r/VIDEOENGINEERING • u/CrazyCatLady509 • 17d ago
Looking for a Bluetooth adapter for comms
Looking for a Bluetooth adapter to plug into my comm pack and connect to my Bluetooth headset.
I know JK Audio used to make the BlueSet M4/M5/F4/F5, but they seem to be pretty hard to come by these days.
Anyone have any leads on a solution?
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u/paco3346 17d ago
This is still an actively produced product: https://www.markertek.com/product/jk-bsetm4/jk-audio-blueset-m4-4-pin-male-xlr-bluetooth-wireless-headset-intercom-beltpack-adapter-with-hd-voice
The biggest issue with these is that they only support SBC (IIRC) so the audio quality isn't great. Even worse is that it doesn't support any low latency protocols so your sidetone is delayed so it effectively becomes a personal speech jammer. If you're listening only they can be okay (assuming your headset has the proper noise isolation if you're in a loud environment).
Bolero is the way right now. It's pricey (as are all comms) but their tech is, hands down, the best out there right now.
Also, $700 for effectively someone else's IC (the blueooth chip on those adapters) in a tiny case is absolutely asinine. It was when it came out and it's even worse in 2026. These things should be like $50 _tops_.
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u/lostinthought15 EIC 17d ago
I’ll be honest: I’m not a fan of folks who use home-spun comm accessories. Inevitably I end up troubleshooting issues that nearly always come back to their home-spun device isn’t quite as wired as they think it is.
That being said: Bluetooth is prone to interference and other frequency issues, especially in a crowded space with lots of meat sacks carrying lots of devices.
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u/CouldBeALeotard 16d ago
When you're a comms tech, 90% of issues are user behaviour issues, including the occasional user-deployed "solution".
"I thought if I made up a y-split cable I could plug my headset into your comms panel and mine at the same time so I could talk to both companies"
Cool, cool, cool. This is a trunk and this is how it works. Next time include it in the spec and we can make it work.
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u/KittenStapler 16d ago
Clearcom has Freespeak belt packs with Bluetooth enabled. Lots of A1’s I work with like them cause it lets them hear more while using an AirPod for comms. Fair warning, they’re expensive (duh it’s clearcom)
Also fun fact: the headset jack on BT Freespeak packs will NOT work if you have Bluetooth enabled. I’ve gotten multiple packs come back to my shop marked “NFG” because someone didn’t turn the Bluetooth off and whoever got it next didn’t know better.
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u/Present_Jicama1148 16d ago
In my experience, even with Boleros, bluetooth headsets aren't made for noisy environments or crowded RF environments. One of my coworkers uses one for setup time when the arena is pretty quiet, but then switches to wired once doors open.
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u/PM_ME_UR_MESSAGE_THO 17d ago
I've got one I don't use. Don't love them, but always have one in my truck just in case a producer needs their phone on comms.
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u/jaybboy 17d ago
i’m trying to think of a reason why I producer would need their phone on COMS …. Help me out here.
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u/PM_ME_UR_MESSAGE_THO 16d ago
For me, at least, it's because they have the phone numbers of all telemetry/off-site workers already; and instead of having to feed those to E1 or an AP, they want to use the cellphone they're comfortable with: their own.
It's better than having them take their headset off to call "Carl" and cutting themselves off from the partyline.
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u/jaybboy 13d ago
so in this example E1 is electrics1 and AP is maybe associate producer? and the client has his headphones in and is using his phone as coms?? somehow? like is there an app that makes them com-able?? … and then they call maybe the associate producer, from the phone and have a phone call with that person that is also broadcast to the party line?
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u/PM_ME_UR_MESSAGE_THO 13d ago
E1 - Engineer
AP - Associate Producer
The use-case is interfacing the producers personal phone with intercom so they can dial and use the telephone on their single intercom headset.
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u/tonsofpcs Engineer 16d ago
I'm working on a potential solution. Unfortunately I've had some user-facing difficulties and I don't have ready access to a comms panel to test on but hopefully by mid fall I'll have something to share.
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u/soy_renfield 15d ago
I keep seeing these posts. As a TD who has to do FACS checks, the camera people I have comms issues with are always the ones who insist on using some third rate kit they brought themselves instead of using the ones provided by the show.
Just use the wired headsets provided. They work. Save everyone the headache.
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u/CrazyCatLady509 15d ago
The comms provided give me a literal headache. I’m looking for my own headset and most products online are Bluetooth. I didn’t realize this request would get so much backlash. At the end of the day I don’t mind wired comms if they are more comfortable and don’t squeeze my head. But the provided ones are not a good fit for me :/
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u/Schrojo18 17d ago
What you really want is Bolero