AirPods Max sound better connected to MBP than LG TV, how to fix?

[ISignedUpToAskThis]

I use my AirPods Max a lot for watching movies. I've noticed that when I connect them to an M3 MacBook Pro or an LG OLED TV, both via Bluetooth, there's a considerable difference in sound quality.

When I connect to my LG OLED C3 TV and watch a show on the AppleTV+ app, the sound is good, if a little quiet (it maybe needs 10% more volume), but Spatial Audio works. It's acceptable.

When I connect to my M3 MacBook Pro however, and watch the same show on AppleTV+, it's considerably better. The sound is more immersive, the bass is deeper, the Spatial Audio sounds like it has a wider soundstage etc.

It's not just a small difference.

Is there a reason for this? Is there any way I can improve the audio on my LG when using the APMs?

Thanks

 

[ShadowJamie]

I use my AirPods Max a lot for watching movies. I've noticed that when I connect them to an M3 MacBook Pro or an LG OLED TV, both via Bluetooth, there's a considerable difference in sound quality.

When I connect to my LG OLED C3 TV and watch a show on the AppleTV+ app, the sound is good, if a little quiet (it maybe needs 10% more volume), but Spatial Audio works. It's acceptable.

When I connect to my M3 MacBook Pro however, and watch the same show on AppleTV+, it's considerably better. The sound is more immersive, the bass is deeper, the Spatial Audio sounds like it has a wider soundstage etc.

It's not just a small difference.

Is there a reason for this? Is there any way I can improve the audio on my LG when using the APMs?

Thanks

The MacBook probably sounds better because Apple devices are optimized for AirPods Max, using a better Bluetooth codec (AAC) and superior sound processing. The LG TV doesn’t have the same level of compatibility or audio quality through Bluetooth. Not sure if there's much you can do about it.

 

[ISignedUpToAskThis]

The MacBook probably sounds better because Apple devices are optimized for AirPods Max, using a better Bluetooth codec (AAC) and superior sound processing. The LG TV doesn’t have the same level of compatibility or audio quality through Bluetooth. Not sure if there's much you can do about it.

I think you're probably right. Unless there's some kind of Bluetooth USB adapter with an updated codec that overrides the installed one there probably isn't anything I can do.

 

[Ben J.]

The MacBook probably sounds better because Apple devices are optimized for AirPods Max, using a better Bluetooth codec (AAC) and superior sound processing. The LG TV doesn’t have the same level of compatibility or audio quality through Bluetooth. Not sure if there's much you can do about it.

I completely agree. You could go with wired HPs, but no guarantee that it will sound great either. I don't suppose there's any way to get the digital audio out from the TV? It could be routed to a dedicated DAC or to the mac.

I also have a big LG OLED. I use it as my main screen, at 1600x900 resolution so I can watch and read comfortably across the room. So I never use the TV as anything but a screen for the mac. And the mac has a Topping DAC connected to a nice big Hi-fi for pristine audio.

 

[perezr10]

This is also true for using APM on Apple Music vs Spotify. Apple Music sounds way better.

For TV shows and movies I would suggest getting an Apple TV box if you use your APM a lot.