BT-W3X Smart Bluetooth 5.3 Audio Transmitter with aptX HD, High-Definition 24-bit / 48 kHz Audio, Device-Switching Function, Works with PC/Mac/Gaming Consoles

Works great with OpenBSD. Recommend for value at 40 dollars. Don't waste you time with those cheap ones on Aliexpress. They drop to HFP profile and the audio quality sucks!

I own several Creative Labs products now, including speakers, headphones, USB DACs, and external Soundblaster sound cards. My opinion about the brand is always mixed and I often ask myself “why do I still consider this brand”. In terms of hardware, the Creative products are usually good. In terms of software, they have all been a disappointment. Enter the BT-W3X. Again, the hardware is great. In contrast to most available Bluetooth dongles, this one has USB-C, a status light for the codec used, and a physical button for additional functionality. It is a very complete package and works right out of the box. I especially enjoyed the status light – I never knew what codec my headphones use, now I do. I was apprehensive about installing the software. You do not need it, the product will run without software. However, the new Creative App was actually a positive surprise. It works! It adds more functionality to the product (such as a Equalizer and DSP called “acoustic engine”). Together with the working app, this product has more features than advertised and is just a joy to use. You can use this dongle to fix a broken Bluetooth adapter, upgrade your outdated Bluetooth version, and reduce the need for pairing your headphones again and again and again on different devices. To me, it was definitely worth its price.

There's no easier way to listen to your music than just to open up a folder and press Enter on whatever file you want to listen to. Yet for years it was impossible to do something this basic without compromising on fidelity. If you wanted HD audio you were mostly stuck having to buy something like a Bluesound and navigate your music collection through its horrible app interface. Finally there's a better option in AptX HD. If you have an AptX HD-compatible receiver or amp, you can play wireless music not technically lossless but still at 24bit better-than-CD quality - *almost* realizing the dream of pressing Enter in your Windows folders and having the file play through a real stereo system. The "almost" is because Windows itself has no AptX HD compatibility so you need a solution like this to take over. I bought it to pair with Emotiva's TA1 amp, which has a built-in AptX HD Bluetooth receiver so requires no extra hardware beyond this little dongle: the complete system is 1) laptop, 2) dongle, 3) TA1, 4) speakers. I did experience some frustration at first with Windows trying to output through its regular Bluetooth instead of this dongle, which seemed stuck in an interminable pairing mode. The solution, which the help line at Emotiva helped me figure out after web searching proved fruitless, is to turn OFF Bluetooth on Windows. Then you plug this thing in, it automatically takes over as the audio output source, the amp automatically finds its signal - press enter on a FLAC and a little orange light pops up confirming your 24-bit signal as your room fills with music. It's been working flawlessly and as an essential component in an HD audio system for twenty-five bucks, it's hard to beat the value. It also felt pretty good buying another Creative Labs product after my first SoundBlaster circa 1991.

Nothing complicated. Just plug it in and connect your headphones (set them in pairing mode, often just by tapping or pressing).

I use Debian 12.10 Linux worked like a charm.