Analog to Bluetooth adapter

Most of the planes I have flown on in the last several years (well just this last year) have touchscreen entertainment systems built into the headrest in front. Pretty cool stuff with one problem: I only use BT noise cancellers now when I travel and these systems don't have bluetooth connectivity. What to do?

Well, I got one of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08G8Q7NXZ/
It plugs into the 3.5mm jack and broadcasts the audio via Bluetooth to my Sony WF-1000XM4s. Is it audiophile approved? No, but I don't hear anything super out of whack. And I use it on a plane, where even with good ANC, there is enough noise coming through that it doesn't really matter to me. There is a subtle lag sometimes when watching video, but not enough that I end up noticing unless I am looking for it.

There are dozens of options, all based on the same chipset most likely, so I just grabbed the cheapest one from a brand I recognized. I did return one copy as its output volume was super low for some reason, but the replacement was fine. The one I got for my wife a month ago was fine out of the box, so YMMV on output and possible lag.

Happy travels!

 

Cool. I just got the XM5s and will be flying long haul next May, so this is going on my wish list. Being able to pair 2 headsets simultaneously might come in handy too.

The 3.5mm cable input would work on a plane though, right? Wireless is definitely less fussy when futsing around in your seat on a plane though.

https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/wh1000xm4/v1/en/contents/TP0002752734.html

 

It should work fine, though I was using the WF (in ear) variety of the XM4. I left my WH-1000XM5 at home to conserve packing space. I will say, being wireless is definitely nice if you get antsy on long flights like I do.

 

Doh, I hate Sony naming convention. I swear I searched for "WF-1000XM4 + cable" to find that link.

My WF-1kMX3s weren't that great for ANC and the L unit went screwy after dropping it one too many times. I'll pick up this BT transmitter and take WH-1kMX5s on my next trip.

 

Has anyone seen one of these with an analog pass-through? Would be good for adding BT connectivity for my TV when I want it, but have it pass through to the amp to my speakers.

 

To answer my own question (I should have searched more first) ...

https://www.amazon.com/Friencity-Bluetooth-Transmitter-Receiver-Pass-Thru/dp/B07RTG5NW3

 

I got this in a while ago, but only pulled it now to test as I'm flying out next Tuesday. Pairing is simple and it remembers the device so i automatically connects the next time. The instructions say, "You can only play music on one device at a time", so I guess this doesn't let 2 people watch something at the same time.

You also need to have one of those 2x 3.5mm mono > 1x 3.5mm stereo adapters for use on the plane. Luckily my Etymotics came with one.