FW3 and UTWS5 Firmware Upgrade — Added Support for LDAC
First of all, we would like to express our gratitude to the Qualcomm QCC team and the SONY LDAC team for their technical support to us, and to our internal test users for their long-term test feedback and tolerance. After our engineers' persistent efforts, our TWS products, UTWS5 and FW5, can eventually support the Bluetooth codec, LDAC!
Another good news is that the just-released HiFi TrueWireless Bluetooth earbuds FW3 will also be supporting LDAC. It is currently in the final testing phase, and is expected to be released next week. Early adopters can upgrade the firmware to enjoy Bluetooth music through LDAC.
The two firmwares released this time are just for experience. Due to differences in the connected devices, there may be disconnection, sound stutter and other problems. Please read the “Firmware Explanation” carefully in the following text before upgrading. If it affects the experience, please revert to the previous version.
UTWS5 firmware upgrade instruction: Click here (only supports Local Upgrade)
UTWS5 firmware link: Click here
FW5 firmware upgrade instruction: Click here (only supports Local Upgrade)
FW5 firmware link: Click here
Notes:
(1) If the new firmware affects the experience, you can revert to the previous firmware version. Download it at the above link.
(2) After the successful upgrade, please reset the device.
Reset the FW5: Hold the button with a raised dot on the earbud
Reset the UTWS5: Put the two ear hooks inside the charging case. Close the case and reopen it, and then hold the button on the case for about 12s.
Firmware Introduction
Since LDAC requires extremely high transmission bandwidth, and TWS earbuds contain double wireless units which require double the bandwidth to transmit two channels simultaneously, we can only guarantee that the firmware released this time supports LDAC in some devices instead of perfectly being compatible with all. So please decide whether to upgrade or not based on your needs. If it affects your experience, it is suggested to revert to the previous stable version.
After updating the firmware, please enable LDAC on FiiO Control App->Select Bluetooth codec before using LDAC Bluetooth codec (LDAC Bluetooth codec is off by default.) If the output audio is not stable when using the LDAC for the first time, please reset the FW5/UTWS5.
Devices supporting Snapdragon Sound are suggested to upgrade the firmware
According to our technical analysis and user feedback, phones with Qualcomm processors that support snapdragon sound can better support LDAC.
Snapdragon Sound includes high-bandwidth technology QHS and TrueWireless Mirroring technology.
QHS (Qualcomm High Speed) is Qualcomm’s new Bluetooth wireless transmission program. By modifying the Bluetooth protocol, and optimizing the modulation system, transmission of packet loss, and information integration, it maximizes the Bluetooth transmission bandwidth to up to 6Mbps, and the effective bandwidth to 1 ~ 1.2Mbps, so as to provide more space for audio transmission. Therefore, it can meet the high bit rate transmission of 990kbps of LDAC.
TrueWireless Mirroring technology solves the problem of traditional Bluetooth audio transmission technology that requires relay forwarding, which will occupy double the Bluetooth bandwidth.
Check out if your mobile phone supports Snapdragon Sound here:
https://www.aptx.com/product-listing?aptx_type=766
If the device does not support Snapdragon Sound or the upgrade is unstable, it is suggested to revert the firmware
The current main problems with phones that do not support Snapdragon Sound are as follows:
(1) Do not support 990kbps bitrate;
(2) Stutter may occur when listening to music in LDAC adaptive mode;
(3) Muteness may occur when listening to music.
At this time, you can set the bitrate to 330kbps or 660kbps in the developer options to ensure the stability of audio playback. If there is still stutter or muteness, please hold the physical button with a raised dot on the earbud for about 8s, and then reset the two earbuds and reconnect them.
If the above measures still can not enable LDAC codec normally, please go to the Settings - Bluetooth code menu in the App to disable LDAC, or revert the firmware to the previously stable firmware.
We are very glad that we succeeded in improving the sound quality with LDAC for most TWS users, and also very guilty for not being able to solve the compatibility issue of LDAC for all connected devices. We promise we will keep working with Qualcomm and Sony to optimize the Bluetooth firmware and LDAC codec, trying our best to improve user experience.
Thank you so much for your support to FiiO! If you have any questions or suggestions about the firmware upgrade, please feel free to reach us out.
