Creative did its best to design a "smart" Bluetooth 5.2 audio transmitter that would offer a superior wireless experience - as far as a Bluetooth dongle allows - essentially giving the more demanding users an edge in the increasingly cluttered RF environments of today, be it for work or play. The resulting Creative BT-W4 adds much needed connectivity options for devices that need it, while allowing easy switching of Bluetooth devices. More importantly, it offers an important boost in terms of aptX Adaptive adoption.
The Creative BT-W4 adapter was designed for maximum RF performance, supporting an operating range up to 50 meters or 165 feet in unobstructed line-of-sight. And because it is powered by USB-C, the adapter offers plug and play right out of the box and minimal power consumption - especially important for the Nintendo Switch in handheld mode. A USB-C to USB-A converter also offers additional versatility.
Featuring the latest aptX Adaptive codec, the BT-W4 is a Bluetooth USB-C adapter that is able to monitor connection quality, type of content and optimally adapts the bitrate for the user’s RF environment efficiently – automatically and entirely fuss-free. It also offers high-resolution 24-bit audio streamed at 48kHz (maximum USB input is 24-bit/96kHz), and along with the reliability of the connection assured with Bluetooth 5.2, users can expect uninterrupted and all-round enhancements in clarity and depth for music, movies and games.
For those users who care about streaming audio quality, the adapter features automatic bitrate and codec selection. It scans automatically for aptX Adaptive and the optimal bitrate, while monitoring the RF quality around the user and the media choice for auto adjustment. aptX Adaptive will continuously scale through a range and save energy by utilizing smaller amounts of data without sacrificing audio quality. When using aptX Adaptive, the dongle will show a purple color. When the color is green, it simply means that streaming is using basic aptX, which still is an efficient codec that brings better audio quality than the dreaded SBC basic Bluetooth standard for wireless streaming, detected with a blue color.
The versatility of the BT-W4 adapter shines through with easy switching between up to four devices at the push of a button. An analog plug-in microphone is included and best used with gaming consoles, so that users can easily banter at will with teammates. Completing the voice chat support is the Hands-Free Profile mode, easily activated when connected to a wireless headset.
Compatible with PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PS4 and PS5, the Creative BT-W4 adapter is a worthy add-on for demanding users, as a competent tool that does it all with simplicity. When connected to the Creative app, users are able to remotely switch between the paired devices or reset the pairing list, and tweak their audio with the Equalizer and Sound Blaster’s Acoustic Engine.
The Creative BT-W4 is priced at $49.99 USD and is available now at the Creative online store and other retailers.
www.creative.com/BTW4
