Belkin Launches Soundform Connect Audio Adapter to Add AirPlay 2 to Standard Speakers

[MacRumors]

Belkin today announced the launch of the new Belkin Soundform Connect Audio Adapter with AirPlay 2 support, which is designed to turn any traditional stereo speaker into an AirPlay 2-enabled speaker.

The Soundform Connect can be connected to any powered speaker or sound system using an optical or 3.5mm headphone jack. A speaker connected to the Soundform Connect can be used like any standard AirPlay 2 speaker for AirPlaying audio, with all of the AirPlay 2 features available.

Those with traditional speakers can use the Soundform Connect to gain multi-room audio with other AirPlay 2 speakers, and can use Siri to do things like control the volume. Speakers connected to the Soundform Connect are HomeKit-enabled, viewable in the Home app, and able to be used in scenes and automations.

Belkin says that the Soundform Connect is compatible with any existing powered speaker or receiver that accepts optical or 3.5mm input.

The Soundform Connect Audio Adapter can be purchased from the Belkin website for $99.99.

Article Link: Belkin Launches Soundform Connect Audio Adapter to Add AirPlay 2 to Standard Speakers

 

[robotica]

Apple should have added this into the HomePod mini. Would have been an instant buy for me.

 

[christian.terra]

I'm not seeing this on the Belkin website.

 

[Kobekes]

AirPort Express without the WiFi advantages (and USB port)?

 

[schlitzz]

Waiting for some douche to try this with a cheap Pyle amplifier.

 

[CJM]

DAC chip used? How much power? etc. etc.

 

[symphony]

AirPort Express without the WiFi advantages (and USB port)?

I’m hoping the volume doesn’t revert back to default like it does with AirPlay 2 on every AirPort Express of mine, and less buggy too

 

[Rychiar]

airplay 2 multiroom audio has only ever worked for me with multiple HomePods. if I tie my home theater into it the audio is always out of sync

 

[kakgungor]

I’m assuming the answer to this is no, but does this have an Ethernet port or does it rely on Wi-Fi?

Edit: confirmed that it does not have Ethernet ? so this is not the holy grail AirportExpress replacement I’ve been waiting for.

AirPlay 2 Audio Adapter with Optical + 3.5mm | Belkin US

Our Audio Adapter with AirPlay 2 is a plug-and-play way to wirelessly stream from your iOS device to any speaker with an optical or 3.5mm input. Shop now.

www.belkin.com

 

[JDHiro]

DAC chip used? How much power? etc. etc.

I would imagine that the optical out uses no DAC, and the 3.5mm is line level output only - you need external amplification.

 

[munpip214]

AirPort Express without the WiFi advantages (and USB port)?

Probably doesn’t have the limited memory issues. Airport express only barely works.

 

[robotica]

I would imagine that the optical out uses no DAC, and the 3.5mm is line level output only - you need external amplification.

There is still an digital to analogue conversion going on for the 3.5mm output. I think that’s what he was asking

 

[consumerDan]

So if I wanted to install in ceiling speakers in different rooms is there any in ceiling speaker solution that I could use this with? Obviously most in ceiling/wall speakers have to be powered by an amplifier, but trying to see how to implement a multi room audio solution that utilizes AirPlay 2 without a bunch of amps everywhere for individual AirPlay 2 endpoints...

Suggestions?

 

[Devnul0]

Belkin can have my money, I've been waiting for something like this. Right now I have ATV4K → TV → HDMI return → Stereo which means if I want to listen to music from my iTunes library, or stream anything via AirPlay, I have to have the TV on. I can use the optical connector on this device and go straight into the stereo and then tell my desktop Mac to AirPlay to it and get music without the TV on. The other solution would be a lot more expensive, and that would be to update the stereo to support 4K HDMI (with all the bells and whistles) passthru, and have all my inputs feed into the stereo.

I can also use one to feed into the outside deck sound system, which currently is based on an ancient Airport Express that I can't even reconfigure any more.

A question that comes to mind: if I tell Homekit it's in the Living Room, but the ATV is in the Living Room, will Siri lose her mind if I say to adjust the volume in the Living Room? Will I have to refer by device instead of room?

 

[incoherent_1]

Given how spotty Airplay is on OEM Apple products and premium brand speakers, I don’t have a lot of hope for this dongle but I do hope to be proven wrong.

 

[KrisLord]

Ooh this looks good.

I currently use a raspberry li to do something similar but that’s not airplay 2.

 

[stratmancj]

Waiting for some douche to try this with a cheap Pyle amplifier.

I have 3 setups like this currently with Airport Expresses ... AirPort Express keep bringing down my network, can't wait to switch over to this setup.

 

[icanhazapple]

I don't get this - other than the optical audio, you can do this with an Airport Express for much cheaper.

 

[ClockWork72]

At $99 not very compelling, now if it was closer to $50 then that would put it closer to what an airport express is going for currently. Let’s see it might have some specs that make it a better option.

 

[seek3r]

I use shairpoint-sync for airplay on raspberry pi zeros for this in general. No support for A2 yet, but I know it's progressing, rather just wait than spend a few hundred dollars to replace my rPis with this

 

[neoelectronaut]

Awesome, now I can finally retire my flaky AF Airport Express.

 

[currocj]

I'm not seeing this on the Belkin website.

AirPlay 2 Audio Adapter with Optical + 3.5mm | Belkin US

Our Audio Adapter with AirPlay 2 is a plug-and-play way to wirelessly stream from your iOS device to any speaker with an optical or 3.5mm input. Shop now.

www.belkin.com

 

[Nozuka]

airplay 2 multiroom audio has only ever worked for me with multiple HomePods. if I tie my home theater into it the audio is always out of sync

works fine for me. but then again, all of my devices are from the same manufacturer. (Sonos)

 

[bsbeamer]

If all the ports were on one side of this, it would make for a much cleaner setup.

 

[Pupi]

This seems like a nice product, overpriced for a bare adapter, but no competition so…