Ear (2024) LDAC is choppy (vs LHDC)

RobIgo

So since Spotify (finally) launched lossless a few weeks ago I decided to change my settings on my ear (2024) to LDAC (and I’m using Nothing Phone 3).

I’ve noticed the signal seems “weak” as when my phone is in my pocket the music becomes very “choppy”. I’ve tried resetting everything and it’s not made any difference. I’m wondering has anybody else noticed this?

Also LDAC does not allow me to switch on my Sound Personalization.

After doing further reading I’ve learnt that LHDC 5.0 is actually better than LDAC (https://www.soundmaxpro.com/lhdc-5-0-vs-ldac-vs-aptx/ ) and when I use this this setting I’ve hardly any “chopping” of the music playback and it allows me to use my Sound Personalization - great!

Looking at the new ear3 and headphone1 specs, neither support LHDC only LDAC? I’m wondering why this decision was made to leave it off as it’s a higher bitrate codec? Am I missing something?

Nicouschulas

RobIgo

Thanks for the information, I’m still using ACC, do you hear any difference?

finnrickerzz

RobIgo I’m so glad it’s not just me, music with LDAC is really frustrating if my phone (3) is in my pocket. Cuts out every few seconds, sounds bitcrushed on and off so I have to switch to AAC when walking around with my 2024 ears in.

RobIgo

Nicouschulas you can definitely hear a difference, especially when listening in a quiet environment, the sound is just a bit richer/clearer it seems to my ears.

Nicouschulas

RobIgo

Okay thanks

RobIgo

The problem I’ve now found is that using LHDC drains the batteries a lot faster, after 1 hours use I’m down to 20% on one earbud. Can anybody else using Ear 2024 check if LDAC is ok and also how long LHDC lasts for them?

Nicouschulas

RobIgo

It’s normal that it’s draining faster, it’s written there also

RobIgo

Weirdly - after switching to LHDC (which drained my ear batteries very quickly), when I switched back to LDAC the “choppy” problem has gone? Maybe it’s because I switched codecs whilst I had the ear in their case (with the lid open)? Who knows but I’m please to report LDAC is sounding sweet (and doesn’t seem to drain as fast as LHDC).
I’m still curious to why Nothing didn’t put LHDC on their latest ear3 and headphone1 though

pollenjh

RobIgo I think it’s because LDAC is more common, and therefore most devices that have LHDC, also have LDAC. So it’s a compatibility thing.

I think the choice between them is better though, as LHDC has significantly lower latency than LDAC. Kinda sad how they decided to remove that opportunity imo

Nicouschulas

RobIgo

Maybe because it’s draining so fast and if there’s LDAC which is I think more common why implement another alternative.