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TROND Bluetooth Transmitter Receiver V5.0, Bluetooth Audio Transmitter, 2-in-1 Bluetooth Adapter for TV/Car/PC/ MP3/ Headphones/Home Stereo/Speaker, AptX Low Latency, Pairs 2 Devices Simultaneously
We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock.
Brand | TROND |
Connectivity Technology | Wireless, Bluetooth 5.0, 3.5mm Jack / AUX / RCA |
Compatible Devices | Television |
Connector Type | AUX / RCA |
Audio Encoding | Stereo |
Audio Output Mode | Stereo |
Color | Black |
Item Weight | 0.5 Ounces |
Number of Channels | 2 |
Output Wattage | 5 Watts |
About this item
- 【NOTE】The product is out of stock, the stock here is 'Used Product'. Please choose the BT DUOV5.2 if you mind this.
- TX Transmitter Mode - TROND BT-DUO transmit stereo audio wirelessly from your non-Bluetooth audio sources such as TV, MP3, CD player, PC or eBook reader to your Bluetooth-enabled headphones, speaker or receiver. Enable you enjoy high quality music wirelessly without disturbing others. Note: Bluetooth adapter without volume control button
- RX Receiver Mode - The Bluetooth adapter offers an economical solution by turning your old wired headphones or speakers into Bluetooth headphones or speakers. Now, you can enjoy CD-like audio quality wirelessly on your home stereo or wired speaker. Charging while working, the built-in battery could support the Bluetooth adapter to work for 8-10 hours per full charge
- Dual Stream & Multipoint - In the TX mode, TROND Bluetooth transmitter can be paired to two BT Headphones or speakers, and streams audio to both of them simultaneously. In the RX mode, it can be paired to two phones or tablets, but it can only receive the audio from one of the two paired devices. Please note that the codec would be downgraded to SBC when pairing to two BT devices simultaneously
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Important information
Visible screen diagonal
2" / 6 cm
Product guides and documents
Product Description
Bluetooth V5.2 Transmitter & Receiver | Bluetooth Digital Optical Adapter | Bluetooth V5.0 Transmitter & Receiver | |
---|---|---|---|
Customer Reviews |
4.1 out of 5 stars
7,326
|
4.1 out of 5 stars
701
|
4.2 out of 5 stars
1,182
|
Price | $29.99$29.99 | $35.99$35.99 | $19.99$19.99 |
Codec Supported | SBC, aptX, aptX Low Latency (for both TX & RX) | SBC, aptX, aptX Low Latency (for both TX & RX) | SBC, aptX, aptX Low Latency (for both TX & RX) |
Audio Connection | 3.5mm, RCA | 3.5mm, RCA, digital optical in (TX), digital optical out (RX) | 3.5mm, RCA |
Working Range | 10m / 33ft | 10m / 33ft | 10m / 33ft |
Power/Pairing Button | one MFB button | one MFB button | one MFB button |
Pair with Two | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Spend Your Holidays with Your Family! Watching TV Together without Disturbing Others!
If you and your roommates are on different schedules, then you might need this TV Bluetooth transmitter for your TV.
TROND is the pioneer in promoting the concept of aptX Low Latency on Amazon.com. As the first model we introduced to the Amazon marketplace in early 2016, TROND BT-DUO has helped numerous customers to watch TV wirelessly without any noticeable audio delay. In recent years, we've upgraded its Bluetooth version from 4.1 to 5.0, which could provide better device compatibility.
TX Mode: as a transmitter, BT-DUO should be connected to the audio OUT port of your non-Bluetooth audio source (TV, iPod, Nintendo Switch, CD-player, or e-Book reader), and then pair to your Bluetooth headphones or speakers such as Airpods. This way, you could watch videos, enjoy music or play games wirelessly without experiencing lip-sync issues. White/red RCA does NOT support Audio IN, only Audio OUT. If your TV does not have an audio out port please order another model: TROND BT-DUO X.
RX Mode: as a receiver, it should be connected to the audio IN port of your wired audio device via a 3.5mm cable (wired earbuds, speaker, or car stereo), and pair to your Bluetooth-enabled smartphone, tablet, or laptop. This way, you could enjoy high-quality music wirelessly without spending more to order Bluetooth headphones or speakers.
Please note that you can only use BT-DUO either as a transmitter or as a receiver and can't use those two modes simultaneously. Also for the Bluetooth technology, one transmitting device needs to pair with one receiving device, or vice versa. You are not supposed to pair two transmitting devices or two receiving devices together
Important Pairing Instructions
How to Pair with One?
- Disconnect your headphones from your phone or tablet;
- Switch the working mode to TX, instead of RX;
- Long press the MFB for 3 seconds to power it on;
- Quickly double-tap the MFB to activate its pairing mode till the indicator blinks red & blue alternately;
- Activate the pairing mode of your headphones; (To activate Airpods' pairing mode, put the Airpods (Pro) in the charging case; long-press the button on the back of the charging case, and then released it when the white light on the front started flashing)
- Put those two close to each other, and wait for the pairing;
- if successful, its LED would turn solid blue.
How to Pair with Two?
Dual Stream is the embedded feature of CSR 8670 chipset, which allows the transmitter to pair with two devices simultaneously. Please CLOSELY follow the instruction included in the user manual to pair with two.
However, the pairing steps may be too complicated for some customers to pair.
Getting audio out of one headphone?
BT-DUO is capable of working and charging at the same time. But rarely, you may only get audio in one earpiece when the BT-DUO works while charging. Please charge BT-DUO first, then unplug it, and then use it, so you get sound on both sides.
PDF MANUAL?
check the pdf manual in the ’‘PRODUCT GUIDES AND DOCUMENT’‘ section if you would like to download it.
Specifications:
- CSR 8670 chipet, V5.0
- AptX LL, aptX, SBC
- Up to 33ft / 10m working range
- 160mAh li-polymer battery
- Approx. 8H battery life
- Fully charged in 2 hours
- Size: 1.81*1.30*0.38 in
- Net Weight: 0.51 oz
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Noticeble audio lag? Please check whether your device supports aptX Low Latency. Popular headphones, such as Bose QC35 or Beats Solo3, don't really support it, and you may experience audio delay.
- Annoying static noise? Please do not connect its 3.5mm aux jack and USB charging port to the same audio source, as it may easily cause "ground loop noise". Please use a separate USB charger instead.
- BT-DUO Can't pair successfully with your Bluetooth devices? Please follow the section 'Reset BT-DUO' in the user manual to reset BT-DUO in both TX and RX mode, and re-start the pairing procedures.
- Buying 2 BT-DUO, 1 as a transmitter, the other as a receiver? This type of set-up is viable, which 'add' Bluetooth functions to 2 devices (such as a TV and a wired headphone). Connect the transmitter to a TV; Connect the receiver to a wired headphone; Pair the transmitter with the receiver, in this way, you have done the set-up! Enjoy the music with low latency (40ms) reagardsless of the codec of earphone.
More Product Features to Explore
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|
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Great Thanksgiving GiftsTROND BT-DUO is measured at 1.81'' x 1.30'' x 0.38'' with a weight of 0.51 oz. It's only about the size of a narrow matchbox. Meanwhile, it features the most premium CSR8670 Bluetooth V5.0 chipset, which makes it a very handy device for those who want to get away from wires. Perfect for home, office, college, desk use; Enjoying music without disturbing your family, roommate; Beautifully wrapped in kraft paper; Gift messaged offering |
Various Accessories Included3.5mm aux cable (50cm). Use this long cable to connect TROND BT-DUO to your TV, and don't let TV block the Bluetooth signal. 3.5mm Aluminum Adapter. Use this adapter to connect to your iPod, e-Book reader, or car stereo, and get away from tangling cables. 3.5mm female to RCA male cable adapter. Please use this cable adapter when your TV or home stereo only offers the white/red RCA audio OUT ports. NOTE: White/Red RCA does NOT support Audio IN, only Audio OUT. If your TV does not have an audio out port please order another model: TROND BT-DUO X. |
Super Long Working TimeDC Mode: Connect to a quality USB charger, and stream the audio as long as you can. You can charge it while it's working; 160mAh Rechargeable Battery: TROND BT-DUO can provide approx. 8-hour battery life, and can be fully recharged within approx. 2 hours. It needs to be recharged ASAP when the LED keeps flashing red. The LED turns steady red while being recharged, and turns off once fully charged. |
Important Remarks before Buying:
- 3.5mm Aux or Digital Optical? In order to stream the audio from your TV, it’s very crucial to first identify which audio OUT port your TV could support (instead of any audio IN or video port). TROND BT-DUO can be connected via the 3.5mm cable. However, some LG or Samsung TVs have removed the 3.5mm aux jack and only offer the digital optical OUT port. In this case, since BT-DUO does not feature a port for digital optical cable, please order a digital to analog audio converter additionally, or order another model instead: TROND BT-DUO X;
- AptX Low Latency Supported? In order to avoid lip-sync issues, your BT headset or speaker also needs to support the codec of aptX Low Latency. Please check with your device manufacturer to verify this. If not, the codec would be downgraded to aptX or even SBC, and you may experience the noticeable audio lag;
- Musical Instrument? The latency of 40ms is still unacceptable for live sound monitoring. Therefore, those who plan to use it with electric piano or guitar, beware! Bluetooth technology, even with aptX Low Latency, may not suit your needs;
- Pair with your car Bluetooth (TX)? Car Bluetooth may require entering a certain pin code in order to pair with your phone. Unlike phones, Bluetooth transmitters don't have any keypad to enter the pin code. Therefore, BT-DUO may not be able to stream the music from your iPod to your car stereo. Due to the rechargeable battery design, it cannot be powered on automatically after you start the car engine;
- Bluetooth Receiver for Car? YES, some cars only have aux jack and have no Bluetooth function, you can use TROND BT-DUO as a Bluetooth receiver, this way, it will allow your car to have Bluetooth functions. Simply pair the Bluetooth receiver with your iPhone 11/pro and start to enjoy stereo music wirelessly. Please note the Bluetooth receiver will automatically power off if no device is paired within 6 minutes in the standby mode or the pairing mode;
- Hands-Free Phone Calls? BT-DUO doesn't have the built-in microphone. If connected to BT-DUO as a receiver, the in-line microphone of your wired headset will be disabled. Therefore it won't be able to support any phone calls.
- Sound cut out at lower volumes? When watching movies at lower volumes(also known as a gate), the transmitter sound may cuts out. Because when the volume is too low, the CSR chipset couldn't detect the signal and hence couldn't transmit the audio signal out. Please try to turn the TV's volume up and get better performance.
- White/Red RCA support audio in or audio out? In TX mode, white/red RCA does NOT support Audio IN, only Audio OUT. If your TV does not have an audio out port please order another model: TROND BT-DUO X.
What's in the box
Videos
Videos for this product
7:39
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Tutorial for the usage of BT-DUO in Transmitter mode
TROND Official
Videos for this product
6:17
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How To use and Unboxing!!
Bennett's Reviews and How To's
Videos for this product
5:23
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Pair with Headphones/Speakers
TROND Official
Videos for this product
0:44
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Awesome 2 in 1 wireless audio transmitter and reciever
KaLynne Symonds
Videos for this product
0:33
Click to play video
Use Scenarios for BT-DUO/BT-DUO S
TROND Official
Looking for specific info?
Product information
Product Dimensions | 1.77 x 1.3 x 0.35 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 0.5 ounces |
ASIN | B01B4W40VC |
Item model number | BT-DUO |
Batteries | 1 Lithium Metal batteries required. |
Customer Reviews |
4.1 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #91,038 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #139 in Audio Component Receivers |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | January 27, 2016 |
Manufacturer | TROND |
Feedback
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the bluetooth connectivity and value of the av receiver. For example, they mention it's an excellent transmitter/receiver that works great for Bluetooth transmission and the perfect solution for using wireless headphones at the gym. They also like the ease of use, and performance. That said, opinions are mixed on connectivity, latency, quality, and sound quality.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the performance of the av receiver. They say it works well in both modes, and the results are fantastic. Some mention that the device is useful for gaming and podcast listening, and that the battery life lasts for several hours.
"...Additionally, I could test pairing a DUO with a DUO S. They work amazing on aptX LL (Low Latency) which is selected automatically as it’s the best..." Read more
"...I bought the JBL headphones to go along with it and they Work incredible. My mom is so happy because now she can watch TV in the living room...." Read more
"This is easy to use and works well. My only frustration is that there's no low charge warning/indicator. It just suddenly stops working...." Read more
"...All in all, great little device. I do recommend it for your audio/video needs when paired with a compatible LL headset or other TROND 2-in-1." Read more
Customers find the AV receiver easy to use. They mention that it's simple to configure, pairs easily, and comes with clear directions for use. Customers also say that the manual is extremely well written and informative.
"...Easy pairing, even multiple pairing (after you get the “trick” for pairing).- Lot of adapters included.-..." Read more
"This is easy to use and works well. My only frustration is that there's no low charge warning/indicator. It just suddenly stops working...." Read more
"...Aside from latency, these devices are well constructed, simple to use and most important of all, light and small...." Read more
"...thinner but not much larger than a 9 volt battery and comes with very clear directions for use...." Read more
Customers like the bluetooth connectivity of the av receiver. They say it's an excellent bluetooth transmitter/receiver that turns any non-Bluetooth device into a Bluetooth transmitter. They also say it works great for bluetooth transmission, transmit to two receivers, and low latency transmission. Some mention that the setup was quick and it paired with a bluetooth headset and reconnects automagically.
"...device, very small (about 1 1/2"X1"X1/4"), and has the added feature of being a receiver as well if I ever has a use case for that scenario...." Read more
"...I have not used it as a receiver yet, but it works great for bluetooth transmission.The range is fantastic as well...." Read more
"...Re-viewed CONS:- No configurable low-battery audio signal. It can confuse you from phone alerts, etc.-..." Read more
"...flawlessly in terms of connecting quickly, low latency, no mysterious communication problems...." Read more
Customers like the value of the av receiver. They mention it's easy to use, provides good functionality, and is inexpensive. Some say it'll connect quickly and is a great buy.
"...I highly recommend it - a fantastic product at a very reasonable price for its features...." Read more
"...units on Amazon just branded differently, and this seller has the best price with all the included accessories for connection so it was the best..." Read more
"...is because the short auxiliary cable that came with it was the worst garbage I've ever seen...." Read more
"...consider this to be inexpensive but for me it is a good value for the functionality it provides...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the sound quality of the av receiver. Some mention that the sound is more than satisfactory, with much better volume, and loud enough to power bluetooth headphones even over road noise. However, others say that the quality is slightly diminished, with wildly shifting stereo sound, and add their own noises to the signal.
"...On the new one, the noise can be completely eliminated as far as I can tell, but only when the device is actively playing a sound. Pause your music?..." Read more
"...The new headsets not only sound better but they each have volume controls that allow me to further increase volume enough to really cut out the..." Read more
"...This reaches the point that the Windows 10 "bells sound" sound test gets very pitchy and gets highly distorted and the very end of the last bells...." Read more
"...paired up with my BT headphones without too much issues, and has good sound quality..." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the connectivity of the av receiver. Some mention that the sound is great and the connectivity is actually really good, the device pairs with the headset reliably and easily every time, and syncing is not a major issue when watching movies. However, others say that it does not pair to two devices well, has problems pairing in transmitter mode, and sometimes does not sync with bluetooth wireless earbuds.
"...Easy pairing, even multiple pairing (after you get the “trick” for pairing).- Lot of adapters included.-..." Read more
"...Once paired, the pairing would generally stick even after you power cycled it, so if you only have one bluetooth device that this is pairing to, you..." Read more
"...say I expected a little lag in sound but was amazed that the sound was in fact in sync and works great - highly recomend" Read more
"...that by plugging in my headphones to the V20 jack, I was loosening the female connection inside the phone case - this was starting to result in..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the latency of the av receiver. Some mention that there is no noticeable latency or signal delay, while others say that the latence was just too long for use for live playing. Some customers also mention that the aptX codec does not work and that there was a noticeable delay between the TV sound and the headphones.
"...5.2, they have improved penetration and distance, as well as the signal delay, which is practically imperceptible...." Read more
"...pair two low latency headsets at the same time, but the low latency feature is disabled that way...." Read more
"...But the delay is acceptable and perhaps the best you can get for bluetooth.The major issue I have really is the volume...." Read more
"...Works very well with no noticeable latency, and the sound quality is pretty much as good as my corded Sony MDR-1R when plugged in via an amp..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the quality of the av receiver. Some mention that it came through with good quality, is well built, and reliable. However, others say that it has a huge sizzling noise, generates white noise/feedback that lowers sound quality, and makes electrical noise from the ground loop.
"...1 issue when transmitting.When transmitting, the quality is pretty good, BUT, when having low volume sounds coming from the audio source, the..." Read more
"...The electrical noise from the ground loop of being both plugged into the aux port and the usb port is quite loud...." Read more
"...with aptX Low Latency Audio- Headset with Mic & Bluetooth - Sturdy Foldable - Universal Compatibility for iPhone Tablet PC]][..." Read more
"...connection inside the phone case - this was starting to result in connection noise...." Read more
Reviews with images
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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Updating my previous, original 2-star rating to 5 stars thanks to their support given and a fully functional replacement device in ~2 weeks.
--- TL;DR ---
My initial experience from Sep 2018 with my DUO was mixed. I didn't contacted support, and wrote my first “quick review” on Dec 2018 or Jan 2019. On Feb 2019 I got contacted by a person from support because my review.
Since then, the support person 'greatly explained' the causes of the issue and guided through the process for getting a warranty device.
I'm very placed with the detailed support given by him, and new replacement device works great!
--- Device ---
My issue from Sep 2018 while RX mode was indeed a defect on some units on the Amazon warehouse from that period, which occurred in any codec (SBC, aptX and aptX LL).
The TX “issue” of audio fading/cutting on low volume (e.g. while playing on Nintendo Switch on low noise scenes), is normal. One must turn all the volume up on the audio source so the device can capture it, as the chip isn’t an amplifier but just a transmitter.
Due the RX issue, I was offered replacement device. Decided to try and upgrade to the Trond DUO S. Now I can confirm the intended correct functionality of RX/TX on both devices (DUO and DUO S), and confirmed the RX firmware defect.
Additionally, I could test pairing a DUO with a DUO S. They work amazing on aptX LL (Low Latency) which is selected automatically as it’s the best codec available on both. You can easily see and hear the difference between the standard SBC and aptX LL, the latter feeling instantaneous on audio visual feedbacks.
After 5 months of use and having a fully functional unit...
Re-viewed PROS:
- Compact goodness.
- Good battery duration, easy charging, and can be left connected.
- Easy pairing, even multiple pairing (after you get the “trick” for pairing).
- Lot of adapters included.
- Long satisfaction warranty (18 months) and great support service.
Re-viewed CONS:
- No configurable low-battery audio signal. It can confuse you from phone alerts, etc.
- No configurable LED.
--- Support and warranty ---
They are serious on their support area, as they followed me up some time latter from my original 2 stars Amazon review on all my emails until I got the issue solved (on my case a warranty applied, until I had it on my hands, even though it would need a global shipment).
They DO respect their “18-MONTH TROND warranty” additionally from the Amazon return period, so you can buy with confidence that any defect will be followed quickly and in great detail. This was getting replied the next day and getting detailed explanations of the cause(s) of my issue along with the possible actions to take.
Big thumbs up for Trond. They managed to stand up with the pesky support processes of many other bigger companies out there.
--- MISC ---
My only complaint could be their webpage. Before making my original purchase, I looked up their website and it feels empty and outdated, like if they didn’t exist nor could give any kind of quality support in case you got into issues. They deserve a newer and better site that shows and highlights their great client support.
-------------------------------
2nd update Feb 22, 2019:
Their customer service contacted me regarding the issues I mentioned here, trying to help me with them by proposing a replacement thanks the 18-month warranty.
I will try keep updating this review accordingly.
------------------------
1st Original review:
Has been some time that I got this (Sep. 2018) and have been postponing a quick review, some thoughts on this device.
I have used a few times on various scenarios (playing on Nintendo Switch, video watching, etc., with different headphones as receivers, and different controlled sources as high end phones and laptops).
Personal cons:
- 1 issue as a receiver.
The device is identified as apt-X on my phones, but the output audio is awful, sounds muffled, as phone call quality on all devices that I tried.
This reaches the point that the Windows 10 "bells sound" sound test gets very pitchy and gets highly distorted and the very end of the last bells. I would like to provide an example of this by recording the output from the Trond when used as receiver.
- 1 issue when transmitting.
When transmitting, the quality is pretty good, BUT, when having low volume sounds coming from the audio source, the Trond seems to "fade" or cut-out the audio.
Playing games on the Nintendo Switch is not enjoyable with some games that have some low-volume scenes, since those are intermittently faded or cutted-out. There is no noticeable delay at least from what I can tell (but at this point I just stopped using the Trond both as receiver and transmitter).
(As I said, the quality is great when transmitting, but not sure if it's real aptX quality grade, my headphones don't have any indicators of what protocol is being used when receiving audio from the Trond when it's transmitting, neither Windows helps with this).
Pros:
- Super compact, portable.
- Portable power of ~6 hrs or more.
- Quicker setup as receiver.
- Can be used always connected
Note that I probably got a defective device but.... Anyways, I stopped using it since then (Sep. 2018). It has just a couple of days of usage. Recently I got the time use it again but as a background music receiver, as the previously mentioned issues are just annoying.
The receiver sound quality is the dealbreaker for me.
Maybe is normal for the price, just the aptX is there for the short delay feature of the protocol.
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2019
Updating my previous, original 2-star rating to 5 stars thanks to their support given and a fully functional replacement device in ~2 weeks.
--- TL;DR ---
My initial experience from Sep 2018 with my DUO was mixed. I didn't contacted support, and wrote my first “quick review” on Dec 2018 or Jan 2019. On Feb 2019 I got contacted by a person from support because my review.
Since then, the support person 'greatly explained' the causes of the issue and guided through the process for getting a warranty device.
I'm very placed with the detailed support given by him, and new replacement device works great!
--- Device ---
My issue from Sep 2018 while RX mode was indeed a defect on some units on the Amazon warehouse from that period, which occurred in any codec (SBC, aptX and aptX LL).
The TX “issue” of audio fading/cutting on low volume (e.g. while playing on Nintendo Switch on low noise scenes), is normal. One must turn all the volume up on the audio source so the device can capture it, as the chip isn’t an amplifier but just a transmitter.
Due the RX issue, I was offered replacement device. Decided to try and upgrade to the Trond DUO S. Now I can confirm the intended correct functionality of RX/TX on both devices (DUO and DUO S), and confirmed the RX firmware defect.
Additionally, I could test pairing a DUO with a DUO S. They work amazing on aptX LL (Low Latency) which is selected automatically as it’s the best codec available on both. You can easily see and hear the difference between the standard SBC and aptX LL, the latter feeling instantaneous on audio visual feedbacks.
After 5 months of use and having a fully functional unit...
Re-viewed PROS:
- Compact goodness.
- Good battery duration, easy charging, and can be left connected.
- Easy pairing, even multiple pairing (after you get the “trick” for pairing).
- Lot of adapters included.
- Long satisfaction warranty (18 months) and great support service.
Re-viewed CONS:
- No configurable low-battery audio signal. It can confuse you from phone alerts, etc.
- No configurable LED.
--- Support and warranty ---
They are serious on their support area, as they followed me up some time latter from my original 2 stars Amazon review on all my emails until I got the issue solved (on my case a warranty applied, until I had it on my hands, even though it would need a global shipment).
They DO respect their “18-MONTH TROND warranty” additionally from the Amazon return period, so you can buy with confidence that any defect will be followed quickly and in great detail. This was getting replied the next day and getting detailed explanations of the cause(s) of my issue along with the possible actions to take.
Big thumbs up for Trond. They managed to stand up with the pesky support processes of many other bigger companies out there.
--- MISC ---
My only complaint could be their webpage. Before making my original purchase, I looked up their website and it feels empty and outdated, like if they didn’t exist nor could give any kind of quality support in case you got into issues. They deserve a newer and better site that shows and highlights their great client support.
-------------------------------
2nd update Feb 22, 2019:
Their customer service contacted me regarding the issues I mentioned here, trying to help me with them by proposing a replacement thanks the 18-month warranty.
I will try keep updating this review accordingly.
------------------------
1st Original review:
Has been some time that I got this (Sep. 2018) and have been postponing a quick review, some thoughts on this device.
I have used a few times on various scenarios (playing on Nintendo Switch, video watching, etc., with different headphones as receivers, and different controlled sources as high end phones and laptops).
Personal cons:
- 1 issue as a receiver.
The device is identified as apt-X on my phones, but the output audio is awful, sounds muffled, as phone call quality on all devices that I tried.
This reaches the point that the Windows 10 "bells sound" sound test gets very pitchy and gets highly distorted and the very end of the last bells. I would like to provide an example of this by recording the output from the Trond when used as receiver.
- 1 issue when transmitting.
When transmitting, the quality is pretty good, BUT, when having low volume sounds coming from the audio source, the Trond seems to "fade" or cut-out the audio.
Playing games on the Nintendo Switch is not enjoyable with some games that have some low-volume scenes, since those are intermittently faded or cutted-out. There is no noticeable delay at least from what I can tell (but at this point I just stopped using the Trond both as receiver and transmitter).
(As I said, the quality is great when transmitting, but not sure if it's real aptX quality grade, my headphones don't have any indicators of what protocol is being used when receiving audio from the Trond when it's transmitting, neither Windows helps with this).
Pros:
- Super compact, portable.
- Portable power of ~6 hrs or more.
- Quicker setup as receiver.
- Can be used always connected
Note that I probably got a defective device but.... Anyways, I stopped using it since then (Sep. 2018). It has just a couple of days of usage. Recently I got the time use it again but as a background music receiver, as the previously mentioned issues are just annoying.
The receiver sound quality is the dealbreaker for me.
Maybe is normal for the price, just the aptX is there for the short delay feature of the protocol.
For reference, I call "slow" connections to those where you can see your video out of sync with your audio. 90 milliseconds or more in delay will do that. Similarly I call "fast" connections where audio and video are reasonably close or in sync, with the delay being 30 milliseconds or less.
In my experience, AptX is a slow codec and the improved AptX-LL is fast.
So then, any device that does not explicitly say AptX-LL or Low Latency will work slow; a device that only says "AptX" is not enough. And the wireless connection can only go as fast as the slower paired component so having either a slow headset or transmitter will make your sync slow.
To make things more interesting, not every headset that does say AptX-LL will use low latency technology with every transmitter out there. You kinda have to mix and match. So for example a given transmitter will connect fast with a certain headset, but slow with some other brand. And it will do so consistently.
Not so the TROND 2-in-1, however. Every headset I tried with this little device worked fast. The headsets include:
Premium MS301 Mixcder Wireless & Wired V4.2 Bass Noise Isolation Headphones with aptX Low Latency Audio- Headset with Mic & Bluetooth - Sturdy Foldable - Universal Compatibility for iPhone Tablet PC
Avantree Wireless Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones with Mic, LOW LATENCY Fast Audio aptX Headset for Gaming TV PC, 40h Battery Sound - Audition Pro [2 Years Warranty ]
Miccus Wireless Bluetooth v4.2 Over Ear Headphones with Mic, aptX Headset Low Latency for Gaming, TV, iPhone, Beats, Foldable - 20h Battery (SR-71 Stealth)
I tried other headsets, but those were not advertised as Low Latency and thus worked slow. Some notable headphones brands are falling behind the low latency race, surprisingly.
Do not fret however, because you can still buy two of these devices, use one as transmitter and one as receiver, and just use your favorite wired headphones. Yes, low latency works quite well that way.
You can pair two low latency headsets at the same time, but the low latency feature is disabled that way. It is the same on every low latency transmitter I have put my hands on. So if you are planning to do that, you can opt for cheaper, slower headsets.
Aside from latency, these devices are well constructed, simple to use and most important of all, light and small. Single button operation; nice red and blue LED leaves nothing to guess. It behaves like any other standard BT device, nice and simple. It almost needs no instructions to set up. The fact that they are transmitter and receiver in the same package only adds to the versatility of this design.
All in all, great little device. I do recommend it for your audio/video needs when paired with a compatible LL headset or other TROND 2-in-1.
I bought the JBL headphones to go along with it and they Work incredible. My mom is so happy because now she can watch TV in the living room. I would recommend this to anyone that needs to amplify the sound For their TV!