Podcast #1188: Audioengine Next Gen B1 Wireless Adapter Review and How Streaming Impacts TV Ratings

On this week’s show we have a review of the Audioengine B1 Next Gen Bluetooth Music Receiver and we take a look at how Streaming impacts viewing on top network shows. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

• Panasonic is ‘prepared to sell’ its TV business
• 56% of Super Bowl LIX Viewers Expected to Stream Event
• Tubi had the fastest Super Bowl streaming experience
• YouTube Viewership On TV Screens Exceeds Mobile For First Time In U.S.

Audioengine B1 Next Gen Bluetooth Music Receiver

I recently upgraded my audio setup with the new Audioengine B1 Next Gen Bluetooth Music Receiver ($189 direct from Audioengine), because I like buying stuff! The previous model served me well but has gotten a bit long in the… wait for it, Bluetooth. 

Like the previous version, the Next Gen turns any wired stereo receiver or powered speaker system into a wireless one. The high-fidelity audio is outstanding, there is support for 16, 24, or even 32-bit quality with the advanced Bluetooth 5.3 and aptX Adaptive support. One cool feature is that the indicator light on the front panel turns orange when you have an aptX connection, so you know at a glance that you are listening at the highest fidelity. I had to borrow my brother-in-law’s android phone to test this out. Apple, why won’t you give me aptX?? 

The music sounded excellent. I did my best to A/B with the original B1 using AAC vs the next gen B1 using aptX listening to music I am intimately familiar with. It was hard to hear any major improvement. I could convince myself there was an improvement only after listening to specific parts of a track multiple times. Practically speaking, it really won’t matter. If you currently own the previous B1 I would recommend skipping this upgrade unless you stream from long distances. More on that in a bit.  With that said, the high bitrate AAC files on the new B1 sounded excellent and I did not have too much aptX envy. 

Another impressive feature is the long-range connectivity. The specification says it will maintain a connection 100 feet away without any drop in sound quality. I walked to all corners of my house behind multiple doors, and could not break the connection. This is a big improvement over the original and is nice if you are responsible for the music at a get-together and you walk around the house chatting with your guests. 

The inclusion of both RCA and Optical output options means you can easily integrate it into any existing audio setup. The B1 has a sturdy aluminum housing and the fact that you don't need any special software makes setup a breeze! 

The Audioengine B1 is a recommended product for anyone looking to elevate their wired audio experience with wireless streaming. 

Here’s How Much Streaming Impacts Viewing on Top Network Shows

It’s a pretty well-established fact that streaming has a sizable effect on ratings for shows that originate on broadcast networks. A new batch of data from Nielsen for this season shows just how big that impact can be. Full article here…