Bluetooth Question

[Prior22]

This is probably a silly question but is it possible for bluetooth 4.0 earbuds to work with an mp3 player with bluetooth 2.1? I'm assuming the answer is no but I was hoping it's possible for an mp3 player to work with earbuds of a higher bluetooth version. Thanks.

 

[BlackWizzard17]

Bluetooth 4.0 is backwards compatible with other versions it should be possible.

 

[Prior22]

Bluetooth 4.0 is backwards compatible with other versions it should be possible.

Really? So I could pair a brand new pair of bluetooth earbuds with 4.0 firmware with an old mp3 player with bluetooth 2.1? Is there any disadvantage to the mp3 player not having a newer version of bluetooth?

 

[BlackWizzard17]

Really? So I could pair a brand new pair of bluetooth earbuds with 4.0 firmware with an old mp3 player with bluetooth 2.1? Is there any disadvantage to the mp3 player not having a newer version of bluetooth?

That I can't answer since I don't know. There might be connectivity issues and distance limitations but that could be because the mp3 players might be faulty after a long time (I assume it's old because it rocks bt 2.1)

 

[Xanthe]

It shouldn't make a difference at all. Refer to this website

https://superuser.com/questions/588186/is-bluetooth-4-0-backwards-compatible-with-bluetooth-2-0edr

Features will just be missing.

 

[Xathya]

yes is the works because compattitble is backwards and not nice versa..

 

[Prior22]

That I can't answer since I don't know. There might be connectivity issues and distance limitations but that could be because the mp3 players might be faulty after a long time (I assume it's old because it rocks bt 2.1)

It shouldn't make a difference at all. Refer to this website

https://superuser.com/questions/588186/is-bluetooth-4-0-backwards-compatible-with-bluetooth-2-0edr

Features will just be missing.

The mp3 player is an ipod touch produced around 2009. Would prefer not to spend the extra 20+ dollars to get a newer Touch with bluetooth 4.0. As for features I would only use the bluetooth to workout. Based on the chart posted of different bluetooth versions am I correct in assuming I wouldn't be missing out on a needed feature for wireless music listening?

 

[Xanthe]

The mp3 player is an ipod touch produced around 2009. Would prefer not to spend the extra 20+ dollars to get a newer Touch with bluetooth 4.0. As for features I would only use the bluetooth to workout. Based on the chart posted of different bluetooth versions am I correct in assuming I wouldn't be missing out on a needed feature for wireless music listening?

Correct

 

[jt_1258]

It's like usb versions in a sense with usb 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0

 

[ThoD]

It's like usb versions in a sense with usb 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0

Close, but not exactly. Because of the difference in voltage, a LOT of devices using 3.0 won't work at all on 1.0 and external hard drives or similar hardware will work faulty (eg: asking you to format it because it shows up as corrupted when it's not). For Bluetooth though, the only thing that changes is that you are stuck with whatever features and capabilities the weaker of the two devices offers, with no other drawbacks.

 

[DinohScene]

Bluetooth 2.1 is less powerful then 4.0.
You might experience some loss in quality and signal drops.
Other then that, it works perfectly fine.