Your iPhone is a superb machine for listening to music, particularly when paired with a decent set of headphones. Nevertheless, there are some instances if you simply wish to flip up the quantity and take heed to your music out loud. That is when an AirPlay-compatible speaker may be simply what you want.
What is Apple’s AirPlay? Your complete guide
Apple’s AirPlay can shortly forged audio and visible content material, and it is accessible on most gadgets. This is the way it works and the way to make it be just right for you.
Apple’s AirPlay system permits you to wirelessly stream music from an Apple machine corresponding to your iPhone or your Mac to a suitable 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 provide.
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 to your wants? We check out a few of the finest AirPlay-compatible audio system on the market proper now, that can assist you make an knowledgeable selection.
Finest AirPlay-compatible audio system: Our high decisions
Apple HomePod mini
1. Finest Airplay-compatible speaker general
Nice sound and excellent Apple integration at an honest value.
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 would be getting, with first rate sound at an inexpensive value. The combination with different Apple gadgets is seamless.
- Good sound for its measurement
- Nice worth
- Seamless integration with Apple gadgets
- Not ultimate for greater rooms
- Would not match the sound high quality of the HomePod
AirPlay was designed to let your Apple gadgets work with any AirPlay-compatible gadgets, nevertheless it’s no shock that the expertise works finest with considered one of Apple’s personal wi-fi audio system. The HomePod mini is the best companion to your different Apple gear, with intelligent options corresponding to the flexibility 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 dimensions and value of the speaker. It affords a 360-degree sound discipline, which isn’t shocking given its form, and you may mix two HomePod minis to create a stereo pair. Should you’re all in on the Apple ecosystem, then a HomePod mini is a superb selection of AirPlay-compatible speaker, permitting to you stream out of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, or simply stream immediately from the speaker itself.
Apple HomePod 2
2. Finest Airplay-compatible speaker for Apple integration
Excellent sound high quality that works seamlessly along 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 may fill a decent-sized room. Should you’re an Apple person, it is an awesome match.
- Wonderful sound high quality
- Can fill a bigger room than the HomePod mini
- Easy integration with Apple gadgets
- Dearer
- Siri not the perfect 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 loads greater than the HomePod mini (clearly) being greater than twice the peak, and a bit wider, too. It is also a extra cylindrical form than the principally spherical HomePod mini. All that further actual property implies that the HomePod (2nd era) can provide actually nice sound. In reality, we have discovered it to be one of many best-sounding sensible audio system on the market.
Similar to the HomePod mini, the second-generation HomePod works seamlessly along with your different Apple gadgets, too. In addition to supporting AirPlay out of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, the HomePod (2nd era) has Siri in-built. If in case you have 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 gadgets will maintain quiet, so you are not speaking to 4 variations of Siri directly.
Sonos Period 300
3. Finest airplay-compatible speaker for spatial audio
A singular speaker that gives spectacular spatial audio.
Spatial audio can provide the impression of being immersed inside a soundscape, with the completely 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 effectively as a part of a multi-speaker system
- Dearer
- Distinctive seems will not be to all tastes
The Sonos Era 300 is probably the most unusual-looking speaker on this listing, with its distinctive design that appears like two audio system have been glued collectively. The unusual form is for an excellent motive, nonetheless; 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 huge 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 to 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 era), giving a fuller sound with extra backside finish.
Sonos Period 100
4. Finest worth Sonos Airplay suitable speaker
An important Sonos speaker at an inexpensive value level.
Sonos has a confirmed monitor file for audio system of this measurement, and the Sonos Period 100 is the perfect one up to now. It improves upon its predecessors by including stereo sound, line-in help, and higher sound high quality. It really works effectively as a rear encompass speaker, too.
- Nice sound high quality
- Improves upon the superb Sonos One
- Presents wired connections
- Not an enormous improve should you personal a Sonos One
- No Google Assistant baked in
If you would like the audio high quality that Sonos is known for, however do not wish to splash out for the dearer Sonos Period 300, then the Sonos Era 100 is price a glance. It is the most recent in an extended 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, corresponding to improved sound high quality because of the marginally bigger measurement, 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 will want an adapter.
In addition to utilizing the aux port, the Sonos Period 100 helps Bluetooth streaming, and, after all, AirPlay 2, permitting you to stream your music straight out of your Apple machine to your Sonos Period 100. It’s also possible to 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. Finest AirPlay suitable 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 plenty of energy and spectacular sound high quality. You may want a good quantity of room for it, however it may possibly simply fill bigger rooms with stereo audio.
- Room-filling sound
- Huge stereo
- Traditional look
- Wants plenty of area
- No wired inputs
The Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin is difficult to overlook. Not solely does it have an iconic zeppelin-shaped design, nevertheless it’s additionally a fairly first rate measurement too, at 65cm huge. 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 to your gadgets, letting you wirelessly stream your favourite tunes by 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 help, nonetheless, implies that this is not an enormous drawback. The sound high quality is attractive, with highly effective bass and a large stereo soundstage. It is also lots loud sufficient, too, with 240W complete amplified energy output. It could actually do to your iPhone or Mac what the unique Zeppelin did to your iPod.
Naim Mu-so Qb 2nd era
6. Finest AirPlay suitable speaker for greater budgets
Gorgeous seems and sound that come at a major value.
Should you’re prepared to pay for beautiful audio high quality, then this speaker has it in spades. Not solely does it provide unbelievable sound, however seems the half, too. There could also be cheaper audio system on the market, however few that may provide this stage of high quality.
- Gorgeous sound
- Beauty
- Fashionable controls
- Very costly
- Bass may very well be higher
If cash isn’t any object and also you’re in search of an AirPlay-compatible speaker that each seems and sounds unbelievable then you definately may wish to think about 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 count on for the value, 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 first rate bass for a speaker of this measurement. The controls are additionally extremely trendy, with an infinitely-spinning dial on the highest which can be utilized to regulate the quantity or tweak settings, and solely prompts if 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 gadgets with the sensational sound the Naim Mu-so Qb 2ndGeneration can provide.
Audio Professional Addon C10 MKII
7. Most trendy AirPlay-compatible speaker
A trendy speaker that sounds nearly as good because it seems.
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 kind. The Audio Professional Addon C10 MkII affords each, with high-quality sound, and attractiveness to match. It additionally contains RCA inputs so you’ll be able to join a turntable, too.
- Lovely design
- Nice sound
- Good readability
- Lacks the leather-based strap of the earlier mannequin
- Not the most affordable possibility
If you would like a speaker that does not simply sound nice however seems nice too, then look no additional than the Audio Pro C10 MkII. The trendy magnetic grille seems nice, nevertheless it may also be eliminated for an excellent bolder look. There is a metallic management panel on high that appears and feels lovely 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 may have 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 help for AirPlay 2. Your iPhone music has by no means regarded or sounded so good.
The underside line: What’s the finest AirPlay-compatible speaker?
Should you’re in search of an AirPlay-compatible speaker that has nice integration along with your different Apple gadgets, affords first rate sound, and will not break the financial institution, then you’ll be able to’t go far improper with the Apple HomePod mini. It has surprisingly good sound for its measurement and works seamlessly along with your iPhone or Mac. It will not take up an enormous quantity of area, both.
Should you’re in search of a speaker from a model with an awesome repute for sound however do not wish to should splash an enormous amount of money, then the Sonos Period 100 is a wonderful speaker that gives good compatibility with AirPlay.
Apple HomePod Mini
Editor’s Selection
How I selected the perfect AirPlay-compatible audio system
When compiling this listing, there have been a number of issues I wished to remember. Firstly, I wished to incorporate audio system that may cowl a variety of use circumstances, from a speaker to your work desk to 1 that may fill a big room with sound.
Secondly, I wished to incorporate a variety of value choices, so that there have been choices to swimsuit most budgets. Not everybody can justify shopping for a Naim Mu-so Qb 2nd Technology, however for many who do have the cash, it is an awesome selection.
Most significantly, I wished to pick merchandise that labored effectively with AirPlay, making it easy to stream your music out of your Apple machine to your wi-fi speaker.
How to decide on the perfect AirPlay-compatible audio system
Whenever you’re in search of an AirPlay speaker, there are a few belongings you want to remember.
Is the speaker suitable with AirPlay 2?
Should you’re shopping for new, it is extremely seemingly that if a speaker is AirPlay suitable in any respect, it is suitable with the upgraded AirPlay 2. Nevertheless, should you’re shopping for an older mannequin second-hand, you’ll want to test if it has AirPlay 2 compatibility. There are some key variations between AirPlay vs AirPlay 2, together with some helpful options corresponding to help for multi-room audio, and help for lossless audio streaming.
What connectivity does the AirPlay speaker provide?
AirPlay permits you to stream music wirelessly out of your Apple machine to an AirPlay-compatible speaker. Nevertheless, there could also be instances when it’s essential use a special sort of connection. Some audio system will provide Bluetooth help, permitting you to stream from any Bluetooth machine. Some can even provide help for wired connections; if you wish to connect a turntable, for instance, then this may very well be a deal-breaker.
Is the AirPlay speaker appropriate for my room?
It is easy to purchase a speaker that is not the proper measurement for the area that you simply wish to use it in. A HomePod mini is right for a house workplace, for instance, however may really feel a bit misplaced in a big open-plan residing area. On the flip aspect, a Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin can fill a decent-sized room with sound, however is overkill for a small house workplace, and can eat up plenty of desk area. Ensure you select a speaker that is appropriate to your wants.
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