Hi All
After making a set of simple bookshelf speakers for my desk last Summer, I've decided that I definitely want to continue this.
So for my next project, I've more or less landed on the Mini Statements by Jim Holtz (however, I'm always open for other suggestions in the same price- and size range). As I want to minimize clutter in my living room, however, I want to make these into some active speakers. While this is not much of a challenge, I would also like to integrate them into my existing multiroom setup using airplay 2, but so that they show up as a single speaker.
Now the questions are:
I've attached a rough sketch of what I'm imagining below.
Do you guys think that this is a thing that is worth doing in general? Thanks in advance for your feedback and tips 🙂
After making a set of simple bookshelf speakers for my desk last Summer, I've decided that I definitely want to continue this.
So for my next project, I've more or less landed on the Mini Statements by Jim Holtz (however, I'm always open for other suggestions in the same price- and size range). As I want to minimize clutter in my living room, however, I want to make these into some active speakers. While this is not much of a challenge, I would also like to integrate them into my existing multiroom setup using airplay 2, but so that they show up as a single speaker.
Now the questions are:
- How do I do this without having to put a wire in between both speakers and without sacrificing on quality too much (a little bit is ok, I acknowledge that wireless connections are inferior to wired ones 😉)?
- What kind of hardware do I need for airplay 2?
- Do you guys have any recommendations on amps?
- I guess I need some additional power electronics to power airplay receivers?
- While I'm at it, would it be beneficial to just forego the crossovers and add a DSP to ?one?/?both? of the speakers?
- Anything else I should consider when modifying the mini statements to put all of this additional hardware into them (my best guess is to increase the cabinet size by the volume of the added electronics)?
I've attached a rough sketch of what I'm imagining below.
Do you guys think that this is a thing that is worth doing in general? Thanks in advance for your feedback and tips 🙂
I am actually thinking about the same kind of concept. What I currently landed on is using a raspberry pi W zero 2 with a DAC such as the hifiberry smaller on or the Allo miniBoss.
You can then also use Camilla DSP incorporated in moode audio (which can be installed on the pi als music streamer) to configure the crossover and use the stereo out from the DAC for two signals.
I am currently using a single pi with hifiberry dac for my main setup at home. Can confirm that AirPlay works perfect with moode audio!
You can then also use Camilla DSP incorporated in moode audio (which can be installed on the pi als music streamer) to configure the crossover and use the stereo out from the DAC for two signals.
I am currently using a single pi with hifiberry dac for my main setup at home. Can confirm that AirPlay works perfect with moode audio!
I use a mixture of Belkin Soundform Connect and Apple AirPort Express. I suppose that you could use two of either and just use the left channel on one and the right channel on the other, but I’m not sure if the timing is good enough - it is certainly good enough for room to room, so you can stand between rooms and the sound seems in sync, but never tried a stereo pair. They wouldn’t appear as a single speaker though
Brian
Brian
@planet10: Yes, I have considered that. For me personally, the upside of having two completely wireless (bar the power) speakers outweighs the loss in fidelity.
@brig001 I have used (and still am) some airport expresses in my home. They are pretty great for their price if you can find them on ebay. But as you've said, I wouldn't trust them to be in sync enough for actual stereo listening, and they don't make the speakers appear as a single one.
I've also thought about trying the arylic up2stream HD boards, but I don't know whether they allow themselves to be paired in some sort of master-slave configuration for stereo speakers. Maybe someone on here knows?
@brig001 I have used (and still am) some airport expresses in my home. They are pretty great for their price if you can find them on ebay. But as you've said, I wouldn't trust them to be in sync enough for actual stereo listening, and they don't make the speakers appear as a single one.
I've also thought about trying the arylic up2stream HD boards, but I don't know whether they allow themselves to be paired in some sort of master-slave configuration for stereo speakers. Maybe someone on here knows?
You could consider a system based on the WiiM Mini. It uses WiFi and also supports Airplay 2. Here's a LINK to the product page and a LINK to a technical review. You can find a lot of user reviews on YoutTube.
I'm currently working on a system that consists of a WiiM Mini, an ADAU1452 DSP (LINK), 2 MA12070P amplifiers (LINK) and power supplies per speaker. The WiiM is connected to the DSP via TOSLINK and the DSP is connected to the 2 amps via I2S. So no external ADCs or DACs. The WiiMs can be configured so one only outputs the left channel and one only outputs the right channel. I'm also implementing the WiiM's analog input (switchable via the WiiM app). It's not the greatest (see the technical review), but useable. You could upgrade to the WiiM Pro or WiiM Pro Plus if you want more input options or better analog input performance.
Finally, if you want to stay passive and use a standard system a single WiiM would suffice. You'd just need a TOSLINK input for optimum performance.
PS - I've heard several Jim Holtz/Curt Campbell speakers. They've all been excellent. And you couldn't ask for two nicer guys.
I'm currently working on a system that consists of a WiiM Mini, an ADAU1452 DSP (LINK), 2 MA12070P amplifiers (LINK) and power supplies per speaker. The WiiM is connected to the DSP via TOSLINK and the DSP is connected to the 2 amps via I2S. So no external ADCs or DACs. The WiiMs can be configured so one only outputs the left channel and one only outputs the right channel. I'm also implementing the WiiM's analog input (switchable via the WiiM app). It's not the greatest (see the technical review), but useable. You could upgrade to the WiiM Pro or WiiM Pro Plus if you want more input options or better analog input performance.
Finally, if you want to stay passive and use a standard system a single WiiM would suffice. You'd just need a TOSLINK input for optimum performance.
PS - I've heard several Jim Holtz/Curt Campbell speakers. They've all been excellent. And you couldn't ask for two nicer guys.
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The WiiM Mini sounds like exactly what I've been looking for, thank you! Also the DSPs look super interesting, initially I was planning to go either with a couple of miniDSP2x4 HD (even though they are a lot pricier) or just no DSP and using the crossover as specified in the Mini Statement build. Any reason why you've picked these specifically?
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Alright, is there anything specifically you would suggest? I initially selected the mini statements because they seemed to get good reviews, are around my price range and I really like the look and size of them.
I have learned to be very wary of reviews.
I am largely into FR or Woofer supported FRs (WAWs).
Before i could recommend anything i would need to know more about room, placement, your taste, how loud you listen, what electronics you want to stuff into the box.
dave
I am largely into FR or Woofer supported FRs (WAWs).
Before i could recommend anything i would need to know more about room, placement, your taste, how loud you listen, what electronics you want to stuff into the box.
dave