mjzee Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 Can anyone recommend a good powered speaker or speakers that have Apple's Airplay built in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psu_13 Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 (edited) I've not found good ones that are also not expensive. Personally I use the Audio Engine A2 (the small ones) and then just hook them up to an Apple Airport Express or the last gen Apple TV. Great speakers, and the airplay box is not too expensive (about the same as the upcharge for airplay speakers) Edited November 8, 2015 by psu_13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 I also use the Apple Airport Express in several rooms - have done it this way for several years. I either plug into powered speakers (also the A2s), a DAC or an integrated amp. Works like a charm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjzee Posted November 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 I already use an Airport Express. I know it works well, but was looking for a more visually-appealing solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psu_13 Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 There's these http://www.kef.com/html/us/showroom/digital_music_solutions/x_300a/x_300aw/index.html $$$ Most others I've seen are a single box, so no stereo really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjzee Posted November 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 Those look sweet. On November 7, 2015 at 6:23:33 AM, psu_13 said: I've not found good ones that are also not expensive. Personally I use the Audio Engine A2 (the small ones) and then just hook them up to an Apple Airport Express or the last gen Apple TV. Great speakers, and the airplay box is not too expensive (about the same as the upcharge for airplay speakers) 12 hours ago, Eric said: I also use the Apple Airport Express in several rooms - have done it this way for several years. I either plug into powered speakers (also the A2s), a DAC or an integrated amp. Works like a charm. Some Amazon reviews said the bass response on the A2 is a little lacking. Do you find this to be true? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psu_13 Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 I don't think they are any more limited than other small speaker systems, but I am not much of a bass enthusiast. I enjoy the fact that they are self-powered so I don't have to fuss with yet another box in my life. I have the A5s set up downstairs on my TV and they have more oomph, but are much larger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjzee Posted November 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 On November 7, 2015 at 6:23:33 AM, psu_13 said: I've not found good ones that are also not expensive. Personally I use the Audio Engine A2 (the small ones) and then just hook them up to an Apple Airport Express or the last gen Apple TV. Great speakers, and the airplay box is not too expensive (about the same as the upcharge for airplay speakers) Do these connect to the Airport Express via USB or via an optical audio cable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psu_13 Posted November 20, 2015 Report Share Posted November 20, 2015 (edited) http://audioengineusa.com/Store/A2-plus-B-Powered-Desktop-Speakers Note: I don't think the Airport Express has any audio out via USB. Edited November 20, 2015 by psu_13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Posted November 21, 2015 Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 Having been fiddling around with all this for the last 5-6 years, it seems that Bluetooth, not Airplay, will be the dominant mode to stream music from a mobile device to powered speakers. It seems there are many more devices (speakers) that are designed to received audio input via Bluetooth (particularly using the aptX compression technology). I noticed that Audio Engine has introduced a higher end speaker (the HD6) that permits streaming directly via Bluetooth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjzee Posted November 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 My goal is to have speakers throughout the house, sort of like a hand-crafted Sonos system. That's why I need Airplay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjzee Posted March 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 I'm now thinking it doesn't make sense to buy speakers with built-in Airplay, because of the danger of obsolescence. Much better to use a separate Airport Express or AppleTV that can be upgraded or swapped out as needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 21 hours ago, mjzee said: I'm now thinking it doesn't make sense to buy speakers with built-in Airplay, because of the danger of obsolescence. Much better to use a separate Airport Express or AppleTV that can be upgraded or swapped out as needed. I think you'll be happy with this. I've got it running in five rooms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjzee Posted May 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2016 Here's another little wrinkle to consider. Amazon is selling devices that claim to be compatible with AirPlay. I tried an AudioCast (aka Veetop Wireless DLNA Airplay Music Receiver Adapter), which sells for $41.99 - much cheaper than an Airport Express. It did indeed connect to my network, appeared in iTunes, and I was able to include it in my stream to multiple devices. However, it did not stream exactly in sync with my other devices - it was about a half-second off, producing an awful echo effect. I wonder if this might also happen with powered speakers that incorporate AirPlay. For example, Polk Audio makes one (AM6119-A) for $249. But if it won't play the stream in sync with other devices... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjzee Posted June 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2016 Latest update. Apple now has the 3rd generation Apple TV for $69, so I bought one. It has an optical out, so I'm looking for powered speakers with an optical in. The Vanatoo Transparent One has some outrageously good reviews, but I've never heard of the brand. There's also the similarly-priced Klipsch R-15PM. Klipsch still has a great reputation, even though they've been owned for awhile by Logitech. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjzee Posted December 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 After doing research, I've decided on the Edifier e25HD Luna Eclipse speakers. They have an optical audio input, sound really good, and look great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjzee Posted May 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2017 I've found an amazing bargain: GGMM E3. Great price ($90 or so), with built-in AirPlay support. Got one today in blue, and it sounds really good for a small, standalone speaker. Documentation says if you get two, it will play stereo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Dolan Posted May 18, 2017 Report Share Posted May 18, 2017 Interesting. I wonder how that works. Bluetooth crosstalk? Are you going to get a second one and try it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjzee Posted May 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2017 2 hours ago, Scott Dolan said: Interesting. I wonder how that works. Bluetooth crosstalk? Are you going to get a second one and try it? No; I'm happy with one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.