I had bought one at the time this thread was created and put in in a downstairs system. I listen to Classical Music but use the AE primarily for pop. When my wife and I are in the mood for some classic rock it was just so easy to pull out the phone, hit Spotify and play whatever tunes we wanted. When my adult children came over, or house sat for us, they could also stream from there phones. I was surprised at how good it sounded.
A year later I had to have emergency heart surgery. For a week after I was discharged I had to sleep on the sleeper sofa in the living room. I couldn’t access my big rig and CD collection upstairs but I had a collection of mp3 albums from Amazon, when they give you the free download if you buy a CD. That was the bulk of my listening, streamed from my phone to the AE. I was surprised how decent my Classical albums sound as mp3 streamed through BT.
Since then I added Bluesound Node2 to the living room system and have burned about a thousand CDs so the AE main use has reverted back to stream some pop songs. The Node2 also has Bluetooth but it sucks compared to the AE. It is also a pain to disconnect because you have to go into the settings menu and make several changes.
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I stream TIDAL using BT5.0 tablet transmiting to an Audioengine b1 into my audiophile system. The MQA MASTERs approach or equal my high end SACD as a source.
It's spectacular. |
GMZ, yep I'm still using my B1 and am happy. It is currently in my living room running the whole house and doing double duty to my Music Hall Receiver to another pair of Coincident speakers. |
Just bought an AudioEngine B1 (June 2019) and have been using it non-stop for two weeks. My conclusion is that it's a great product.
I've run it through several systems in my home:
Amps
Marantz SR-18EX AV amp
Yamaha C2a and M2 pre/power amp
McIntosh pre-amp and mono blocks
Speakers
Dahlquist DQ-10's with REL sub
B&W 802's
Sonus Farber's
I used lossless recordings.
In all cases the speakers disappeared and there was simply a wall of sound. Anyone who says otherwise has never used the product. It's turned out to be one of the best buys and at $189 current price it's a steal.
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Just curious if anyone tried upgrading the interconnects that came with the unit to something more robust (for lack of a better term) and what were the results. Heavy interconnects obviously won't work due to the size / weight of the unit. |
Thanks for posting fishboat, glad to hear the B1 worked out for you and that my original post was helpful. Sounds like you're enjoying the same thing I am - it is so cool being able to instantly queue up millions of songs, right from the smartphone, and discovering new genres, bands, songs. Thanks to the B1 and Spotify I've had more fun with music this year than any other time in my life. There's so much great music out there that I hadn't discovered, especially the lesser-known independent artists. There are times when I want to listen critically, but most of the time I just want to explore the world of music and have fun. |
..haven't been around here in a good while..listening to music I guess..
Anyway..I thought I'd toss in my 2 cents on the Audioengine B1. I searched A-gon for a smartphone-bluetooth-Pandora input to my system solution and arrived at this thread. I've since picked up a B1 and having it running through my Paradisea + DAC via an optical cable. Install and hookup was a no-brainer..2 minutes.
Very Nice! I'm really surprised just how good it sounds. Bluetooth, and the nearly free world it opens up in identifying new music to take a harder listen to..best investment I've made in a while!
An Alison Krauss I hadn't heard is playing now...lovin it.
Thanks to bcgator for starting this thread/review. |
Hi
To answer you question. Each format
has it's place. Sometimes I want to
get really deep into the music so I
go to my vinyl. Sometimes I want to
be there with the music but not be
so involved so I go cd. I love the
ease of my iPod and think it sounds
great in lossless through it's dac
so I'm down for that. Also the Apple
store is so tempting
With streaming over the Audio
engine; it sounds really good and
for chilling out and finding music
you didn't know was out there. For
example I'm waiting for dinner right
now and streaming a band called
Pretty Lights that my niece likes. I
wouldn't have considered or known or
ever heard them if not for
streaming.
I hope that kinda answers your
question
All the best on this July 4th. |
@Eddaytona, that's a fantastic setup you have - congrats on some really sweet equipment. Let me ask you, since you've taken your system much farther than I've taken mine, so your experience interests me...has it been more a case of overlooking the sound quality difference in exchange for convenient and quick access to music, OR have you found that having really great front-end equipment around the B1 has compensated for the lack of resolution of streaming sources and you don't find yourself missing full-resolution? (I'm thinking along the lines of lossy streaming through great speakers sounding better than lossless through mediocre speakers, that sort of question)
(side note - looks like Mattmiller's posts have all been deleted, I'm guessing for prohibited language. He seemed truly offended that people were so quickly and easily enjoying a $189 device given the time and money he'd spent on his own system. I hope he sees Eddaytona's post) |
Got one six months ago. Stream all sorts of stuff from my G3 smartphone including Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Soma, Pandora, Spotify, Youtube, iHeart etc etc. through my VAC PA100/100, Modwright pre and JM Reynaud Offrende speakers. It sounds great. No drop outs.
I have a 1000 lp vinyl collection, 2500 song Ipod collection in hirez and 100s of CDs including SACDs. My CD front end is Sony XA5400ES. Vinyl is Superscoutmaster with Shelter 901 and Quad phono pre. All wired with Cardas. So, I think I have some street cred.
It's been months since I played an LP or CD. Every kind of music and artist is available at the press of an icon. I hate the "game changer" moniker but for my game it's been completely changed. Couldn't be happier and completely satisfied. Wonderful product. |
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Have to agree...as somebody who was raised on vinyl since the 70s...and observed every media change since...the convenience and enjoyment of wireless streaming is too hard to ignore...hi-enders are going to bash the fidelity because it wasn't designed for them in first place...and I have to admit, I was skeptical at first...but after taking the plunge.. I'm glad I did...if one were to tell me in the
mid 80s that a hand held device could hold millions of songs/albums...and connect via no wires to your system...no way Jose! |
@Bmdduck, yeah I know how that goes. Footwear is more important than your audio gear so you have your priorities in order. Good thing is, there's so much nice equipment out there - new and pre-owned - at great price points that it's easy to build a rewarding system on a limited budget and there's no reason to rush it. Keep your eyes on local classifieds and such - I picked up my REL Strata III sub that way. If you decide to try one of the Bluetooth DACS in your system, let us know how it works out and feel free to PM me if you have questions or anything. |
Begator,
Thanks for remembering. I haven't changed much since then, I've kind of settled on it being a compromise of sound quality with fitting in the room. I keep thinking about a sub but haven't done anything about it.
Someone in the family always seems to need new shoes:) |
A lot of people in this world would like to have shoes and a decent meal but can't afford it. |
Hi Bmdduck, I remember last year you were looking for speakers and an integrated for a 20x20 room - did you ever finish that system? |
A lot of people in this world would love to have a Prius but can't afford one. I drive an old Civic cause my kids all need new shoes.
I don't have a Porsche twin turbo, but if I did I would keep it in the garage and drive it as often as possible. Not just listen to it.
I think I'm gonna go check out the Audioengine. |
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Hey Mattmiller, how have you been? Things here are great...my system still sounds fantastic. How much does that hurt, that all of your moronic, myopic, arrogant and grammatically-challenged posts have done nothing to change that? Let's review...I post about something good happening with my audio system, something that other people that may not have the affluence that you have may benefit from, and you thought that the most constructive and helpful thing you could do was threadcrap. Think about it...that's all that really happened. I was happy, you were mad that I was happy. It doesn't get any more complicated than that. You were unhappy that someone else was happy. What an utterly miserable human being that makes you. Facebook? So now unless someone is prepared to drop $40K on a system, they should leave Audiogon? Let's see how others feel about that...I have a pretty good feeling that in demographic terms, you're outnumbered here.
If you want to continue crapping in our thread, feel free...dealing with you is like a cat toying with a field mouse. I can do this all day long. |
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It's a big difference. The B1 is a better technology than most Buetooth receivers which helps with signal quality. The source helps as well. Using high def Tidal or wav/flac/wmi files on your phone makes a difference. The Hugo can make almost anything sound amazing. I think that it was a pretty clear difference through my bifrost as well.
In summary: I WANT A HUGO |
Elevick, I have a question...Do you hear a difference, small or dramatic, between running your Bluetooth receiver directly into your preamp/integrated vs. running it first through a better DAC like the Hugo? I was under the impression, just from the limited bandwidth of Bluetooth, that there was no benefit from using a separate DAC vs. the DAC in the B1. But you mention how great it sounds through the Hugo...did using the Hugo, or any other separate DAC, improve the sound vs. the B1's internal DAC? |
Bcgator,
Thanks for putting things into perspective. I love my audio system/s and listen more than most people. No complaints from me usually, just always the elusive "golden fleece". |
Elevick, I'm quite certain Mattmiller isn't joking around - that smiley face was as transparent as they come. But you have to take a step back and look at this from a wider angle...
Everyone knows that environment - room dimensions, furnishings, fixtures - can play as large a role in sound quality as what you place in the signal chain, and then there's system synergy, speaker placement, toe-in, rake, etc. It's entirely possible that I (and maybe you too) just nailed it in regards to my room and my careful experimentation, measurements, and final placement of my speakers, and that my system actually sounds better than Mattmiller's system.
Last night we listened to some Hope Sandoval, and the wall of sound was exquisite - the speakers disappeared, the image was 10 feet tall, the soundstage was defined. It wasn't great - it was superb, and it sounded superb running Spotify off a cheap $270 Groupon-special laptop into a $189 Audioengine B1. Of course, it helps that these are running through an Audio Research integrated and Purevox speakers with dual AMT tweeters. But it's entirely possible that Mattmiller, with all the research-slogging he's done, and the mistakes he's made and money he's spent, is chasing MY sound. Because resolution is wonderful, but not if it's the only thing you've got going. We've all had at least one of those awkward audio demonstrations, where they're excited to show off a big-dollar system, and you listen and it just doesn't work and you have to fake enthusiasm for the demonstrator. Big money doesn't always guarantee winning sound.
So if you put yourself in Mattmiller's shoes, someone who may not really be happy with what you have (someone truly happy with their place in life, and with what they have, doesn't post what he did), you realize how frustrating it would be if someone else achieved that elusive audio happiness with a device that cost less than dinner for 2 at Del Frisco's and you can understand why he's coming a little unglued. |
Hey Mattmiller, you are wayyy off base, even if just trying to joke around. You should hear what the audioengine is capable of before opening your mouth. We ran it recently through a Chord Hugo and the sound was tremendous playing hi res files from Tidal on my HTC phone. Bluetooth had almost no negative effect.
Furthermore, I use my B1 usually for casual listening through my whole house audio and it's awesome running off my phone wireless.
So, I would say that you need to give it a chance. The newer bluetooth technology through a $2500 dac is amazing. Yes, I would say that my sota table going through my custom grommes amps into my coincident speakers is better but is also a lot more work. |
06-14-15: Schubert
If someone wants to listen to pop music what difference does it make ? Bingo Schubert. I have my times when I sit in solitude and enjoy the music just for myself, but when we're playing with dogs, or a board game, and cranking Motley Crue or Def Lep, the brand of tube in my amp and type of connection used to route the signal go out the window. 06-14-15: Russellrcncom
Bcgator, I smiled when I read your review. I've had it for about 5 or 6 months now and been using it to stream Pandora and have been impressed with the results. The next step is to try it with some high resolution files. Stay tuned. Glad you mentioned that Russell, I just tried some high-res files, which I hadn't done at the time of my OP. My laptop has Bluetooth (which I'd never used, actually), with part of my library of lossless rips in FLAC and AIFF running through JRiver 19. From the laptop to the B1 via Bluetooth, it sounds perfectly listenable. Not as good as via asynch USB of course but the air drums still make an appearance and sometimes that's all it takes to have fun. The beauty of the Bluetooth receiver, as I've discovered, isn't in the bitrate, it's the convenience. My wife has more important things to worry about than WASAPI drivers, and toe-in, and DAC chips, things I may dwell on. But by making it fun and easy for her to use the system it's become something we enjoy together, rather than just my expensive side hobby. |
Mattmiller: all I can say is "Lighten up Francis" ;) |
Bcgator, I smiled when I read your review. I've had it for about 5 or 6 months now and been using it to stream Pandora and have been impressed with the results. The next step is to try it with some high resolution files. Stay tuned. |
If someone wants to listen to pop music what difference does it make ? |
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I agree.
The sound was amazingly good when running my cell phone and Tidal. No one would believe that bluetooth could sound that good. |
