Does this exist...3.5mm jack wireless adaptor

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Does this exist...3.5mm jack wireless adaptor

dickytim

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#175646 7-Jul-2015 11:35

So I am giving up my home theatre amp and speakers in my room as I am going flatting after living with my GF for 10 years!

What I want is to turn a non-wireless headphones into a wireless set.

Is there anything that one end can plug into my PC/TV etc. via the 3.5mm jack and have another end on my headphones effectively making them wireless? Would need to transmit in reasonable quality too :)

Does this exist or do I look for wireless headphones?

ubergeeknz

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#1338385 7-Jul-2015 11:37

Yes.

http://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-bluetooth-headphone-receiver.html

and

http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20150706153657&SearchText=bluetooth+transmitter

lNomNoml

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#1338386 7-Jul-2015 11:38

http://www.amazon.co.uk/JUSTOP-BTT005-Bluetooth-Transmitter-Universal/dp/B005NCZ16S

http://www.amazon.co.uk/BTR006-Bluetooth-Wireless-Receiver-Universal/dp/B005NDDEVQ

dickytim

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#1338387 7-Jul-2015 11:43

lNomNoml: http://www.amazon.co.uk/JUSTOP-BTT005-Bluetooth-Transmitter-Universal/dp/B005NCZ16S

http://www.amazon.co.uk/BTR006-Bluetooth-Wireless-Receiver-Universal/dp/B005NDDEVQ

That's the one, so I need to get the 005 and 006 one for each end?

stevenz

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#1338467 7-Jul-2015 12:57

If you don't mind the cost, then a 2 of these things will give you excellent quality as they use the Apt-X Codec for audio which is far better than regular bluetooth audio.

http://www.thegadgetguys.co.nz/index.php/component/jcommerce/?cPath=26_39&env_url=p-5664-saturn-pro-bluetooth-receiver-and-transmitter

http://www.avantree.com/product-bluetooth-transmitter-and-receiver-avantree-saturn-pro-990.html

Sony did one as well (discontinued, but still available), but starts getting very expensive: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Two-Way-Bluetooth-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B000P9CEV4

@KnightNZ

michaelt

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#1338560 7-Jul-2015 14:33

I bought one of these, although I don't use it for headphones - http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Bluetooth-receiver-adapter-USB-Bluetooth-Stereo-Audio-Music-Receiver-Adapter-For-IPhone-Ipad-Ipod-Andriod-PC/32297002352.html

The USB is for power only, so you could use any cheap USB power bank, and hot-swap the power banks instead of recharging the headphones.

Of course you'd need a transmitter as well.

sbiddle

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#1338565 7-Jul-2015 14:36

Ensure you get an APT-X capable device, regular Bluetooth audio is actually pretty low quality if you have good headphones.

mdf

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#1338569 7-Jul-2015 14:39

Answer varies depending on what you're plugging it in to.

If you want to transmit from a PC, there are quite a few ways to get sound to your headphones wirelessly. Your PC may have built in bluetooth, or you could add a (cheap) USB bluetooth dongle. You can also stream over your Wifi network - most likely receiver here is probably your phone. There are also 2.4GHz options (i.e. RF) which is typically a bit more robust than bluetooth.

If you want to go from a TV, then you obviously need something that will go into a speaker or RCA jack. Previous posters have some good options here.

What are you listening to? If it's streaming music, then bluetooth is usually fine. TV is a bit more problematic because you need the audio in sync with the picture (i.e. low latency) and also reasonably robust. Pops, clicks and drop outs are really annoying if you're just about to discover who the murderer/spy is. Whereas for music you just increase your buffer to deal with any drop outs. Doesn't matter if there's a lag if there's nothing to lag against.

I've tried quite a few bluetooth options with my home theatre set ups, and have never found anything robust enough. Which is a shame, because I've got a nice bluetooth headset that works flawlessly with my notebook, but either the distance or the sending sound card in the HTPC mean it just doesn't work for TV.

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Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

michaelt

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#1338570 7-Jul-2015 14:42

And if you're using a PC as the source, might be better to go with a cheap USB bluetooth adapter instead of a 3.5mm transmitter - http://www.howtogeek.com/201004/the-htg-guide-to-adding-bluetooth-to-your-computer/

Saves an unnecessary DAD conversion and all the electrical noise associated with integrated PC audio.

JimmyH

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#1338837 7-Jul-2015 19:03

Might be easier just to get wireless headphones?

I recall seeing that Dick Smith were selling a set for under $70 a couple of weeks ago, and I was briefly tempted. However, I have no idea how good they are.

richms

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#1338838 7-Jul-2015 19:06

I gave up on wireless headphones for things that latency matters and just got a little FM transmitter. It covers the whole house and a bit more. No dropouts etc once I had the antenna away from metal things. Transmits to my 3M earmuff radio perfectly.

Richard rich.ms

dickytim

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#1338983 8-Jul-2015 06:21

mdf: Answer varies depending on what you're plugging it in to.

If you want to transmit from a PC, there are quite a few ways to get sound to your headphones wirelessly. Your PC may have built in bluetooth, or you could add a (cheap) USB bluetooth dongle. You can also stream over your Wifi network - most likely receiver here is probably your phone. There are also 2.4GHz options (i.e. RF) which is typically a bit more robust than bluetooth.

If you want to go from a TV, then you obviously need something that will go into a speaker or RCA jack. Previous posters have some good options here.

What are you listening to? If it's streaming music, then bluetooth is usually fine. TV is a bit more problematic because you need the audio in sync with the picture (i.e. low latency) and also reasonably robust. Pops, clicks and drop outs are really annoying if you're just about to discover who the murderer/spy is. Whereas for music you just increase your buffer to deal with any drop outs. Doesn't matter if there's a lag if there's nothing to lag against.

I've tried quite a few bluetooth options with my home theatre set ups, and have never found anything robust enough. Which is a shame, because I've got a nice bluetooth headset that works flawlessly with my notebook, but either the distance or the sending sound card in the HTPC mean it just doesn't work for TV.

Yes it will stream from my PC 99.9% of the time, I very rarely watch actual TV more likely to stream or watch off DVD/ HDD etc. The headphones will either be Beats Solo or Polk Ultrafocus 8000 (if I remember to take them home from work)

The Beats already sound like crap but the Polk's are actually very good.

I would be watching shows, movies and listening to a little music, however the latter not so much as I use my Iphone or Ipad for those duties for the most part.

I had toyed also with the idea of simply getting a long 3.5mm extension but wondered if there was another option, which there appears to be. So I guess the next question is, would I get a better result from a 5m extension cable or setting up bluetooth streaming?

mdf

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#1339875 9-Jul-2015 12:21

5m cable.

Nothing else compares in terms of reliability, quality and ease of set up.

It's my primary solution at the moment, having tried and given up on plenty of other options (not that I'll stop trying new things though).

livisun

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#1340079 9-Jul-2015 15:59

I got one of these for sale, pretty much only used a few weeks. Im back to using a external dac/amp

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OTACTCE?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_sfl_title_8&smid=AB3176RXH3W0F

lNomNoml

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#1340282 9-Jul-2015 21:49

dickytim:
lNomNoml: http://www.amazon.co.uk/JUSTOP-BTT005-Bluetooth-Transmitter-Universal/dp/B005NCZ16S

http://www.amazon.co.uk/BTR006-Bluetooth-Wireless-Receiver-Universal/dp/B005NDDEVQ

That's the one, so I need to get the 005 and 006 one for each end?

Yes you need them both.

dickytim

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#1340331 10-Jul-2015 06:08

livisun: I got one of these for sale, pretty much only used a few weeks. Im back to using a external dac/amp

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OTACTCE?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_sfl_title_8&smid=AB3176RXH3W0F

Tempting but a little out of my budget - That said is it any good?

I am leaning towards the 5m cable option for the reasons mdf mentioned.