I ’m a big fan of Apple ’s AirPlay technology , which let you stream audio ( and telecasting ) from iTunes on your Mac , or from supported apps on your iPhone , iPad , or iPod touch , to AirPlay - enable gadget around your house . In fact , when streaming from iTunes — or from other Mac apps using Airfoil ( ) — you may post audio recording to multiple equipment at the same time , and even control playback from any iOS equipment using Apple ’s Remote app , making it promiscuous to build a whole - home sound system at a fraction of the monetary value of standardised setups .
Unfortunately , even though AirPlaydebuted back in November 2010 , few audio systems with desegregate AirPlay support have actually been released . ( We recently look back the first , B&W ’s Zeppelin Air [ ] . ) Which think that if you want to take reward of AirPlay to teem your medicine around your firm , it may be gentle to put together your own system .
Here ’s a look at what you need to do , either using an live audio organization or by work up a Modern one from scratch .
Apple’s AirPort Express is AirPlay-ready thanks to its combo digital/analog audio output.
Apple ’s AirPort Express is AirPlay - quick thanks to its combo digital / analog audio output .
Use existing speakers
If you ’ve nonplus an existing stereo system , a set of quality computing machine or powered speakers , or even an iPod / iPhone “ speaker dock ” with an auxiliary - remark jack , all you need is an Apple AirPort Express Base Station ( $ 99 ; ; for analog or digital audio connection ) or second - generation Apple TV ( $ 99 ; ; digital only ) , along with a round-eyed sound recording cable .
Once you ’ve configured the AirPort Express or Apple TV to receive AirPlay cyclosis ( see the Enable AirPlay subdivision , below ) , frame-up is simple . If your existing verbaliser apply an analog - audio connection , only the AirPort Express will work . You just run a standard analog cable — with a 1/8 - inch stereo miniplug on the AirPort Express closing , and either a miniplug or provide / right RCA hack on the other , depending on your stereo ’s audio - input jack(s)—from the AirPort Express ’s sound recording - out jack to that audio input .
If you ’ve got a speaker arrangement — or , more probable , a menage - theater telephone receiver or a dedicated digital - to - analog converter ( DAC)—with an optical - digital audio input , you may employ either an AirPort Express or an Apple TV . You but run an ocular cable from the audio recording - output jack on the Apple TV or AirPort Express to an optical input on your audio system . The Apple TV requires a standardTosLinkconnector ; the AirPort Express uses aMini - TosLinkplug . If you do n’t have the overseas telegram you need , you may pick one up from most electronics stores or — for a lot less money — online from a situation such asMonoprice .
An AirPort express connected to a small desktop amplifier and unpowered speakers (here, Dayton’s DTA-100a and Energy’s CB-5, respectively) is an inexpensive way to create an AirPlay system.
you’re able to control book using the audio organisation ’s own volume ascendancy , or you’re able to set your stereo system at a well-heeled level and then instead use iTunes or your iOS equipment to conform the mass spirit level .
Build your own
If you do n’t already have a skilful sound system , or you ’ve been thinking about buying a new one for AirPlay use , you ’ve got plenty of options , admit buying a full - size of it stereo system or a bookshelf / mini stereo scheme . But if you ’ll be using this system mainly for AirPlay — in other word , you do n’t take all the bells and whistles of a multi - function stereo — you might consider , in the spirit of my old article on work up your own iPod stereo , commit together your own heavyset AirPlay - audio frequency organisation .
An AirPort express join to a small desktop amplifier and unpowered speaker ( here , Dayton ’s DTA-100a and Energy ’s CB-5 , respectively ) is an inexpensive style to produce an AirPlay system .
Such a organization consists of a compact , low - baron amplifier , a curing of quality bookshelf speaker , and an AirPort Express . The DIY path has the vantage of being smaller and less blazing than a traditional stereophony , while likely giving you well effectual lineament than computer or docking speakers , thanks to ( with some savvy shopping ) undecomposed speakers and the capableness to circularise the loudspeaker farther apart for better stereo breakup . Depending on your constituent , it can also be surprisingly inexpensive .
One of the simplest AirPlay systems uses self-powered speakers (such as Audioengine’s A5, shown here) paired with an AirPort Express.
Your amplifier options are legion . I urge a Class thymine ampere , which will in general give you 10 to 50 watts of effective power in a tiny software . A couple self-colored options are Amphony ’s diminutive , 40 - wattModel 200 microFidelity miniskirt Amplifier($69 ) and Dayton Audio ’s 50 - watt ( and more polished)DTA-100a($130 ) . If you want a step up in character , Audioengine’sAudioengine N22($199 ) practice course - A / type B gain and higher - end components .
For loudspeaker , you ’ll desire bookshelf models that offer quality audio at a reasonable cost . On the extreme - budget end , consider Energy’sCB-5 Bookshelf Speakers(listed at $ 180 , butavailable on Amazon.com , where they regularly sell for around $ 85 a pair ) . For a bit more , you could get Dayton Audio’sBR-1S($169 a pair ) , or for a big step up in thickset tone , there ’s Paradigm’sAtom Monitor($250 a pair ) and PSB’sAlpha B1($279 a pair ) .
apparatus here is likewise well-to-do : You just connect the speakers to your amplifier using standard speaker cable , then get in touch your AirPort Express to the amplifier as described above .
The in-between route
If you ’re redact together a new system but you do n’t require the hassle of a separate amplifier and speakers , there ’s one other pick : A band of gamy - calibre , self - powered speakers . One of our favorite AirPlay systems is an AirPort Express paired with Audioengine ’s A5 power speakers ( $ 349 ; $ 449 for bamboo model ) . These ego - powered speaker voice shockingly good and are beautifully designed , and — especially convenient for our determination — the right - hand speaker includes an AC - power issue on the back that ’s perfect for host an AirPort Express . Just run a short transmission line between the Express and the A5 ’s audio - stimulation jack and you ’re ready to go .
One of the simplest AirPlay systems uses ego - powered speakers ( such as Audioengine ’s A5 , shown here ) match with an AirPort Express .
Enable AirPlay
To stream audio frequency to an AirPort Express or Apple TV , you must first connect the twist to your web , then you must enable AirPlay on it . On an Apple TV ( second - multiplication only ) , go to the options carte , take AirPlay , and then verify the AirPlay selection is place to On . If you ’d care to give the Apple idiot box a more - descriptive name — the name that will appear in the AirPlay bill of fare in iTunes and iOS apps — you may do that in the General screen of preferences .
For an AirPort Express , you must set in motion AirPort Utility ( in / Applications / Utilities ) , choose the AirPort Express , and then snap Manual Setup . Click the Music picture in the toolbar , and then tick off the box next to Enable AirTunes . you could also rename the AirPort Express here .
On either unit , you could prefer to set an AirPlay parole so that anyone who wants to stream audio to the Apple TV or AirPort Express must allow for that password . If your Apple TV or AirPort Express is in a public area — or even an flat building or condo , where neighbors might be tempt to commandeer it — a password is a wise estimation .
Music in the air
Once you ’re all set up , streaming audio to your fresh system is well-off . In iTunes , you click the AirPlay button ( the Speakers pop up - up card in older versions of iTunes ) in the lower - correct corner of the iTunes window , and then choose the AirPort Express or Apple TV as the terminus . To mail audio recording to multiple AirPlay - outfit devices , take Multiple Speakers . In an AirPlay - enabled iOS app , you just snap the AirPlay clit and choose the destination . ( When rain cats and dogs sound from an iOS app , you’re able to currently choose only a individual AirPlay name and address at a time . ) deform on your audio system , check that it ’s sic to the correct input ( if it has more than one ) , and sit down back and enjoy the conjuring trick of wireless audio .
update at 9:45am to let in mention of Apple ’s Remote Io app and to even up link and Leontyne Price of Dayton verbaliser .
