Hate messing around with cables? Want to put the music from your BlackBerry onto your home stereo system without a lot of hassle? BlackBerry users will be very excided to hear about the BlackBerry Music Gateway, a companion accessory for your BlackBerry from RIM.

This device allows you to wirelessly transmit music to your stereo system from your BlackBerry Smartphone or any other compatible Bluetooth Mobile device. The process is simple; choose a song on your BlackBerry Smartphone or any Bluetooth enabled device that supports the A2DP profile, hit play and you’re hearing that song through your stereo speakers wirelessly via the BlackBerry Music Gateway.

The first thing I noticed about this device is its compact size, measuring in at 50 millimeters both horizontally and vertically. The device is so small that you could easily place it somewhere and forget about it. On the front of the BlackBerry Music gateway is a LED light, which indicates the status of the device. Along the back is a Micro-USB power connecter and a 3.5 mm stereo jack. In the box, RIM includes an RCA auxiliary cable in addition with a 3.5 mm stereo cable. The RCA auxiliary cable allows you to use the standard red and white RCA audio connecters to connect the product to your home stereo system or you may choose to use the standard 3.5 mm connection.

Once powered on and connected, the product performed very well. Setup was a breeze and the included manual and documentation had very clear directions on how to get the product up and running. All that is necessary is for you to pair up your phone or device with the BlackBerry Music Gateway. Next, select a song and your wirelessly streaming it to your stereo via the Blackberry Music Gateway. The sound quality and range were excellent and I was able to walk around my entire house without any drops in audio. The music sounded loud and clear and I really like how it gives you the ability to adjust the volume directly from the device and stream music within applications. I was able to launch Internet radio applications like Pandora and Slacker Radio and hear the music streaming over 3G to my stereo via the BlackBerry Wireless Gateway with great clarity.

One small disappointment is that the product does not include a power cable in the box; instead they urge users to use their existing travel charger. This may bug some users, especially Blackberry Tour owners like myself, as the Tour travel charger that RIM urges you to use isn’t compatible with the Music Gateway. Tour users must purchase an additional travel charger in order to power the device, which is a minor drawback.

I find this product very useful and I love how it creates a seamless integration between your BlackBerry Smartphone and your existing home stereo. The $89.99 price tag along with the $30 cost for an optional adaptor if your device charger isn’t compatible, may be a bit steep, but the product definitely performs well above my expectations and does everything RIM claims. Sound quality, setup and range were all very good and if you own a BlackBerry Smartphone and you’re tired with messing around with wires to hook up your Berry to your stereo system, you really can’t go wrong with the BlackBerry Music Gateway.

The device sells for $89.99 and is available directly from BlackBerry.

About The Author

Mike Preble is a Blast Magazine staff writer.

3 Responses

  1. Iain

    Way to be the bearer of breaking news. This has been out for a LONG time, and is being discontinued at most major retailers.

    Also, it sells for less than 20 bucks on amazon.

    Cheers

    Reply
    • Andrew de Geofroy

      Thanks for the update, Iain, though I think this was intended as a review more than a breaking news story. At Blast, we try hard to provide relevant, worthwhile information, but we also don’t have the resources of many of the big players to review new products the moment they launch. We do what we can, and sometimes (like all publications), we miss the mark. We do appreciate criticism; without it we can’t get better.

      Andrew de Geofroy is Blast’s ombudsman.

      Reply
  2. Marshall

    Sounds good?

    Specs?

    Just wondering exactly what sort of “fi” this and similar devices are capable of. 20h-20k with a >90db s/n ratio? Or something less?

    Reply

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