Podcast #1149: Wired vs Wireless Multi-Zone Audio

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast

On this week’s show we discuss the merits of an expensive wired whole home audio streamer vs putting one together with Airplay 2 or Chromecast. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

• YouTube introduces pause ads to TV app
• LG TVs are getting a free audio upgrade that Apple users will absolutely love
• 85% of Amazon Prime Video Subscribers Are on the Ad-Supported Tier
• Samsung's new, cheaper OLED TVs are now available to buy
• EchoStar Loses 348,000 Pay TV Subs in 1st Quarter

Juke+ Audio Streamer

Juke+, as described on their website, is an audio distribution system designed to provide high-quality sound across multiple rooms in a house. It runs about $2,500 and that’s without speakers. So here is our question; do you think it's worth the money when you can put a high end wireless system together including speakers for significantly less money?

First let’s take a look at what the $2500 Juke+ System gets you:

• Audio Quality and Control - The Juke+ system can power 6 audio zones with 12 speaker channels at 100 watts per channel, ensuring pristine audio quality. Users can fine-tune the audio settings in each room through an app-controlled audio equalizer for optimal sound customization.
• Wireless Control - The Juke Audio application enables comprehensive control of the audio system via Android and Apple devices. Various features include playing to any combination of zones, independent volume control for each zone, simultaneous streaming from multiple users/devices, and access through a web interface on PCs.
• All-in-One Solution - The Juke system integrates the functions of powering, controlling, and streaming audio to multiple speaker sets throughout the house, eliminating the need for separate receivers, streamers, or in-wall controllers.
• Airplay 2 Integration - Juke displays connected speaker zones as independent Airplay inputs, facilitating streaming from Apple devices to specific audio zones. Users can group zones directly within the Airplay menu and stream to Juke and other Airplay 2 devices simultaneously, maintaining audio sync.
• Spotify Connect Support - Each connected speaker zone is independently recognized in Spotify, allowing premium users to stream content seamlessly. The Juke app's grouping feature enables setting multi-zone endpoints in Spotify for convenient whole-house or room-specific playback.
• Bluetooth Connectivity - Juke supports Bluetooth streaming from any compatible device, allowing users to play content without relying on a local Wi-Fi network.
• Juke+ provides multiple options to enjoy TV audio through its audio distribution system.
• Wireless Audio from Apple TV via Airplay - You can wirelessly send audio from any app on Apple TV to Juke using Airplay over the Wi-Fi network.
• Bluetooth Connectivity from Compatible Smart TVs - Juke supports receiving audio from compatible Smart TVs via Bluetooth.
• Hardwired Connection from TV to Juke - For a more traditional setup, you can run a hardwired connection from the audio output of your TV back to the Juke system.

Our wireless system consists of a Belkin SoundForm Connect AirPlay 2 Adapter or a Chromecast Audio ($80) and a pair of Audioengine A5+ ($500 per pair) for a grand total of $580 per zone or $3480 for six zones with speakers included! Similar passive speakers from Audioengine cost $400 which would bring a similar system to $4900. A difference of $1420.

Let’s see if you miss anything:

• Audio Quality and Control - You can control each room with any app that plays music on your phone or tablet but you can’t set separate EQ. +1 to Juke+
• Wireless Control - Our system does the same as the Juke+. No advantage to either
• All-in-One Solution - Our system does the same as the Juke+. No advantage to either
• Airplay 2 Integration - If you use the SoundForm you have identical capabilities. However, if you use a Chromecast you have capability that the Juke+ does not have. +1 to our DIY system
• Spotify Connect Support - if you have the Spotify app on your device you essentially have this capability through Airplay or Chromecast. No advantage to either
• Bluetooth Connectivity - The Audioengine A5+ supports AptX while the Juke+ supports Bluetooth 5. +1 to our DIY
• TV Support - identical capabilities. No advantage to either

Our DIY system is better in two categories and equivalent in all others. Room EQ being the only category that the Juke+ is better. Plus you save $1420! Our DIY system is not meant for everyone. Our speakers are harder to discretely place throughout your house. In addition the Juke+ gives you greater choice in speaker selection since you don’t have to limit yourself to powered bookshelf or desktop speakers.

However, you don’t need to buy expensive speakers for all zones. But this applies to both systems. You could also use the Airplay2/Chromecast capability of your receiver to add a zone for essentially no cost and add the ability to EQ a room.

So what do you think? Which system would you choose?