Up to now 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 available in the market for a wi-fi speaker. After all, you’ll be able to spend a number of lots of, and even hundreds, if you want, however you may as well fairly simply handle a two-room setup for underneath $100/£100.

Sonos led the way in which for the mainstream from the early days, however now it has way more competitors, so choosing the proper system is changing into more and more tough. There will not be solely a number of corporations 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 suitable producers.

We have compiled all one of the best choices accessible available on the market that will help you determine which multi-room audio system is for you.

What’s multi-room audio?

Put merely, multi-room audio merely is the power to hearken to music throughout a number of rooms. That might be the identical tune all through the home, or completely different songs somewhere else – although it might rely on the system you select as to the choices you might have right here.

Music performed throughout a multi-room audio system can come from streaming companies comparable 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 pc, a CD and even vinyl – with the correct setup.

Multi-room audio techniques are typically wi-fi, related over wi-fi and managed utilizing an app, so other than making certain an influence provide is close by, your web connection is first rate and you’ve got your smartphone prepared, audio system could be positioned wherever you want in your house. After all, you may want a minimum of one speaker in every room you need to hear music in, and a minimum of two to make it a multi-room system – although after all you’ll be able to at all times begin with one and construct up over time. Simply ensure you know the ecosystem you need to construct into, which we’ll clarify somewhat 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 additionally they dictate which audio system and techniques work collectively and which do not.

There are two predominant ways in which multi-room works, and that’s through a mesh connection, or a direct connection to your Wi-Fi. A mesh connection is the higher, and extra secure possibility of the 2, however it 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 on your audio system, the place all of them communicate to at least one one other and finally act as extenders on your Wi-Fi. This allows your system to work higher and extra reliably in homes the place Wi-Fi sign would possibly 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 remember that if doing the latter and connecting over Wi-Fi alone that you will need to have a very good Wi-Fi connection in all areas of the home that you simply need to playback music, and it will additionally have an effect in your bandwidth whenever you do.

It was once the case that when you’d chosen your multi-room system, that you simply had been tied into it – and in some circumstances, that is still true. Which means in the event you’ve purchased a sure model, you’ll be able to’t combine and match numerous audio system from different producers and count on them to work with one another.

That is actually the case with manufacturers like Sonos, Bluesound and Denon, however there are actually numerous platforms that may assist 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 have to obtain the associated app to your telephone or pill to regulate it, or you’ll be able to 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 shapes, so selecting one of the best one for you and your own home is usually a demanding activity. We have compiled a listing of the primary gamers within the multi-room audio sport, from the all-conquering Sonos, to particulars on the platforms that may assist you to mix completely different audio system from completely different producers.

Sonos

Arguably essentially the most in depth and easy-to-use multi-room system available on the market, Sonos could have sturdy competitors now however it 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 conveyable speaker just like the Sonos Transfer 2 or Sonos Roam (each of which additionally help Bluetooth playback), you’re coated right here. And simply attempt to discover a streaming service that Sonos would not help. There isn’t any high-res audio help right here but although, so audiophiles eager to hearken to their 24-bit/192kHz tracks in all their glory might want to look elsewhere.

Bluesound

Talking of high-res, Bluesound affords precisely the help that audiophiles could really feel is lacking from Sonos, with help for 24-bit/192kHz playback throughout a spread of wi-fi audio system, soundbars, streamers and third-party hi-fi equipment through its multi-room platform BluOS. Its system is probably not fairly as refined as Sonos however its made massive enhancements lately, and the efficiency accessible 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 suitable 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’ll be able to solely join Heos-enabled merchandise – which happily there are lots of of. All the pieces is managed through the Denon Heos app, which is suitable 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 spread of multi-room audio system. Falling underneath 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 also be supported, so you’ll be able to stream to a single speaker (although this may not work with multi-room). You may want the Bose Music app for one of the best expertise, although the audio system within the line up are additionally all suitable 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 alternative.

Audio Professional

We have actually favored numerous Audio Professional audio system now, and whereas the multiroom expertise on supply right here is probably not essentially the most polished or complete, there is no 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 may be very a lot a supporter of multi-room audio and its Chromecast Constructed In platform could be discovered on many wi-fi audio system now, together with after all, Google’s personal Nest and Google House audio system, but additionally audio system from B&O, Sony, Philips and LG, It is fully open, so all suitable gadgets will work with each other and the variety of supported companies is huge. You possibly can mirror the audio from an online browser or YouTube too, plus as you’ll be able to think about, voice management is baked into the system at its core. You possibly can solely management playback of a single supply to a number of audio system although, which is sort of completely different to one thing like Sonos, so simply concentrate on the variations so you understand 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 relating to management, however the variety of gadgets accessible with it inbuilt is rising on a regular basis. As you’ll be able to 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 lots of the audio system that help Chromecast Constructed In, nevertheless equally to them, you’ll be able to solely stream the identical tune to a number of audio system and rooms, somewhat than play completely different ones across the residence.

Alexa MRM

Amazon’s Echo audio system are among the most inexpensive 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).