JBL Charge 2+ factory re-certified in brown box --Fry's with promo code $54.99

[Krypton]

I hardly shop at Fry's, but I still get the promo code emails. I have been in the market for a mid tier Bluetooth speaker and saw the thread on slick deals. I picked one up today and it is in excellent like new condition. Came in a sealed brown box that said 'JBL Factory re-certified' with all the accessories. Not sure how long the warranty is, but I think it is 90 days or so. $59 and change out the door..


http://frys.com/search?search_type=...7&nearbyStoreName=false&site=204premail042317

 

[T4rd]

I got one new for about the same price on a BB deal last year. I had to exchange it immediately because the aux port didn't work on it. This one almost a year later seems to be having battery issues; when I try to charge my phone off of it it the speaker makes some horrific sounds and sometimes it dies prematurely. I need to see if it's under warranty still or see if JBL will help me out without a receipt at least. Otherwise it sounds great and has been a sweet little speaker for the size. We use it almost daily around the house so it has been used a lot.

 

[Krypton]

Update: These come with full original factory warranty (1 year): http://www.harmanaudio.com/portable-speakers/JBL+CHARGE+II+PLUS.html?dwvar_JBL CHARGE II PLUS_color=Black-Z#cgid=refurbished-portable-speakers&start=1

 

[StoleMyOwnCar]

https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Ad...493133038&sr=8-10&keywords=bluetooth+receiver
https://www.parts-express.com/lepai...io-mini-amplifier-with-power-supply--310-3000
<Your choice of Ebay speaker or whatever here>
<Of course any wiring, but that should be relatively cheap>

Unless you specifically need something travel friendly, the above would be my bluetooth speaker of choice. It's what I use in my bedroom and it works wonderfully.

 

[Krypton]

https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Ad...493133038&sr=8-10&keywords=bluetooth+receiver
https://www.parts-express.com/lepai...io-mini-amplifier-with-power-supply--310-3000
<Your choice of Ebay speaker or whatever here>
<Of course any wiring, but that should be relatively cheap>

Unless you specifically need something travel friendly, the above would be my bluetooth speaker of choice. It's what I use in my bedroom and it works wonderfully.

That is actually quit useful. There are videos out there of guys making their own BT speakers complete with batteries from parts ordered all over the place. I like the amp boards with integrated BT.. would be a fun project, but I would make mine as a plug in only. i could use the BT receiver with line outs to plug into my existing stereo.. I think I'll order one.

 

[T4rd]

https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Ad...493133038&sr=8-10&keywords=bluetooth+receiver
https://www.parts-express.com/lepai...io-mini-amplifier-with-power-supply--310-3000
<Your choice of Ebay speaker or whatever here>
<Of course any wiring, but that should be relatively cheap>

Unless you specifically need something travel friendly, the above would be my bluetooth speaker of choice. It's what I use in my bedroom and it works wonderfully.

Yeah, that's a cool idea/project. I would replace the BT adapter or add a Chromecast Audio adapter to it too though. I've been using my Chromecast (not audio, but it works as well) on my living room theater for blasting music in my house lately instead of using my system's built-in BT because the Chromecast will never cut out if I wonder too far or even disconnect since it's on WiFi and also it doesn't kill my phone's battery since it's not streaming directly to it.

I'll keep this in mind though if I ever want to create my own make-shift whole-home audio solution.

 

[StoleMyOwnCar]

Chromecast is interesting. Never thought about using it myself. I'll be looking it over more closely as for my specific applications it might make some sense, especially since apparently it has an optical out which would be nice for my receiver. That being said...

They're kind of different animals. Bluetooth is a simple device pairing type of deal (and you can pair multiple things to these simple receivers). No wifi required. With the Lepai, the entire thing takes up a fairly small amount of juice, too. If you wanted to make it battery powered you probably could with a bit of circuit and power electronics know-how (or you could just lug a UPS around I guess...).

The other advantage is that some devices can bluetooth but not Chromecast. Vita being a good example. If I want to play my Vita on my bedroom speakers, I just go into the settings and pair it. I can't really cast its audio though, as far as I know.

Ideally it's not one or the other, you'd have both. But I'm not aware of too many simple, cheap signal switching boards you can buy (ie if one is outputting, focus on it but not the other).

 

[T4rd]

Yeah, I'm just talking about my typical environment; at home and streaming from my PC or phone, Chromecast is more ideal. Of course if you plan on using that solution away from home or WiFi and/or with other proprietary devices, then BT would be more appropriate and useful. Another cool thing about Chromecasts though is that if you have more than one spread out across your house, then you can zone them out and label them by the room they're in for a cheaper Sonos-like solution so you can play on them all in-sync or specific zones/speakers. So they have their own degree of versatility in the house.