A computer engineer by degree, Varun has 7+ years of experience in the field of technology. After his stints at Beebom and MrPhone, Varun has been covering different facets of technology at Guiding Tech. Here, he contributes to Team GT by helping its readers make better purchases while also understanding the meaning of each feature. In his free time, you can find him sharing his excellent photography skills along with his Aces in Valorant over Twitter.
Updated May 2, 2024 Reviewed & Updated by Prateek PandeyPrateek is an avid gamer and he has a heap of consoles, both old and new. He has been writing about technology and shooting consumer tech videos for almost six years. He was previously tasked with reviewing gadgets at 91Mobiles and MrPhone. When he's not hyper-focusing on a new RPG or talking about tech, he likes to hit the gym to stay on top of his fitness game.
AirPlay receivers are small devices designed to enhance your home audio experience. In this post, we will look at some of the best AirPlay Receivers, which allow you to stream your favorite songs seamlessly to your current speakers or sound system.
The Belkin SoundForm Connect is a budget-friendly way to add AirPlay 2 functionality to your existing speakers. It doesn’t compromise on performance and checks all the essential boxes, including offering support for both iOS and Mac devices.
It is also quite easy to set up. Just connect the SoundForm to power and attach your speaker to it. That’s it. There is no need to juggle through apps and configure different settings. The AirPlay stereo receiver supports 16-bit, 44,100 Hz CD-quality sample rates over AirPlay 2, which should suffice for most casual users.
The WiiM Mini AirPlay2 stands out as a pocket-sized powerhouse. It boasts support for AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and many other streaming services. Compared to the Belkin SoundForm Connect, the WiiM Mini AirPlay2 delivers improved audio output up to 24-bit/192kHz.
As for connectivity, the WiiM Mini AirPlay2 comes with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. Additionally, the optical and 3.5mm audio outputs offer more ways to interface the device with a sound system. The Mini AirPlay2 also works with Alexa and Siri voice assistants. As such, the AirPlay receiver can integrate seamlessly into your smart home, allowing you to play media and control volume with the comfort of your voice.
The WiiM Pro Plus AirPlay 2 Receiver is a great addition to your home if you have several audio systems. Notably, the speaker supports Apple AirPlay and Chromecast Audio and can output audio at up to 24-bit/192kHz.
The device also ships with its own WiiM Voice Remote, which allows you to use your voice to search and control. Additionally, the WiiM Pro Plus supports multi-room audio functionality. You can create a group of speakers comprising your HomePod, Google Home, Alexa devices, or multiple WiiM devices. Once the group is created, you can relay audio to multiple devices at the same time.
The Sony STR-AN1000 is a 7.2-channel A/V Receiver with support for Apple AirPlay. The receiver is compliant with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X codecs and even gets a 360 Spatial Sound Mapping feature. The STR-AN1000 is certified to work with your new or existing Sonos system thanks to its “Works With Sonos” certification.
Regarding connectivity, the STR-AN1000 features HDMI 2.1, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Spotify, Chromecast, and Apple AirPlay. Alternatively, you can also use the Sony Music Center app on your phone to remotely control the device. As for the speakers, you can choose to connect your existing speakers to the A/V receiver or get new wireless speakers and subwoofers for an enhanced audio experience without the cable mess.
The SONOS Amp is a high-end audio receiver geared toward audiophiles. It is comparatively easier to set up and offers powerful amplification amounting to 125 watts per channel. It can integrate into a Sonos ecosystem, allowing users to create a multi-room audio system effortlessly.
The SONOS Amp supports Wi-Fi and Ethernet for online connectivity. You can also interface it with your speakers using the Line-in, HDMI ports, or custom-designed banana plugs. Four different methods can be used to control it: the Sonos app, Apple AirPlay 2 streaming, a touch control panel, or voice prompts. The app offers a handful of customization features, and users can tailor the sound to their specific preferences and adjust the bass, treble, and other audio parameters as well.
