Update May 20, 2021 : After the adapter was leaked earlier this spring through the US approval authority FCC, Belkin has now officially announced the accessory. According to Belkin, the adapter lets you use 'any traditional stereo speaker'. making it suitable for AirPlay 2. In fact, it concerns speakers or sound system with power supply, with an optical or headphone connection.
Thanks to the adapter, you can use all AirPlay 2 functions that you normally find on an AirPlay 2-capable speaker. Think of multi-room audio and operating the speaker with Siri from the iPhone or iPad. Speakers with the adapter can therefore be found in the Home app, so that you can use them in automations. Also read our tip on how to add a speaker with AirPlay 2 to the Home app.
The Belkin Soundform Connect has a suggested retail price of $ 99.99. We do not yet know exactly when the speaker will be available in the Netherlands. Usually Belkin follows soon with the European release of its accessories.
Update 2:00 pm : It appears that this adapter only works with active speakers. These have a built-in amplifier and, compared to a passive speaker, do not need a separate amplifier to produce sound. Those active speakers themselves are not yet equipped with streaming options.
Belkin Soundform Connect
There are now many AirPlay 2 speakers with which you can effortlessly stream music from your iPhone to a multiroom system. But that does require an investment. If you still have good non-wireless speakers, you can make them suitable with the Belkin Soundform Connect, so that the accessory can be marketed. Belkin has not yet announced the adapter itself and a price has not yet been announced.
The adapter was found in FCC documentation and is powered by a USB-C cable. It also includes a 3.5mm mini jack port for audio output and Optical Digital Audio. Previously you could have bought the AirPort Express for this, but it is officially no longer on the market. However, the principle is similar: you connect the AirPort Express to a 3.5 mm audio port to stream wirelessly. Nowadays you could also use a Chromecast Audio or a newer Chromecast that can stream both image and sound.
Also works with existing AirPlay 2 speakers
So Belkin's adapter isn't entirely unique, but it could be an option if you don't have anything yet. By connecting the speaker to the Belkin Soundform Connect, it is seen as an AirPlay 2 speaker, after which you can stream music to it from an iPhone, iPad or Mac. Thanks to the support of AirPlay 2, this can also be sent to multiple speakers at the same time, possibly in combination with a Sonos, HomePod or other type of speaker.
Also handy, the Belkin Soundform Connect has HomeKit support, so you can assign the speaker to a HomeKit room and control it with Siri or the Home app.
The price would be around 100 euros, so this adapter is only interesting for the more expensive speakers.
You can read more options for making your speakers wireless in the guide below.
Revision History:
- 2021 – May 20, 5:37 PM: The adapter has now been officially announced.
- 2021 – February 25, 2:19 PM: Added update on active speakers.