In our previous house, we had all of our speakers wired to our switches/stereo/pc. We have now moved to a Mediterranean house and would like to once again have music all around the house but are wondering if there is a better/newer way to connect our music to speakers. I don’t think Bluetooth will be an option - “L” shaped house with one side having two levels. The walls are all block/plaster too - no basement and attic only on the one side of the “L”. We have all of the music stored as MP3s.
So I’m wondering how you connect your speakers? Are you using HA? Right now we have no speakers - they were left in the last house so other than the music we are starting from scratch.
Music assistant
The people that are watching that thread are all either interested. users of, or authors of Music Assistant.
They are likely your best resource.
Also there is a Discord: Music Assistant
I have Chromecast Audio in several rooms as well as Google Speakers in the living room. They are all part of one Google speaker group and I use this Group (through Google Cast Integration) to play music throughout the home.
I use Chromecast Audio currently, but it can be flaky at times. I’m exploring replacing them either with Wiim devices or Future Proof Homes satellites.
If you can afford them as they are bit pricey but they work phenomenally. They build their own network and are always perfectly synchronized. And you have total control over which speakers are connected together in groups pretty much on the fly by just opening the Sonos app.
I’ve had the same issues with my Chromecast Audios lately.
Or better: ever since Google let their certificate expire and - after repairing that - is trying to cram everything into Google Home and failing miserably.
I looked at the Wiim as well but can’t see myself spending $90+ for the Mini or $150 for the Pro - given that I bought my five Chromecast Audios for $35/piece.
What a shame that Google gave up on them
In may last house I used the Sonos Amp S1. It’s the old Sonos version but still works great! You can put the Amp in any room and run speakers to them via Wire. Could be bookshelf speakers or in ceiling if you have the ability to get into that attic. It runs off wifi so that was the beauty of it. It worked with Spotify and and Pandora.
P.S. You could find one of the grey Sonos Amp S1 on offer up or Facebook market place for pretty cheap.
HA voice PE(alpha or beta)
Linux player ( alpha or beta)
Random esp devices
I think long term this will be best music solution
Sonos is pricey
Alexa devices ultimately get annoying because advertising
Chromecast was never great. And Google kills devices eventually
Everything else is cloud based
Music assistant works extremly well once you understand its operation and design.
I do appreciate all of the helpful information that all of you have supplied and have just started researching about all of your suggestions. I must admit that with moving I just haven’t had the time to research everything just yet. Perhaps my biggest question at the moment is what type of speakers work best for our type of house. As I said, I really don’t think Bluetooth will work. At the moment we have z wave, zigbee, local tuya, wifi with extenders and could add on matter if needed. MOST preferred would be something not cloud based.
