A retrospective
Sonos: The first to support Dolby Atmos, and the localized app for streaming platforms is excellent
The author of this article owns 4 Sonos products, including Play 3, Play 5, and Era 300
Now that we've talked about the use of universal software for multi-room music transmission, let's talk about the multi-room music control system owned by a single brand/audio group. The first one to talk about is Sonos.
I was one of the first users of Sonos in China, having used Play 3, Play 5, Bridge, and the recently added Era 300, so I still have two parallel apps on my phone (Sonos and Sonos S1 for older systems). That thing is so good that it still works more than 10 years ago. However, after using the Era 300, it is obvious that there is "no going back", because the new version supports AirPlay2 and Dolby Atmos is supported on the hardware......
For users, Sonos can be set up in different rooms, whether it's a single multi-room speaker or a home theater system in a space like a living room. Sonos' current home theater offerings include the Soundbar (Beam 2, Arc, or Ray) connected to the Sub Mini (or Sub) powered subwoofer and the One (or One SL), which can be used as a stand-alone multi-room speaker or as a home theater surround speaker. It's all very easy to set up on the app. Individual multi-room speakers, such as the Era 300 or earlier Play 5, can also be stereo paired, making it easy for users to add speakers over time. In addition, Sonos's SonosNet network can allow speakers to "relay transmission" to each other in areas that are not covered by Wi-Fi, which is of practical significance for relatively empty villa families in the United States.
Sonos' product interface, including audio compression, spatial music, and more
Since entering the Chinese market, Sonos may be one of the best brands in localization, especially the built-in streaming app, which can be used in the domestic market, in addition to Apple Music, QQ Music, Phoenix FM, Himalaya FM, NetEase Cloud Music, Lychee and Kuwo Music, in addition to its own Sonos Radio. However, in response to the peculiarities of streaming platforms themselves, such as changes in music push strategies, this process is also constantly changing. For example, QQ Music, in recent years, has made various restrictions on the retrieval in the Sonos app, and sometimes it has to use AirPlay2 or QQ Music's built-in "device delivery" for transmission (for Android users). Personally, I currently have two memberships - Apple Music and QQ Music, the latter of which is mostly pushed via AirPlay2 (which is why I had to add support for the new AirPlay2 model).
The old and new apps and the streaming app interface for Sonoos
For integrators, if you need a fully concealed solution, there's a solution for Sonos AMP+Sonance ceiling speakers. AMP's built-in amplifier can drive passive Sonance ceiling speakers, and it also comes with a built-in system that can be controlled via the Sonos app and connected to your home's existing Sonos network.
Add Sonos AMP+Sonance in-ceiling speakers for a fully hidden solution
HEOS:始于Denon,如今获得Masimo Audio全品牌支持
支持HEOS的Denon Soundbar
HEOS stands for Home Entertainment Operating System, which was launched by Denon as the control software for its wireless speakers, and has since evolved into a built-in streaming application and a multi-room music system. As a result of its success in this field, HEOS is now being used in various brands of the parent company Masimo Audio, the more common ones being Denon and Marantz, and the applications include not only wireless speakers and soundbars, but also the standard equipment of "fist products" AV amplifiers and Hi-Fi products that have attracted much attention in recent years. For example, Definitive Technology's soundbar products also have built-in HEOS functionality.
Similar to the aforementioned DTS Play-Fi and Sonos, it can be used not only for wireless music transmission, but also as wireless surround sound.
HEOS Logo
HEOS App operation interface
Beolink Multiroom和Beoconnect Core:将B&O音响串联在一起
Beolink Multiroom操作界面
B&O's multiroom system, Beolink Multiroom, is integrated into the Bang & Olufsen app. Speakers can be added when making sure that the mobile terminal is in the same Wi-Fi as the B&O networkable product. On the corresponding speaker page, you can also control Beosonic's equalization, including preferences, and you can also set them to different rooms, such as bedrooms and other spaces, and naturally there is also a stereo pairing function. As for its "party mode", you can synchronize the same music to all the B&O speakers in all rooms.
Beoconnect Core集线器
For B&O products that didn't previously have wireless transmission capabilities, such as older TVs or Beogram turntables, B&O's Beoconnect Core hub, which launched in March this year, can stream music to it, which in turn wirelessly transmits to other B&O speakers that support multi-room music and wireless connectivity.
Wireless transmission gives B&O products more charm
StreamMagic Module: Cambridge Audio's exclusive streaming/multi-room platform
CXN100 with support for the fourth generation of StreamMagic modules
Cambridge Audio has been offering streaming players or all-in-one all-in-one consoles since 2011. The software and applications have been developed to allow users to use the module called StreamMagic, whether they are streaming music, transferring music from a mobile terminal via Airplay or Chromecast built-in, or browsing audio files on the NAS. It includes the corresponding functions embedded in the hardware and the app application on the mobile terminal. Launched in 2023, Cambridge Audio has been built on the fourth-generation StreamMagic module.
StreamMagic界面
Cambridge Audio's insistence on building in-house is because they believe that only on a software platform that they design themselves will be able to adapt more flexibly to a wide range of media formats, streaming services, and future technology changes, and provide quick and easy feedback that will work with their own user interface.
StreamMagic逐渐成为Cambridge Audio的标配
Audio Pro Multiroom：
Audio Pro launches its own multi-room system
Audio Pro is a Swedish audio brand with a history of more than 40 years. In our perception, it is "a lot like" to Sonos. Audio Pro divides its wireless products into Bluetooth and Multiroom, and includes wireless speakers, active floorstanding speakers, and multiroom players...... Among the wireless speakers, there are not only retro-shaped Bluetooth speakers, but also modern shapes similar to Sonos Play1, and also include traditional floor-standing boxes and bookshelf boxes.
Audio Pro Control的App界面
All wireless products can be controlled via the Audio Pro Control app, but functionality varies. It's like two apps, Sonos and Sonos S1 (the latter is only for older products). Newer models can be fully integrated with Multiroom functionality, but can also be controlled using the Apple Home (AirPlay2) and Google Home apps, and some can also support voice control. It also has products such as Link-2 (Port), which can transmit music to other multiroom-enabled speakers through wireless transmission after connecting with the old system at home.
Link-2 (Port) for connection to conventional speakers
"Squeeze" the potential of multi-channel AV amplifiers and make use of the Zone function
When the surround sound format moves from 5.1 to 7.1 channels, there is a "small" change in the AV amplifier, that is, the number of channels increases. To this day, 7.1 has been adopted as standard, and 9-channel and even 15-channel amplifiers (Denon AVC-A1H) have appeared one after another, not to mention that some Hi-End brands have launched a single 16-channel amplifier (Trinnov Amplitude16).
But for most users, they don't necessarily use that many channels, especially in the living room theater. A 7.1-channel AV amplifier may only use 5.1 channels, so the 2-channel post-amplifier is actually idle. Some 9.1-channel AV amplifiers may have 4 channels idle. What's more, in recent years, there are still users who choose not to install surround speakers, and use 3.1 channels to virtualize 5.1 or even panoramic sound, so what about the extra amplifier out of thin air? In fact, AV amplifier manufacturers have long considered this problem, that is, Zone2 or even Zone3.
NAD T758V3i back, you can see the input of Zone2
In addition to after-installation users, many front-installation users will consider the construction of home theater at the same time when decorating the house, so they will pre-embed speaker cables. The embedded speaker cable is not only used for surround speakers, but can also be embedded in other rooms in the home, such as bedrooms or study, so when the 7.1-channel AV amplifier is only used for 5.1 channels in the living room, the extra 2-channel amplifier can be transmitted to the stereo speaker in the study through Zone2. Yes, as long as you plan ahead, you can always make the most of it!
Based on our observations, not only the "Big Kong" such as Denon, Marantz, Onkyo, and Yamaha (but also affiliated brands such as Pioneer and Integra) have done so, but brands such as NAD and Arcam have similar designs, which seems to be very popular.
Main/Secondary Zone (Zone2) Wiring Diagram
However, this approach has its limitations, and it is also a stopgap measure before streaming/wireless multi-room music is fully popular, and it requires pre-wiring and is relatively cumbersome. Therefore, we believe that this is just a solution to make use of the excess channel number of AV amplifiers.
Plugging in wireless wings for traditional speakers
Now, let's think about it from a different angle, that is, how to connect traditional speakers to a wireless network?
Sonos Port that lets traditional speakers play wirelessly
For example, what if you want to wirelessly push music from a CD player or vinyl turntable in a living room cinema/Hi-Fi system to the bedroom? The Zone2 solution means that a wired connection to the bedroom is required to drive a pair of passive speakers. Sonos Port can build a wireless solution that connects the analog output of a vinyl turntable directly to the port's analog input, and uses an app to control it so you can hear vinyl music on your Sonos speaker in your bedroom. Similarly, its analog output can be connected to an AV amplifier in the living room, so streaming music from the Sonos app, such as Apple Music, can be streamed to the AV amplifier and played in the living room. Yes, you've got another streaming player.
It is also possible to play music in multiple rooms through Port
Conclusion: Each has its own wonderful, and the future of multi-room music can be expected
What are the characteristics of wireless multi-room music?Wireless, especially through wireless networks such as Wi-Fi, for the transmission of music/data. Compared to the previous wired connection, the convenience is self-evident, and the absence of wiring also makes the placement of speakers/speakers more flexible. Because in the past, wiring not only had to consider the length of the cable, but also the "stuck position", once the position needs to be adjusted, the original point may no longer be usable. Of course, some people will worry about the stability and bandwidth of the Wi-Fi network itself, especially now that there are more and more wireless access devices in the home, but this is obviously an easier problem to solve, after all, the wireless router itself is also constantly improving.
With the ubiquity of smartphones and the ease of app-based operation, we are sure to be able to accept just "pointing" to switch between music, or play different music for different rooms. In terms of user experience, it's better than running to every room to turn on/off the speakers. In addition, regardless of AirPlay, DTS Play-Fi, and BluOS, the evolution of the user interface is obvious, including the settings of different rooms, etc., at a glance. The apps themselves are constantly being updated, and their performance and functions can be improved along with technological advancements. The transition from AirPlay to AirPlay 2 is a clear example of this, and this "AirPlay" technology has changed qualitatively.
What do you think of the "closed" systems developed by those audio brands?
First of all, it is necessary to affirm their contribution to their own products, their own systems are sometimes not as simple as simply trying to achieve a "closed loop", the brand may be in order to better serve customers, when the operating system is in their own hands, it is easier to use new functions quickly through their own technical development, rather than waiting for the emergence of the "public" system.
Secondly, although each family has its own system, some multi-room functions can be completed with the help of third-party apps. For example, in addition to its own App, Sonos also supports AirPlay2 playback, or QQ Music's built-in device delivery. As far as the latter is concerned, due to the closed nature of QQ Music, I find it more convenient than using the Sonos App.
During the production of this feature, we found that many brands were developing their own streaming/multi-room apps, but others were gradually withdrawing, such as the Bose SoundTouch, which was once a selling point. Of course, this is not a bad thing, because the emergence of apps such as AirPlay2 can easily replace them, and also reduce the cost of secondary learning for users.
At the end of the topic, we must also explain that there are other forms of multi-room music transmission, such as through intelligent control systems. This is also a lot of smart home, and later into the field of home theater custom installation integrators, they are extremely good at the scope of work, considering the different topics and space limitations, this article is not mentioned.
//
End of serialization