Bluetooth and wired speakers option

[Cheshire user]

I have been enjoying using USB headphones with the B2B 21 July software. Surprised and delighted that the gesture control for advancing or going back through tracks works with the B2 as well. Exploring further I found the Bluetooth and wired speakers option. Tried it but did not work for me as it dropped the Bluetooth as well. I connect my B2 to an aged but excellent Kenwood amplifier via a jack plug in the line out socket which then uses phono connections to the Aux in sockets of my amp. The volume for my B&W speakers is then set by the amp. Is there a way to have both the Bluetooth and line out working at the same time? That way could be playing via my amp in the house and on Bluetooth headphones in the garden. It may be that the "wired speakers" option only works with the banana sockets out but could it be ammended to also cover the line out. Or is it safe to use the speaker output into the amp, have not tried as it is already an amplified output.

Have also considered buying Bluetooth speakers for the kitchen now, can you buy stereo pairs of Bluetooth speakers, a quick look on Amazon shows single speakers.

Thanks for any thoughts or feedback.

[Davywhizz]

I don't know the answer to your question about using line out and bluetooth together, but you definitely shouldn't connect speaker outputs to another amp.

Some Bluetooth speakers can be paired in stereo, including one of the Cambridge Audio Yoyo models. I have a Sony SRS XB3 that can be paired, but my version isn't made now. There will definitely be other options.

[Davywhizz]

PS you may know this, but I understand Bluetooth out is not officially part of the B2 spec and may not work with some speakers, for reasons beyond Brennan's control. No doubt someone here will add more information as necessary. Best to try before you buy.

[Cheshire user]

Thanks, just read on the Brennan web site that using the line out socket disables the speaker amplification so guess Bluetooth and line out cannot be configured together. Also the website does say not to use the speaker output to connect to an amp. I should have read that first.

[Daniel Taylor]

On Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at 3:56:43 PM UTC-4, Cheshire user wrote:

Brennan web site that using the line out socket disables the speaker amplification...

That's true.  However, if you toggle the Jack Sense (Settings menu), you can run speakers and line output simultaneously.  I don't know if that applies to Bluetooth, but it's worth a try.

[PMB]

Hi Cheshire User,

The 'Bluetooth and wired speakers together' option appears to work on my system i.e. when selected I get sound from a Bluetooth speaker and Line Out.

Jack Sense only affects the speaker outputs on the B2 not the Line Out.

I'm using B2B Jul 21 2020 software.

Curious about your opening statement - I have been enjoying using USB headphones with the B2B 21 July software - did you mean Bluetooth headphones?

Paul

Brennan Support.

[Cheshire user]

Hi Paul, yes Bluetooth Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones. When I select Bluetooth and wired speakers together, the Bluetooth output stops, B2 stops playing, does a short scan disk then sits idle with the clock showing. Software is B2B Jul 21 2020 08:11:29. So I appear unable to get simultaneous output from the headphone/line out jack at the same time as Bluetooth?

[PMB]

Hi Cheshire User,

Have you tired selecting 'Bluetooth and wired speakers' when the B2 is playing to the headphones?

Paul

Brennan Support. 

[Cheshire user]

Hi, yes with music playing through the headphones, I call up the Bluetooth settings, then tick Bluetooth and wired speakers. Output to the headphones stops, the B2 stops playing, does a brief scan disk, then goes idle. To get output again have to restart Bluetooth or reboot.

[PMB]

Hi Cheshire User,

Not sure why it will not work on your B2 but it could be a firmware issue so please email us on   thebrennanb2   @   gmail   .   com  (no spaces) requesting a replacement SD Card. We will need an address for delivery and know if the SD Card is the standard size 'external' one (that fits into a slot on the RHS of the unit) or a micro size 'Internal' type (no slot or card visible from outside the unit).

Paul

Brennan Support.

[Cheshire user]

Thanks, will do.

[Cheshire user]

Thanks for microSD card. Installed it but B2 would not boot and red and green lights kept flashing, so powered down and tried again. Still would not boot so reinstalled own microSD card just recently built and running 21 July B2B software.

[PMB]

Hi Cheshire User,

Strange that the replacement SD Card didn't work. Perhaps it didn't program correctly - you could try programming it using Etcher as that may indicate if the card is OK or not (keep it as spare).

Paul

Brennan Support.