Belkin Bluetooth Music Receiver adds BT functionality to your 70s era home stereo

Just now dusting off those vinyl-wrapped cabinets from the glory days of disco? Good, 'cause Belkin's about to breathe new life into 'em. The outfit's newly unveiled Bluetooth Music Receiver presents itself as the device to stream your iPhone and iPod touch jams to your home stereo, but in realty, this thing will work with any BT 2.0-enabled music streaming device. Phones, PMPs, genetically modified children -- you name it. Simply plug the base station (shown after the break) into your home stereo, pair up to six Bluetooth devices with it, and watch as your favorite tunes are transmitted from device to driver sans cabling. It's almost magical, but we're not quite sure if it's $49.99 magical.

[laxic Posted Dec 16th 2009 10:17AM]

that price is ridiculous!
I've been looking for something like this but it's just too expensive.

[laxic Posted Dec 16th 2009 10:19AM]

@me
I mean how is it that a bluetooth USB dongle can cost $1.50 and a 3.5mm adapter can't be less than $40-50?

[paolo90 Posted Dec 16th 2009 10:26AM]

@laxic
Agreed. I think I'll look/wait for a generic/unbranded one.

[kornum Posted Dec 16th 2009 10:28AM]

Try out the sony MBR-100. Been using it for six months... and is a lot cheaper!!!.... it comes with every connection you might need..
excatly the same function as the belkin plus much more... you can charge it and use it in your car etc...

[MeanSpyvie Posted Dec 16th 2009 10:31AM]

The only other solution I've been able to find is a $55 Sony on Amazon, this will come in lower than that I'd assume.

Incidentally, I don't think iPhones will be able to adjust the volume through this thing. Volume level adjustments work with my MT3G, but not with the GF's iPhone.

[kornum Posted Dec 16th 2009 10:32AM]

@kornum http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/products/accessories/overview/mbr-100?cc=us&lc=en

[wunch Posted Dec 16th 2009 10:34AM]

@kornum Hmm, using it with the aux input in the car is exactly what I was thinking for this. I wonder how the Belkin one is powered...

[MeanSpyvie Posted Dec 16th 2009 10:39AM]

@kornum

The MBR-100 is in stock at Amazon... for $49.95

[kornum Posted Dec 16th 2009 10:44AM]

@MeanSpyvie
you can finde it a lot cheaper in a retail store!! got mine for for les than 15$ they have ben in stock in the store for ages, and they dont know what it is fore!! try a cell phone shop!! http://www.anythingbutipod.com/archives/2008/09/sony-ericsson-mbr100-bluetooth-receiver-review.php

[laxic Posted Dec 16th 2009 11:15AM]

Thanks for the tip guys!

[mufasio Posted Dec 16th 2009 12:22PM]

@laxic I just ordered this http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8422 that does the same thing. I haven't received it yet so I can't comment on how well it works but it only costs $13.

[IanKen Posted Dec 16th 2009 12:37PM]

@laxic Becuase your BT dongle and stereo mini jack both lack the codec as well as the A->D converter to do A2DP audio?

[CT Posted Dec 16th 2009 10:30AM]

Any of the pendant style bluetooth adapter would do the same thing. The Jabra BT3030 has been out for a while.

[ngko Posted Dec 16th 2009 11:11AM]

Wait the Iphone and Itouch with all their different variants still don't have FM Transmitter. Might be crazy to say that there's an app for anything. I'm just fed up of seeing everytime someone pulling out of his pocket an Apple thing instead of a WinMo, Symbian, Maemo device. Guys free your minds from mental slavery.

[gman71882 Posted Dec 16th 2009 11:16AM]

Why can't Onkyo, Denon, Harmon Kardon, or any company out there include Bluetooth in their receivers from the start??

[microsurf Posted Dec 16th 2009 11:36AM]

@gman71882 Agreed! Samsung did it for awhile, and then discontinued that line. I guess they make more money in apple-licensed docks.

[microsurf Posted Dec 16th 2009 11:34AM]

I've been using the Motorola DC800 for a year. You can get them on eBay for $25.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Motorola-DC800-Bluetooth-Home-Stereo-System-Adapter-NEW_W0QQitemZ320456346165QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4a9cafca35

[IanKen Posted Dec 16th 2009 12:39PM]

The dealextreme unit is shit. I bought one. It did not work, at all. Enjoy the engrish manual.

I went with an Anycom BAR10. Works well. Cost more than this Belkin unit.

[Langdon Alger Posted Dec 16th 2009 12:48PM]

Straight outta Compton!

You better believe it's worth 49.99 ... especially if you can't find a cheaper alternative or one that just plain works ... and I mean works well. I bought a Sony BT transceiver (works bidirectionally) for my car for the same price and it's worth every penny.

So how does this thing power itself ... I couldn't find any mention of that in my hasty review of the article ...

[LloydChiro Posted Dec 16th 2009 4:30PM]

@Langdon Alger
I don't know why you said Straight outta Compton, but I like it as an interjection instead of Wow!

[Langdon Alger Posted Dec 16th 2009 5:38PM]

@LloydChiro It's in their press release ... their HQs are in Compton, CA. Seeing the city's name brought back fond college memories. Yes, I'm white.

[y Posted Dec 16th 2009 12:53PM]

Did any of you try using it to stream music from a Macbook to a stereo system in another room (one inner wall separating)?

[POTPIE Posted Dec 16th 2009 1:02PM]

My stereo was made in 2007. Will this help me? Also, I only have CAN$7.00. Thanks.

[scobb Posted Dec 16th 2009 1:22PM]

I have a Sony HWSBTA2W transceiver that "goes both ways" that was in the $40 range. It is powered from a wall wart. It's great to stream Pandora and other stuff from a PC or a Pre to a stereo.

It can also send out the audio from the TV to a BT stereo headset. There is a very slight delay between the video and audio - that you stop noticing after a minute or so.

[dnlpalestina Posted Dec 16th 2009 1:38PM]

i just wonder how would connect this thing to my home stereo? it has a power adapter or sucks energy from 3.5mm plug, is that posible?

[Susurrus Posted Dec 16th 2009 3:47PM]

How the F is it powered? Belkins own site doesn't even have any info. Anyone have any idea?

[alicem Posted Dec 16th 2009 3:51PM]

$50 is expensive? I think it's an acceptable cool present for christmas

[Extinction Posted Dec 16th 2009 4:14PM]

Why is there a pic of the iphone when it doesnt stream music over bluetooth?

[EricS Posted Dec 16th 2009 6:19PM]

@Extinction The iPhone started supporting bluetooth music streaming with the release of the 3.0 firmware.

Of course they should've have supported it 3 years ago, but that's Apple for you.

[psycros Posted Dec 16th 2009 8:23PM]

These will be $30 in no time and will sell like crazy with the non-Apple crowd who don't have 7000 different docks to choose from.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 16th 2009 9:09PM]

Yeah, how's it powered? My guess is that cable is a triple-layer 3.5mm and splits out to a power adapter and RCA jacks somewhere, but I can't figure it out???

[Thor e Posted Dec 16th 2009 10:45PM]

AH HAHAHAHAH!!! They advertize it for use with the iPhone and touch but in real fact the iPhone and iTouch have the worst working bluetooth capabilities of phones that are 4+years old.
Wow. they need to change their focus of the message if thy're not looking for a bunch of peeved customers dragging them into the fact that iPhone sucks at Bluetooth.