Plug & Play: Introducing the BTD 700

[Sennheiser]

Hello Head-Fi! We couldn't keep a lid on this one: the BTD 700, our newest Bluetooth dongle, is finally here. It was created to unleash the full potential of your wireless headphones, with a set of features that will help you cut the cord and work around the bottlenecks of incomplete or outdated Bluetooth hardware.

What is a BTD 700?

The BTD 700 is a compact USB-C Bluetooth transmitter (with USB-A adapter included) that bypasses your device’s built-in Bluetooth hardware to transmit superior audio over aptX codecs—including aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive. It’s perfect for high-quality music listening, low-latency gaming, crystal-clear calls, and even multi-listener streaming via Auracast. It's the latest in our series of BlueTooth Dongles (our last release was the BTD 600). Although wired open backs and IEMs get a lot of the shine around here, there's thriving corner of Head-Fi currently discussing such devices. It can also add Bluetooth audio capability to class compliant devices (PC/Mac/Linux devices, Android/iOS/iPadOS) that are lacking it—a desktop workstation at an office, for example.

Key features​

• Hi-Fi Wireless Sound: Adds support for aptX Lossless (16-bit/44.1kHz) and aptX Adaptive (up to 24-bit/96kHz)
• Plug-and-Play Bluetooth 5.4: USB Class Compliant—no drivers or pairing headaches
• Ultra Compact: Just 24mm long with a single multifunction button
• Low Latency: Great for gaming and video calls, with latency as low as 30ms (with supported headphones)
• Auracast Enabled: Broadcast audio to multiple compatible Bluetooth devices
• Optimized for Sennheiser: Designed to further unlock the inherent audio excellence of MOMENTUM, select ACCENTUM, and even other aptX-compatible headphones/speakers
• Universal Compatibility: Works with practically any Bluetooth headphone, earbud set, or speaker

As everyone around Head-Fi knows, your headphones are only going to sound their best when the source is also sounding its best. Many laptops and tablets still rely on outdated Bluetooth stacks, resulting in compressed, lifeless audio or frequent dropouts. The BTD 700 fixes that by taking over the transmission job with audio-focused codec support, transforming your daily audio experience—whether you’re listening to high-res tracks, jumping into a Zoom call, or leveling up in your favorite game.

Top Use Cases​

1) High-Fidelity Music Streaming: Enjoy detailed, immersive sound without wires
2) Gaming: Ultra-low latency with simultaneous voice chat support
3) Conference Calls: Stable, high-quality audio for Teams, Zoom, and Meet
4) Shared Listening: Use Auracast to stream to multiple headphones at once
5) Hot-Desking: Bring your favorite Bluetooth earbuds/headphones with you—any computer, any time

App & Firmware Support​

A dedicated desktop app for PC and macOS is coming soon! With it, you'll be able to manage:

• Codec selection and mode switching (standard/gaming/broadcast)
• Naming and securing your Auracast broadcast
• Firmware updates

NOTE: The BTD 700 and it's companion desktop app will not be cross compatible with Smart Control or Smart Control Plus. The BTD 700 will still show up as an available Bluetooth device in your phone and within Smart Control/Plus.

Console Compatibility​

We’re currently testing and documenting compatibility with gaming consoles, which is much more complex than class compliant devices. We will update this post with a matrix of popular consoles both stationary and portable.

[reserved for a beautiful table]​

Availability​

The BTD 700 is rolling out in most markets at sennheiser-hearing.com and select authorized retailers over the coming days. @ericpalonen will be here to help answer questions, and a product tour will be announced in June.

 

[streetbeat]

Great addition to the family! I love BTD 600, have three of them in my house Gonna appreciate smaller usb-c footprint for laptops.
Will gaming mode switch be available directly via button, e.g. triple press?

 

[Zachik]

@Sennheiser / @ericpalonen - any plans to add LDAC support?

 

[Saberpunch]

I’m interested in using these for conference calls. Does it have active noise cancellation for the mic so people can’t hear my surrounding?

 

[ericpalonen]

Great addition to the family! I love BTD 600, have three of them in my house Gonna appreciate smaller usb-c footprint for laptops.
Will gaming mode switch be available directly via button, e.g. triple press?

Thank you so much! Correct--gaming mode (which is an improvement upon the latency of aptX Adaptive) will require a manual activation from either the dongle (as you mentioned) or the desktop software. For those following along, high-intensity modes (Lossless, gaming) are activated with a manual trigger as they may impact range or battery life in the interest of better (and faster) audio.

@Sennheiser / @ericpalonen - any plans to add LDAC support?

Hey buddy! No plans for LDAC support at this time.

I’m interested in using these for conference calls. Does it have active noise cancellation for the mic so people can’t hear my surrounding?

The BTD 700 does not have a mic built in, and so the quality of mic from your device (earbuds/headphones) is the primary driver of the audio quality. What the BTD 700 will do, however, is ensure that more of that signal stays intact, and in most instances, will sound fuller due to additional bandwidth allocated to the voice channel. The built-in BT on most work laptops/workstations is the bare minimum in terms of signal strength and also codec support--this is a great way to improve that. The directionality of the microphone, and thus its ability to reject ambient noise around the office is a burden of the associated headphone/earbud.

 

[Tenlow]

Very nice. Will need to get one asap!

 

[Tex Irie]

@Sennheiser / @ericpalonen - any plans to add LDAC support?

That's unfortunate this won't include LDAC support. It would have been nice to have a singular adapter that covered all the High Resolution Bluetooth protocols. Windows 11 Enterprise struggles mightily with some Bluetooth headphones and this looked to be a compact solution from a reliable manufacturer.

 

[DenverFi]

Will definitely pick these up just to see if I can hear any audible difference on my go pods on iOS vs aac. I’m not sure I will on newer iPhones but worth experimenting.

 

[bwardrop]

Does this work on PS5? Specially the mic audio?

 

[ericpalonen]

That's unfortunate this won't include LDAC support. It would have been nice to have a singular adapter that covered all the High Resolution Bluetooth protocols. Windows 11 Enterprise struggles nightly with some Bluetooth headphones and this looked to be a compact solution from a reliable manufacturer.

Thanks for the feedback, I'll pass this along.

Will definitely pick these up just to see if I can hear any audible difference on my go pods on iOS vs aac. I’m not sure I will on newer iPhones but worth experimenting.

I don't think the go pods support aptX, so you may get a more favorable connection (robustness) but the codec will remain the same. That said, iOS devices do not support aptX (or any other advanced codec) so the BTD 700 is a great way to add codec support to that ecosystem [edit ->] ...and you can always have confidence in that should you want to get different headphones down the line.

 

[ericpalonen]

Does this work on PS5? Specially the mic audio?

Great question!

As many PS5 owners know, the USB ports are not considered class compliant—their capability is locked by Sony and so basic plug & play functionality is not straightforward. As of this writing, you can use BTD 700 in two ways that adds BT audio to the PS4/PS5:

1) you can stream in full bandwidth, stereo, from the PS5 USB port, but you will not have an active voice channel. This will happen with the SBC / A2DP profile (most common Bluetooth denominator); you need to force this mode on the BTD 700 with a button press combination
2) you can stream both game audio AND a voice channel, but in narrowband (like listening over the telephone) as Sony forces this audio mode through the control messages

If you need competitive low latency stereo audio AND voice, the Playstation ecosystem is not kind to 3rd party dongles.

This changes a bit if you are streaming PS5 Remote Play, which allows you to use your class compliant device and the BTD 700, but we have not tested this yet to see if there are latency implications (may be negligible depending on the type of games you play) and how the mic performance is.

I know it's not ideal, but should Sony unlock the capabilities of the USB port (assuming it is capable from a hardware/firmware standpoint) to behave more like a class compliant device, the BTD 700 in theory is already ready already

 

[Metalingus]

So lots of promises. Console support, desktop app etc. Why you release a product that isn’t ready or at least give us a timeline

 

[ericpalonen]

So lots of promises. Console support, desktop app etc. Why you release a product that isn’t ready or at least give us a timeline

Fair question, some of which was answered above.

1) You do not need the desktop app for 99% of the primary functions, so it functions great on day 1. In the world of software, we are always chasing the updates and patches from Microsoft/Apple, so you can imagine the balancing act of wanting to put it out and then discovering a build that we have to be compliant with. We'd rather let you know its coming than not at all...no day 1 patches are required for the BTD 700 itself.

2) Console support is simple as it pertains to stationary consoles:

• PS4/5 - limited by Sony but described very clearly in the thread post #11
• XBOX (X, S, etc) - no
• Nintendo Switch 2 - we do not have our hands on one nor any 3P accessories to test
• Nintendo Switch - additional testing required but quite fragmented based on Nintendo's hardware, firmware updates, and ecosystem.

Handhelds (ROG Ally X, Steam Deck, etc) are a lot trickier - it requires more testing but they're all class compliant if they are W11 or SteamOS, however not all features are needed. Example: Steam Deck OLED has aptX built in. Our upcoming table and testing will indicate which advantages you stand to gain versus their own stock hardware. If someone does not have what they need from the thread, they are in no obligation to buy but the pending info should not hold back releasing the product to the target demographic, which is audiophiles.

 

[Tex Irie]

Thanks for the feedback, I'll pass this along.

I don't think the go pods support aptX, so you may get a more favorable connection (robustness) but the codec will remain the same. That said, iOS devices do not support aptX (or any other advanced codec) so the BTD 700 is a great way to add codec support to that ecosystem.

Thank you @ericpalonen!!

 

[zilax002]

Great question!

As many PS5 owners know, the USB ports are not considered class compliant—their capability is locked by Sony and so basic plug & play functionality is not straightforward. As of this writing, you can use BTD 700 in two ways that adds BT audio to the PS4/PS5:

1) you can stream in full bandwidth, stereo, from the PS5 USB port, but you will not have an active voice channel. This will happen with the SBC / A2DP profile (most common Bluetooth denominator); you need to force this mode on the BTD 700 with a button press combination
2) you can stream both game audio AND a voice channel, but in narrowband (like listening over the telephone) as Sony forces this audio mode through the control messages

If you need competitive low latency stereo audio AND voice, the Playstation ecosystem is not kind to 3rd party dongles.

My use-case is the first item.

Should the latency be close to 30 ms (with the right connected device) in this situation?

I have been looking for a reliable device like this, as I am currently stuck with less than ideal headphones with 2.4 gHz dongles for most of my movie watching (which is later at night and after "quiet hours").

I'd much rather use a great wired headphone (the HD 550 seem like a good fit) paired with something like the Fiio Retro Nano, which supports aptX Adaptive and has good latency performance when paired with the right device in my experience.

Hey, if Sennheiser is looking to branch out more a dongle DAC/Bluetooth device with a companion transmitter sounds like a pretty good idea to me ... That kind of integration could make the latency less variable, I'd think, and serve as a great complement to the long line of wired headphones from the company!