Bluetooth vs AirPlay vs Chromecast (WiFi) For Music Streaming | Which Is The Best?!

[@Novilicious]

I had no idea that Airplay 1 was better quality than Airplay 2. One wouldn’t think that Gen 2 or something is worse performing. Thank you for telling us about this!!

[@AudioAdvice]

Yes, we were a bit surprised too, Airplay 2 was more about multi device it seems. Thanks for watching

[@nathanddrews]

I have to say that I love Yamaha MusicCast for the simple reason that it can pretty much play anything from any source to any device. I like that it manages the streams directly from the sources rather than attempting wireless handshakes, etc. Right now I've got several zones all working flawlessly. Compared to my previous attempts with both Airplay and Chromecast, this seems like the best method. I haven't tried HEOS as I don't have any Denon devices, but I think it's comparable.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks for sharing.

[@mr.potatofries8094]

I originally played hi-res Qobuz through AirPlay and chromecast until one day I tried regular “low res” Spotify connect, I couldn’t believe what my ears were telling me music was much more alive and dynamic. Then I realized the importance of playing a native source. So now that’s the only way I play music natively with higher res Tidal connect and I have never looked back. Hopefully we get a Qobuz connect soon 🤞.

[@AudioAdvice]

Awesome! Thank you for sharing!

[@jebo4jc]

This comment doesn't make sense. Maybe you were getting lower quality on Airplay. Chromecast is a direct connection to qobuz at 24 but/192kHz.

[@martybrazill7935]

In my two-channel home system, I use a streamer hardwired to my network switch, optimizing it for high-res music streaming. I use Bluetooth with my portable speaker when I have it outside and that works great since it is normally background music.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks for sharing!

[@sethfm9773]

I really appreciate the detail you went into for the different situations where you might prefer one over the other.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks for watching, hope it helps 😁

[@stevelucey7719]

Very informative, thanks!

[@AudioAdvice]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nick18223]

Great video! Airplay and Chromecast also work with Roon. That said, Chromecast is very stable with Roon and you can bind multiple streamers/speakers from different brands together making a somewhat affordable high-res distributed audio system.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thank you! And thanks for sharing. Chromecast has exactly that advantage. It is very much brand agnostic.

[@michaelglenn2399]

Bluetooth has come a long way, but definitely appreciate the added clarity and detail of WiFi streaming. Plus, I can still do other things on my device without it all coming through my speakers and interrupting my music.

[@AudioAdvice]

Very great point! Thank you for sharing!

[@jimwilliamson7798]

Admittedly I didn't know about a few of the streams you mention. I need to check them out. Great info, thanks.

[@AudioAdvice]

Glad to help!

[@bradlantto6481]

I use a Windows 11 HTPC with a soundblaster AE9 (Sparkos Opamps), the case is a Silverstone designed to look like a piece of stereo equipment. Use Amazon music mostly. I use the bluetooth LDAC codec when I want to be discreet. Have a WD mycloud to store and stream lossless and high res files. I also use AE9 ADC to convert vinyl to 24/96 flac with a project phonobox S2 and Technics SL Q3. OSD Nero 3200 amp, SVS SB1000 and Monoprice Encore T6. This setup takes up much less real estate than a bunch of separate players, streamers or gaming systems. Pretty much everything in one box except amp and speakers. Not high end but it is quite good sounding.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks for sharing. Very creative

[@BillTCat-gx6kh]

Using AppleTV with the Tidal App. Found it better that Chromecast as built into Anthem 1140. Thanks to AA for both the Anthem and the suggestion to use AppleTV (which also streams Dolby Atmos music).

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks for sharing. We really appreciate your support!

[@dlcphoto]

Excellent overview of a sometimes confusing array of listening options!

[@AudioAdvice]

Thank you! 😁

[@Genehow-ard]

Marantz NR1200 with Spotify connect and M-Dax on the middle position to Monitor Bronze 100’s. Spotify connect sounds fairly equal to Qobux over Bluetooth. Waiting for the rumored drop in price of Tidal as the receiver has Connect for that as well.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks for sharing

[@bootneylee9802]

Also, if you're using Bluetooth to stream I found that Sony's LDAC sounds a bit better than APT X HD. It offers a higher bit rate too I think.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thank you. Yes it does. We left it out as it’s limited.

[@spacehopper77]

What about MusicCast by Yamaha?

[@AudioAdvice]

We stuck with the big three that apply to almost all gear. Music Cast is a neat system, but only works with Yamaha.

[@chrisgargiulo304]

Great comparison.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks for watching!

[@waste_manager743]

You're so stiff I thought it was Zuckerberg from the preview

[@Rockovissi]

I’m so disappointed Apple Music is basically locked to your iPhone/iPad and wired headphones to get hi res audio. I’m like why can’t I get a USB C to HDMI cable and connect it directly to my AV receiver and get Dolby Atmos music?

[@AudioAdvice]

Yes. True. The best way would be to purchase an Apple TV

[@Rockovissi]

@@AudioAdvice Still capped at 48KHz as far as hi-res goes, from what I’ve read. Other than buying a super expensive network streamer that plays Apple Music natively and plays bit perfect. But I feel like this should be a $10 cable.

[@paul_i_us]

You forgot to mention one big downside of Bluetooth - all your notifications and incoming calls will sound through the speaker too.

[@AudioAdvice]

Yes that is true. Thanks for sharing

[@MH-rl9ep]

Apple Music through an Apple TV works for me though as it doesn’t have an optical out, I need to use the optical out from my tv. I use AirPlay as well through an AirPort Express running AirPlay 1, so at least I get cd quality that way. Nice of Apple to offer cd quality/hi-res….too bad they make it so difficult to get it to your stereo. An “Apple Connect” would be nice or AirPlay 3 that supports hi-res, unlike AirPlay 2 that is 256kbps only.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks for sharing.

[@lukespencer6314]

Super informative! Thanks!

[@AudioAdvice]

Glad it was helpful!