Speaker System
As explained earlier in this article, the purchase of a $99 AirPort Express is all you need to convert any wired speaker system or A/V receiver into an AirPlay-compatible speaker. But in that scenario, you're still forced to move your AirPort Express and speaker system together if you want to reposition it. That's probably not a huge deal for surround systems that you've no intention of moving, but for smaller systems that are suitable for moving from room to room based on your current location, asking an AirPort Express to tag along isn't idyllic.
Slowly but surely, a host of AirPlay-certified speakers are rolling out, which includes the wireless AirPlay functionality from the factory. In other words, an Air- Play-certified speaker has Apple's wireless transceiver technology baked right into the device, so no extra accessories are required in order for the speaker to receive audio signals that are sent out from your iPhone. Perhaps not surprisingly, most of these speaker systems are at least somewhat mobile-after all, a wireless speaker makes the most sense when you can easily move it from the outdoor patio to the kitchen, or toss in the rear of the truck for a day at the beach.
In a nutshell, an AirPlay-enabled speaker system-if situated within range of your iPhone-will show up as an AirPlay device in your Secondary Dock bar. Once selected, you'll be able to stream audio from your Music app to it, while also dictating the volume remotely. Speaking of range, AirPlay's usage of Wi-Fi technologies enables it to be effective over a much greater distance than typical Bluetooth speakers, which are limited to around 30 feet. Wi-Fi signals can be sent up to several hundred feet away, so even those with miniature mansions shouldn't have a problem using an iPhone in the kitchen to send AirPlay commands to a speaker in the sauna. Granted, said speaker probably won't last too long in that kind of environment, but when you have a sauna, what's another AirPlay speaker?
Warning:
Although Wi-Fi may be superior to Bluetooth for situations like this, it's still not perfect. AirPlay connections take around two seconds, as do subsequent actions, and full-on drop-outs aren't unheard of. Wireless might be convenient, but it's not flawless.
Home AirPlay Speaker Options
Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air
This is, perhaps, the stay-at-home AirPlay
speaker. Why? For one, it's on the "somewhat enormous" side, and two, its shape
makes it really impractical to carry around without fuss. The upside to this,
of course, is that the sound quality is far more impressive than any of those
pocket-sized alternatives. B&W is a name oft associated with high-quality
aural experiences, and the Zeppelin Air is definitely a showcase piece for the
home. There's also a unique docking arm that will hold (and charge) your iPod
or iPhone, should you care to take advantage. It's a perfect ornament for game
rooms, dens, or patios, but at $600, it's also one of the most expensive AirPlay
speakers on the market. You get what you pay for, as the saying goes.
Libratone Lounge Speaker
Say hello to the king. Or, at least the king in
terms of price. This high-end AirPlay speaker checks in at a whopping $1,300,
but it's the closest you'll get to finding an AirPlay-enabled sound bar right
now. It's big, classy, and understated, and will undoubtedly bring the house
down (while simultaneously breaking the bank). The Libratone app (available
free from the App Store in iTunes) allows you to enhance and customize your
FullRoom musical experience. You can input information about the placement
of your Libratone Lounge and it then automatically adjusts the sound to fit your room.
Philips Fidelio SoundSphere AirPlay Speakers
If you are looking for AirPlay speakers that involve more than a single, elongated bar, look no further. The
Fidelio SoundSphere duo ($800) consists of two separate satellites. The design
is certainly worth showcasing, and the 100-watts of built-in power should
be plenty to fill the average room. Better still, there are no wires running
between the left and right drivers, making it entirely wire-free outside of the
power cord. These are also compatible with Philips' free Fidelio app (available
in the App Store), which allows you to remotely access over 7,000 Internet
radio stations, sound-setting controls, a clock and multiple alarms, and a sleep timer.
Highly Mobile Speaker Options
iHome iW1
In my estimation, this $300 option strikes the perfect balance
between a stay-at-home option and a mobile option. It's big enough to produce
laudatory sound, but the built-in lithium-ion battery ensures that you
can toss it in the car for a spontaneous getaway. (Boy, couldn't we all use one
of those right about now?) There's also a convenient carrying handle and a
complimentary iHome Connect app for easy network setup.
Audyssey's Lower East Side Audio Dock Air
The only major gripe I have here is the absence of a built-in battery pack, but the remarkably mobile design helps
me to forgive that nitpick. The company crams an awful lot of drivers into a
tight package, and while the $400 price tag isn't easy to swallow, you'll be hardpressed
to find the kind of audio fidelity here in an enclosure this portable.
JBL On Air Wireless Speaker System
Besides having an omnidirectional speaker design that cleverly doubles as a carrying handle, this is also one
of the first AirPlay speakers to tout a built-in LCD. That screen is perfect for
displaying album artwork or song information to those nearby, although you
can control and shuffle things through your iPhone from afar. It also offers an
FM radio tuner and dual alarm clocks, as well as a perfect docking/charging
port should you have an iPod or iPhone laying around. At $350, it's also one
of the cheaper options-yes. None of these AirPlay speakers is "affordable" by most definitions.
Note:
Pioneer's X-SMC3-S Music Tap doesn't quite fit in either of the categories discussed here, but it just might be the best bang-for-your-buck AirPlay system, period. Aside from supporting Apple's wireless protocol, it also supports the more universally accepted DLNA wireless streaming technology. There's even a 2.5-inch LCD for showcasing album art, a built-in Ethernet port, an iPod/iPhone charging dock, and a video output to boot (for $400).
AirPlay-Enabled A/V Receivers
Although the simplest route to adding AirPlay functionality to speakers you already own is to purchase an AirPort Express, serious home theater buffs may scoff at such a notion. For those considering something a bit more-shall we say, robust-there's the newfangled option of an AirPlay-certified A/V receiver. Apple's been working hard to add partners to its list, but so far there are only a handful of companies that are producing AirPlay receivers. In fact, a few older A/V receivers are being offered AirPlay upgrades, but the unfortunate part of that is the $49 upgrade fee. Apple's not exactly giving away this AirPlay stuff-any partner company that buys in has to pay a stiff licensing fee, and in the case of older units that are being blessed with an update, that fee is being handed down to the consumer. Far from ideal, but then again, it's better than having to buy an entirely new kit.
Denon and Marantz were two of the first companies to bite into the AirPlay agenda, so it's no surprise to see a litany of their devices on the upgrade block. That said, I can't wholeheartedly recommend that the average consumer go out and procure an A/V receiver from either of those firms. Despite producing outstanding equipment, anything with either of those labels is prohibitively expensive-at least, for the average consumer.
There's an alternative. Pioneer has introduced a smattering of AirPlay-enabled receivers of its own, all of which are drastically cheaper than the options offered by Denon and Marantz. The $550 Pioneer VSX-1021 is the starlet of the bunch. It's only marginally more expensive than some of the mid-range Air- Play speakers, and it'll also stream content from DLNA devices when your iPhone takes the occasional break. If that 7.1 piece is still too pricey, the VSX-521, VSX-821, and VSX-921 all feature AirPlay as well, and they're priced at $249, $349, and $449, respectively.
With over 250 member companies, DLNA is the de-facto streaming protocol that almost everyo ne uses. Except Apple.