Your iPhone is a good machine for listening to music, particularly when paired with a decent set of headphones. Nonetheless, there are some instances while you simply wish to flip up the amount and hearken to your music out loud. That is when an AirPlay-compatible speaker will be simply what you want.
What is Apple’s AirPlay? Your complete guide
Apple’s AirPlay can shortly solid audio and visible content material, and it is obtainable on most units. This is the way it works and the right way to make it give you the results you want.
Apple’s AirPlay system lets you wirelessly stream music from an Apple machine reminiscent of your iPhone or your Mac to a appropriate speaker. You may nonetheless management the music out of your Apple machine, however you get to benefit from the superior sound high quality that your speaker can supply.
Should you take pleasure in listening to your music or podcasts out loud, then there are many nice AirPlay-compatible audio system on the market to select from. How do you discover the correct one in your wants? We check out a number of the greatest AirPlay-compatible audio system on the market proper now, that will help you make an knowledgeable alternative.
Greatest AirPlay-compatible audio system: Our high decisions
Apple HomePod mini
1. Greatest Airplay-compatible speaker total
Nice sound and ideal Apple integration at an honest worth.
When Apple first launched the primary HomePod, it was priced out of the attain of many customers. The HomePod mini introduced the speaker we thought we might be getting, with respectable sound at an inexpensive worth. The mixing with different Apple units is seamless.
- Good sound for its dimension
- Nice worth
- Seamless integration with Apple units
- Not best for greater rooms
- Would not match the sound high quality of the HomePod
AirPlay was designed to let your Apple units work with any AirPlay-compatible units, however it’s no shock that the expertise works greatest with one in all Apple’s personal wi-fi audio system. The HomePod mini is the best companion to your different Apple gear, with intelligent options reminiscent of the power to begin enjoying music in your iPhone, after which transfer that music to the HomePod mini simply by holding your iPhone subsequent to it.
The sound high quality is excellent too, contemplating the scale and worth of the speaker. It affords a 360-degree sound subject, which isn’t shocking given its form, and you’ll mix two HomePod minis to create a stereo pair. Should you’re all in on the Apple ecosystem, then a HomePod mini is a good alternative of AirPlay-compatible speaker, permitting to you stream out of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, or simply stream instantly from the speaker itself.
Apple HomePod 2
2. Greatest Airplay-compatible speaker for Apple integration
Very good sound high quality that works seamlessly together with your Apple gear.
The unique HomePod was designed to sound unbelievable, and the second-generation mannequin does not shirk from these roots. The sound high quality is spectacular and might fill a decent-sized room. Should you’re an Apple consumer, it is an important match.
- Wonderful sound high quality
- Can fill a bigger room than the HomePod mini
- Easy integration with Apple units
- Dearer
- Siri not the most effective voice assistant
If you would like all of the compatibility of the HomePod mini, however with even higher sound high quality, then the HomePod (2nd generation) might be what you want. It is quite a bit greater than the HomePod mini (clearly) being greater than twice the peak, and a bit of wider, too. It is also a extra cylindrical form than the largely spherical HomePod mini. All that further actual property implies that the HomePod (2nd technology) can supply actually nice sound. In reality, we have discovered it to be one of many best-sounding good audio system on the market.
Identical to the HomePod mini, the second-generation HomePod works seamlessly together with your different Apple units, too. In addition to supporting AirPlay out of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, the HomePod (2nd technology) has Siri in-built. When you’ve got your iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch, and HomePod all in shut proximity, saying “Hey Siri” will get a response from the HomePod, whereas Siri in your different units will maintain quiet, so you are not speaking to 4 variations of Siri without delay.
Sonos Period 300
3. Greatest airplay-compatible speaker for spatial audio
A singular speaker that provides spectacular spatial audio.
Spatial audio can provide the impression of being immersed inside a soundscape, with the totally different devices positioned throughout you. The Sonos Period 300 manages to create this impact from a single speaker, which is the explanation for its uncommon design.
- Spectacular spatial audio from a single speaker
- Nice Sonos sound high quality
- Works properly as a part of a multi-speaker system
- Dearer
- Distinctive appears will not be to all tastes
The Sonos Era 300 is essentially the most unusual-looking speaker on this record, with its distinctive design that appears like two audio system have been glued collectively. The unusual form is for an excellent motive, nevertheless; it permits the Sonos Period 300 to generate spatial audio from a single speaker. There are six drivers inside to push the audio to all areas of the room and offer you a way more immersive expertise. The outcomes are spectacular, producing a soundstage that sounds broad and wealthy.
As with all Sonos audio system, the AirPlay compatibility is superb. You may shortly choose the Sonos Period 300 as your output supply in your music out of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, permitting you to benefit from the music or audio you are streaming in spectacular sound high quality. It even outguns the HomePod (2nd technology), giving a fuller sound with extra backside finish.
Sonos Period 100
4. Greatest worth Sonos Airplay appropriate speaker
An incredible Sonos speaker at an affordable worth level.
Sonos has a confirmed observe report for audio system of this dimension, and the Sonos Period 100 is the most effective one to this point. It improves upon its predecessors by including stereo sound, line-in assist, and higher sound high quality. It really works properly as a rear encompass speaker, too.
- Nice sound high quality
- Improves upon the superb Sonos One
- Presents wired connections
- Not an enormous improve when you personal a Sonos One
- No Google Assistant baked in
If you would like the audio high quality that Sonos is legendary for, however do not wish to splash out for the costlier Sonos Period 300, then the Sonos Era 100 is price a glance. It is the newest in a protracted line of wonderful equally sized audio system from Sonos that features the unique Play:1 and the newer Sonos One. The Sonos Period 100 makes some enhancements on the already wonderful Sonos One, reminiscent of improved sound high quality because of the marginally bigger dimension, further tweeter, and bigger mid-woofer. There’s additionally a USB-C aux port for direct connection to a turntable, laptop, or different machine, though you may want an adapter.
In addition to utilizing the aux port, the Sonos Period 100 helps Bluetooth streaming, and, in fact, AirPlay 2, permitting you to stream your music straight out of your Apple machine to your Sonos Period 100. You can too arrange two Sonos Period 100 audio system as a stereo pair, and even use them as rear audio system for a encompass sound setup.
Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin (2021)
5. Greatest AirPlay appropriate speaker for bigger rooms
A press release speaker that boasts spectacular sound high quality.
$704 $799 Save $95
A remake of an iconic iPod dock, the Zeppelin is a speaker with a whole lot of energy and spectacular sound high quality. You will want a good quantity of room for it, however it could simply fill bigger rooms with stereo audio.
- Room-filling sound
- Huge stereo
- Basic look
- Wants a whole lot of house
- No wired inputs
The Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin is tough to overlook. Not solely does it have an iconic zeppelin-shaped design, however it’s additionally a fairly respectable dimension too, at 65cm broad. The unique Zeppelin speaker was launched in 2007 as an iPod dock, permitting you to take pleasure in music out of your iPod in high-quality sound. This up to date model does the identical in your units, letting you wirelessly stream your favourite tunes by way of a speaker that may do the music justice.
In reality, wi-fi streaming is your solely possibility as there is not any possibility to make use of a wired supply in any respect. AirPlay 2 assist, nevertheless, implies that this is not an enormous downside. The sound high quality is attractive, with highly effective bass and a large stereo soundstage. It is also loads loud sufficient, too, with 240W whole amplified energy output. It might do in your iPhone or Mac what the unique Zeppelin did in your iPod.
Naim Mu-so Qb 2nd technology
6. Greatest AirPlay appropriate speaker for greater budgets
Beautiful appears and sound that come at a big worth.
Should you’re keen to pay for beautiful audio high quality, then this speaker has it in spades. Not solely does it supply unbelievable sound, however appears the half, too. There could also be cheaper audio system on the market, however few that may supply this degree of high quality.
- Beautiful sound
- Beauty
- Fashionable controls
- Very costly
- Bass could possibly be higher
If cash isn’t any object and also you’re searching for an AirPlay-compatible speaker that each appears and sounds unbelievable then you definitely may wish to contemplate the Naim Mu-so Qb (2nd generation). It actually does not come low-cost, with a price ticket that is pushing 4 figures; sufficient to purchase your self an entire multi-speaker setup from another well-known manufacturers.
As you’d anticipate for the worth, the sound high quality is nothing wanting beautiful. Whether or not you are listening to acoustic songs or banging dance tracks, you get a crisp, clear sound with some respectable bass for a speaker of this dimension. The controls are additionally extremely trendy, with an infinitely-spinning dial on the highest which can be utilized to regulate the amount or tweak settings, and solely prompts while you attain out for it. And with AirPlay 2 on board, you’ll be able to take pleasure in music from any of your Apple units with the sensational sound the Naim Mu-so Qb 2ndGeneration can supply.
Audio Professional Addon C10 MKII
7. Most trendy AirPlay-compatible speaker
A classy speaker that sounds nearly as good because it appears.
Audio system aren’t simply meant to be heard; they’re a part of your furnishings, too. Many audio system overlook this and go for operate over type. The Audio Professional Addon C10 MkII affords each, with high-quality sound, and beauty to match. It additionally contains RCA inputs so you’ll be able to join a turntable, too.
- Stunning design
- Nice sound
- Good readability
- Lacks the leather-based strap of the earlier mannequin
- Not the most cost effective possibility
If you would like a speaker that does not simply sound nice however appears nice too, then look no additional than the Audio Pro C10 MkII. The fashionable magnetic grille appears nice, however it will also be eliminated for a good bolder look. There is a metallic management panel on high that appears and feels stunning and is available in grey, black, or white.
The sound high quality is balanced and heat and is exact sufficient to supply nice sound whether or not you are listening to a light-weight acoustic piece or extra bass-driven beats. You have got the choice of wired playback because of the RCA line-in ports, however the Audio Professional C10 MkII additionally helps Bluetooth and Wi-Fi playback, with assist for AirPlay 2. Your iPhone music has by no means appeared or sounded so good.
The underside line: What’s the greatest AirPlay-compatible speaker?
Should you’re searching for an AirPlay-compatible speaker that has nice integration together with your different Apple units, affords respectable sound, and will not break the financial institution, then you’ll be able to’t go far unsuitable with the Apple HomePod mini. It has surprisingly good sound for its dimension and works seamlessly together with your iPhone or Mac. It will not take up an enormous quantity of house, both.
Should you’re searching for a speaker from a model with an important status for sound however do not wish to should splash an enormous amount of money, then the Sonos Period 100 is a wonderful speaker that provides good compatibility with AirPlay.
Apple HomePod Mini
Editor’s Selection
How I selected the most effective AirPlay-compatible audio system
When compiling this record, there have been just a few issues I needed to bear in mind. Firstly, I needed to incorporate audio system that may cowl a spread of use instances, from a speaker in your work desk to at least one that may fill a big room with sound.
Secondly, I needed to incorporate a spread of worth choices, so that there have been choices to swimsuit most budgets. Not everybody can justify shopping for a Naim Mu-so Qb 2nd Era, however for individuals who do have the cash, it is an important alternative.
Most significantly, I needed to pick out merchandise that labored properly with AirPlay, making it easy to stream your music out of your Apple machine to your wi-fi speaker.
How to decide on the most effective AirPlay-compatible audio system
Whenever you’re searching for an AirPlay speaker, there are a few stuff you want to bear in mind.
Is the speaker appropriate with AirPlay 2?
Should you’re shopping for new, it is extremely probably that if a speaker is AirPlay appropriate in any respect, it is appropriate with the upgraded AirPlay 2. Nonetheless, when you’re shopping for an older mannequin second-hand, you’ll want to examine if it has AirPlay 2 compatibility. There are some key variations between AirPlay vs AirPlay 2, together with some helpful options reminiscent of assist for multi-room audio, and assist for lossless audio streaming.
What connectivity does the AirPlay speaker supply?
AirPlay lets you stream music wirelessly out of your Apple machine to an AirPlay-compatible speaker. Nonetheless, there could also be instances when it is advisable to use a special kind of connection. Some audio system will supply Bluetooth assist, permitting you to stream from any Bluetooth machine. Some may even supply assist for wired connections; if you wish to connect a turntable, for instance, then this could possibly be a deal-breaker.
Is the AirPlay speaker appropriate for my room?
It is easy to purchase a speaker that is not the proper dimension for the house that you simply wish to use it in. A HomePod mini is good for a house workplace, for instance, however may really feel a bit of misplaced in a big open-plan residing house. On the flip facet, a Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin can fill a decent-sized room with sound, however is overkill for a small residence workplace, and can eat up a whole lot of desk house. Ensure you select a speaker that is appropriate in your wants.
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