Cheap wifi speaker as tts player

Hardware
43

I would add some more detail, such as what devices you are referring to.

44

My recommendation is either a spare normal raspi with a small amplifier circuit + speaker OR a raspi zero w with adafruit speaker bonnet (maybe a clone) with speaker. for software side take mopidy and if you want more speakers of this kind snapcast. With snapcast you can also integrate other systems like your windows pc (google for snap.net) or linux pc. Just let the snapserver run on your home assistant server, when your using supervised or core installation, use either the native installation or create your own docker container for it (like I did). Or if youre using HAOS, google for “snapcast server haos”, theres a repo with mopidy, snapserver and snapclient already premade for use on haos, but snapweb doesnt work, to get this to work you have to create your own docker container.

45

Perhaps this a sollution: https://github.com/schmurtzm/MrDiy-Audio-Notifier
MrDiy Audio Notifier is an audio player controlled by MQTT.

MrDiy Audio Notifier is based on esp8266audio library. This repo uses most of the MrDiy’s code with some modifications :

  • Ported to platformio (with differents recommanded settings for ESP8266audio)
  • Can be compiled for ESP8266 and ESP32
  • IotWebConf updated to version v3.x (thanks to Markvader)
  • Google Translate TTS (multilingual and better voice quality than the local ESP8266SAM). List of supported languages.
  • ability to play AAC (required for many web radio) and flac (not tested)
  • New settings in web interface allow to switch easily between no DAC (version used by mr DIY) , external DAC or internal DAC (for ESP32).
  • Documentation to connect your ESP to a speaker (see comments at the top of the “main.cpp” file)
  • You’ll also find some useful comments for wiring your DAC quickly or to improve the code (sound level of RTTTS, ssl, IotWebConf migration to v3.x…).
46

I do have an Audiocast M5.
Got it flashed with a wrong firmware and now I can’t figure how to get a good from.
I do have the software tool to flash it tought.

47

I don’t know the voice quality of ESP8266SAM, but Google Translate TTS has the baddest quality of voice I have ever heard. It sounds not good for German what I am using. Reverso TTS sounds very much better, more like a real person speaking.

48

Thanks for the tip about Reverso, might try that.

49

I have a Sonos PLAY:1 speaker that I purchased a number of years ago, integrates locally with Home Assistant very well, and still supported (though no new features) by Sonos for various music services. You can pick them up for USD 100 or less used on eBay and other sources. Perhaps on the high price side even used, but great sound, good looks, really solid build, lots of hacks for local functions, no beeps or gongs before it plays (unless you put it in), volume can be controlled thru full range to very loud, 3 to 5 watt in USA standby power . Very over engineered speaker, I think it will last a long time and still have good sound. Works great with TTS and mp3 files in HA.
(Sonos PLAY:1 Wireless Speaker (Black) 878269000327 | eBay)

50

Did somebody tried that speaker?
I would be nice, because in germany it is around €40: Click me

51

Could someone tell me where to download the latest firmware for AudioCast M5? I can’t update via the app.