Jordan O'BrienAirPlay 2 is officially available as part of iOS 11.4, but thus far users can only use an Apple HomePod speaker to take advantage of the iPhone maker’s multi-room audio system. Thankfully, it won’t be like that forever – as a variety of manufacturers have already announced their intentions to support the technology.
CE Pro Europe has rounded up all the speaker manufacturers that have thus far confirmed which models will be getting AirPlay 2 and listed them below. Do note that there will be more speakers from other manufacturers as time passes, and we’ll update this list when we hear more.
Bang & Olufsen
Bang & Olufsen is a big name in the custom installation market, thanks to their high-end products both looking and sounding great. Thankfully, no matter which Bang & Olufsen speaker you acquire for your next project, it will likely be able to take advantage of AirPlay 2 one way or another.
The most desirable Bang & Olufsen speakers, such as the Beolab 90, Beolab 50, and Beolab 20 won’t support AirPlay 2 out of the box, but users can still take advantage of the technology. That’s because those speakers can be connected to the powerful BeoSound Core, which is a small hub designed to future-proof speakers by adding advanced functionality like AirPlay 2 and Chromecast.
Those with other Bang & Olufsen speakers may not need the BeoSound Core to take advantage of Apple’s multi-room technology. AirPlay 2 has been confirmed for the following Bang & Olufsen speakers:
- Beoplay A6
- Beoplay A9 mk2
- Beoplay M3
- BeoSound 1
- BeoSound 2
- BeoSound 35
- BeoSound Core
- BeoSound Essence mk2
- BeoVision Eclipse (audio only)
Denon
Denon may be supporting AirPlay 2, but it won’t be on its HEOS line-up
Denon famously offers its own multi-room speaker range in the form of HEOS, but those speakers won’t be getting AirPlay 2 support. That’s not overly surprising, the speakers also didn’t support the original version of AirPlay, with Denon being content on restricting its multi-room system to its proprietary technology.
That doesn’t mean Denon doesn’t see any value in AirPlay 2. In fact, three yet to be released AVRs will be getting the technology when they go on sale later this year. Those new models are:
- Denon AVR-X3500H
- Denon AVR-X4500H
- Denon AVR-X6500H
CE Pro Europe will have more information on these new models as they’re released.
Libratone
While the Libratone Loop was an attractive speaker for the home, the company has since shifted focus onto portable products. That means users with a Loop will sadly have to do without AirPlay 2 support, at least the foreseeable future. Fortunately, those with Libratone’s portable products will receive the multi-room functionality, however.
Libratone has confirmed that the following speakers will be receiving the AirPlay 2 update:
- Libratone Zipp
- Libratone Zipp Mini
Marantz
Denon’s sister company, Marantz, is also keen to add AirPlay 2 to its range of products. In fact, Marantz has thus far announced seven products that will boast AirPlay 2 support, including a few models that have yet to be announced.
The Marantz AV7705 AV preamp/processor is one product that has yet to be introduced to the market, but it has already been confirmed that it will receive AirPlay 2. This model’s bigger brother, the AV8805, was the world’s first 13.2 channel full 4K Ultra HD network AV surround pre-amplifier with HEOS, but it looks like it won’t be getting AirPlay 2. Thankfully, the AV7705 will.
Another Marantz product that has yet to be officially announced, the NA6006 digital media player will be receiving AirPlay 2 support. Its predecessor, the NA6005 was well-received for its versatility, while this new model will likely be even more versatile thanks to the addition of AirPlay 2.
Just last week Marantz announced two new slimline AV amps, the NR1609 and NR1509. While both those models boasted HEOS multi-room support and Alexa voice control, for some users it will be the AirPlay 2 functionality that will be the real deal.
Not content on Denon having the only AVRs on the market with AirPlay 2 support, Marantz will introduce three models with the technology. These include the yet to be announced SR5013, SR6013, and SR7013.
Naim
What’s in a Naim? Well, for these eight models, it’s AirPlay 2 support. That’s because the UK-based audio manufacturer has announced that a wide range of its products will be compatible with Apple’s multi-room ecosystem.
Naim’s entire Uniti range of all-in-one music players are set to receive AirPlay 2. That includes the Uniti Nova, Uniti Atom, and Uniti Star. It would be surprising to see an ‘all-in-one’ music player to lack Apple’s latest streaming technology, so it’s good to see these products get the update.
That would explain why Naim has also announced that its Mu-so range will also be getting the technology. Arguably the best-designed Naim products on the market, the Mu-so and Mu-so QB support just about every streaming technology known to man. That includes Spotify Connect, Bluetooth/aptX, and now AirPlay 2.
Naim’s network players, the ND 555, ND5 XS 2, and NDX 2 are also on the cards to receive the tech.
Sonos
The most surprising manufacturer to go all-in with AirPlay 2 is Sonos. Despite having its own proprietary multi-room technology, the speaker manufacturer has announced a total of three models that will be supporting Apple’s tech. This could soon rise to four, as Sonos is planning a home theatre event for June 6.
For now, Sonos has announced the following speakers will receive the update:
- Sonos One
- Sonos Play:5
- Sonos Playbase
Other Manufacturers
The above list are not the only manufacturers offering support for AirPlay 2, it’s just the other companies have yet to confirm which models will be receiving the multi-room technology. That includes the following firms:
- Beats (an Apple-owned company)
- Bluesound
- Bose (we may learn more about Bose’s support at its June 20 event)
- Bowers & Wilkins
- Definitive Technology
- Devialet
- Dynaudio
- McIntosh
- Polk Audio