How to I get all iPad sound, even games, to external speakers?

[Uofmtiger]

Good catch!! I just opened a game to see if sound transferred and never bothered actually playing it (doh!!) so I am surprised there is a delay, too! I use it for video without an issue, so I didn't think gaming would be any different, but I did not consider the fact that video can be slowed down to match the audio.

For games, I doubt anyone is using high bit rate audio files anyway, so blutooth is definitely the answer. I am going to edit my prior posts so someone doesn't order an airplay device after reading it.

Thanks for posting about the delay...I don't want Piggie hunting me down, I have enough problems with them in angry birds.

 

[bigp2]

I use a set of Bluetooth stereo headphones (sennheiser px210bt) and even though I don't use the apt-x codec (just plain A2DP) they sound just fine. I use them with my laptop, desktop, and iPhone and get nice stereo sound. If you're a true audiophile then you will probably notice compression, but it should for sure be a far step up from your internal iPad speaker.

The Sennhesier px210bt headphones have apt-X, and if you're using a Mac with Snow Leopard it will stream to the headphones using apt-X over Bluetooth. That's not a very well publicised feature though...
If you're using a PC, older Mac or iPhone it will just be the default Bluetooth codec though.

Phil

 

[Piggie]

The Sennhesier px210bt headphones have apt-X, and if you're using a Mac with Snow Leopard it will stream to the headphones using apt-X over Bluetooth. That's not a very well publicised feature though...
If you're using a PC, older Mac or iPhone it will just be the default Bluetooth codec though.

Phil

I did Google around a bit on this and it did seem like Apple on the iMac and perhaps MacBook did support this, but could not find anything about iPad.

Seeing as the iPad is their arguably latest computing product I wondered if it did support it, but Apple's web site does not exactly lend itself well to letting you know where to ask such questions.

 

[Night Spring]

I like the idea of that setup, especially as I have a Sounddock. Which Bluetooth receiver did you get? Exactly what I am looking for.
-Thanks

This:
http://www.bose.com/controller?url=...ccessories/sounddock_10_bluetoothdock_acc.jsp

I use a set of Bluetooth stereo headphones (sennheiser px210bt) and even though I don't use the apt-x codec (just plain A2DP) they sound just fine. I use them with my laptop, desktop, and iPhone and get nice stereo sound. If you're a true audiophile then you will probably notice compression, but it should for sure be a far step up from your internal iPad speaker.

Exactly. I was a bit skeptical about the sound quality of a bluetooth transmission at first, but for all intent and purposes, it's fine. I mean, sound in mp3 files is already compressed. I don't think bluetooth degrades it further. I suppose if you were using really top of the line, $$$$ speakers, you might notice a difference, but for instance, with the Bose Sounddock, I don't really hear a difference between bluetooth and audio input from an iPod placed in the dock.

 

[Piggie]

This:
http://www.bose.com/controller?url=...ccessories/sounddock_10_bluetoothdock_acc.jsp



Exactly. I was a bit skeptical about the sound quality of a bluetooth transmission at first, but for all intent and purposes, it's fine. I mean, sound in mp3 files is already compressed. I don't think bluetooth degrades it further. I suppose if you were using really top of the line, $$$$ speakers, you might notice a difference, but for instance, with the Bose Sounddock, I don't really hear a difference between bluetooth and audio input from an iPod placed in the dock.

Thanks for the information.
For the moment the Airport is off my shopping list, but I'm still mulling over the Bluetooth option. I don't really want a trailing wire.
Re quality, if we are talking along the lines of the difference between raw CD data and a good quality MP3 file, then that's not going to be noticed, or perhaps even very high quality FM stereo via a proper HIFI tuner, vs a CD, then that is also still very clear and sharp sound.
But, and this is my concern, if people are comparing quality via some 2" $20 plastic computer speakers, then could you tell anyway?

I almost feel like I will need to purchase through a major company so I can return the Bluetooth receiver if the quality is poor when I get it.
One persons "it's fine" could be another persons "It's terrible"

I don't need perfection, but I'd like to get an idea of how much the quality does degrade over bluetooth with something like this.

I just found this posted 3 years ago:

in case anyone cares, I found out more details on bluetooth audio quality.

Basically, your source file (MP3, etc.) is decompressed by the player to PCM, then bluetooth takes over and recompresses the PCM using a lossy codec called SBC (subband coding). The SBC is then streamed to the receiving device (headset, etc.)

The good news is that SBC approaches the quality of MP3 @ 320kbs, so it's pretty decent as lossy codecs go. The bad news is that your original audio is going through two lossy compressions (assuming your source files are lossy), which means that undesirable artifacts are very likely (smeared/distorted cymbals, etc.).

So in general, if you have relatively high quality source files without noticeable artifacts (like higher bitrate VBR), your results over bluetooth will probably be decent. If your files are already heavily compressed (like lower birtrate CBR), than bluetooth will probably make your quality noticeably worse. Of course this varies with source material and an individual's sensitivity to artifacts/distortion.

 

[Night Spring]

But, and this is my concern, if people are comparing quality via some 2" $20 plastic computer speakers, then could you tell anyway?

I almost feel like I will need to purchase through a major company so I can return the Bluetooth receiver if the quality is poor when I get it.

One persons "it's fine" could be another persons "It's terrible"

Sure. Ultimately, you'll have to try one for yourself to see if it works for you, so buying from a place with a no questions asked return policy (like Amazon, for instance) is a good idea.

However, the Sounddock I'm using isn't a $20 speaker -- I forget exactly how much it was, but it's a speaker that costs in the $600-800 range. Come to think of it, the bluetooth receiver that we got for it isn't cheap, either. So I'm happy with the sound quality of my bluetooth setup, but in a way, I guess we got what we paid for.

 

[Piggie]

Sure. Ultimately, you'll have to try one for yourself to see if it works for you, so buying from a place with a no questions asked return policy (like Amazon, for instance) is a good idea.

However, the Sounddock I'm using isn't a $20 speaker -- I forget exactly how much it was, but it's a speaker that costs in the $600-800 range. Come to think of it, the bluetooth receiver that we got for it isn't cheap, either. So I'm happy with the sound quality of my bluetooth setup, but in a way, I guess we got what we paid for.

Good idea.

I'm not going to pull down my, what I call proper hifi speakers down from upstairs. They are about 3ft tall, have 12" bass, 4" midrange and 1" bullet tweeter in each one, powered from a Pioneer minimalist amp, as I have found it the past, this setup tends to make anything but the best sound bad!
It's asking for trouble really

As you say, buy from Amazon, and fingers crossed

 

[Onthelo]

I use airplay to stream the audio from my iPad to my apple tv which is hooked up to my home theatre system. I also can stream into the garage via airport express and powered m-audio powered speakers. I use the remote app on my iPad to stream the iTunes library to the designated locations. It's awesome when I'm cleaning the house and then go to work in the garage with the tap of the screen I can send the audio where ever I want it to go I am even going to add another apple tv in the bedroom so i can stream music into the bedroom or when I am watching a movie on my iPad I can then stream via airplay onto the bedroom HDTV when I hop in bed. Allot of cool ways to stream video and audio with this device! I am loving it so far once the new software comes out and more 3rd party apps support airplay it will be Even sweeter!

 

[shazstar]

Bose Sounddock POrtable and Uplay Receiver for sounddock

Hi

This thread is really useful.

I am thinking of getting the older uplay which is made for sounddock and powers by the ipod dock itself as I use my sounddock whilst i am out at the beach, park etc.

I am looking to buy the following two items. I will use it with an android phone and also my non bluetooth ipod


http://www.audiovisualonline.co.uk/...tm_content=QED-UPLAYDOCK&utm_campaign=Froogle

http://www.audioaffair.co.uk/QED-Li...h-Transmitter-for-Bose-SoundDock/product_3620

Can anyone comment on this at all for me please. I will be buying it today as there is one on ebay about to end

Thanks in advance

Edit

Already bought this - will comment on the quality/compression in a few days time for those that are interested...