Under $50 home system Universal Bluetooth adapter for the kids’ phones

gp4jesus · October 2020

Recommendation for the above? Reliability and hassle-free connections a must. SQ secondary. Like to stay in budget for a single unit - used OK. Having more than one would help my situation - my backyard sound system

I’ve read reviews w/complaints of
-Range measures in millimeters instead of feet
-Drops connection for no apparent reason while w/in 5’ laying still.
-Connecting is neither simple nor fast
-locks on to one phone, no switching between would-be users. Like first user can turn OFF their phone. Second user PU the signal. First user reboots phone. Second user gets disconnected!

A small, inexpensive Phillips unit receive more 1 or 2 star than 5 star reviews

I realize we get what we pay for but if all else fails, I have a $25 solution including the device. I’ll mod a couple of messed messed LG 780 BT headphones w/RCAs. While the 780 ear pieces are crap - a little sweat* in them and they fail but the radio part doesn’t quit. 12+ hours of continuous YT listening on a single charge. Indefinite connected to a charger!
*or my grandson putting an earpiece in his mouth!

Thanks for your patience, reading this far, and that classic Club Polk help!

Tony

msg · October 2020

Are you looking for a whole system for $25, or just a Bluetooth receiver?

I had a couple of IOGEAR TuneTaps in my early days. The TuneTap is a Bluetooth receiver that you connect to an input on a receiver or AVR over RCA or optical. They worked well, never had an issue.

Not sure what kind of range you're looking for, but early Bluetooth was supposed to be solid for 15ft, and then drop off. I only used these while in the same room, usually within 10-15ft. I vaguely recall periodic dropout streaming from a MBP about 20-25ft away in an open space. I moved to the Squeezebox touch shortly after starting.

Originally ordered on Amazon, they seem to be out of production now, but Adorama still has them it looks like. About $33.
https://www.adorama.com/igbnar3.html?

EDUBAG · October 2020

The amazon echo dot works well using a 3.5mm to rca or as a stand-alone smallll speaker. Good enough for my needs. I have it hooked to an old Sony avr to power my outdoor speakers. Might work for you

gp4jesus · October 2020

Scott: what you describe sounds like that will work. I’ll check it out. Thanks.
Edubag: that’s a little speaker?

To be clear: I have an AVR driving a pair of speakers but no means to wirelessly connect phones.

I have whiney kids complaining they can’t play their downloaded music from their phones to the aforementioned system so they can “enjoy” the back deck, etc

I’m confident the awesome CP members have great advice for a BT adapter w/in my budget.

Tony

gp4jesus · October 2020

@Edubag: would like off-line detailed comment on your Rotel gear. My sig tells you why

If have time later this weekend, PM me. Thanks Tony

EDUBAG · October 2020

gp4jesus wrote: »

Scott: what you describe sounds like that will work. I’ll check it out. Thanks.
Edubag: that’s a little speaker?

To be clear: I have an AVR driving a pair of speakers but no means to wirelessly connect phones.

I have whiney kids complaining they can’t play their downloaded music from their phones to the aforementioned system so they can “enjoy” the back deck, etc

I’m confident the awesome CP members have great advice for a BT adapter w/in my budget.

Tony

The echo dot works as a stand Bluetooth alone speaker or Amazon Alexa device. However it has a 3.5mm audio out so you could connect it to your avr using a 3.5mm to rca cable. That is exactly what I am doing for my outdoors speakers.

The echo dot cost 30.00 but you can find them for 25.00

Under $50 home system Universal Bluetooth adapter for the kids’ phones

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