AirPlay 2 is a small but important addition to Apple's audio world, allowing streaming on multiple devices simultaneously. Here's a list of the compatible speakers and receivers so far, and as available, the dates AirPlay 2 support is expected. Updated on November 4 with three new offerings from Naim.
Apple
- HomePod -- Now available
- Apple TV fourth generation, and Apple TV 4K can be used as AirPlay 2 targets with speakers connected through HDMI
- AirPort Express (2012) can be used as an AirPlay 2 target with speakers connected via audio jack
Arcam
- rPlay -- May 16 2019
Bang & Olufsen
- Beoplay A6 -- Dec. 2018
- Beoplay A9 mk2 -- Dec. 2018
- Beoplay M3 -- Nov. 2018
- Beoplay M5 -- Dec. 2018
- BeoSound 1 -- Nov. 2018
- BeoSound 2 -- Nov. 2018
- BeoSound 35 -- Dec. 2018
- BeoSound Core -- Nov. 2018
- BeoSound Shape -- Nov. 2018
- BeoSound Essence mk2 -- Dec. 2018
- BeoVision Eclipse [audio only]
- BeoSound Edge -- Nov. 2018
Bluesound
- Pulse 2i -- Dec. 11 2018
- Pulse Flex 2i -- Dec. 11 2018
- Pulse Mini 2i -- Dec. 11 2018
- Pulse Soundbar 2i -- Dec. 11 2018
- Node 2i -- Dec. 11 2018
- Powernode 2i -- Dec. 11 2018
- Vault 2i -- Dec. 11 2018
Bose
- Home Speaker 500 -- April 2019
- Soundbar 500 -- April 2019
- Soundbar 700 -- April 2019
- SoundTouch speakers --
Coming soon
Bowers & Wilkins
- Formation Audio
- Formation Duo
Denon & Marantz
- HEOS Home Cinema HS2
- Marantz ND8006
- Marantz NR1508
- Marantz NR1608
- Marantz SR5011
- Marantz SR5012
- Marantz SR6011
- Marantz SR6012
- Marantz SR7011
- Marantz SR7012
- Marantz AV8805
- Marantz AV7704
- Marantz AV7703
- Marantz SR8012
- Marantz NR1509
- Marantz NR1609
- Marantz AV7705
- Marantz NA6006
- Marantz SR5013
- Marantz SR6013
- Marantz SR7013
- Denon AVR-X4300H
- Denon AVR-X6300H
- Denon AVR-X8500H
- Denon AVR-X6400H
- Denon AVR-X4400H
- Denon AVR-X3400H
- Denon AVR-X3500H
- Denon AVR-X4500H
- Denon AVR-X6500H
- Denon AVR-S950H -- May 3 2019
- Denon AVR-S750H -- May 3 2019
- Denon AVR-S650H -- May 3 2019
- Marantz NR1510 -- May 2019
- Marantz NR1710 -- May 2019
- Denon AVR-X1600H -- May 2019
- Denon AVR-X2600H -- May 2019
- Denon DRA-800H -- June 2019
- Denon AVR-X3600H -- July 9, 2019
Devialet
Harman Kardon
- Citation speakers -- Early 2019
KEF
- LSX Wireless Music System -- June 2019
Libratone
- Libratone Zipp -- Oct. 15 2018
- Libratone Zipp Mini -- Oct. 15 2018
- Libratone Zipp 2 -- Oct. 15 2018
- Libratone Zipp Mini 2 -- Oct. 15 2018
McIntosh
- RS200 -- May 16 2019
Naim
- Naim Mu-so -- Nov. 14 2018
- Naim Mu-so QB -- Nov. 14 2018
- Naim ND 555
- Naim ND5 XS 2
- Naim NDX 2
- Naim Uniti Nova -- Nov. 2018
- Naim Uniti Atom -- Nov. 2018
- Naim Uniti Star -- Nov. 2018
Pioneer
- VSX-934 7.2-Channel Network AV Receiver -- Feb. 2019
Savant
- Smart Soundbar
- SmartAmp -- Summer 2019
Sonos
- Sonos Beam -- July 2018
- Sonos One -- July 2018
- Sonos Play:5 -- July 2018
- Sonos Playbase -- July 2018
- Sonos Amp -- Feb. 2019
Yamaha
Yamaha is delivering AirPlay 2 support to 14 products in April 2019.
- MusicCast 20 and MusicCast 50 wireless speakers
- MusicCast BAR 400 sound bar
- RX-A 80 Series AV receivers
- RX-V 85 Series AV receivers
- RX-S602 slimline AV receiver
- ATS-4080 sound bar
- TSR-7850 AV receiver
- CX-A5200 AV preamp/processor
- XDA-QS5400 MusicCast Multi-Room Streaming Amplifier
The company's MusicCast VINYL 500 turntable will net support in the second half of 2019.
What AirPlay 2 does for you
The headline feature of AirPlay 2 is of course multi-room audio, but it also enables stereo pairing on the HomePod, along with a variety of other improvements. A substantially bigger streaming buffer versus the original AirPlay protocol helps reduce interruptions due to network issues.
There is also tighter sync between speakers. Siri meanwhile can be be asked to play/pause music on any AirPlay 2 speaker, regardless of the manufacturer, or move sound from one room to another. Just ask Siri on the HomePod to "move the music to the living room" and it will.
AirPlay 2 is now more independent as well. Instead of constantly being interrupted by phone calls, games, or videos, AirPlay 2 can continue to stream.
Speakers with AirPlay 2 compatibility now appear in within the iOS Home app, and can be assigned an individual room like any other accessory. There, speakers can be played or paused, and included within favorites.
Presently, AirPlay 2 speakers cannot be included in HomeKit Scenes.
Where to buy
Multiple retailers carry the receivers and speakers shown above, many with added perks. B&H and Adorama, for instance, will not collect sales tax on orders shipped outside New York and New Jersey (Colorado and Vermont residents, see here). Those with a Prime membership can take advantage of free expedited shipping on many audio solutions at Amazon as well.