What Is Multi-Room Audio?
Gone are the days when setting up a multiroom audio system meant navigating a labyrinth of wires or shelling out a small fortune. Today, the dream of filling every corner of your home with your favorite tunes is not just a luxury for the elite but an accessible reality for everyone.
Imagine effortlessly streaming your favorite playlists from room to room with just a tap on your smartphone or a simple voice command. This is the magic of multiroom audio.
Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to upgrade your existing sound system, the concept is simple: integrate two or more wireless speakers or devices into your home and let them connect seamlessly. With just a few taps on your phone, tablet, or computer, you can orchestrate sound that envelops every corner of your living space.
But multiroom audio isn't just about convenience—it's about customization. Want to set the mood for a dinner party with upbeat jazz in the dining room while soothing classical melodies fill the kitchen? With asynchronous audio, you have the power to customize the soundtrack of each room to suit any occasion.
And the source of your music? It's entirely up to you. Whether you prefer streaming from your favorite services like Spotify or Tidal, accessing your library from a network-attached storage device, or tuning in to internet radio stations, the options are virtually limitless.
Why Choose Multi-Room Audio?
- Seamless Mobility: One of the main features of multiroom audio is the ability to move around your home while enjoying uninterrupted playback of your favorite music. Whether you're cooking in the kitchen or relaxing in the living room, you can easily control your music and pick up right where you left off.
- Wireless Convenience: Thanks to advancements in wireless technology, setting up a multiroom audio system is a breeze. Modern wireless speakers, like those from Sonos & Audio Pro, easily allow you to plug them in, connect to your WiFi network via the accompanying app, and you're ready to go. Plus, since playback is controlled through the app, you can place speakers anywhere in your home.
- Modular Expandability: Multiroom audio systems are incredibly flexible and scalable. You don't need to go all out on a setup from the get-go. Start with just a couple of speakers and expand your system over time as your budget allows or your needs evolve. Adding new devices is easily managed through the same user-friendly app.
- Customized Listening Experience: Play different music in different rooms simultaneously, catering to diverse tastes within your household. Each member can have their own personalized profile, ensuring that their favorite playlists and settings are always readily accessible. Moreover, you can effortlessly create customized listening zones that group devices from various rooms, allowing for immersive experiences like syncing your party playlist across multiple rooms.
- Outdoor Entertainment: Multiroom audio isn't confined to the indoors. With weatherproof speakers and outdoor-compatible setups, you can extend your music enjoyment beyond the confines of your home. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue, lounging by the pool, or simply enjoying the fresh air on your patio, multiroom audio lets you bring your favorite tunes outside, creating the perfect soundtrack for outdoor gatherings and relaxation.
Getting Started With Multi-Room Audio
It's essential to understand what you'll need to get started. Here's a breakdown of the key components required to build your multiroom audio system:
- Speakers: The cornerstone of any multiroom audio setup is, of course, the speakers. You'll need at least one speaker in each room where you want to enjoy music. The options are diverse, ranging from standalone wireless speakers to smart speakers, soundbars, subwoofers, AV receivers, stereo amplifiers, and network streamers. Choose speakers that fit your room aesthetics and audio preferences.
- Wireless or Wired Connection: Once you've selected your speakers, you'll need to connect them. While wireless connections, especially via WiFi, are the most popular choice for their convenience and flexibility, certain scenarios may require wired connections. For example, playing audio from physical media like CDs or vinyl may necessitate a wired setup. Additionally, passive speakers like in-ceiling speakers will require a separate amplifier for power, such as the Sonos Amp. However, for most users, WiFi is the recommended and preferred option due to its ease of use.
- Audio Control: Managing your multiroom audio system requires a reliable method of control. Dedicated apps or controllers allow you to effortlessly customize and manage audio playback across different rooms. Depending on the brand you go for, ensure that the app or controller has controls for grouping and ungrouping speakers, adjusting volume levels, and accessing your favorite music sources.
- Additional Hardware: Depending on the complexity of your setup, you may require additional hardware such as amplifiers or receivers, especially if you're integrating traditional stereo setups or architectural speakers into your multiroom audio system. This may involve setting up an AV closet or dedicated space to house all equipment, which could require additional build-out if not readily available.
Exploring Your Multi-Room Options
Sonos
- Sonos, the earliest pioneers is synonymous with multiroom audio, offering a wide range of speakers, soundbars, and accessories designed to easilyintegrate into any home.
- Known for its user-friendly app, Sonos allows you to effortlessly control and customize your audio experience, from grouping and ungrouping speakers to accessing various music sources.
- With products like wireless speakers, soundbars, subwoofers and more, Sonos caters to different needs, whether you're looking for compact speakers like the Sonos Five for individual rooms or a robust soundbar like the Sonos Arc for your home theater setup.
- Additionally, Sonos supports a wide range of streaming services and voice assistants, such as Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant.
Audio Pro
- Audio Pro specializes in high-quality wireless speakers known for their premium sound performance and stylish design.
- With products like the Addon C5, and C10, Audio Pro offers flexibility and scalability, allowing you to start small and expand your system as needed.
- The Audio Pro Control app provides intuitive control over your multiroom setup, enabling seamless playback synchronization and access to your favorite music services.
- These come with advanced features like room calibration and dynamic EQ, and more.
Denon's HEOS
- Denon's HEOS ecosystem encompasses a diverse range of wireless speakers, soundbars, and AV receivers designed to deliver audio throughout your home.
- HEOS speakers like the HEOS 5, 7, and HomeCinema HS2 offer powerful sound and versatile connectivity options, including WiFi, Bluetooth, and auxiliary inputs.
- With the HEOS app, you can easily manage and control your multiroom audio system, create custom playlists, and access popular streaming services like Spotify, Pandora, and Tidal.
- Denon's HEOS technology seamlessly integrates with compatible Denon and Marantz AV receivers, allowing you to incorporate your existing home theater setup into your multiroom audio ecosystem.
Exploring the Sonos Ecosystem
Sonos was founded by John MacFarlane, Trung Mai, Thomas Cullen, and Craig Shelburne in Santa Barbara, California. The aim was simple: help music lovers play any song from any room in their homes. This was a bold vision at the time. It's no surprise that companies like Amazon, Bose, Audio Pro, Denon, LG, and Google have since got in on the act.
Sonos uses your WiFi to play music from Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music, among other streaming services, but you can also stream radio, podcasts, and audiobooks to your speaker. Sonos also allows for native app control. This means that you will be able to control your speakers through your favorite music app. If you prefer your current music app and don't want to be limited by the Sonos app, this is a neat feature. Native app control is currently available for Spotify, Deezer, Tidal, and Audible, and will soon support more streaming apps.
Sonos also supports Apple Music's Spatial Audio feature. So, if you have an Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, or Tidal subscription, you can listen to Dolby Atmos spatial audio tracks with Sonos speakers if you have a Sonos Era 300, Sonos Arc, or Sonos Beam (Gen 2).
Sonos Product Range:
Soundbars
Sonos Soundbars can significantly improve your audio experience if you like watching movies, TV shows, or streaming content. You can enjoy a clutter free home theater experience without worrying about cables running through your room or any extra speaker components.
Subwoofers
For those looking to upgrade their Sonos ecosystem with enhanced bass, Sonos offers two options: the Sonos Sub Mini and the Sub Gen 3, catering to varying needs. In smaller spaces, the Sonos Sub Mini delivers a punchy bass response, while the Sub Gen 3 is ideal for larger rooms, providing deep, room-filling bass. Whether for music aficionados or home theater enthusiasts, these subwoofers accomodate the needs of both.
Indoor Speakers
Sonos Smart Home Speakers are an excellent choice if you already have a smart home environment and want to smoothly incorporate high-quality audio. If you're trying to automate your house and simplify your daily tasks. You can manage many aspects of your home, including lighting, temperature, and audio, using voice commands or pre-programmed routines.
Portable Speakers
If you like to spend time outside, you can take your favorite music with you everywhere you go by using a Sonos portable speaker. For frequent travelers, a portable speaker that delivers excellent sound quality can enhance your experience in a hotel or on your vacation. They are great for hosting events like parties and gatherings. You can set up a multi-room audio system so that you can fill your space with synchronized music.
The all-new Sonos Move 2 is based on the Sonos Move, which has been given an all-round upgrade with double the battery life, impressive stereo sound, and new touch controls. While the Move 2 has been out for a while, there's no news or any sign of it touching down in India anytime soon. Keep an eye out for this space for updates on when we can expect the Sonos Move 2 to launch in India.
Miscellaneous
We've also curated custom Sonos packages tailored to your specific needs, requirements, and budget preferences. We understand that choosing the right components for your audio setup can be daunting, so we've simplified the process by assembling packages designed to meet various preferences and usage scenarios.
Exploring the Audio Pro Ecosystem
Audio Pro, headquartered in Helsingborg, Sweden, was established in 1978. Specializing in premium active speakers for home use, the company swiftly adapted to evolving listening trends in the 21st century by introducing innovative wireless speakers and streaming music support.
Today, Audio Pro exclusively produces wireless speakers, holding a formidable market presence in Sweden and the Nordics. Notably, their global reach expanded from 30 to 45 countries between 2013 and 2018. Noteworthy among their recent offerings is the acclaimed Addon series, featuring the pioneering Bluetooth speaker Addon T10 and versatile multiroom speakers Addon C5 and C10, garnering accolades such as the Ljud & Bild magazine's best wireless speaker in 2013 and consistent recognition in the What Hi-Fi? Awards category for wireless speakers from 2015 to 2017.
Audio Pro Product Range:
Exploring the HEOS Ecosystem
HEOS is a proprietary wireless ecosystem integrated into Denon products, for seamless music streaming from various services directly with your device.
Through HEOS Built-in, you can effortlessly group devices to share content across multiple rooms wirelessly, supporting up to 64 zones without compromising audio quality. Control is simplified with the HEOS app, available on both the App Store and Google Play. Denon's entire product line, including AV receivers and hi-fi systems, often incorporates HEOS, typically denoted by an "H" in the model number.
With the Denon Home product line, speakers can be wirelessly linked for stereo pairing or combined with a soundbar and subwoofer to create a complete 5.1 surround system, all managed through the intuitive HEOS app interface.