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Belkin Launches Soundform Connect Audio Adapter to Add AirPlay 2 to Standard Speakers
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Unlike apple retail prices other products sell for way less than the retail tag.
This. Good audio equipment should last a lifetime. Having tech that gets outdated quick like blutooth and wifi built in just makes for throw away equipment. Not a good investment and not good for the environment.
Use a Zone Amp like this. https://www.htd.com/DMA-1240?utm_so...WR17PZOwx-j9cZ75Cet4JP3HKrLUc-tMaAlHJEALw_wcB
And is still produced, unlike the AirPort Express. Apple killed one of their best accessories!
That can be expensive, and doesn't account for using AirPlay in a second zone. I personally like to use AirPlay 2 for playback to my outdoor speakers, and have had to rely on an Airport Express.
Heck yeah. The ability for multiple household members to pull up the Home app and instantly connect/stream is a much better user experience than flaky Bluetooth. Also, I can sit outside in my backyard and change the music for my outdoor speakers, powered from inside the house. Bluetooth doesn't extend as far as Wi-Fi coverage.
Why can’t you just get a home theatre receiver? I’ve been able to play music with the tv off for 15+ years over my home stereos.
Already sold out on the website? Is there anywhere else to find them? My AirPort Express makes the white noise for our kids cut out frequently and causes issues...would love to see if this can fix the issue...
Wifi chip adds more than a little $$ to any price tag (note the rarity of wireless CarPlay). Is it $80 worth of additional components? IDK, but I'd call this Blekin Tax™ more than Apple Tax™ ... cuz it's not $180 more 😂
The old Airport Express is AirPlay, not AirPlay 2. As such, it doesn't support multi-room audio. It also cuts out if you receive a phone call on the iPhone streaming to the AirPlay device. It also lacks the ability to group multiple devices to play in sync, and can't be used with other HomeKit devices to create scenes.
[insert some snarky remark about "welcome to Fall of 2018" 😂]
The Airport Express did actually get an update to support AirPlay2.
And apparently unlike many on this thread, my 2 Airport Expresses perform just fine in this function. I guess I'm lucky?
I rather still prefer a more modern (aka: manufacturer-supported) device with AP2 built in, but if you have some custom/older/whatever audio components with an aux-in ... this Belkin device (or an old APE) is a good option.
Yeah, I've had issues with an Airplay 2 enabled Denon receiver. When it works, it's great - but oh man... the issues. Always the issues (doesn't always agree to play what I'm streaming to my Homepods, the Home app sometimes fails to show the Denon as an option for playback, and - most annoying of all - will randomly drop a functional connection).
The Homepods, on the other hand (we have a pair of "OG" Homepods as well as 5 Minis - two pairs and a single) are definitely more consistent (albeit not perfect). I will often forego using the Denon and its speakers just because I don't want to go through hassle of taking the steps required to get it connect - and stay connected.
If (and that's probably a big "if") the Belkin can solve for the issues I've encountered using the Denon, I will buy at least one and will seek out compatible speaker systems to mate it with.
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In my opinion at $100 and still needing an amp… may as well take a close look at a Sonos Amp. That’s what I did and it works great. Even thought of buying another one for my JBLs out by the pool.
You can do exactly your use case with multiple other devices like this for years. Personally I already use the Yamaha WXAD-10 which from what I see does exactly the same as this for the same price, but has been out for years.
Neat little package - but hardly news worthy
I think I know the answer to this already, but figure I'll ask anyway as there are people smarter than me.
My roommate and I have some AirPlay speakers already (a HomePod, Sonos Beam, and a couple of Sonos 1s). We also have a turntable hooked up to some old bookshelf speakers. Is there any way this new Belkin device would allow us to connect the turntable to our AirPlay system? I understand we'd be converting the analog signal to digital and losing some of what makes vinyl worthwhile, but we'd still like to do that to make up setup more consolidated.
So, in other words, can this Belkin adapter receive an audio input (say from a turnable) and AirPlay to an existing AirPlay speaker? If not, does anyone know a device that can do this? I've heard the Sonos 5 or Sonos Amp might be able to do this, but they're pretty pricy for that purpose.
My roommate and I have some AirPlay speakers already (a HomePod, Sonos Beam, and a couple of Sonos 1s). We also have a turntable hooked up to some old bookshelf speakers. Is there any way this new Belkin device would allow us to connect the turntable to our AirPlay system? I understand we'd be converting the analog signal to digital and losing some of what makes vinyl worthwhile, but we'd still like to do that to make up setup more consolidated.
So, in other words, can this Belkin adapter receive an audio input (say from a turnable) and AirPlay to an existing AirPlay speaker? If not, does anyone know a device that can do this? I've heard the Sonos 5 or Sonos Amp might be able to do this, but they're pretty pricy for that purpose.
Nothing currently on the market does this. Sure, you can scrounge around eBay and buy someone's crusty AirPort Express, but this is a more simple option.
You need a Sonos Amp. It’ll allow you to hook up 2ch amplified audio and connect the turntable to a line level input. Since you already have Sonos gear, don’t go cheap… just get the Sonos Amp. 👍🏻
Any reason why you are using HDMI-ARC with Apple TV instead of connecting Apple TV directly to the receiver and then going to the tv. If you do this you can just use your Apple TV to play music and don’t have to have tv turned on.
Not OP but there are a lot of people in this situation because they have an older receiver that doesn't support 4K/HDR/etc. and thus going through the receiver drops the video to 1080p HD instead of getting 4K.
I have a friend in this exact situation; HDMI-ARC lets him use his receiver for audio while the video goes straight to the TV in full 4K.
