Android Netflix users have received a major audio upgrade The streaming giant has updated its Android app to allow the use of the xHE-AAC audio codec

The company claims that xHE-AAC provides "studio-quality" sound on the go Don't forget to pack your best headphones; no announcement has been made about its use on iPhones or iOS devices

The Extended HE-AAC with MPEG-D DRC codec, or xHE-AAC for short, is an adaptive bitrate audio compressor/decompressor intended to provide uninterrupted audio streaming on the go The xHE-AAC is a compressor/decompressor for adaptive bitrate audio compression Seamless bitrate switching allows for a smooth transition to lower levels of audio quality in the event of a sudden drop in bandwidth [ie, if you are on the subway and enter a tunnel, the codec will switch to a lower bit rate so that the "Stranger Things" stream is not interrupted Bit rates range from 12 kilobits per second to 500 kilobits per second

xHE-AAC brings more to Android users than just dynamic bitrate changes Thanks to dynamic loudness management, the movie viewing experience is also improved For example, let's say you are watching an action movie You might turn up the volume to hear the dialogue But when an explosion occurs, you might be on your butt to turn the volume down Loudness management aims to keep the overall volume relatively constant

According to the Netflix Technology Blog, "When it works effectively, once you set the volume to a comfortable level, you don't have to change it when switching from a movie to a documentary or a live concert"

Netflix also implements dynamic range control This feature essentially allows the app to optimize your listening experience based on the audio equipment you are using If you have a home theater setup, it will provide a full range of sound However, if you are using cheap headphones or listening through a cell phone speaker, that range will be reduced, allowing you to hear only the most important parts of the audio

Ultimately, Netflix is making the auditory experience better for people using Android devices Whether you're using cheap gas station earbuds or a fancy home theater, this new update should make constant volume adjustments a thing of the past