Using either 3.5mm or Bluetooth output

[Joseph.Barrow]

So, I'm thinking about trying something. I have my 3B+ running version 9.0.8, and it works perfectly well with the 3.5mm output to a set of computer speakers. However, I live in an apartment and in the interests of being a good neighbor (sigh but that's a whole other story) I have had the idea of using a set of Bluetooth headphones at night.

I did try setting this up with the last 8* series without luck other than linking to the headphones through the command line and before discovering that there had been the new release to the 9 series. (I don't pay a lot of attention to releases of many things...)

Before I start this new journey, what pitfalls am I going to have to look for to work on before sobbing for help?  The headphones use Bluetooth 5.3, and I'd like to be able to toggle between outputs 3.5/Bluetooth. I did search on the forums, but the problems and resolutions didn't seem to fit my question.

joe

[Nutul]

The headphones use Bluetooth 5.3, and I'd like to be able to toggle between outputs 3.5/Bluetooth.

I think you will need an external (USB...) BT device, as the Pi3 cannot - for sure - handle BT5, let alone BT5.3...

Then, for switching the output, that's just a piece of cake; so I'll let you figure it out by yourself ;-)

[Joseph.Barrow]

The headphones use Bluetooth 5.3, and I'd like to be able to toggle between outputs 3.5/Bluetooth.

I think you will need an external (USB...) BT device, as the Pi3 cannot - for sure - handle BT5, let alone BT5.3...

Then, for switching the output, that's just a piece of cake; so I'll let you figure it out by yourself ;-)

I am coming to that conclusion, so I'll have to dig around and find myself one. To be clear, you are referring to a dongle/nano transmitter, correct?

joe

[TheOldPresbyope]

Have a look at the new-ish Creative BT-W5. I use an earlier-generation Creative BT-W2 with a pair of Sennheiser earphones which accept aptX encoding and am very satisfied.

Regards,
Kent

[Joseph.Barrow]

Have a look at the new-ish Creative BT-W5. I use an earlier-generation Creative BT-W2 with a pair of Sennheiser earphones which accept aptX encoding and am very satisfied.

Regards,
Kent

I surely will. Thank you.

joe

[TheOldPresbyope]

Have a look at the new-ish Creative BT-W5. I use an earlier-generation Creative BT-W2 with a pair of Sennheiser earphones which accept aptX encoding and am very satisfied.

Regards,
Kent

I surely will. Thank you.

joe

Don't know what your headphones can work with but note that the BT-W5 (on sale for 40 USD at the moment) supports aptX Adaptive while the lesser priced BT-W3x (on sale for 28 USD at the moment) supports aptX-HD. My old BT-W2 supports only the original aptX encoding.

Also note that a great debate rages among audionervosa types about how good aptX schemes are sonically. My aging ears aren't a good reference system
 
Regards,
Kent

[Joseph.Barrow]

Also note that a great debate rages among audionervosa types about how good aptX schemes are sonically. My aging ears aren't a good reference system
 
Regards,
Kent

My ears are aging as well, and have other considerations that make things hard to hear. Oh well. As long as something's within my range of hearing(?) I'm good.

joe