Source and receiving devices
- The source device (also called Center) is the device that plays sound – your phone, computer, or tablet.
- The receiving device (also called Peripheral or Sink) is the headphones or speaker that receives the sound.
The two work together using Bluetooth profiles.
Streaming vs. communication profiles
- A2DP (streaming): Used for music and stereo audio. Sends high-quality sound in one direction from source to headphones.
- HFP / HSP (communication): Used for calls and microphone use. Audio travels in both directions, sharing bandwidth between playback and the microphone path.
Why sound quality can differ during calls
When using HFP/HSP, part of the Bluetooth connection's bandwidth is used for the microphone path, leaving less room for high-quality stereo audio. On most devices the difference is small, but on high-quality headphones the drop may be more noticeable.
Multipoint connections
Bluetooth can connect to more than one device at a time (multipoint). Your headset can remember several devices, but only one source is typically used for high-quality stereo audio at a time. Switching between devices (e.g., from a laptop to a phone call) happens automatically based on the profiles in use.
Brief interruptions during playback
Short interruptions while listening may be caused by a notification triggering the HFP/HSP profile on a connected device. To reduce this, disable or limit certain notifications in the connected device's Bluetooth settings.
Tips for a better experience
- For best music quality, ensure the Bluetooth connection is using A2DP rather than the call profile.
- During calls, expect a slight reduction in music audio quality – this is normal.
- To minimize interruptions, disable or limit notifications on the device connected to your headphones.
- If using multipoint, check your headset's pairing list to manage which device is actively streaming.