How to "smarten up" audio around the house?

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mmd

27 posts

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#270017 19-Apr-2020 23:07

I've got an older Yamaha RX-V359 amplifier connected to some sweet JBL speakers in my lounge via toslink. Upstairs in my bedroom I have a Panasonic Soundbar.

I'd basically like to be able to pull out my phone, open Spotify, and play music on my JBLs via the Yamaha, and then later go upstairs and be able to do the same on the soundbar. I'd also like to be able to do this by voice command, especially moving the music upstairs, playing specific songs, etc.

I've gathered that this means I need 2 devices like an Amazon Echo (and hopefully for the 2nd device upstairs something like an Echo Dot as a cheaper option). I prefer Google's devices but am open to being convinced otherwise. I'd also like for my amplifier to turn on/off, and maybe some level of volume control, when I ask the device to play music.

What's the best way to do this kind of a set up? I'm very hazy on whether I have the right idea with the Echo and Echo Dot and all, and if there are other alternatives. Thanks guys!

Handle9

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#2465787 20-Apr-2020 02:45

Now that Chromecast Audio doesn't exist anymore your main option would be an Echo Input or Echo Dot. Echo input is basically an Echo dot without a speaker.

Turning the receiver/Soundbar on and off would need some form of IR control. You can do Harmony integration to the Echo echosystem but it really depends on how many Benjamins you want to sink into this?

Spotify support on Echo is OK.

jonathan18

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#2465792 20-Apr-2020 06:15

Sure, CC Audio aren’t a current product, but you can still buy them, if that’s what you want. DSE/Kogan is the main place that still has them https://www.dicksmith.co.nz/dn/shop/?q=Chromecast+audio but also 1day has recon models listed from time to time. Also often on TM.

Personally, I’m a big fan of them - we’ve got six around the house - and they work particularly well when coordinated with a screen-based smart speaker like the Google Hub we have (but not critical). Personally, I think our system works so well because we’ve also got a few Home Minis, so voice control without a phone works in most spaces.

All this can be replicated using Amazon products, as Handle9 mentions, so it depends on which is your preferred poison (good to think about if you want to expand into smart things like a screen-based device such as a Hub, as that choice of preferring Amazon or Google products of those types would affect your WiFi audio choice.)

Finally, think about whether a WiFi switch would allow you to turn the amp on remotely. I’ve had one on an old Marantz amp for ages, but always knew it would work on that because it’s got a physical power switch, but assumed it wouldn’t work on my Yamaha receiver (similar sounding model no to yours). My eight year old convinced me to give it a go and, lo and behold, it works perfectly! I’ve bought the Sonoff ones from eBay, but I think there are a few affordable options you can (normally) buy locally. (And if it doesn’t work for your amp, there are always other uses - I requisitioned this one from our electric blanket, so that now has to be turned on physically, until a new one I’ve ordered turns up!) I doubt you’ll have the same luck with the sound bar.

Chippo

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#2465930 20-Apr-2020 11:08

I quick warning about a mistake I made here.

I went all-in with Amazon's Multi-Room Music (Echo Dots everywhere - with Home Assistant turning on the receiver when it detects the Echo Playing).

The music provider must also support MRM - so my Polk Audio Command Bar can participate when using Amazon Music, but not when playing from Spotify (Doh!)
For the Echo & Echo Dots, you must choose between the 3.5mm jack or the In-Built speaker. So, if connected to external speakers which are turned off, you can't hear Alexa talking to you.

That means some apps can play music on the soundbar and some cant. Plus I need an extra Echo Dot hidden behind the receiver in the living room, with a regular Echo sitting on the cabinet to talk to.

Still cheaper than Sonos.

I work for a global Data Protection Software company - But my opinions are my own.

mmd

27 posts

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#2465940 20-Apr-2020 11:17

Yeah see this is the stuff that's worrying me.

So for both the Yamaha amplifier and the Panasonic soundbar, I'd like to be running TOSLINK. So I'm thinking that buying 2 x Chromecast Audios is the better option as it has the "optional" TOSLINK output.

I don't know how to turn either the Yamaha Amp or the Soundbar on. Furthermore.. if the amp was on the TV input, how would I get it to automatically change to the right input for music?

This is difficult!

chevrolux

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#2466009 20-Apr-2020 11:52

Handle9:

Echo input is basically an Echo dot without a speaker.

I had not heard of Echo Input! Very cool.

Can you group them like Chromecasts? And if so, how is the audio sync?

technician14

122 posts

Master Geek

#2470571 24-Apr-2020 21:08

Echos or echo dot have built in speaker, 3.5mm audio or BT function, echos can be grouped for multi room, broadlink have smart plugs and ir controllers eg TV, aircon, music remotes and they have 2 apps econtrol and ihc, ihc can be used with Alexa for voice commands, broadlink ir devices can learn any ir remotes you have at home

nitro

657 posts

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#2470604 24-Apr-2020 23:24

if you prefer google devices (like i do) get a chromecast audio or 2 or three. works very well, really.

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Dingbatt

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#2470650 25-Apr-2020 08:10

My home setup has multiple Google Home Hubs, home minis, Chromecasts and a Chromecast audio, as well as a couple of AV Receivers capable of doing Spotify. I have them set up into groups via the Google home app on various devices. It takes a bit to configure and Google has a habit of changing the way things work without announcing it. Google Home is still not officially supported in NZ so it has to be set to Australia, US or UK to make it work.

I set up the voice control side of things as well but to be honest saying “Hey Google, play xxx on Spotify/iHeart Radio on xxx speaker group”, which half the time gets an “unable” response unless you use exactly the right words, I actually find it’s easier to pull out my phone and use my finger rather than my voice to get precisely what I want. I do use voice to skip tracks and change playlists though. I find that particularly useful with audio in the workshop, where my hands may be dirty and I don’t want to handle my phone.

I have a couple of Echo Dots as well, but they are only used to play around with Home Automation. They have the advantage of being supported in NZ.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996