A group called Nexum in Taipei is using a Kickstarter campaign to fund Voce, “the first lossless LE audio and broadcast transceiver.” The “revolutionary adapter” promises to make any audio source wireless and let it beam lossless audio to virtually any device.
Bluetooth adapters that turn wired audio gear, like headphones or speakers, into wireless ones aren’t new. But most of them operate with older Bluetooth standards, up to version 5.1.
It’s Voce’s use of Bluetooth 5.2, LE Audio and an appropriate codec that should allow it to take full advantage of lossless audio and broadcast it up to 30 meters (just over 98 feet).
Even better, a built-in microphone allow the device to record sound, too.
LE Audio and MACH codec
Nexum identifies LE Audio and the MACH codec as keys to Voce’s functionality.
Voce incorporates LE Audio, an enhancement to Bluetooth that adds support for devices like hearing aids and adds Bluetooth Audio Sharing.
MACH stands for MStream Audio CODEC HD. Nexum said it “teamed up with the codec’s creators, MStream Technologies, to bring wireless lossless audio to your audio devices.”
Using an adaptive mode, the codec supports bit rates from 80Kbps to 1Mbps, and can offer better audio quality at a lower bit rate, the company said.
Voce also has a built-in digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and amplifie. And it’s outfitted to clip onto other gear.
You can see (and hear) some demo videos of Voce in action on the Kickstarter page.
Shipping expected in January 2022
As of today, 34 days remain in the Kickstarter campaign. Donations are not charged until the end of a successful campaign. If successful, the campaign says worldwide shipping should commence in January 2022.
Price: Super Early Bird donation amount is $79, 43% off the expected retail price.
Where to buy: Kickstarter
