While enjoying our favorite movie, you might notice that the video and the audio do not match seamlessly. It happens mostly when we are using a Bluetooth audio device like Bluetooth speakers.
Now there is a valid question to ask – do Bluetooth speakers have a delay?
Yes, Bluetooth speakers have a delay. It happens because audio files take time to get transferred from the sender to the receiver. It is known as Audio Latency. The auxiliary wire connection takes about 5-10 MS to transfer the audio whereas in the case of a wireless Bluetooth connection – the delay in audio can go up to 100-300 for wireless speakers or headphones.
Let me dissect in detail why is there a lag in audio transmission so you understand the phenomenon in detail.
In a Bluetooth audio chain, there is system A (the transmitter) and system B (the receiver). The transmitter will send audio signals to the receiver. And the audio travels with a bandwidth to get transferred from system A to system B.
Just like you need a bigger car to move more stuff – similarly the bigger the audio file is, the more bandwidth is used to transfer the audio file. And consider a wired connection as a train track – that will help in a faster transmission than a wireless connection.
4 Factors that Affects Bluetooth Audio Quality and Cause The Delay in Audio?
When we talk about the factors that affect the Bluetooth audio quality – these 4 are the biggest bystanders in it.
1. Bluetooth Codec
Bluetooth codec works like an algorithm that performs certain actions to transfer a file.
Bluetooth codec receives the file, compresses, encodes, and decodes the audio file. As the file gets compressed – the file size is reduced to lessen the usage of bandwidth. After that, the file is encoded in a different format to perform the transmission.
And then the compressed file is decoded so that we can hear the audio file through our headphones and speakers.
Now the important thing to understand is that some codecs are better at performing the algorithm than others.
Therefore, to get your hands on the codecs that are better for your requirements (Music, TV, Sports) – do your research and read upon which codecs will be better.
2. Distance
This is something that everyone understands – the farther you are from the Bluetooth source, the receiver will have some trouble decoding the audio file.
As the decoding is happening in real life, the distance from the source can have an impact on the audio and you can notice some delay and lag in the audio from your speakers.
To avoid this, make sure that your audio transmitter and recovery are placed in a suitable difference.
Your Version of Bluetooth
Yes, Bluetooth also has a different version. Some better than the others. As technology has improved massively – the version that we have now (Bluetooth 5.0) is an immensely improved version of when Bluetooth was originally invented.
The current version decodes the audio file much faster hence there is less delay. However, only the flagship or the latest devices feature Bluetooth 5.0. the difference is evident as there is a shorter latency time and the sound quality is better.
Interference
Imagine you are walking on a track and many other people are walking by your side or in front of you.
Similarly, interference is the unwelcomed frequency from other devices. For example, your wireless mouse or the Wi-Fi connection.
These different frequencies add to the traffic and disrupt the algorithm that is working to receive, compress and decode the audio files.
Here is a table for you to check why your Bluetooth speakers might experience a lag.
Note: Some level of lag is inevitable, but if your experience is getting disturbed then you might want to consider the following problems.
| Your receiver and transmitter device are far apart. |
| The Bluetooth version is older. |
| Other devices are creating interference. |
| The Bluetooth codec is lagging. |
Enough about the problems. Let me discuss how you can minimize this lag in your device.
How To Reduce Bluetooth Speaker Delay?
The Bluetooth version has significantly improved over time but as of now, some delay in the audio transmission is inevitable.
It happens because all the encoding and decoding process to transmit the compressed audio file is happening in real-time. And it takes time – so some lag is expected.
But everything has a solution.
You can minimize the delay by checking the distance between the two devices (should not be more than a few meters). Another thing you can do is to check your Bluetooth codec. Lastly, ensure that both of your devices are featuring the same version of Bluetooth.
Let’s discuss this in detail.
The distance
As discussed before, more distance from the transmitter and receiver will add to the delay. So, when you are at a party or just in your room – do not roam around with your phone or your iPod while playing music on your Bluetooth speakers.
As the distance will have to get readjusted in real-time – there will be more lag. Make sure your phone is placed near your Bluetooth speaker so that the lag is minimized.
Pay Attention to The Audio Codec
The main driver that is working in a Bluetooth audio device is the codec. As it encodes and decodes the audio file – some lag is expected but you can minimize it to an unnoticeable level by using the right codec.
Therefore, while buying your Bluetooth speakers check for the following codecs.
- LDAC
- aptX HD
- LDAC
- LC3
- SBC (the universal audio codec).
Source and receiver
Another method to reduce the noticeable lag is to check whether your phone or laptop has the same Bluetooth version as your Bluetooth speaker.
If both connections are of the same version –the lag will be mitigated.
As people do not change their speakers so often, chances are your phone has the latest (Bluetooth 5.0) version, but your audio device has some other version like (4.1).
Takeaway
No, it is not your speakers’ malfunctioning – Bluetooth speakers do experience some lag while transmitting the audio.
As the audio file is compressed and sent to the receiver – the real-time process is bound to take time. As of now, the lag is inevitable, we can expect some future technology to fix this issue.
Until then, you can try reducing the distance between both devices, finding the perfect device that has the most suitable codec. You can also check if both of your devices have the same Bluetooth version (ideally 5.0).
All these methods should be able to solve your problem – if the lag is still noticeable you can try troubleshooting Windows or macOS.