Listening to music via Bluetooth speakers is quite convenient, but what about when you want to listen to the music library found on your mobile devices at home? Sure, you can still use a portable speaker, but sometimes you just need a lot more sound.
That’s where Audioengine’s B1 Bluetooth Music Receiver comes into play – at $189, it allows users to wirelessly transmit their music to the receiver, which can then be hooked up to a surround system, or simpler stereo.
Perhaps what I like most about the device is its simplicity and design. The receiver is pretty tiny, coming in at 1 x 3.5 x 4 inches in size, that features a white connection button (for pairing to Bluetooth and seeing if it’s on), while an adjustable antenna is present for improving the signal. On the back, you’ll find RCA stereo outputs for a receiver, or powered speakers, while also including a preferable optical output port. A micro-USB cable powers the device, and while I found myself out of outlets on my power strip, using the included USB cable to connect it straight to my Pioneer home theater receiver, also powered it on.
Pairing the B1 is easy to do as well. I simply held down the pairing button on the receiver and then turned on Bluetooth on my HTC One M8 and within seconds, the two were paired up. More importantly the B1’s 24-bit DAC provides some high quality sound, which I was very happy with, whether it was coming from Spotify, Pandora, or my own downloaded music files. I was also pleased that the B1 had no problems with my phone being anywhere in the house, be it upstairs, in the backyard or in the garage.
I also pulled out my iPad Air to see if there was any difference in connection or overall quality and gladly saw that there was none. I played Flo Rida’s “Wild Ones” and Michael Jackson’s “Billy Jean” on both devices and was impressed by the fidelity of the audio, as well as the lack of any stutters or degradation in quality. High frequencies from “Billy Jean” were clear and crisp, while the booming bass of “Wild Ones” delivered thudding sound as expected.
I’ve tried other streaming methods before, and this is by far the easiest system I’ve ever used, without sacrificing sound quality.
Though $189 is still a little steep in my mind for the receiver, it does at least provide a way to add streaming audio to any home theater system without a frustrating setup and with audio that feels like it’s coming from a direct connection.
Final Score: 5 out of 5
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