The Creative BT-W3 and BT-W4 USB dongles add Qualcomm’s aptX codecs. Windows has the lossy SBC, Mac has the lossy AAC Bluetooth codec, and most non-Qualcomm Android phones only use lossy SBC.
The BT-W3 has SBC, aptX, aptX Low Latency and aptX HD. The BT-W4 has SBC, aptX, and aptX Adaptive. Both have a nifty 3.5mm mic for voice chat.
Australian Review Creative BT-W3 and BT-W4 Qualcomm aptX USB dongles
| Website | BT-W3 Product page and BT-W4 Product page |
| Price | BT-W3, $64.95 but online at $54.95 BT-W4, $74.95 |
| From | Creative online and CE/IT resellers |
| Warranty | 12 months ACL |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Company | Singapore-based Creative Labs (Est 198it 1) make class-leading PC soundcards and, more recently, speakers and headsets. Its Super X-Fi launched in 2018, is just beginning to take hold to produce spatial sound from stereo technology. |
| More | CyberShack Creative news and reviews |
We use Fail (below expectations), Pass (meets expectations) and Exceed (surpasses expectations or is the class leader) against many of the items below. We occasionally give a Pass(able) rating that is not as good as it should be and a Pass ‘+’ rating to show it is good but does not quite make it to Exceed. You can click on most images for an enlargement.
First Impression – Pass+
The concept for both is the same. Plug the USB-C dongle (both come with a USB-C to USB-A adapter) into the computer, and you instantly see come up as a speaker. Put your BT headphones/speaker/soundbar in pairing mode, and a few seconds later, you have a solid connection light. You can pair up to four devices to the dongle. Windows BT-W4 users can use the Creative App.
The key differences are BT 5.0 for BT-W3 and BT 5.2 for WT-W4.
BT-4 Creative App – Exceed
The App adds considerable value to the BT-W4 and makes this the one to get.
- Sound mode: Gaming, Music, Movies, Adventure and Action and Apex Legends
- 10-band Equaliser (something Windows needs): From 20Hz to 20kHz plus separate sliders for Preamp, Bass and Treble and can save pre-set to the dongle.
- Mixer: You can adjust the volume of the playback and recording
- Acoustic Engine: Can adjust for stereo headphones (no adjustment) or speakers, including
- Surround – upscales to 4.0
- Crystailser – brings out the artist’s intentions
- Bass – expands <50Hz bass
- Smart volume – auto adjusts a volume and has Nigh and Loud options
- Dialogue – improves 1-4kHz detail at the expense of some bass and treble
- Paring list – swap device pairing
- Playback audio quality
- 16-bit/44.1/48/96Hz
- 24-bit/44.1/48/96Hz
- Headphone or Speaker (desktop, bookshelf, tower and custom and fidelity selection
- Microphone (16-bit/8/16/32/48kHz
How does it sound?
BT-W3 and BT-W4 have aptX, which is a significant step up to SBC and AAC. You can read more about that – What is a Bluetooth aptX codec, and should you care? (Sound guide).
BT-W3 – gamers appreciate its <40ms aptX low latency mode. Audiophiles appreciate its Lossless Hi-Res aptX HD.
BT-W4 – aptX Adaptive makes the best of whatever the BT environment adapting the bit-rate (up to 24-bit/48kHz) and uses smaller data packets for better energy efficiency. It may even revert to aptX or SBC if necessary.
Using a pair of Sennheiser Momentum 4 buds the difference between Codecs was palpable.
Device switching – Pass+
Both allow for device switching via the dongle push button, or the BT-W4 can use the App.
HFP Mode (Hands-frere profile) – Pass
Most BT headphones connect via A2DP, as does this. But you can double press the Bluetooth button to enter HFP mode and use voice chat with the built-in microphone on your headset.
3.5mm mic – Pass
You can use this instead of the Bluetooth headphone mic. It fits PS4/5/Nintendo Swith and any 3.5mm 4-pole equipped computer or smartphone.
Reliability – Pass+
It transmits at higher signal strengths and lower latency for superior reliability.
CyberShack’s view – Creative BT-W3 and BT-W4 are great investments in sound quality
I have used the BT-W3 for about a year to ensure that aptX (and variants) compatible headphones are correctly tested. I quietly shudder when using SBC or AAC on an older PC or Mac. I have also used it on non-Qualcomm smartphones (MediaTek and others that support Audio out via the USB-C connection).
Let’s say that it makes a perceptible difference to the sound quality and volume of the headphones.
The BT-W4 is later tech, and the App adds considerable value.
Rating Explanation – Creative BT-W3 and BT-W4
Both rate equally well, but the App puts the BT-W4 ahead.
Features: 90 – adds Qualcomm aptX and variants to smart devices. The 3.5mm mic has limited scenario use.
Value: 95 – cheap to be able to get better BT codec sound quality
Performance: 90 – swapping between SBC, AC and aptX variants exposes a new world of sound.
Ease of Use: 90 – Plug and play
Design: 90 – thoughtful with an indicator LED and multi-function button.
Pro
Con
None
CyberShack Verdict
Creative BT-W3 and BT-W4 Qualcomm aptX dongles
BT-W3 $54.95 and BT-W4 $74.95
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