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It’s rare to come across a gadget these days that doesn’t feature Bluetooth functionality. Whether you’re looking for a smartphone, tablet, speaker, or smartwatch, Bluetooth technology has become fully integrated with today’s most powerful and innovative pieces of technology, and more and more people have the option of connecting their devices to one another in a seamless and increasingly congruent fashion. This transition to a Bluetooth world has primarily been a positive development since it’s allowed more people to have connectivity options for their devices and media. Still, any true audiophile will tell you that the best speakers (and even most audio receivers) only get better with age, making it unthinkable for most people to ditch their beloved stereo systems in favor of a modern Bluetooth device that’s superior in connectivity but inferior in sonics. This is why the market has been flooded with a sea of versatile Bluetooth amplifiers and receivers (often combined into a single unit) that allow users to make virtually any piece of audio or media gear wireless. The concept is simple. By outsourcing wireless Bluetooth connectivity to an external box that can receive signals from an endless number of devices and transfer them via wire to your go-to media source, you get the best of both worlds: the inherent quality and sound of your favorite media device that lacks Bluetooth connectivity and the convenience of being able to stream media directly from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. So before you ditch your cherished stereo or home media center in favor of a flashy Bluetooth system, check out this list of super-cool Bluetooth amplifiers that offer the same connectivity (if not more) for a fraction of the price.
Where would an awe-inspiring list of audio gear be without a Sony gadget? The Sony STRDH190 2-ch stereo receiver can turn any type of old-school speaker into a modern one because of its built-in Bluetooth. Gone are the days wherein you have to plug an aux cord into your phone to play music because now you will get to stream wirelessly thanks to this receiver. It delivers 100 watts of power to two channels at 8 ohms and offers a wide range of helpful inputs that allow you to connect a sea of third-party sources at will like a phono input, four stereo RCA Audio inputs, and a 3.5mm input, all of which can be subbed to a stereo RCA output. You’ll be able to connect up to four speakers, and A/B switching allows you to play them all at once or in separate zones—making this receiver ideal for homes with separate viewing and listening areas. Its stylish and discreet design makes it easy to place around the house without throwing off decor, and you get a fully-loaded FM radio with 30-station presets along with a wireless remote control that can be used to adjust and fine-tune almost every parameter from afar.
Suppose you’re in the market for something a little less involved. In that case, you may want to check out this super-streamlined and compact Bluetooth receiver that offers convenience and portability alongside powerful streaming. This small gadget packs a Bluetooth 5.0 core and a range of up to roughly 50 feet with little to no signal delay. After multiple tests in different rooms, we weren’t unable to detect any pops or hisses in the signal being streamed from a laptop, which is an all-too-often occurrence with some receivers of this size and range). The amplifier’s 100-watt RMS power rating means that you’ll be able to power your parties and gatherings easily. One of the more appealing elements of this receiver is its small, sleek design, which allows it to be placed discreetly in the home—a significant plus for potential buyers who don’t want their audio equipment to be the center of attention. You’ll also benefit from its advanced circuitry design and built-in power protection circuit, and you get dials for adjusting the volume, treble, and bass on the amplifier. Upon purchase, customers get a comprehensive 18-month warranty in the unlikely event that they experience any problems down the line.
Although perhaps not as aesthetically pleasing as some of the other Bluetooth receivers on our list, the Pyle Wireless Bluetooth Home Audio Amplifier gets the job done. It delivers 90 watts of power, and using it with speakers with 4-8 Ohm impedance ensures that you get high-quality audio. Its built-in Bluetooth technology lets you quickly sync and stream audio from all of your devices, many of which can be connected simultaneously, so you don’t have to pair and re-pair whenever you want to switch sources. This mini power amp also comes with RCA and AUX jacks for added connectivity, and you’ll be able to adjust basic sonic parameters like treble and audio directly on the console. The amplifier comes with a convenient switch button that you can use to switch between aux/MP3 and Bluetooth quickly. Users will benefit from its built-in short circuit and power surge protection, a 1/4″ microphone jack, and four push-type speaker terminals. You will know when the amplifier is turned on because it comes with a blue LED light around its volume knob. It’s not hard to see why many will like the Pyle Wireless Bluetooth Home Audio Amplifier because you get many useful features for such a budget-friendly price.
Bringing things back down to a slightly smaller scale, we have this effortlessly cool and sleek Facmogu F900 Mini Bluetooth Power Amplifier, which boasts 50W+50W dual channel functionality and an industry-standard impedance of between four and eight ohms. It’s one of the more affordable options on the market because it comes with a price tag of $32.99. You get the option to input three devices at once since it supports Bluetooth, USB, and AUX inputs. You can use it for everything from tablets and PCs to TVs and smartphones, but it won’t work with Amazon smart speakers like Alexa, Echo, etc. The Facmogu F900 Mini might be small, but it’s still durable and reliable, thanks to its metallic shell. You can expect it to help you get the best sound quality possible without any hissing, humming, or distortion. Its low impedance and streamlined circuitry mean you’ll enjoy unadulterated audio regardless of the input source. Sadly, this amplifier doesn’t come with a remote control feature, and it doesn’t have physical controls to adjust the bass and treble. Customers will get a one-year warranty after purchasing it. The Facmogu F900 Mini is available in Gold, Silver, Blue, and Red.
The Cambridge Audio CXA81 Stereo Amplifier is ideal for those with the budget to buy the best of the best. This amplifier comes with a hefty price tag, but you get what you pay for. It promises a true Hi-Fi stereo experience that delivers an unmatched sonic ability. At first glance, you can tell that the amplifier has a premium build quality. Its two channels provide around 80 watts of power each. The amplifier will give users professional-grade power, and it supports speakers with an impedance of 4-8 Ohm. It features an Oversized toroidal transformer that offers an even and low-noise current. Because of its Bluetooth wireless capability, you can stream music from your phones, computers, and tablets. It promises high-quality audio because of its aptX HD encoding. You can also opt for a wired connection for the amplifier since it has stereo RCA inputs, balanced XLR sockets, and digital optical and digital coaxial inputs. The amplifier features an ESS Sabre SE9010K2M DAC chip that works with DSD 256 data streams and 32-bit/384kHz PCM files. The Cambridge Audio CXA81 Stereo Amplifier might have a jaw-dropping upfront cost, but you’re paying for a worthwhile investment that will last you a long time.
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