What is multiroom?
Multiroom is the ability to play the same music on multiple audio systems, in multiple different rooms, and simultaneously. These systems can be wired, but today, wireless is preferred because it is much easier to set up.
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How to do multi-brand multiroom?
Not all multiroom devices are compatible with each other, there are a multitude of proprietary protocols that only accept multiroom between products of the same brand. This is a problem encountered by many people who own several systems of different brands, which they do not want to part with, but who nevertheless wish to be able to enjoy multiroom. Fortunately today technology allows us to solve this problem, only, depending on the device with which you broadcast and the systems on which you broadcast, the procedure is a little different. In this article, we will see several scenarios and the solutions that can be provided.
Multiroom with AirPlay 2
Apple has simplified multiroom with AirPlay 2 technology. Thanks to it, all Apple products as well as AirPlay 2 compatible devices can broadcast in multiroom. Being an open protocol, many brands have integrated the technology into their products. The condition remains to broadcast from an Apple device (iPhone, Mac, iPad, etc.).
If all your systems are AirPlay 2 compatible, you can already stream in multiroom. If not, you will need to add one or more elements.
For example, if you have multiple AirPlay 2-compatible smart speakers and a non-AirPlay 2-compatible Hi-Fi system, you'll need to add an AirPlay 2-compatible network player, like the Octavio Stream , to integrate the Hi-Fi system into your multi-room system.
Likewise, if you have passive speakers, you can very simply connect them to your other devices in multiroom by adding an AirPlay 2 compatible connected amplifier, such as the Octavio Amp .
How to set up a multiroom system with Airplay 2?
- Make sure all devices are AirPlay 2 compatible.
- Connect all devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
- From your Apple device (iPhone, Mac, etc.), open the AirPlay menu.
- Select the devices you want to stream your music to.
You can adjust the volume of each device independently from this same menu.
Stream in multiroom from an android phone
Since Android does not have an equivalent to AirPlay 2, to broadcast in multiroom, all your systems must operate on a common protocol (from the same brand) to synchronize with each other and be controlled from a single application.
Let's take the example mentioned above: if you have several speakers of different brands as well as a Hi-Fi system, you will need to connect a network player to each speaker and to the Hi-Fi system. Then, you can group them via the common control application to enjoy multiroom. Similarly, you can connect network players, with amplifiers and connected speakers to fully customize your audio system, always making sure that they use a common protocol.
Octavio Eco-system
Octavio offers you a complete eco-system, which allows you to equip yourself and create groups with our different products to broadcast in multiroom. For example, with an Octavio Amp amplifier on your main system and a Maestro speaker in your bedroom or kitchen. With this equipment it is possible to listen to a source connected to your main system (like your turntable) in your other rooms.
Find out in our video guide how to create a multiroom group with Octavio Virtuose .
In summary, depending on the type of device you are streaming your music from and your audio systems, the steps to follow to stream your music in multiroom can vary. However, current technology makes it easy to create a multiroom system with products from different brands, using solutions like AirPlay 2 which is an open protocol or devices operating under the same closed protocol.
