The update makes the full range of Bluesound 2i speakers, including the Pulse Soundbar 2i, compatible with Apple Airplay 2. The system can also output TV audio wirelessly from Apple TV.
Airplay 2 on Bluesound 2i
Airplay 2 is Apple’s wireless audio protocol that enables multiroom, wireless TV audio from Apple, Siri voice control, and more. It is already implemented in speakers from Apple, B&O, Libratone, and Sonos, and allows users to mix speakers from different brands.
With the update, Airplay 2 will be enabled on Bluesound’s Pulse 2i, Pulse Mini 2i, Pulse Flex 2i, Pulse Soundbar 2i, Node 2i, Powernode 2i, and Vault 2i.
- “From streaming music to a Node 2i in a hi-fi system to driving the latest Netflix movie soundtrack to a Pulse Soundbar 2i, Airplay 2 seamlessly integrates the power of iOS devices with the high-fidelity audio performance of Bluesound. Multiple Bluesound Gen 2i players can synchronously play the same stream, or users can opt to push different content to individual players around the home,” the company explained.
In recent years, several companies have introduced wireless audio protocols but most focus on multiroom music playback. Airplay 2 also enables wireless TV audio.
As an example, Airplay 2 lets you output wireless TV audio from iTunes or Netflix on Apple TV to the Bluesound Pulse Soundbar 2i.
The Airplay 2 update started rolling out yesterday. It can be installed via the company’s smartphone app. Airplay 2 is only compatible with the second generation (Gen 2i) Bluesound speakers.
