Microsoft is addressing muffled audio high quality on Bluetooth headsets by introducing a brand new LE Audio characteristic for Home windows 11. Constructed on high of the Bluetooth Low Vitality radio spec, LE Audio makes use of a brand new compression algorithm that leads to greater high quality audio that Microsoft says will “drastically” enhance the audio expertise in video games and calls on Home windows 11.
“When utilizing an LE Audio machine with a Home windows 11 PC that helps tremendous wideband stereo, the swap into recreation chat not causes an abrupt drop in audio high quality,” explains Mike Ajax, a principal program supervisor lead at Microsoft. Sport audio will stay in stereo and stream at tremendous wideband high quality, as a substitute of the restricted expertise of Bluetooth Basic.
LE Audio makes use of a 32kHz pattern charge whereas utilizing voice apps like Groups or Discord, and replaces the Superior Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) and Arms-Free Profile (HFP) of Bluetooth Basic. HFP used a 8kHz pattern charge and resulted in muffled audio, however most Bluetooth headsets now help enhance audio compression and a greater pattern charge for “wideband” or “tremendous wideband” voice.
The LE Audio help may also enhance calls in apps like Microsoft Groups. Whereas Groups makes use of Spatial Audio for wired headsets, it is determined by stereo audio and hasn’t beforehand been supported on Bluetooth headsets. The tremendous wideband stereo help over Bluetooth LE Audio allows Spatial Audio in Groups, and might be toggled on within the audio settings contained in the Groups consumer on Home windows.
All you want is a Bluetooth headset that helps Bluetooth LE Audio, in addition to a Home windows 11 PC that additionally helps LE Audio and has the most recent drivers and Home windows 11 24H2 replace. Current PCs ought to get driver updates later this yr, and Microsoft expects “most new cellular PCs that launch beginning in late 2025 can have help from the manufacturing facility.”
