LDAC is a proprietary audio codec developed by Sony that compresses music for wireless transmission via Bluetooth. It encodes audio at bitrates up to 990 kbps, 330 kbps, or 660 kbps depending on signal strength and connection stability. This is significantly higher than the 328 kbps ceiling of aptX or SBC (the default Bluetooth codec), allowing more audio detail to survive the journey from your phone or computer to your headphones or speaker.
Standard Bluetooth codecs sacrifice considerable audio data to keep files small. LDAC preserves more of the original recording, which is why it appeals to music lovers who listen via streaming services like Spotify or Tidal. The codec adjusts its bitrate automatically if your connection weakens, ensuring the stream doesn't drop out.
Where you'll encounter LDAC: Sony's own headphones and speakers (including the WH-1000XM series), some Android phones, and a growing number of third-party manufacturers who've licensed the technology. Apple devices do not support LDAC. Your source device (phone, tablet, or computer) must also support LDAC to send it; your headphones alone cannot upgrade a standard Bluetooth connection.
When shopping for wireless headphones or speakers, check whether LDAC support matters to your listening habits. If you stream high-quality audio and own an Android device, LDAC models are worth considering. With an iPhone, or if you listen mainly to compressed formats like YouTube, the difference will be harder to hear. Verify that both your player and your audio device explicitly list LDAC support in their specifications.