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Denon and Marantz AV Receivers Updated With AirPlay 2 Support

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Audio accessories from Denon and Marantz are gaining support for AirPlay 2 through firmware updates that are being distributed starting today.

With the AirPlay 2 update, compatible Denon and Marantz devices offer support for multi-room audio and are able to work with other AirPlay 2 devices such as the HomePod, the Apple TV, and Sonos speakers.

denonavrx3500-800x372.jpg

Both companies offer multiple AirPlay 2-compatible receiver options that are being updated with AirPlay 2 support.

Apple maintains a list of AirPlay 2-compatible speakers, both released and upcoming, on its HomeKit website, but its listings for Denon and Marantz are not complete. A full list of the AirPlay 2-compatible devices the two companies are said to be offering was shared in May by Poor Audiophile.

Both the Marantz and Denon brands are owned by Sound United, which also owns the Polk brand. Polk is not listed on Apple's HomeKit site, but it is a partner on the main AirPlay website. It's not clear when Polk devices will receive AirPlay 2 updates, but it does not appear that new firmware is rolling out as of yet. The same goes for Definitive Technology, another Sound United brand that is expected to get AirPlay 2 support at some point.

Denon and Marantz join Sonos in offering AirPlay 2-compatible devices, but many other brands are working on AirPlay 2 support as well, including Beoplay, Devialet, Libratone, Naim, Bowers & Wilkins, McIntosh, Bose, and others.

Article Link: Denon and Marantz AV Receivers Updated With AirPlay 2 Support
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2018/08/09/denon-marantz-airplay-2-support/
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I didn’t have a firmware update to the receiver itself, I updated the two Denon iOS apps and that provided airplay 2.
 
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I'm looking forward to a device, that I can connect to my existing stereo receivers, which receives an Airplay 2 signal from both my Macs and iOS devices.
 
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Airplay 2 firmware available on my X2400H. Updating now. Can't imagine why it wouldn't be available for X4400H
[doublepost=1533873255][/doublepost]One thing I was hoping to be able to do was to tell Siri to "play music on Denon"....doesn't work, keeps playing music by some obscure group
 
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iFanaddic said:
This thing look archaic!
Click to expand...

Uh, Marantz and Denon make great receivers, rock-solid boxes that will last many years, maybe even decades if the dust is cleaned and vents are unobstructed. Unlike the Macbook Pro, their receivers don't skimp on size or components for "looks." It takes watts and sinks to power 7 or more channels, and you need a big-ass I/O panel to accommodate all kinds of AV equipment, lots of speakers, many different connections, etc.

 
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Velin said:
Uh, Marantz and Denon make great receivers, rock-solid boxes that will last many years, maybe even decades if the dust is cleaned and vents are unobstructed. Unlike the Macbook Pro, their receivers don't skimp on size or components for "looks." It takes watts and sinks to power 7 or more channels, and you need a big-ass I/O panel to accommodate all kinds of AV equipment, lots of speakers, many different connections, etc.

Click to expand...

So... they're an audio company focused on sounding great rather than looking great?


How archaic.


That's against everything Apple stands for in the audio portion of their business. I'll bet Jony could school them on a thing or two.
 
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So a completely noob question, if someone was evaluating getting an audio system for general TV consumption, I am guessing a receiver is a necessary starting point. Once that is bought, does it make sense to buy standalone 5 speakers or would home pods be able to simulate equally good sound. I am also assuming you can't use Home-pods with TV unless you have a receiver?
 
I can attest to Denon quality. I have had one for what seems like forever (AVR-1603).

For once some good news about something cool. Honestly though, I'd probably go a different route if I had to replace my 1603.
 
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himanshumodi said:
So a completely noob question, if someone was evaluating getting an audio system for general TV consumption, I am guessing a receiver is a necessary starting point. Once that is bought, does it make sense to buy standalone 5 speakers or would home pods be able to simulate equally good sound. I am also assuming you can't use Home-pods with TV unless you have a receiver?
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Most AV stores will do a package of speakers/AMP, if you are just starting out, may want to go for one of those so you know it all works together. I would listen to a speaker system before buying as you will probably be keeping for 10 years +, to make sure you are happy with how it sounds.

I wouldn't try using the home pods for TV audio, that's not what they are designed for and you will probably get a delay between what is showing on the screen and what is going out of the home pod.
 
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chrismac2 said:
Airplay 2 firmware available on my X2400H. Updating now. Can't imagine why it wouldn't be available for X4400H
[doublepost=1533873255][/doublepost]One thing I was hoping to be able to do was to tell Siri to "play music on Denon"....doesn't work, keeps playing music by some obscure group
Click to expand...


Are you serious? (And meaning this in surprised positive way)
I read up on this a week ago and the ony ones receiving updates were the 2018 modells which would be x2500.

I took the stab and just ordered a x2400 due to a brilliant deal, but knew I would miss Airplay2.

Do you have a good source or link to the FW for the x2400?
 
KeepCalmPeople said:
You know if Apple made a receiver, they’d have made all the speaker outputs some proprietary format, or bluetooth, by now.
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Probably. It's really hard to sync up Bluetooth speakers, but I'm sure Apple would use some stupid nonstandard plug like they did with the iMac G4 speakers.
[doublepost=1533885649][/doublepost]AirPlay is one of Apple's greatest creations. It just works, I use it all the time, and it's funny how much better it is than Bluetooth audio.
 
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Airplay just works if you use Apples devices. It CAN be a mess if you don't use Apples gear.
Hopefully Airplay 2 will work better with third party stuff.

Was just looking at Denons website, the firmware for X2400 and x1400 is from June and doesn't contain an airplay 2 update.

Saying that, Denon states that the X2400 handles airplay and airplay 2 on the specs sheet, didn't say that a month ago.

EDIT...
Ok...third edit.
X2400 DOES SUPPORT AIRPLAY 2...wohhoo..
Seems like updates isn't dedicated FW updates but the Denon unit tells there is an update and does it by itself, no need for downloading FW.
Haven't got my unit yet (i get it on monday) so not to used to how Denon updates their stuff...

Cool of Denon to support x2400, initially it wasn't on the list.
 
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himanshumodi said:
So a completely noob question, if someone was evaluating getting an audio system for general TV consumption, I am guessing a receiver is a necessary starting point. Once that is bought, does it make sense to buy standalone 5 speakers or would home pods be able to simulate equally good sound. I am also assuming you can't use Home-pods with TV unless you have a receiver?
Click to expand...
You can start with just the receiver or get a combo with speakers. I might be misunderstanding what you mean by "standalone" speakers. Usually that refers to a speaker that already contains an amplifier and either a full-on receiver or a simple one that connects to a master one, which is not what you'd use in this case.

The "receiver" you'd buy is really a receiver + amplifier. It has inputs for audio sources and transmits the amplified output to multiple speakers via wires. On a home setup it's simply 2 per speaker, positive and negative. The speakers have a resistance rating usually shown in ohms, with fewer ohms meaning more amperage used; you just have to make sure your receiver supports the amperage, and it'll work with any set of speakers meeting that constraint. Your receiver will work for decades with any future audio source and with any speakers it supports, so it's a sound :D investment. And there are good and bad quality receivers/amps for sure.

Standalone speakers (which have built in amps) are less flexible and more expensive with little benefit. Usually the reason is to have a wireless setup or to make things easier. Homepods may work, idk, but they'd only work with Airplay.
[doublepost=1533886072][/doublepost]
Reverend Benny said:
Airplay just works if you use Apples devices. It CAN be a mess if you don't use Apples gear.
Hopefully Airplay 2 will work better with third party stuff.

Was just looking at Denons website, the firmware for X2400 and x1400 is from June and doesn't contain an airplay 2 update.
Click to expand...
That's true. I've only ever used it with AirPort Express and Apple TV since those plug into any speakers I need anyway, though. But they've killed AirPort now.
 
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Rivanov said:
Thank god my NR1508 will get the update!
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My 1608 got the update yesterday and after updating iTunes on my Mac pro opened up on its own and the receiver switched to AirPlay? I’m not sure if iTunes on my Mac worked before since I had never used it, I just use my iPhone. I did find it odd that they started talking to one another without my request after the receiver finished the update.
 
well, my X2300W isn't on that list, so I guess I won't be getting that HomePod...

(I wasn't going to anyway.)

(AppleTV 4K is connected via HDMI already.)
 
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Aston441 said:
So... they're an audio company focused on sounding great rather than looking great?


How archaic.


That's against everything Apple stands for in the audio portion of their business. I'll bet Jony could school them on a thing or two.
Click to expand...

Not criticizing Marantz look, they look good to me.

But Apple stuff looks good, but also sounds great.

You don't need to sacrifice looks for sound quality last time I checked.

False dichotomy.
 
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