Previously 20 years or so, multi-room music has gone from being a pursuit purely for the expensive customized set up market to at least one that’s accessible to just about anybody out there for a wi-fi speaker. After all, you possibly can spend a number of lots of, and even 1000’s, if you want, however you may also fairly simply handle a two-room setup for below $100/£100.
Sonos led the best way for the mainstream from the early days, however now it has far more competitors, so selecting the best system is changing into more and more difficult. There are usually not solely a number of firms providing their very own proprietary techniques, like Sonos, however there are quite a few platforms too, together with AirPlay 2, Alexa MRM and Google Chromecast, which let you combine and match gadgets from completely different appropriate producers.
We have compiled all the most effective choices obtainable in the marketplace that can assist you resolve which multi-room audio system is for you.
What’s multi-room audio?
Put merely, multi-room audio merely is the flexibility to hearken to music throughout a number of rooms. That could possibly be the identical track all through the home, or completely different songs in other places – although it could depend upon the system you select as to the choices you will have right here.
Music performed throughout a multi-room audio system can come from streaming providers corresponding to Spotify or Apple Music, or your personal private music assortment whether or not that be on a NAS (Community Hooked up Storage) drive, your laptop, a CD and even vinyl – with the precise setup.
Multi-room audio techniques are typically wi-fi, linked over wi-fi and managed utilizing an app, so except for making certain an influence provide is close by, your web connection is respectable and you’ve got your smartphone prepared, audio system might be positioned wherever you want in your house. After all, you may want not less than one speaker in every room you need to hear music in, and not less than two to make it a multi-room system – although after all you possibly can at all times begin with one and construct up over time. Simply be sure you know the ecosystem you need to construct into, which we’ll clarify just a little extra beneath.
How does multi-room audio work?
A multi-room system includes a sequence of audio system, whether or not they be wi-fi audio system, a soundbar or soundbase, or perhaps a conventional hi-fi setup with an connected streaming module to get that audiophile goodness on-line.
Completely different techniques use completely different platforms and these platforms not solely decide person expertise and the way every multi-room system works, however in addition they dictate which audio system and techniques work collectively and which do not.
There are two most important ways in which multi-room works, and that’s by way of a mesh connection, or a direct connection to your Wi-Fi. A mesh connection is the higher, and extra secure choice of the 2, but it surely does have some extra necessities.
You may nonetheless want a Wi-Fi connection, natch, however you may often hardwire an preliminary speaker to your router. That speaker then creates a devoted community in your audio system, the place all of them communicate to at least one one other and in the end act as extenders in your Wi-Fi. This permits your system to work higher and extra reliably in homes the place Wi-Fi sign may wrestle in some areas of the home.
Some techniques – like Sonos, Denon, Samsung and Bluesound – supply the choice of both connection, however others will carry out a purely wi-fi setup. Simply bear in mind that if doing the latter and connecting over Wi-Fi alone that you’re going to need to have a great Wi-Fi connection in all areas of the home that you just need to playback music, and it will additionally have an effect in your bandwidth once you do.
It was the case that after you’d chosen your multi-room system, that you just had been tied into it – and in some instances, that continues to be true. Which means that for those who’ve purchased a sure model, you possibly can’t combine and match numerous audio system from different producers and anticipate them to work with one another.
That is definitely the case with manufacturers like Sonos, Bluesound and Denon, however there are actually a lot of platforms that may permit you to hook up audio system from a number of manufacturers right into a multi-room setup – although these do include some restrictions.
These platforms embody the likes of Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast Constructed In, Alexa MRM and DTS Play-Fi, and we’ll contact on their strenghts and weaknesses in additional element beneath.
Whichever system you select, as soon as it is up and operating you may typically must obtain the associated app to your cellphone or pill to regulate it, or you possibly can even now use your voice because of Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri. The one exclusion to that is techniques arrange utilizing AirPlay 2, that are typically managed throughout the iOS ecosystem.
Which multi-room system ought to I purchase?
As we have touched upon, multi-room music techniques are available numerous sizes and styles, so selecting the most effective one for you and your private home is usually a demanding job. We have compiled a listing of the principle gamers within the multi-room audio sport, from the all-conquering Sonos, to particulars on the platforms that may permit you to mix completely different audio system from completely different producers.
Sonos
Arguably probably the most in depth and easy-to-use multi-room system in the marketplace, Sonos might have robust competitors now but it surely continues to rise to it with its vary of multi-room audio system. Whether or not you want a small speaker for a kitchen or bed room, just like the Period 100, a bigger spatial audio-compatible speaker just like the Period 300, a soundbar just like the Beam Gen 2 or Sonos Arc, or a transportable speaker just like the Sonos Transfer 2 or Sonos Roam (each of which additionally help Bluetooth playback), you might be coated right here. And simply attempt to discover a streaming service that Sonos would not help. There is not any high-res audio help right here but although, so audiophiles desirous to hearken to their 24-bit/192kHz tracks in all their glory might want to look elsewhere.
Bluesound
Talking of high-res, Bluesound provides precisely the help that audiophiles might really feel is lacking from Sonos, with help for 24-bit/192kHz playback throughout a variety of wi-fi audio system, soundbars, streamers and third-party hi-fi equipment by way of its multi-room platform BluOS. Its system might not be fairly as refined as Sonos however its made huge enhancements lately, and the efficiency obtainable right here is prime notch throughout the board.
Denon Heos
Denon’s Heos system goes throughout its standalone Heos House audio system and soundbars, in addition to being constructed into extra hi-fi and AV merchandise from the broader Denon and Marantz household – one thing the model calls Heos Constructed In. This implies appropriate AV receivers and stereo amps can feed into your system, and share their audio all through the home.
Like Sonos, Denon Heos makes use of a mesh Wi-Fi community so you possibly can solely join Heos-enabled merchandise – which happily there are various of. Every little thing is managed by way of the Denon Heos app, which is appropriate with Android, iOS and Amazon.
Bose
Bose is a giant participant within the audio world, so it is no shock that it too has a variety of multi-room audio system. Falling below the “Bose Sensible” branding, there are three soundbars and two audio system, in addition to an amplifier for hooking up older hi-fi equipment. The system connects on to your Wi-Fi, however Bluetooth can be supported, so you possibly can stream to a single speaker (although this would possibly not work with multi-room). You may want the Bose Music app for the most effective expertise, although the audio system within the line up are additionally all appropriate with the likes of AirPlay 2 and Chromecast Constructed In too, supplying you with the choice to hook up a number of audio system to play the identical content material, or play your personal on to a speaker of your selection.
Audio Professional
We have actually appreciated a lot of Audio Professional audio system now, and whereas the multiroom expertise on supply right here might not be probably the most polished or complete, there isn’t any doubting the sound high quality this gifted little speaker household has to supply at some higher costs in comparison with the competitors.
Google Chromecast
Google could be very a lot a supporter of multi-room audio and its Chromecast Constructed In platform might be discovered on many wi-fi audio system now, together with after all, Google’s personal Nest and Google House audio system, but in addition audio system from B&O, Sony, Philips and LG, It is fully open, so all appropriate gadgets will work with each other and the variety of supported providers is huge. You’ll be able to mirror the audio from an online browser or YouTube too, plus as you possibly can think about, voice management is baked into the system at its core. You’ll be able to solely management playback of a single supply to a number of audio system although, which is kind of completely different to one thing like Sonos, so simply pay attention to the variations so you recognize what to anticipate.
Apple AirPlay 2
Apple introduced AirPlay 2 at WWDC 2017 and with it, launched multi-room audio. Naturally, it is solely supported by Macs and iOS gadgets in terms of management, however the variety of gadgets obtainable with it inbuilt is rising on a regular basis. As you possibly can think about, Apple’s personal audio system, just like the HomePod Mini and HomePod 2 are able to go together with AirPlay 2, as are most of the audio system that help Chromecast Constructed In, nevertheless equally to them, you possibly can solely stream the identical track to a number of audio system and rooms, slightly than play completely different ones across the residence.
Alexa MRM
Amazon’s Echo audio system are among the most reasonably priced methods to construct a multi-room system, however like Google and Apple, Amazon has opened up the ecosystem to third-party audio system – although the quantity is comparatively low in comparison with these above. JBL’s lately introduced Authentics vary of audio system will use it (in addition to Chromecast Constructed In).