Buetooth Adapter for non-Airplay Speakers?

[Moosbrugger]

I've got an old B&W Zeppelin that uses a 30-pin connector.

I'd like to be able to use my new iPhone with it.

 

I've come across these Bluetooth adapter. Anyone know if they're any good? Are there other brands you'd recommend?

 

Is the resolution through bluetooth the same as a direct connection?

[Audio_ELF]

I've heard good results with the Arcam rBlink (though not tried with a Zeppelin)

 

Alternatively have you considered attaching an Airport Epress or Apple TV to the optical input of the Zeppelin and using AirPlay that way.

 

Eloise

[Moosbrugger]

Thanks. The Airport express/ATV seems like overkill -- but I'll give that some thought.

[kirkmc]

First of all, that's one reason why I would never buy a speaker like that: you're wedded to the connector. I think you can buy an adapter from 30-pin to lightning connector, but it would probably not be sturdy enough to hold the iPhone in position. Bluetooth adapters are variable in quality, and it's certainly nowhere near as good as a direct connection (the Bluetooth stream is compressed, unlike AirPlay).

[Audio_ELF]

Thanks. The Airport express/ATV seems like overkill -- but I'll give that some thought.

Of course you could always just connect the headphone output to the 3.5mm on the back via a cable.

[Audio_ELF]

First of all, that's one reason why I would never buy a speaker like that: you're wedded to the connector.

PS ... Its not the ONLY way - you can connect via a 3.5mm cable.

 

The dock connector though enables a lot of functionality that you were never able to offer with other systems (such as the 3.5mm input).

 

Yes things move on, but there are alternative methods for utilising your existing hardware.

[Moosbrugger]

I can wire the phone to the speaker, but I'd like to get the convenience of bluetooth. I see some Airplay adapters, but they're more expensive than I'd like.

 

I bought a Coolstream Duo adapter. It works great in my car, but for some reason it doesn't work with the Zeppelin.