What is Bluetooth 5.0?

With the incredible developments being seen in True Wireless technology, the term Bluetooth 5.0 is being banded about. A lot. Like, everywhere you look. But what is Bluetooth 5.0? And what is the meaning of different types, like Bluetooth 5.0 vs 4.2? We answer this and more!

It’s fair to say that Bluetooth technology has revolutionized the technology world. If you can remember transfering songs between phones via Infrared tech, and having to keep your phone connected to the other for the whole time, you’ll be aware of just how great the widespread use of Bluetooth in phone technology made life so much easier.

Nowadays, it isn’t just confined to phones. Bluetooth 5.0 headphones are commonplace on Amazon, with brands (including TaoTronics) extolling its virtue. You’ll see claims of a steady, uninterrupted connection that improves your listening experience; perhaps this is what the company claims sets them apart.

We’re here to break down exactly what is Bluetooth 5.0, and whether it actually makes a difference buying headphones with Bluetooth 5.0 vs 4.2. With this new information – and information like our explanation of headphone drivers – you can feel more comfortable breaking down the jargon and choosing your new headphones!

Quick Jump

Who Discovered Bluetooth?

How Does Bluetooth Work?

What is Bluetooth 5.0?

Bluetooth 5.0 vs 4.2

Best Bluetooth 5.0 Headphones

Best Bluetooth Sound Bar

Who Discovered Bluetooth?

This is quite a difficult question to answer. Bluetooth has a long history, stretching back to Hollywood origins in World War 2.

The Beginnings of Bluetooth

Bluetooth 5.0 headphones have an actual Hollywood ancestry!

Hollywood starlet Hedy Lamarr, born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler in Vienna, Austria, in 1913. She was discovered by Louis Mayer of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in Paris at the age of 24, and he promptly took her straight to Hollywood.

As we wrote before, Lamarr was passionate about inventing and had a mini-lab in her trailer. She was respected by people like Howard Hughes, who called her a genius after she helped to refine the design of airplanes.

During her marriage to a munitions expert, Lamarr had learned much about missiles and ballistics. She put this to use in the late 1930s by teaming up with musician George Anthiel to invent a “Secret Communications System”. This system was an attempt to prevent Nazi missile attacks on non-military ships in the Atlantic.

The duo based their system on the rolls and keys of a pianola. Like the pianola’s 88 keys it involved 88 synched frequencies. Having synchronized frequencies, they theorized, prevented the missiles radio signals from jamming. This invention would mean that the accuracy and reliability of radio-guided torpedoes would be improved.

Lamarr and Anthiel laid the foundations of frequency hopping spread spectrum technology. Bluetooth uses this tech today to avoid interference problems. Lemarr donated the invention to the war effort shortly after their design was granted a patent in 1942.

Bluetooth and Sweden

Bluetooth Headphones

Bluetooth as we know it today can be traced back to Sweden and Dr. Jaap Haartsen at Ericsson. Haartsen and his team were tasked with creating an optimal “short-link” radio technology standard that was intended to link wireless headsets to computers.

They succeeded, and Haartsen was nominated for a European Inventor Award.

Sweden is where the Bluetooth name comes from by the way. It was given the anglicized version of Danish King Harald Blåtand, who was renowned in history for uniting Norway and Denmark.

How Does Bluetooth Work?

Bluetooth is everywhere – there really is no serious competitor. But how does it actually work?

Bluetooth Executive Director Michael Foley told Scientific American that:

Bluetooth technology is a short-range wireless communications technology to replace the cables connecting electronic devices, allowing a person to have a phone conversation via a headset, use a wireless mouse and synchronize information from a mobile phone to a PC, all using the same core system.

It works via similar frequencies used by microwaves and Wi-Fi. It uses frequency hopping between 2.402 GHz and 2.480 GHz to make it a more secure way of transmitting information. In fact, this frequency band is specifically reserved for industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) devices as a result of an international agreement!

What is Bluetooth 5.0?

Bluetooth 5.0 is the latest incarnation of this technology.

Bluetooth 5.0 vs 4.2

Essentially, Bluetooth 4.2 is an earlier version of Bluetooth 5.0. There isn’t much to talk about when discussing Bluetooth 5.0 vs 4.2 – it’s often only easy to see the differences when there’s a direct comparison.

Some clear differences are:

  • Speed – 5.0 is twice as fast as 4.2 (it has double the Bandwidth)
  • Range – 5.0 has 4 times the range at about 120m with no obstructions; 4.2 is only around 30m
  • Dual Connections – You can connect two devices to a 5.0 device, but not with 4.2

The real difference between these is that a device with Bluetooth 5.0 will work a lot better with the Internet of Things and the introduction of 5G.

Here’s a (slightly older) video on the development if that’s more your thing!

Does This Make a Difference to Headphones?

Simply, yes.

We often talk about future-proofing your devices, but with headphones this is key. As 5G rolls in and becomes more common, you will want Bluetooth 5.0 to be able to keep your headphones performing at their best in the years to come. If you’re the kind of person who replaces their headphones every year, this might not affect you so much.

It also means you can stay connected for longer. If you’re wearing your headphones in the house, you should theoretically have a strong signal as you move around your home leaving your phone on your night stand. Whilst this depends on the obstructions in the way, Bluetooth 5.0 headphones should stay connected for longer than 4.2.

The increased bandwidth will also make for a pleasant, more clear listening experience.

Best Bluetooth 5.0 Headphones

TaoTronics has an amazing range of headphones that use Bluetooth 5.0. We’ve got some great recommendations for you!

SoundSurge 46

headphone accessories

If you’re looking for over-ear headphones, we suggest you check out SoundSurge 46. With sublime sound and c.V.c 6.0 call technology, you’ll get steady and uniterrupted voice calls and audio.

Read a review of SoundSurge 46!

BH072

bluetooth 5.0 vs 4.2

If you want freedom whilst you exercise, you’ll need some Bluetooth 5.0 headphones. They let you leave your phone at the side of the room for total movement while you complete circuits or do weights.

Read a review of BH072!

SoundLiberty 77

what is bluetooth 5.0

Part of our True Wireless headphone range, these are our smallest earbuds yet! With a range of 50ft, they’re great for using every day and on the move.

Read a review of SoundLiberty 77!

Best Bluetooth Sound Bar

bluetooth 5.0 headphones

We have a great option for you if you want an amazing sound bar for your TV. Our Sound Bar has Bluetooth 4.2, but for a device that’s always gonna be close to what it’s connected to this is less of an issue. It has 3 distinct equalizer modes (Games Mode, Music Mode, Movie Mode) controlled via the remote control to suit your every need.

In this way, it doesn’t just provide you with cinema-like sound. You can connect your phone to the Sound Bar to use it as a speaker for parties, meaning the Bluetooth works to make your room better in so many ways!

Check out the TaoTronics full headphone range today!

Henry
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Henry

After years of industry experience, Henry Wong has become TaoTronics’s go-to Bluetooth expert. Understanding the technology like the back of his hand, he loves reviewing Bluetooth devices so you can pick the best ones to suit your needs.

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