Which wireless receiver should I choose?

With a WiFi receiver you can stream music via your wireless internet network. You send a stored collection from a mobile device, computer, or network drive to your speakers. The advantage of streaming via WiFi is the strong signal. In addition to a range of 100 meters, you're not bothered by disturbances or interruptions in the music. You send uncompressed audio files via WiFi. This means that streaming doesn't come at the expense of sound quality and your hi-res files sound detailed.

AirPlay uses the same principle as WiFi, but is only intended for Apple devices. You use this protocol to stream music from iTunes to your speakers via an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. The AirPlay function is installed on your Apple device by default. Just like with WiFi, you have a large range of 100 meters. This means that you can operate the speaker from any room in your house. The only condition is that your device and the speaker are connected to the same network. You stream music in CD quality, making every song sound clear.

With Bluetooth, you don't need internet to make a wireless connection. This makes streaming via Bluetooth the simplest solution. Compared to WiFi, Bluetooth has a limited range of 10 meters. The sound is also more susceptible to interference. If you receive an incoming call while streaming with your smartphone, the music is interrupted. Most Bluetooth adapters play music in MP3 quality. If you want to listen to CD quality, you'll need an adapter that supports Bluetooth aptX.

You can send music from a streaming service to a speaker via Bluetooth, but a receiver with an integrated service is a better solution. This is because the adapter doesn't depend on the signal from your smartphone. The adapter uses the internet to makes its own connection to the streaming service, such as Spotify Connect. This means that the sound is always detailed and the signal is less susceptible to interference. You only use your smartphone as a remote control. When you receive a call or leave the room with your phone, the music continues to play without any problems.

You use receivers with multi-room features to link different speakers together. After you've connected each device, you control the speakers with 1 app for your mobile device or computer. With a range of 100 meters, it doesn't matter which room you're in, since you'll always have control over every speaker. Open the menu and choose which song you want to listen to for every speaker. You can put speakers in the same group so that they play the same music at the same time. As you walk through your house, you'll never miss a moment of your favorite song.