SPARK Microsystems UWB Technology Achieves Bit-Perfect Wireless Audio Transmission

SPARK Microsystems, a Canadian fabless semiconductor company, has released findings from a third-party expert analysis that showcase the exceptional capabilities of their ultra-wideband technology in wireless audio transmission. The research, presented at AES Show 2024 NY, reveals that SPARK's UWB technology achieves bit-perfect wireless audio delivery, marking a significant advancement in the field of wireless audio technology. The study, conducted by independent audio engineering consultant Jeff Anderson, compared SPARK's UWB technology to competing audio codecs, including LDAC, aptX HD, aptX LL, and SBC.

Using Fast Fourier Transform measurements, the research evaluated signal quality across various audio systems, with wired equipment serving as the reference standard. Results demonstrate that SPARK's UWB technology delivers audio that is indistinguishable from wired transmission, exhibiting bit-perfect signal fidelity. This performance is complemented by ultra-low latency of under 7 milliseconds, enabling uncorrupted, pristine wireless audio. In contrast, Bluetooth codecs like LDAC and aptX HD showed elevated noise floors, noticeable distortion especially at higher frequencies, and latency ranging from 30 to 200 milliseconds.

The implications of this breakthrough are far-reaching for the audio industry. High-end audio brands such as Sonus Faber and Focal have already adopted SPARK's UWB technology in their products, recognizing its potential to revolutionize wireless audio experiences. Rejean Bedel, Groupe Marketing Manager at Focal, stated that this advancement marks a turning point for high-end audio, enabling seamless, user-friendly, and wire-free products without compromising sound quality. Beyond audio quality, SPARK's UWB technology offers additional advantages including bi-directional audio transport, allowing for an additional bit-perfect, low-latency uncompressed audio back channel.

Frederic Nabki, Co-founder and CTO of SPARK Microsystems, emphasized the significance of this development, noting that for decades, the industry has accepted compromises in sound quality, latency, and energy efficiency to make wireless audio possible. SPARK's low-power UWB technology changes that, delivering bit-perfect audio exactly as it was encoded at the source, with ultra-low latency that rivals wired connections. The breakthrough in wireless audio quality comes at a crucial time, as the demand for high-fidelity wireless audio solutions continues to grow. With increasing interference in wireless environments, SPARK's UWB technology offers unparalleled stability and performance, addressing longstanding challenges in the industry.

This advancement is not limited to audio quality alone. SPARK's technology is optimized for low power consumption, making it ideal for battery-powered devices. This combination of superior audio quality, ultra-low latency, and energy efficiency positions SPARK's UWB technology as a game-changer in the wireless audio market. As the industry moves towards more sophisticated and demanding audio applications, SPARK's UWB technology sets a new benchmark for wireless audio fidelity and responsiveness. Its ability to deliver bit-perfect audio with wired-like performance could potentially reshape consumer expectations and industry standards for wireless audio devices. The full details of the research findings are available online at https://www.sparkmicro.com/research, and attendees of CES 2025 will have the opportunity to experience the superior sound quality of SPARK's UWB technology firsthand through a live demo of their wireless headset.