Bluetooth audio is my least favorite part of using Linux and it seems like my coworkers agree. I hear a lot of praise for pipewire, but it doesn’t match what I experience. Does any system work well for anyone?

To clarify, it can work. But it’s a harsh experience compared to say Android. I’ve used Ubuntu, Fedora, and PopOS. I’ve tried a few different headphones, using Galaxy Buds 2 current. Pulseaudio tends to “do as it’s told” but doesn’t automatically switch to the right (confusingly named) profile. With Ubuntu 23.10, using pipewire, it does automatic switch profiles. Sometimes this works great. But very often, it gets stuck on on a profile or just stops working. I have to reconnect bluetooth to fix it.

Is there some magic combination of things that works or is this just how it is for everyone?

  • FQQD
    link
    fedilink
    English
    711 months ago

    Pretty good. I use Nothing ear 2s with a lenovo thinkpad on arch linux and it works just as well as with my ipad and my android smartphone.

    Only bad thing, it set the codec to a worse sounding one once for some reason, but changing it back solved it.

    • @exception4289
      link
      111 months ago

      This usually happens when you use the earphones’ microphone. It lowers the audio quality to be able to send the microphone’s data.

      • FQQD
        link
        fedilink
        English
        111 months ago

        Very good point. I was in a discord call in that moment. Discord probably tried to use my headphones mic instead of the built-in.

      • Agility0971
        link
        111 months ago

        exactly. I disabled mono profile in bluez config and I could recomend that to everyone else as well

        • @exception4289
          link
          111 months ago

          Wait, you can keep the audio quality while using the microphone?

          • Agility0971
            link
            111 months ago

            Not exactly. You loose microphone in the headset. I use the built in microphone in the laptop instead.

            • @exception4289
              link
              111 months ago

              Upon further researching, there seems to be a a configuration that provides acceptable audio quality while using the device’s microphone.

              It’s called HSP/HFP with mSBC codec.