Learn the basics of Bluetooth audio devices — such as your EP 01 and Bluetooth headphones — and use it to manage your devices, and to resolve issues.
The difference between paired and connected
Paired and connected are two important related, but different concepts in the world of Bluetooth.
Let’s say we have two Bluetooth audio devices; headphones and a smartphone. we want one to stream audio from the smartphone to the headphones.
- First, we have to pair the two Bluetooth devices, so that they can recognize and remember each other.
- Second, once paired, the devices can connect to each other and actively communicate and stream audio.
In other words, pairing is required in order to connect. But connection is not required to be paired; two devices can remain paired even if they’re not connected.
Either device can forget — i.e. unpair from — the other device.
Paired and connected to many, but streaming to only one
Bluetooth audio devices can be paired to many other devices at the same time, and they can even be connected to multiple devices at the same time. But they can only stream audio to (and receive from) one other device at the same time.
For example, Apple AirPods can be paired to both your iPhone and EP 01. Even if your EP 01 shows that the AirPods are connected, the AirPods may also show as connected to your iPhone. However, if you start streaming audio from your iPhone, the audio will go to your EP 01 and then to your AirPods.
Bluetooth audio source and receiver
A Bluetooth audio device can either be a source or a receiver. For example, smartphones are sources. Headphones and speakers are receivers.
EP 01 is special, because it’s both at the same time. To your phone (which is a source), EP 01 is a receiver. But to your headphones (which are a receiver), EP 01 is a source. That, plus keeping everything synchronized while turning sound into vibration, is the magic of Drop Labs Technology™️.
Automatic reconnection
Bluetooth headphones, speakers, car stereos, and other devices designed to receive Bluetooth audio will automatically try to reconnect to the last source they were connected to.
If you’ve ever gotten into a car with a Bluetooth stereo system that suddenly starts blaring music from your phone, you know what we’re talking about.
As annoying as that may sometimes be, automatic reconnection is required by the Bluetooth standard, and for a good reason: To make reconnection of devices easier for the user — you.
EP 01 will automatically try to reconnect to the device it was last connected to. For your EP 01, that will most likely be your smartphone. EP 01 tries to reconnect as soon as it turns on.
Bluetooth latency
All Bluetooth headphones have a natural delay. It takes a fractions of a second for audio to wirelessly travel from your source device to your headphones. This is called latency.
The latency for most Bluetooth headphones is 100-500 milliseconds (i.e. 0.1 seconds to 0.5 seconds). It varies from model to model.
Why does latency matter? When the sound in your headphones has to be in sync with something else, for instance a video on your screen or the vibration in your EP 01, the latency can make things feel out of sync. This is particularly noticeable when playing video games.
EP 01 can compensate for the latency when you listen to music and watch videos on iPhone. Learn how how to Synchronize headphone sound with EP 01 vibrations using Headphone Sync.
But EP 01 it can’t compensate for the latency when playing video games, playing live music, or other real-time activities. That’s what the Low-Latency Gaming Cable is for. Learn how to Connect EP 01 to wired audio sources using the Low-Latency Gaming Cable, and Connect your EP 01 to gaming systems.