AirPlay 2

As we’ve seen in the 10 systems reviewed here, the majority have Apple’s AirPlay as an option, even Sonos. AirPlay is, of course, mainly of use to those with Apple devices and computers (although there are Android apps which can access AirPlay). The original AirPlay allowed you to address only a single playback device from an iPhone or iPad, although you could send to multiple speakers from a Mac computer.

One of the main advantages of the AirPlay 2 upgrade has been adding that ability to address multiple devices from a mobile device. But all of them must all be AirPlay 2-compatible - anything with only standard AirPlay can only still only be addressed singly from a mobile device. From a Mac computer, however, you can address any combination of AirPlay or AirPlay 2 devices from the icon found on iTunes on Macs running pre-Catalina OS or from the new Music app on Catalina (screengrab left). It is possible to use separate devices to deliver to separate AirPlay groups on the same network, but you can’t play different music in different rooms using only one control device, as you can with a proper multiroom system.

There is one further option — Roon software. This can address AirPlay, Chromecast and Roon-ready devices with full versatility. But Roon software is not cheap, and requires an always-on computer to run it.