Streaming

AirPlay 2

TL;DR

AirPlay 2 is Apple's wireless audio streaming protocol built into iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. Supports lossless streaming to compatible speakers, multi-room sync, and Siri voice control.

AirPlay 2 is Apple’s Wi-Fi audio streaming protocol – not Bluetooth. Because it uses Wi-Fi, it can transmit at bit-perfect quality (up to 16-bit / 44.1 kHz CD-quality) without Bluetooth compression.

What it enables

  • Stream from any Apple device (iPhone, iPad, Mac) to compatible speakers
  • Multi-room synchronized playback
  • Siri voice control
  • Handoff between rooms without interrupting playback

Budget hi-fi with AirPlay 2

The Fosi Audio S3 HiFi Streamer includes AirPlay 2 – rare at sub-$300. Otherwise you need WiiM Ultra, Sonos, HomePod, or similar.

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