Home » News » Heritage Audio announces availability of BT-500 v2.0 as updated 500-Series Bluetooth streaming module

MADRID, SPAIN: European pro audio manufacturer Heritage Audio is proud to announce availability of BT-500 v2.0 as an updated version of its innovative 500-Series Bluetooth streaming module — making available additional APTX LL® and APTX HD® codecs alongside the APTX®, AAC, and SBC ones originally offered by its BT-500 predecessor, plus a redesigned RESET button facilitating failsafe protection against accidental resetting, as well as providing a fully-balanced +22dBu stereo output on gold-plated XLR connectors (when connected to a suitable any appropriate 500-series enclosure) with pristine Burr Brown conversion to guarantee working with the best possible quality audio as the quickest and easiest way of effortlessly connecting with mobile devices in a studio setup over Bluetooth from a distance of up to 150m — as of April 5…

It is fair to say that no product — be it a 500-Series module or otherwise — from any other manufacturer matches the features of Heritage Audio’s BT-500 v2.0 500-Series Bluetooth streaming module, which simply solves the connectivity problem previously present when using mobile devices in a professional studio environment. Simply say goodbye to using unwieldy mini-jack to XLR adapter cables connected to questionable consumer device-designed DACs (Digital-to-Analogue Convertors) — clearly not an elegant or effective solution since the limitations of iOS or Android mobile devices’ analogue signal paths are always audibly apparent — and wave hello to keeping things simple since the BT-500 v2.0 readily recognises the best codecs available to ensure that any audio received over Bluetooth is at the highest quality possible while guaranteeing seamless integration with iOS or Android mobile devices.

Duly offering AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) — an audio coding standard for lossy digital compression that is designed as a successor to the MP3 format, generally achieving higher sound quality than MP3 encoders at the same rate; APTX® — a fixed compression ratio ensuring consistency from 20Hz to 20kHz; APTX LL® — a low-delay, robust solution for consistent 16-bit audio, recommended for gaming or when performing lip syncing as it provides the lowest latency; APTX HD® — allowing for high-definition 24-bit audio, engineered for better signal-to- noise ratio with lower THD (Total Harmonic Distortion); and SBC (Sub-Band Coding) — an audio codec designed to accommodate Bluetooth bandwidth limitations and processing power to obtain a reasonably good audio quality at medium bit rates with low computational complexity, the BT-500 v2.0 effectively ensures there is now no excuse for not doing a quick reference check with favoured audio from online streaming and download platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, or YouTube. Accessing a file from an e-mail is, likewise, not a problem.

Put it this way: when using the BT-500 v2.0, users are actually substituting their mobile device’s analogue circuitry with a state-of-the-art, fully- differential Burr Brown balanced output stage duly delivering a full 0dBfs = 22dBu output that is able to drive a 600Ω load to allow direct level comparisons with online streaming platform-originating or mobile-stored reference mixes when mixing or mastering.

Mobile phone, tablet, or smartwatch… with the BT-500 v2.0 providing a quick, trouble-free solution to accessing streamed audio over Bluetooth and guaranteeing the highest possible quality, it really has never been easier to access an iOS or Android device whenever needed in the studio. Indeed, its uncluttered design keeps things simple and also makes for an attractive addition to any 500-Series powered enclosure, such as Heritage Audio’s recently released OST 6 v2.0 (https://heritageaudio.net/catalogue/ost6v2/), while solving a commonplace problem with minimum investment involved in doing so. 

BT-500 v2.0 is shipping and available via Heritage Audio’s growing global network of dealers (https://heritageaudio.net/where-to-buy-international/) with an SSP (Standalone Selling Price) of €249.00 EUR (including VAT) in the EU and a MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) of $229.00 USD, US distribution being handled via RAD Distribution (http://www.raddist.com/heritage-audio.php). (Please note that since most 500-Series powered enclosures only have male and female XLR connections, a male-to-male XLR adapter for the female XLR connection to provide two fully-balanced 22dBu outputs for stereo usage is included in the BT-500 v2.0 purchase price.)

For more in-depth information, please visit the dedicated BT-500 v2.0 webpage here: https://heritageaudio.net/catalogue/bt-500v2-0/

Watch Heritage Audio’s tantalising trailer video for BT-500 v2.0 here: https://youtu.be/zko3ECfjnEI

Watch Heritage Audio’s beneficial BT-500 v2.0 connectivity video here: https://youtu.be/lrNRaqqH0mk

Industry News

Award-Winning Composer Revolutionizes Live Entertainment with RME Technology

Award-Winning Composer Revolutionizes Live Entertainment with RME Technology

Introducing SOMA Messevier: An Irrational Sonic Exploration Device

Introducing SOMA Messevier: An Irrational Sonic Exploration Device

Focal Announces New “Lensys Professional” Closed-Back Headphones

Focal Announces New “Lensys Professional” Closed-Back Headphones