WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A WIRELESS MULTIROOM SYSTEM
HOW WIDE IS THE PLATFORM?
The fundamentals of nearly every multiroom music system are a group of standalone wireless speakers, along with a streaming preamp option so you can add the streaming system to an existing audio system. There’s usually also a streaming amplifier to create a just-add-speakers zone of multiroom audio. Nearly all such platforms also offer soundbars which can double up for music and movies (with varying degrees of success: soundbars often don’t deliver music very well). If that’s enough for you, most platforms will suffice. But some systems go far beyond, including the same technology in real hi-fi separates, AV receivers, stereo active speakers, even in one case a piano! A wider system means you can have a multiroom home where no compromise on audio quality is necessary.
INPUTS & SHARING
Some wireless multiroom products have no external inputs at all — they’re all about streaming. Others have a bare minimum, while still others are as well-equipped as a full-size amplifier. Relatively recently HDMI has arrived on streaming amplifiers, which can make for a great music and TV audio solution: just add speakers. Also check if the inputs can play only locally, or if they can be shared through the home to the rest of the system.
APP CONTROL
All multiroom systems offer app control, so it’s important how friendly and easy to use — and set up — that app really is. We also always give bonus points for the inclusion of a physical remote control, especially with amplifiers and soundbars; what if your phone is charging, or ringing, or someone else wants to use the system?
VOICE CONTROL
Voice control is now becoming genuinely useful on some systems, at least for the basics, especially where the microphone and smart stuff is in the product itself, rather than requiring a relay conversation with a separate device. And clearly if you already have a Google or Alexa or Siri preference, pick a platform which supports it.
HIGH-RES AUDIO
When you’re talking standalone wireless speakers, high-res audio is hardly worth the bother: most of them aren’t hi-fi enough to deliver the difference. When you’re piping your multiroom into a proper hi-fi, however, it’s a different ballgame. Even if you don’t have a collection of high-res audio files sitting on a NAS drive to play across your network, there’s the increasing move to high-res streaming. In Australia, several key high-res services aren’t yet available, notably Qobuz, but Tidal has its MQA Masters files, and interest is high enough for even Sonos to finally promise support for high-res in its new S2 software. Beyond the files themselves, high-res compatibility in a system is an indication of an attention to higher quality audio overall.
BLUETOOTH
Check the Bluetooth specs if you plan to use Bluetooth a lot. Apple device users should look for the AAC codec; Android users should look for aptX or aptX HD, but only if your phone supports it — otherwise you’re best avoiding Bluetooth altogether. Most multiroom systems make this easy by using their apps or the likes of Spotify Connect, which has the playback unit streaming direct from the internet rather going first to your device then by Bluetooth from your device to the network.
AIRPLAY 2 & CHROMECAST
Many platforms now support AirPlay 2, which can be a real time-saver in an Apple-orientated home. Chromecast is more rare but a similar boon for Googlers. Both systems can be used to create their own multiroom groups, but remember these are mainly for playing one source to all grouped units, rather than different tunes in different rooms.