Terminology » Difference between LC3 and SBC codec in Bluetooth LE

Difference between LC3 and SBC codec in Bluetooth LE

bluetooth low energy ble lc3 sbc codec difference between

Introduction : For years, SBC (Subband Codec) was the mandatory audio codec in Bluetooth Classic, providing baseline quality for wireless audio. With the launch of LE Audio, the LC3 (Low Complexity Communication Codec) was introduced as its successor. Comparing SBC and LC3 highlights the improvements in quality, efficiency and flexibility that make LC3 a cornerstone of the future of Bluetooth audio.

SBC

SBC is the mandatory audio codec defined for Bluetooth Classic (BR/EDR) audio profiles such as A2DP. It was introduced to ensure universal compatibility across all Bluetooth audio devices, from headphones to speakers.

SBC compresses audio by dividing it into frequency subbands and encoding each with adjustable bit allocation, providing a balance between quality and bandwidth usage.

While not designed for audiophile grade performance, it delivers adequate sound quality at bitrates typically ranging from 192 kbps to 345 kbps. Its strength lies in simplicity and universality, but it is less efficient compared to modern codecs.

LC3

LC3 is the next generation audio codec introduced with Bluetooth 5.2 as part of LE Audio. It replaces SBC as the default codec for new Bluetooth audio applications, offering significantly better sound quality at lower bitrates.

LC3 supports bitrates from 16 kbps to 345 kbps per channel and sampling rates from 8 kHz to 48 kHz, making it versatile for both speech and high fidelity music.

Its design emphasizes efficiency, low latency, and robustness against packet loss, enabling longer battery life and more reliable wireless audio. LC3 also underpins advanced features like Auracast broadcast audio and multi-stream support, making it central to the future of Bluetooth audio.

Key differences

FeatureSBC CodecLC3 Codec
StandardBluetooth 2.0 (EDR)Bluetooth 5.2 (LE audio)
Bit rate range~ 192 to 345 kbps~ 16 to 345 kbps (scalable)
Audio qualityadequate, improves with higher bit rateBetter than SBC at equal/lower bit rates
Sampling rateUp to 48 KHz8 to 48 KHz (flexible)
LatencyHigherLower (short frames)
EfficiencyLess efficientHighly efficient (saves power and bandwidth)
Use casesMusic streaming, callsMusic, calls, hearing aids, broadcast audio

Conclusion: Whereas SBC offered universality but limited quality, LC3 provides better sound at lower bit rates, improved efficiency and wider use cases. This shift ensures that future Bluetooth devices deliver higher quality audio while consuming less power; an essential advancement for modern earbuds, hearing aids and IoT audio devices.