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Belkin Designing 'Soundform Connect' Adapter to Add AirPlay 2 to Speakers

QT317 said:
Bluetooth is lossy, doesnt allow you to stream to multiple rooms/endpoints.

Getting analog audio onto a digital music streaming device is pretty edge case. the whole point of airplay and streaming more broadly is its controlled from a central device (usually your phone) and therefore a turntable or similar doesnt make a lot of sense.

airplay is also only CD quality so if you were looking to get the vinyl/tape/analog hi-fi sound, its still gonna only ever be as good as a WAV file.

did you look at the picture? it is optical out.
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Correct, but vinyl has its own distinct sound due to imperfections in the vinyl, the type of phono preamp, the kind of cartridge used, etc. I’d rather listen to vinyl through a real stereo, so I wouldn’t be in the market for a babelpod like device anyway. I’m aware with how AirPlay down samples anything higher than CD quality to CD quality.
I have a real stereo (vintage modded hafler gear for amps and preamplifiers, Ohm, Boston Acoustics, EV, and some other speakers) that I use for serious listening, but a stereo pair of HomePods sounds pretty good too, especially for their size.
 
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MacRumors said:


Belkin appears to be working on a new "Belkin Soundform Connect" adapter that will connect to a standard speaker to add AirPlay 2 capabilities.

belkin-soundform-connect.jpg

The adapter was found in FCC filings by Janko Roettgers (via 9to5Mac), and it looks like it will be powered by a USB-C cable and will feature a 3.5mm mini jack port for audio output and Optical Digital Audio.


The functionality may be similar to the AirPort Express, which is no longer available. The AirPort Express enabled AirPlay functionality on a standard speaker through the 3.5mm jack.

When a speaker is connected to Belkin's adapter, an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or other Apple device will be able to see it as an AirPlay 2 speaker.

AirPlay 2 is a multi-room audio feature that lets you stream music to more than one AirPlay 2 enabled speaker. AirPlay 2 is available on the HomePod, HomePod mini, Apple TV, Sonos speakers, and other third-party speaker options.

The Belkin Soundform Connect will also add HomeKit support, which will allow the speakers to be assigned to a room and to be controlled with Siri voice commands or the Home app.

There's no word on when the Belkin Soundform Connect will be released, but it could be priced at around 100 euros or $120.

Article Link: Belkin Designing 'Soundform Connect' Adapter to Add AirPlay 2 to Speakers
Click to expand...
#1 to the most unnecessary accessories 2021
 
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throAU said:
What I really want is a device to add airplay OUT to an audio source.

i.e., line-in from some device, output to airplay.

Right now I've got a heap of airplay enabled outputs, and looking to hook up a record player.
Click to expand...
Is this what you are looking for?
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Port: A WiFi Network Streamer with Built-in DAC | Sonos

Introducing Port: the versatile streaming stereo upgrade from Sonos. Enjoy streaming music, podcasts, audiobooks, and internet radio on your existing stereo over WiFi with just one simple connection. Control your audio with Sonos app or Apple AirPlay 2, and easily expand your system to more rooms.
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I built one of these using a Raspberry, it only does AirPlay 1, which I would love to get AirPlay 2 to work, but it only cost me about $40. And it runs my DIY sprinkler system using homeKit.
 
Funny, I just dropped an AirPort express in front of one of my sound systems that needed an optical input. And the AE is AirPort 2.

More power to them. Really, the main problem is that the system it's attached to probably won't auto power on, so you have to go turn it on. But it's just a little bit of a walk for a whole lot of gain.
 
I dont think Belkin would be risking its Apple Store status without auth from Apple on this device, Vegas money or not, about the price, it is kinda niche, AFAIK, it also would be the only commercially available solution with these features, specially the optic audio, were there competition it would probably go for less silver.
 
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My airport express is still working great but only since iOS 14.1 or something. Between iOS 12/13 and then the audio would always skip at the beginning of each song. So I didn’t go for another one. I really have been wanting a second airplay 2 device to use in another room. Been using a atv 3 which works although it is airplay 1. Been considering a new receiver but that obviously costs more. For sure this will have more buffer in it but we will see how it performs.

From the specs it is dual-band WiFi and Bluetooth.
 
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For those complaining about the price, the AudioEngine B-Fi is $189 and only supports AirPlay 1 if I’m not mistaken. The Dayton Audio units on Parts Express only support AirPlay 1 as well. Perhaps the licensing fees for AirPlay 2 cost more?
 
goobot said:
That’s cool but why would someone buy this over a 20$ Bluetooth one
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Because:
  • It's always "paired" with your phone, as well as every single one of your Apple iCloud devices.
  • It supports lossless audio.
  • The range is not limited by Bluetooth connection, it can have virtually unlimited connection range for ethernet-connected devices, and/or mesh Wi-Fi connected devices.
  • Supports syncing of music between multiple speakers/HomePods/end points.
  • Will get firmware updates to improve performance and stability.
  • You can quickly send audio to it without having to go into the Bluetooth menu of your phone/laptop, just use the Control Center AirPlay shortcut.
 
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Nice! The HomePods are great and all, but they don’t cut it when you want top notch audio quality. I’d usually try to get a receiver that supports Airplay 2 to start with, but this is great for powered speakers without that option.
 
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Last year, I was looking for a way to enable Airplay 2 on a pair of wired outdoor speakera that were connected to an older Pioneer receiver. I didn’t have an airport express, and was surprised there wasn’t a standalone device that offered Airplay 2.

Then I realized I had an extra Apple TV. I connected that to the receiver via HDMI, and voila...I had the basic feature this new Beliking device seems like it offers. Something to consider if you have a similar need.
 
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I am using a raspberry pi with a high quality sound card to feed my 20 years old stereo system via AirPlay (not sure v1 or v2, how to know by the way?).
 
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Working, convenient AirPlay 2 similar to an Airport Express, on a third-party device, would be a winner for me and a whole lot of other folks, I would imagine.

Using AirPlay 2 via an Airport Express and a small Class D amplifier, I have been able to retrofit and adapt dozens of homes into whole-house audio using the in-ceiling speakers many folks put in for a purpose like that. Where whole-house audio used to call for hundreds of feet of wiring run to a central location and connected to either a kludgy manual speaker switching system or a terrifically expensive digital switching system...AirPlay 2 allows for each room to be independently and easily controlled via an app. Most people have switched to a portable streaming source, and AirPlay 2 is a perfect match.

I am currently retrofitting a home wired with what used to be a modern dream - a Legrand OnQ A-Bus wired system which integrated whole house audio, intercom, doorbell, security cameras, and streaming multi source audio (controlled by IR repeaters). This system was popular in homes built 10-14 years ago by a luxury builder where I live. All of these systems are broken, and all have been supplanted by inexpensive, easy to install, and easy to use replacement technology...except for the audio. Sure, you can put in a Sonos system or a bevy of HomePods (or the like) but that means extra clutter and (Sono$$$) a good deal of expense. I can retro an existing system using $110 in parts (a small digital amp and a used AE) per room, which can be tucked away just about anywhere, out of sight. I have hidden them in A/V cabinets, inside structured wiring panels, inside a hollowed-out book on a bookcase, etc. AirPlay 2 gives the owner a great deal of control over their source, streaming, volume and EQ settings, etc in individual rooms or whole house... and can support more than one source or one person on the system at a time.

AirPlay 2 is a wonderful resource. I have yearned for a small digital amp with AirPlay 2 capabilities to simplify my installs. A third party dongle is very welcome in my world. And, yes, having spoken at length with many providers, they would all like to support AirPlay 2 but haven't been able to because Apple has only recently (so they say) released the protocol to be licensed to non-TV devices, and the fee (possibly a Made for i stamp of approval) is apparently very costly. Methinks Apple was holding back to see how their HomePod line would do. Sure, HomePod has some terrific abilities, but I think some people just want to play music in their house, and feel bad (or refuse) to delete their investment in installed systems for no good reason. Maybe Apple's licensing fee is designed to match the profit margin on a HomePod...
 
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whatta said:
I am using a raspberry pi with a high quality sound card to feed my 20 years old stereo system via AirPlay (not sure v1 or v2, how to know by the way?).
Click to expand...
Would be Airplay 1. While Airplay 2 has been cracked, it has yet to be implemented as far as I know (please, somebody correct me if I'm wrong).

You can easily tell because you aren't able to stream to multiple destinations.
 
I remember when Apple made their own wi-fi with airplay built in. We had an airport express and a mac mini set up at the university bar. It was great people could vote on the next song that would come up. Ahh, they were the days. When Apple music was iTunes, and wasn't utterly garbage.
 
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