I need to setup around 10 zones of audio for a B&B project and am thinking of going Bluetooth for sources. The idea is mostly that each room will have a “personal audio zone” for guests to connect to, and I want them to use their phone as the source, or perhaps as one of several sources. While I’m considering Bluetooth amplifiers, I am also looking at standalone Bluetooth receivers to be used with some kind of DA system.

For the latter, I’m trying to roundup product candidates for the Bluetooth receiver piece and have a few questions.

1. What features should I be looking for beyond support for AADP?

2. Am I correct that most inexpensive receivers don’t allow you to configure the broadcast name?

3. What sort of pitfalls might I run into setting up 10 Bluetooth receivers for this sort of project?

4. How should I be thinking about volume control? Can a Bluetooth receiver’s output volume be regulated from the phone? Or, can the phone only control volume if I use a Bluetooth amplifier that supports the volume control profile?

5. Any recommendations on a solid Bluetooth receiver you would use in a commercial project like this?

Thanks.

This Denon product seems like a good pro quality option.

[Link: denonpro.com]

If the users haven't connected to more than one BT receiver, they would only see the name of the one they previously paired with unless they happen to be close enough to another while it's in pairing mode and that only happens after someone has pressed the pairing button.

The Miccus BT receivers I have mentioned are cheap enough that buying one or two for testing isn't much of a gamble. Obviously, you don't need me or anyone else spending your money, but I bought a second one, even though I haven't needed it yet and I don't like adding inventory.

So you plan on having this BT receiver out in the open so users can pair their devices to it?

Good luck with that. These things will walk eventually.

Much easier to just provide an audio wall plate where they plug the device into it. No need to worry about broadcast names, interference, another device to fail.

Overcomplicating= definitely.

A few years back, that’s how I’d go. However, fewer and fewer people travel now with devices equipped with an 1/8” Jack.

Like crosen said above - how many devices are YOU seeing with headphone jacks on them anymore? And people are usually not bringing any other kind of player with them on trips.
Add to the fact, the guest would need a cable to connect to that wall plate. They 100% are not going to have something like that with them. Although the B&B could give that cable out when guest check-in. Assuming they have a jack on anything to connect to - and probably don't.

Wall plates are dead for situations like this. Even I couldn't argue this point.

that Denon piece is cool.  you could hide it away and remote the pairing button to a wall plate with instructions on it. it has a 2 pin plug for just this purpose. you can even relocated the antenna if the main box is in a poor location.  nice find.

Why not something like VSSL?

[Link: vssl.com]

I don’t want guest A to play in the zone for guest B. Do you know if VSSL can be configured this way? Not much info on their site.

[Link: amazon.com]


How about something like this? Still has an old school 3.5mm jack, it has NFC, and should be pretty theft proof.

Or this one:

[Link: amazon.com]

It has a volume knob and some controls on it as well, and you can use a CAT cable to wire back to the remote unit and plug into an amplifier you wish.

Just because YOU think wallplates are dead doesn't mean squat. Look at what the OP is asking for? Have you actually installed a dedicated BT unit for audio only, in multiple locations within close proximity? I know I have plenty of experience with them (not good ones). If you want a simple, no-nonsense system, that won't give you call backs on, then wall plates work.

My Iphone may not have a headphone jack, but I certainly have the adapter to provide that jack.

Same goes for all those hotels that still have Iphone based, Alarm clocks with the 30-pin adapter. You use a cable to get your audio to it.

Do you really think its that hard for the B&B to a) mention it to potential customers b) put the info on their website c) provide said adapters, if needed?

BT will not be the honkydoory experience you're looking for.