Audioengine B1 5.3 Bluetooth Receiver for Older Classic Stereo Speakers and Sound Systems - Long Range HiFi Adaptive Wireless Up to 32 Bit Audio Music Streamer

---------------------------OVERVIEW---------------------------Audioengine's B1 Bluetooth Music Receiver is the affordable, simple wireless home audio solution we've been waiting for. When Apple's AirPlay debuted, with its relatively high-fidelity wireless audio, it was exciting. Bluetooth, which lagged behind in sound quality, eventually caught up and arguably surpassed AirPlay, which would sometimes stutter from network hiccups. Bluetooth, not needing any extra hardware (like a router), is far less likely to stutter, so the final piece of the home audio puzzle is a Bluetooth receiver for high-end musical tastes.The aluminum case of the B1 reflects traditional Audioengine design and the high-quality components and audio fidelity are typical of Audioengine's commitment to great sound at affordable prices. The Audioengine B1 continues to close the gap between your computer music and home hi-fi and even if you're not an audio enthusiast we guarantee your music will sound better!The audio quality of most Bluetooth products isn't usually very inspiring and their limited range can be frustrating. The B1 solves these problems by implementing the aptX codec, which is a high-quality audio converter designed specifically for audio. The B1 also has special circuitry and a precision-tuned antenna to extend the wireless range, providing much more versatility than other Bluetooth receivers.Upgrade your Bluetooth and breathe new life into your audio system. You already have Bluetooth on your tablet, computer, or iDevice, so get more out of it and experience stunning audio with the Audioengine B1 Bluetooth Receiver including aptX, 24-bit upsampling DAC, and extended range.---------------------------WHAT'S IN THE BOX?---------------------------- (1) B1 Receiver- (1) RCA audio cable (3ft/1m)- (1) Power adapter with detachable cable- (1) Microfiber bag- (1) Setup guide---------------------------FEATURES---------------------------- Easy setup, connects in seconds- Plug-n-play, no software to install- Superior sound and extended range- Streams audio from any media player (iTunes, Amarra, Youtube, etc.)- Connects to any music system with an audio input---------------------------SETUP---------------------------1. Connect the included (or your own) audio cables from the B1 rear panel to your music system.2. Connect the included power adapter to B1 and plug into an AC outlet. B1 will automatically go into pair mode.3. On your device, turn on Bluetooth and select "Audioengine B1" to pair and connect.4. Play your music. Setup is really this easy!A well written instruction guide is also included.---------------------------SOUND QUALITY---------------------------Due to the fact the AudioEngine has a built-in 24-bit DAC it will upsample the audio while supporting APT-X is a HUGE bonus. Wireless audio has improved by leaps and bounds in the short space of a few years, and the Audioengine B1 Premium Bluetooth Music Receiver is possibly my favorite device to come out of this high-fidelity revolution thus far. It solves the problem of shaky wireless home audio streaming, and it never degrades (and often improves) audio quality. Improvement in Bluetooth technology is the real hero here, but Audioengine takes it a step further and adds a top-notch DAC, which results in a top notch audio accessory worthy of our Editors' Choice designation. While it's expensive compared with the Apple AirPort Express, it does exactly the job it's supposed to do, with solid, reliable resultsThis thing performs exceptionally and is just bliss for wireless music.---------------------------VERDICT---------------------------After using the Audioengine B1 for several weeks, I didn't find anything wrong about the product. I didn't encounter any hiccups or degradation of sound quality even when the receiver is farther from the source. This small aluminum box is simply a "magical instrument" that would easily replace those long audio cables, connecting your source and speakers, without any loss in audio quality. This is simply a great wireless Bluetooth DAC, and you really can't complain about its price. I've seen wired DACs from other companies that are priced higher than the B1, and they probably offer the same audio quality.Here is how I rank the adapters I test, from best to worst;BEST:Audioengine B1 Premium Bluetooth Music Receiver - $189GOOD:Philips AEA2000/37 Bluetooth Hi-Fi Adapter/Receiver (Discontinued) - $28.99Logitech Bluetooth Audio Adapter - $29.99OK:HomeSpot NFC-Enabled Bluetooth Audio Receiver - $29.00WORST:Amped Wireless Long Range Bluetooth Speaker Adapter - $55

We moved recently and I have been dying to set up my two channel system for some time. A few weeks ago I was able to bring it to life. It reminded me of how much I truly love listening to music at its finest. My system is relatively high-end consisting of a Sonic Frontiers SFS80 tube amp, Audio Research tube preamp, Classe' CD player, and Rega turntable. I was always interested in finding a way to play my music or stream from my phone to this revealing but rewarding system. Until not, I have not found any product that was listenable. Not only is the Audioengine B1 super simple to setup and use, but it sounds phenomenal on its own. It sets up in minutes and the Bluetooth is easily discoverable on your device. I had relatively low expectations due to the wireless signal and my critical ear, but this piece continues to impress me. I listened to the Audioengine B1 for a few days on its own and my findings are that it is extremely musical. Listening impressions are as follows, the highs are detailed and have great separation without being fatiguing. Vocals are clean and forward. In fact, I think the vocals and mids are slightly exaggerated in a good way that shows some presence. Finally, the bass is outstanding. I have never heard a wireless signal sound so clean and authoritative in the bottom end without being muddy or losing its musicality. The B1 is extremely quite and I have not detected any background noise at all. Very impressive. As an experiment I decided to hook up the B1 to my Musical Fidelity V90 Dac to see if that made this already great sounding piece better. What a combination! My friend and I did a critical listening A/B comparison with my Classe' cd player and the B1 changing back and forth between tracks to determine which was more enjoyable. The B1 not only held its own with a $3500 CDP but in some cases was more enjoyable to listen to. We were blown away. I used the optical output of the B1 to connect to the DAC and then the DAC is connected to the preamp with MIT 330 cables. I cannot imagine any other Bluetooth product that is more geared towards higher ended listeners than the B1. Other points that are really not a big deal for me are the range. Most of the time I am in the same room listening, however, I have gone as far away as 50 feet from the B1 and signal was still strong and clear. The B1 is compact in size and can hide behind or on top of other components. Build quality seems to be better than average with a metal housing and gold plated rca outputs.Overall, the B1 is amazing for the sub $200 price point. On its own it sounds wonderful, but if you are looking to take it to the next level adding an external DAC is the way to go! One other point that I love is that you can control the volume with your phone while playing back. My system does not have this feature on any other source but the Audioengine!Do not hesitate to give this piece a try. It has been eye opening and a game changer to my listening experience!Thank you Audioengine!