Extending Bluetooth Range

[John Jones]

I have several listening locations that are right on the edge of the Bluetooth's range or 20 feet beyond. I'm using the Bluetooth dongle that came with my B2 in USB port C and I assume it is the latest version as I just purchased it from Amazon 2 weeks ago. I could obviously solve my problem by relocating my Brennan B2, but it's current location is perfect except for this problem. I have added a USB extension cable to get the dongle in a clear location. I have just tried an Avantree DG60 extended range Bluetooth transmitter, but it is not compatible (as in doesn't work on the B2).

So my question is: has anyone found an extended range Bluetooth solution the works with the B2?

Thanks in advance

[John Jones]

A Followup to my post...  I am transmitting from the Brennan to Bluetooth Headphones or Bluetooth speakers (not Sonos). All my devices connect and play music from the Brennan as long as I am within about 30 feet of the Brennan. I see lots of "booster/repeater" devices for Wi-fi, where the repeater receives the original Wi-fi signal, amplifies it and then transmits the signal, effectively extending the range. I am hoping there are similar devices for Bluetooth, but haven't found anything like that so far.

Thanks again

[Eccles]

I did the same as you and bought an Avantree Bluetooth dongle which was running Bluetooth 5, which turns out isn't backwards compatible with the B2.

Here's a link to my thread with some recommendations  for a longer range dongle. Hope this sorts your problem.

https://groups.google.com/g/brennanb2/c/v3I6FTf8Stw/m/AvnQGyhpAAAJ

[JFBUK]

Hi,

Bluetooth was originally designed as a close proximity networking technology. Bluetooth 5.0 has newer technology to increase the transmission/reception range .

The B2 can't recognise or work with Bluetooth 5.0 dongles so you have to connect to a Bluetooth 5.0 range extender using one of the other B2 outputs,

i.e. speaker connections, line out or spdif optical out.

My search of the forum posts has not uncovered details of an extender device that someone has used successfully, and I have no direct experience with an extender so can't really recommend one, but points to think about:

1. Not all Bluetooth 5.0 extenders are created equal - I have read wildly varying distance claims for the devices I have looked at on Amazon

2. If you opt for connecting to the B2 via optical (spdif) then you cannot use the Web UI to control volume. That output bypasses the B2amplifier.

You will need to convert to analog at some point using a DAC either before transmission over Bluetooth or at the receiving end. (someone please correct me if that's not the case)

John

[Daniel Taylor]

If you use the B2's digital Toslink output to feed a Bluetooth transmitter, that device converts the digital signal to Bluetooth and it is then converted to analog at the receiving end.  So no DAC is required.  In fact, if you did put a DAC between the B2 and theBluetooth transmitter, the sound improvement would be lost in the Bluetooth conversion.

[JFBUK]

Thanks Dan

[PMB]

Hi Cornu,

Other owners tell me they have used a 'long range Bluetooth transmitter' - see Avantree, Blitzwolf and others - which connects to the B2 via the optical out (so no further loss of sound quality). The Bluetooth speakers then pair with the 'transmitter'.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[robertm...@gmail.com]

I've just done that using an optical connector, but the downside is that if you also have wired speakers then they are cut off and to use them you have to physically disconnect the extender. The option to have wired and Bluetooth running together does not work.

[robertm...@gmail.com]

Within some 3 hours of having found the "problem",  whilst writing my previous post, the Brennan started up on its own playing via the speakers. Ghost in the machine! 

[PMB]

Hi robertm,

If you set 'Jack Sense' - Settings menu - to 'Off' then the speakers will remain on when a plug is inserted into the Line Out socket. This will allow wired speakers and the external BT transmitter to play although they may not be in sync due to delays in the BT conversion/transmission.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[robertm...@gmail.com]

Done. Now works as I want. Thank you