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Logitech Bluetooth Audio Adapter makes any speaker wireless
What do you do with that old pair of expensive speakers you purchased back in college now that everything is going wireless? Logitech has an answer for that -- just get one of their new Bluetooth Audio Adapters (US$39.99) and you'll be streaming music to your big speakers in minutes.
Specifications
Dimensions: 2 x 2 x 1 inches (50.8 x 50.8 x 25.4 mm)
Weight: 1.2 oz (34 gr)
Output: RCA connector, 3.5mm aux connector
Included cable: 3.5mm to RCA stereo output
Power: AC adapter
Range: 15 meters (50 feet)
Design Highlights
The Bluetooth Audio Adapter is tiny and unobtrusive. All of the connectors are on one side, those being the ports for the two RCA connectors (R and L), the 3.5mm aux connector, and the power connector. The top of the adapter features a large square button with the Bluetooth logo on it, which is what you need to push to pair your favorite device -- Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch -- with the adapter.
If I had one complaint about the entire design, it's that the AC adapter is about the same size as the unit itself. I'm finding this to be true of a lot of small products these days, and I'm beginning to think that either these companies need to build in a small power supply like the one that comes with the iPhone or figure out another way to power them.
Functionality Highlights
To test the Logitech Bluetooth Audio Adapter, I chose to connect it to a Bose AV system using the included 3.5mm to RCA connector cable. After searching for an empty power socket for the AC adapter, I quickly hooked up the unit and was greeted by a flashing blue light on the bottom of it. Pulling up my Bluetooth settings on an iPhone, I saw the Logitech BT Adapter device listed and tapped to connect to it. The light then went to a steady blue, and I was able to stream music to it using AirPlay.
To quickly break the connection and pair with another device (an iPad mini), all I had to do was to tap the button on top of the adapter to get it into pairing mode again. It's a very simple way of clearing one Bluetooth connection and setting up another.
Sound quality through the adapter was quite good, and I was able to walk well into my backyard (about 45 feet) and still had no issues streaming music.
Conclusion
If you have a favorite pair of speakers or an amplifier that you'd like to stream music to, the Logitech Bluetooth Audio Adapter is a simple and inexpensive way to give those old electronics new life. My only gripe is the size of the AC adapter, which is just a generic unit that was obviously used as an afterthought to an otherwise well-thought-out product.
Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible
Giveaway
Dude, you know you want this little adapter. After all, streaming audio to your Klipsch speakers from your college days in the 70s is what it's all about. Here are the rules for the giveaway:
Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.
To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button.
The entry must be made before April 5, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time.
You may enter only once.
One winner will be selected and will receive a Logitech Bluetooth Audio Adapter valued at US$39.95
