Jordan O'BrienProducts supporting the DTS Play-Fi ecosystem will now be compatible with Apple’s AirPlay 2 streaming platform. This means that users will be able to cast audio to these devices using Siri on an iPhone, iPad, Mac or even Apple HomePod. While the feature will be available on a myriad of DTS Play-Fi products later in the year, it’s currently only been confirmed for two – the McIntosh RS200 and Arcam rPlay.
AirPlay 2 support on the McIntosh RS200 adds yet more functionality to this already quite capable wireless speaker. The speaker itself offers 650 Watts of total power that is delivered to eight drivers consisting of two 4in x 6in woofers, four 2in midranges and two ¾in tweeters. In addition, a subwoofer output is included to connect an external powered subwoofer to further enhance low frequencies. That’s in contrast to the Arcam rPlay, which is not a speaker in itself but one that can add functionality to AVRs and speakers that may not support wireless audio formats or AirPlay 2. The Arcam rPlay can connect wirelessly to any speaker in the DTS Play-Fi ecosystem, or it can be linked up to an AVR through the included SPDIF output. Once hooked up, users will be able to stream using AirPlay to any device the Arcam rPlay is connected to.
“We are thrilled to bring AirPlay 2 into the DTS Play-Fi experience,” said Dannie Lau, general manager, DTS Play-Fi.
“With this new ability, our partners can better service Apple users with a feature set that meets their expectations for interoperability with the products they love.”
The DTS Play-Fi ecosystem features a large collection of products in the whole-home wireless audio space, with more than 200 interoperable speakers, soundbars, set-top boxes, and AV receivers from big names in the audio industry. While it has yet to be confirmed which audio makers will add AirPlay 2 support, the DTS Play-Fi ecosystem includes brands such as Aerix, Anthem, Arcam, Audiolab, Definitive Technology, DISH TV, Elite, Integra, Fusion Research, Klipsch, MartinLogan, McIntosh, Mission, Onkyo, Paradigm, Phorus, Pioneer, Polk Audio, Quad, Rotel, Sonus Faber, Soundcast, SVS Sound, Wharfedale, and Wren Sound.
With the addition of AirPlay 2 support, the DTS Play-Fi ecosystem is now not just controllable through Siri, but also using Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant. That gives users choice in terms of which digital assistant they want to use to stream music to the myriad of DTS Play-Fi devices.
Charlie Randall, CEO of McIntosh, commented, “Supporting AirPlay 2 and Works with Alexa in the RS200 offers choice to our customers with music assistant control. Integrating these protocols with DTS Play-Fi gives the RS200 a sophisticated set of streaming capabilities unmatched by our competitors.”