Belkin F8Z492TTP Bluetooth Music Receiver

This unit was OK until it broke. I thought the sound was just fine and the range was good enough for me. I used it to connect my computer (also worked for my Windows phone and iPad) to our record unit console thing (the best speakers n the house). It was a little finicky, but I could usually get it going in 10 minutes if it refused to auto connect.MY PROBLEMS WITH IT AND HORRENDOUS CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM BELKINThe bad news is the little unit inside that holds the audio cable just came loose and is now rattling around inside. I used it only 1-2 times per week for less than a month. Contacting Belkin for a replacement under their warranty has been the biggest frustration ever. I refuse to sink time into a phone call and their overseas chat "help" to get the process started was infuriating. I had to tell them multiple times when I bought it, what model number it was, then I had to correct them on the warranty. The form they now want me to fill out makes no sense (text boxes with no description of what info they need) and I can't get any further help. On top of that they want to put a hold on my credit card for an unspecified amount plus pay return shipping.Thank goodness I bought through Amazon and they will issue a refund without a fuss. I feel bad for making Amazon do this, since I believe the manufacturer should be refunding me or replacing the item. But, it is one of the reasons I shop on Amazon.IN SHORTI think it's fine especially for how cheap it is. But don't hold your breath on Belkin honoring their 1 year warranty (I know, I read the reviews on this too, but I thought Belkin was an OK company ... never again!) and make sure you buy directly from Amazon for their 90-day replacement service if you do end up going for it. You just might need it.A NOTE ON THE BLUE LIGHT AND CABLESOnce connected or receiving power, the blue light will come on briefly for half a second. Then, it will only stay constantly lit once it is connected to something through bluetooth. There are a lot of questions on this here and this is what the manual says and what I found to be true while the product was working.Also, the picture here is misleading. There should be 2 cables coming out the back. One for the audio (standard headphone jack kind) and one for the AC power. It is not one centered cable coming out the back and even if you had just one in it would not be centered. I can see why this picture leads some to believe it operates on batteries or something. It doesn't. You need to be connected to the wall.

I have 2 of these style Belkin Bluetooth receivers and just ordered an HD version as well which I will review once I have had a chance to try that one. I really like the standard version. I have had them both for a few years. The sound quality is pretty good for a low priced bluetooth device. Not audiophile quality but it IS a wireless connection. There is no static or perceptible distortion at average to slightly loud levels. If you have a better music app like Poweramp this thing sounds great! I use a Samsung Galaxy S3 and I have one Belkin plugged into a small cheap stereo in my basement/woodshop. I also have had the other Belkin plugged into my top of the line Pioneer home theater receiver in the living room although I just moved this one now to the mancave to make way for the HD version to go in the living room. They do not connect automatically but connect right up as soon as you click it in your bluetooth settings. I am only giving it 4 stars because as many of the reviews stated the range is not what it claims to be. I need to stay in the living room no more than 15 ft away before the music starts cutting in and out but this is fine for me cause I can just listen sitting on the couch. For those more active or want to keep their player in their pocket while they go about other tasks in the house this is not the one for you. Best to pay a bit more money for a higher quality one. Overall, if you are looking for a low cost but good sounding bluetooth adapter for home this is pretty solid.UPDATE:I received a comment from Belkin telling me to try turning off my WIFI to my phone while using the device for better range. That is all great for those people that don't use their WIFI for calling or texting or doing other things the phone is meant to do while also listening to music. In today's world we need adapters that will keep up with the current level of technology which is multi-tasking with your phone. When I am solely listening to music I will try turning off the WIFI to improve the range and may update my review accordingly, but I did give this device a good review but tried to be honest, which is what Belkin should see and then act to improve.

I bought two of these and one similar from HomeSpot. Like this one slightly better though they're basically the same. The HomeSpot claimed better range, but it was no different. It's bluetooth, with common limitations in range and somewhat suspect sound quality. Supposedly a bluetooth 4 version device is better. This one is not that. Depending on your ear and the music you listen to you may or may not notice some loss of the full frequency range of sounds.Once you plug it in and pair your device you don't have to mess with the receiver anymore. It stays on all the time (the blue light fades out when no longer paired with a device) and you just select it from the bluetooth devices listed in your mobile device when you want to play through it again.It's a convenient way of playing your phone/laptop on your good stereo without chaining it to it.

We have an iPhone, iPad and Samsung Galaxy Note using this. Set up was easy. You have to use the audio in cables that come with the Belkin and not yours. I tried and I just heard snow. After using the Belkin cables, it worked easy peasy. That said, the sound on alot of songs sound like I'm listening to it through a tin can. The treble/voice was really hollow and soft and the bass was overwhelming in some songs. Others the vocals were generally too soft.i.e. try playing Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys feat Nicky Minaj. Sounds horrible. And it is not the stereo set up because if I change no settings and plug my device right into the stereo it sounds awesome.So from a convenience perspective, it's cool to be able to sit on the couch and pick my music. From an enjoying rich sound on my expensive stereo, it sucks.As well, you HAVE to disconnect from Belkin from one device to connect another. A bit annoying. These features are probably why the Apple store decided to drop it. I can imagine all the returns they got when apple users heard the sound. But since I have a Galaxy, couldn't buy one of those overpriced, locked-into Apple pieces of ...

I took it apart and took out the the chunk of metal that was in there to make it heavier like its worth the money they are asking. It did improve distance by 10 feet so I now have about 40' line of sight and 20 to 30 when I go in the house.

Got this for streaming my the music on my phone to my sound system at home.Pros:- A nicely built quality Belkin product for simple, convenient Bluetooth music streaming.Cons:- Occasionally I must detach and reconnect the power cord to "wake" the unit up after not using it for a few days. Which I find quite annoying.- At other times, I would need to reconnect the Bluetooth with my phone to pair the device again.- I must admit that the range of this product is not the greatest (unless you proceed with some DIY work as described by the other user).- Sound quality is not at the highest, but good enough for leisure listening in the background.

Listening to music is probably not a problem but if you`re watching movies and you connect your PC to your home theatre, the lip sync is not sync. There is a a bit delay. Also, when you first start it, you will here noise like it is being disconnected. Bottom line, for music listening it is working fine but for video, it is not.

Great little product but you must do a little bit to make it work to its full potential. The devices signal distance is really short. So you open it up with a small flathead screwdriver and then pop the circuit board out and then take out the little metal flat piece. Then pop the circuit board back in and glue the casing back together. Works anywhere in my apartment now whereas before I could get maybe ten feet out of it. Took maybe five minutes and the product is vastly better. Who knows why belkin put that piece in in the first place.