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The Best AirPlay Speakers

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Updated: October 17, 2012
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AirPlay, Apple’s wireless audio streaming technology, is a solid option for anyone tired of connecting and disconnecting iDevices to their speakers. And with the introduction of the new Lightning connectoron the iPhone 5, iPod touch, and iPod nano, wireless streaming is an even better choice, as we have yet to see speaker docks adopt the new proprietary connector.

With AirPlay, you can stream music from one source to multiple speakers in various locations, provided that they’re all on the same Wi-Fi network. AirPlay works with iPhones, iPods, and iPads as well as over iTunes from a PC or Mac. AirPlay also transmits track metadata, such as the artist, album, and song title. And with iTunes, you can set volume levels for individual wireless speakers.

So why choose AirPlay over Bluetooth for wireless streaming? Bluetooth used to have a reputation for poor sound quality, although that has largely been eliminated with the latest Bluetooth speakers. Instead, the difference is in features. Bluetooth wireless speakers can only connect to one device at a time. In addition, you have to be within direct range of the device33 feet is the theoretical limit, but in practice it’s usually much less, and rarely exceeds 20 feet even with a clear line of sight. On the other hand, Bluetooth has the advantage of being more common, as it works with more devices (such as Android phones).

If you’re tied to a lot of Apple products already, you’ll definitely want to give AirPlay a look. The compatible speaker systems are generally pretty expensive, but they also provide stellar audio performance. And as with most Apple-associated products, the speaker systems feature minimal and elegant design elements that are sure to fit in with the rest of your Apple ensemble.

Serious audiophiles should still stick with their tethered systems, just because occasional signal dropouts can be maddening. But for the rest of us, the ease and convenience of wireless music nearly anywhere is sure to please.

FEATURED IN THIS ROUNDUP:

Bowers Wilkins Zeppelin Air

$599.95 list
With Bowers and Wilkins, you definitely pay for the name and visual design as much as the audio quality. But the excellent-sounding Zeppelin Air iPod dock with wireless streaming via AirPlay does not disappoint. As such, this dirigible-looking speaker is our top choice for AirPlay Speakers. Read the full review


Altec Lansing inAir 5000 Wireless AirPlay Speaker

$499.95 direct
Altec Lansing’s inAir 5000 Wireless AirPlay Speaker offers powerful, distortion-free audio performance, with a simple app-driven set up. There are some problems with signal processing at top volume, but seeing as how this speaker gets extremely loud, it likely won’t be an issue for most. Read the full review


Klipsch Gallery G-17 Air

$549.99 direct
The Klipsch Gallery G-17 Air is a wonderful-sounding wireless speaker dock that features a sleek, modern, and wall-mountable design. This speaker system delivers a more audiophile-friendly flat response, but those looking for booming bass have better options elsewhere. Read the full review


Audyssey Audio Dock Air

$399.99 direct
With its boosted bass, the Audyssey Audio Dock Air is an AirPlay dock intended for lovers of low frequencies. The unique square design has speakers on both sides, which is good for spreading the reach of audio, but not the width of the stereo field. Read the full review


iHome iW1

$299.99 direct
It’s a shame the portable and Apple AirPlay-equipped iHome iW1 speaker distorts at high volumes, but it’s not necessarily a deal-breaker if you don’t listen to music with deep bass. The iHome iW1 is one of the more affordable AirPlay speakers, and the rechargeable battery makes it a solid option for taking your tunes with you on the go. Read the full review


JBL OnBeat Air

$249.95 direct
The JBL OnBeat Air is substantially less expensive than most AirPlay docks, and it offers reasonable audio performance. There are some issues with distortion at top volumes and it doesn’t get all that loud, but the addition of a docking arm for your iDevices makes it a viable option for a mini home theater. Read the full review


Libratone Live

$699.95 direct
The very pricey Libratone Live speaker offers generally high-quality audio performance, but its stunning, unique look was clearly the top design priority. This cashmere-covered monolith is sure to please the design conscious, but only those with very deep pockets. Read the full review


Logitech UE Air Speaker

$399.99 direct
The Logitech UE Air Speaker is a solid wireless AirPlay dock at moderate volumes, but pump it up, and you’ll hear distortion. An included app lets you tweak treble and bass, and a physical dock allows you to charge your iDevices. Read the full review

By Eugene Kim, PCMag

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