Creative BT-W5

I am a PC user, so I got the adapter to benefit from during gaming and video watching. I am using Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2. In Windows PC Aptx standard is what we get. Aptx standard and Aptx Adaptive operate at around 80ms latency. Selecting a low-latency mode in the app does lower the latency by half after doing some audio testing. So it feels very good, and I wouldn't even bother using a wired headset for gaming. Works well, after switching my headset on, it automatically connects to the dongle. For anyone considering this dongle for low latency experience, make sure your headset or earbus has Aptex adaptive. Aptex Low Latency LL is a completely different older codec. The BT-W5 frequently acts as its own sound card, meaning setting Windows to 10% might still send a 100% signal to the dongle, which is then sent to your headphones. I have an example screenshot of how I manage sound volume. In volume mixer settings, I set master vol at 50%, then Spotify, game, and browser at literally 4% vol. In this setup, using the master volume gives good volume control.

This is a great little dongle to allow pretty much anything with a USB port to deliver AptX Adaptive / HD sound quality over bluetooth. I use mine both with my PC and also my phone which only supports LDAC which my buds don't. The dongle uses an app on the computer to adjust settings, reset, update firmware, enable room modes/eq etc. I find the app a little lacking in friendlyness. I often am unsure which mode i'm in or whether an adjustment will persist across devices. I tend to just use it therefore for a straight connection and don't both with all the room simulation modes etc. The dongle is a USB type C port device. So if you want to use it on something with a USB-A port you'll need to buy an adapter, which for the price of this device i would expect to be included. The overall sound quality when paired with a set of buds / headphones that support AptX Adaptive is really one of the best sounding experiences i've ever had via bluetooth. I am using this with Tidal lossless service as i genuinely can hear the difference between Spotify and Tidal lossless. It does sound better, in my experience, than the Sennheiser BTD600 but not by much. Given the 2x price difference i think on balance the Sennheiser is a much better value proposition and i would expect this Creative dongle to really be similarly priced or maybe £40-45. I think the £55 price tag is definitely too much. Works great though, can be used without a PC using the button on the device to trigger pairing but updates or tweaks does need the app. Be nice to see a mobile version of the app too

Works very well with my Win 11 laptop to Dali Katch G2 Bluetooth speaker. It connects automatically via the best codec for my situation, which is AptX HD. The Creative app shows the bitrate being used (24/48) and has useful EQ options to tailor the sound, which the Dali lacks. A big advantage. One can also can update firmware and other settings. I also used this via my Samsung S24. Creative make it clear that Android isn't supported. And indeed, I found the Creative app doesn't work with this device, which means none of the information or EQ options that the Windows app has are available. However......the dongle did connect to my Dali successfully and is using the AptX HD codec (as shown by the gold light illuminating on it). But the volume is controlled by the phone and other sounds can be heard unless you mute "system sounds", which means the audio is going through the Android internal mixer. That resamples audio to either 16/48 or 24/48 (never sure). Which is still fine in my case, since Samsung don't offer AptX HD or better, only AptX standard. AptX HD tops out at 24/48 so this is no worry. If your phone offers AptX HD, Adaptive or Lossless and you don't plan to use Win 11 etc., then don't bother getting this. Otherwise, I recommend and am happy with the purchase.

Fantastic, works like a dream and has excellent range.

Great little device, works exactly as intended with my Bose QC ultras. Low latency whilst gaming was exactly what I needed along with decent range. Easy to set up, would reccomend to someone who wants to use better headphones and not need a wire

Bluetooth connectivity is on the Top, never had any issues with connecting stability. Works great with my Aptx Adaptive earbuds. Just 3 clicks on the button, and I can switch between High Quality (Purple) or Low Latency mode (Cyan). The Creative App makes them very easy to setup. No issues with compatibility as long as the earbuds/headphones have supported Bluetooth codes by the dongle. Overall it's very good value for money, and as always creative can deliver great sound quality ! Recommending either for music or gaming 👌🏻

Great bit of kit, allows me to get better sound quality when using my phone with my headphone, it works flawlessly everytime.

I bought this to use with a Playstation 5. The problem is that the BT-W5's default mode is High Quality (High Latency). Obviously, for gaming I want the Low Latency mode. BUT the only way the user can select Low Latency (or other) mode is by first connecting the BT-W5 to a Windows 11 PC or a Mac, downloading the Creative App, and using that app to select the desired mode. The BT-W5 then remains in that selected mode and can be connected to a PS5 or other device. Tough luck if you don't own a Windows 11 PC or Mac (I don't). You are stuck with that one High Quality mode (which is laughably high latency ... just watching video on the PS5, the sound is lagging, lip sync is awful). So, it's a a stretch for Creative to claim that the BT-W5 works with that long list of devices. It does connect, but you can only use a fraction of its functionality. Not everyone has a PC or Windows computer to set the device up fully. If you're planning to use this on anything but a PC or Mac, don't waste your money.