Bluetooth audio is my least favorite part of using Linux and it seems like my coworkers agree. I hear a lot of praise for pipewire, but it doesn't match what I experience. Does any system work well for anyone?
To clarify, it can work. But it's a harsh experience compared to say Android. I've used Ubuntu, Fedora, and PopOS. I've tried a few different headphones, using Galaxy Buds 2 current. Pulseaudio tends to "do as it's told" but doesn't automatically switch to the right (confusingly named) profile. With Ubuntu 23.10, using pipewire, it does automatic switch profiles. Sometimes this works great. But very often, it gets stuck on on a profile or just stops working. I have to reconnect bluetooth to fix it.
Is there some magic combination of things that works or is this just how it is for everyone?
Fuck Bluetooth. I've seen it multiple times this week that wireless headphones have failed on Linux, Mac, and Windows. "Shit, let me reconnect my headphones". Also the switching from "high quality audio" to bullshit mono audio when calling.
Fuck bluetooth.
No problem here with Opensuse slowroll (Sway WM) and a Realtek bluetootth radio, I'm using blueman for managing enabling/managing bluetooth connections.
Sometime HSP just stopped working so now I have to do calls with my laptop built-in mic.
Also, some programs like Zoom just fail to use the right output device no matter what I choose in settings. I just have to make headphones the fallback device for anything to work.
But the most annoying thing is Linux somehow stealing the playback when my headphones are connected to multiple devices. Even when nothing plays on the computer but does play on the phone, there's no audio. I have to disable/disconnect my computer to use headphones with phone when my computer is in range.
My need for bluetooth headphone is very simple, if I can understand youtube videos, I am happy. And I am using WF-1000MX4, which works wonderfully just using the gnome gui.
I never need to worry about pipwire or pulse audio etc.
Fun fact to keep in mind about your MX4 - if you use the "pair with two devices simultaneously" feature, the headphones shut off their LDAC support. All you get is the baseline audio codec. Nice, huh?
I actually never know it can be paired to more than one device. LOL
You have to use a phone app to do it, never found it to be worth the bother.
For me, Bluetooth in general is a problematic technology that's been trustworthy only when the device comes with a pre-paired Bluetooth emitter.
