Why Do Bluetooth Headphones Sound Bad When Using Mic?.
Why Do Bluetooth Headphones Sound Bad When Using Mic? And How to Improve the Audio Quality
Bluetooth headphones have become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to their convenience and portability. However, one common complaint about Bluetooth headphones is that the audio quality can suffer when using the microphone. This can be frustrating, especially if you use your Bluetooth headphones for work or gaming.
In this article, we will explain why Bluetooth headphones sound bad when using the microphone, and offer some tips on how to improve the audio quality.
Why do Bluetooth headphones sound bad when using the mic?
Bluetooth headphones use two different audio profiles:
- A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile): This profile is designed for high-quality audio playback, such as music and videos.
- HFP (Hands-Free Profile): This profile is designed for voice communication, such as phone calls and video conferencing.
When you are using the microphone on your Bluetooth headphones, the headphones will switch to the HFP profile. This is because the HFP profile is optimized for voice communication, and it provides better audio quality for speaking than the A2DP profile.
However, the HFP profile also has a lower bandwidth than the A2DP profile. This means that the audio quality will be reduced when you are using the microphone on your Bluetooth headphones. This is especially noticeable when listening to music or videos while using the microphone.
In addition, some Bluetooth headphones use a single codec for both audio playback and voice communication. This means that the same codec is used to compress the audio, regardless of whether you are listening to music or speaking on the phone. This can also lead to a reduction in audio quality when using the microphone.
How to improve the audio quality of Bluetooth headphones when using the mic
There are a few things you can do to improve the audio quality of your Bluetooth headphones when using the microphone:
- Use a Bluetooth headset with a dedicated microphone codec. Some Bluetooth headsets use a dedicated microphone codec, such as Qualcomm cVc 8.0. These codecs are designed to improve the audio quality of voice communication, and they can help to reduce the amount of noise and distortion.
- Use a Bluetooth dongle with a higher version of Bluetooth. Bluetooth 5.0 and newer offer a higher bandwidth than previous versions of Bluetooth. This means that you can get better audio quality when using the microphone on your Bluetooth headphones with a Bluetooth 5.0 or newer dongle.
- Use a Bluetooth headset with a boom microphone. Boom microphones are designed to position the microphone closer to your mouth, which can help to improve the audio quality of your voice.
- Reduce the volume of the audio playback. If you are listening to music or videos while using the microphone, try reducing the volume of the audio playback. This will help to free up some of the bandwidth on your Bluetooth headphones, which can improve the audio quality of your voice.
- Move closer to the Bluetooth transmitter. The closer you are to the Bluetooth transmitter, the stronger the signal will be. This can help to improve the audio quality of both audio playback and voice communication.
Tips for using Bluetooth headphones with a microphone
Here are a few additional tips for using Bluetooth headphones with a microphone:
- Make sure that your Bluetooth headphones are properly connected to your device. If your Bluetooth headphones are not properly connected, you may experience audio quality problems.
- Update the firmware on your Bluetooth headphones. Manufacturers often release firmware updates that can improve the audio quality and performance of their Bluetooth headphones. Be sure to check the manufacturer's website for the latest firmware updates.
- Try different audio profiles. Some devices may have different audio profiles available for Bluetooth headphones. Experiment with different audio profiles to see which one provides the best audio quality for your needs.
- Use a wired connection if possible. If audio quality is critical, you may want to consider using a wired connection instead of Bluetooth. Wired connections typically offer better audio quality than Bluetooth connections.
Conclusion
Bluetooth headphones have become a popular choice for many people, but it is important to be aware of the limitations of Bluetooth technology. When using Bluetooth headphones, the audio quality may suffer when using the microphone. However, there are a few things you can do to improve the audio quality, such as using a Bluetooth headset with a dedicated microphone codec, reducing the volume of the audio playback, and moving closer to the Bluetooth transmitter.