and, well, yeah... And, without any EQ they sound like normal, everyday, cheap, earbuds.

Thank you to those who have helped. I will return when I will have Xiaomi's response.