Amazon Music Available On More Yamaha Devices

Yamaha has rolled out its next firmware update to bring Amazon music and enhanced Alexa voice control features to more than 15 of its Music Cast-enabled products, allowing users to control their audio devices with their Echo or Echo Dot.

The firmware update will apply to the following Yamaha devices:

• MusicCast BAR 400 (YAS-408) and ATS-4080 soundbar systems

• RX-Ax80 series, RX-Vx85 series, RXS602, and TSR-7850 AV receivers

• CX-A5200 AV preamp/processor

• XDA-QS5400 MusicCast multiroom streaming amplifier

• MusicCast Vinyl 500 turntable

• MusicCast 20 and MusicCast 50 wireless speakers (update released October 23)

Owners will be prompted by their MusicCast app to install the firmware update, with registered product users receiving notifications by email also.

It comes after the company linked with Amazon early this year, with Yamaha labelling the move as ‘staying ahead of the curve’ according to Yamaha Music Australia general manager Simon Goldsworthy when referring to the growing importance of voice commands in smart home environments.

Through Yamaha’s MusicCast Smart Home app users will now be able to ask Alexa to control and play Amazon Music, Pandora, Deezer, Gimme Radio, and SiriusXM on any device connected to the home’s Wi-Fi network.

Unfortunately, at this time, there is no support for Amazon Music HD, which is set to be evaluated by Yamaha.

Alex Sadeghian, director, Consumer Audio, Yamaha Corporation of America, said that freedom and flexibility to choose your voice assistant to control your music ‘is how music should be experienced in the smart home’.