Chromecast Audio is a very elementary production, and that'southward probably the all-time thing almost it from a consumer's standpoint. You plug it in to power and then into an audio output source like an A/V receiver or a powered speaker. The Chromecast Audio supports either standard stereo audio cables or optical via a mini-digital connector. From there, just open the Chromecast app and go the device set upwards on your Wi-Fi network. That'south it - you're done.

Now, any bandage-enabled device within a reasonable proximity of the Chromecast Audio tin tell it to play audio, regardless of whether it is on your Wi-Fi network, just similar Chromecast. Guests can employ it as well via a Pivot that yous can set, merely like Chromecast. And because the audio is streamed directly by the Chromecast itself, there's no range issue related to your device. (Note: if you want to bandage all audio out from your phone, that does at least require the devices be on the same Wi-Fi network).

Similar the video Chromecast, there'due south also a built-in workaround for apps that don't support the bandage API. Simply use the "cast" shortcut from your notification bar or within the Chromecast app and all audio from your device volition be sent via Wi-Fi to the Chromecast. Then, if you want to use an audiobook app that doesn't support casting, it'south not a problem - just use the cast audio characteristic in the Chromecast app and you'll be up and running. Easy.

DSC00071

What else does the Chromecast Audio do? Well, nil. That's it, at to the lowest degree for at present. It doesn't work across multiple speakers simultaneously (yet - that will come later), it doesn't take any kind of queuing or grouping playlist support / user management, and it as well doesn't really piece of work with video, considering at that place's no way to handle the A/V sync without developers actively working with Google to prepare that on a instance-by-case basis. So, no: yous can't use this to lookout Netflix on your tablet with audio coming out of your home theater's speakers - there will exist a 2-4 2d A/Five sync delay and it will pretty much be unwatchable. This may modify in the future. And that'southward very cool - it means Chromecast Audio volition almost certainly get from "splendid alternative to a Bluetooth dongle" to "bodily Sonos competitor" eventually. Well, at least that's what Google would like y'all to promise.

Notwithstanding, the Chromecast Audio is easily leaps and premises improve than the Bluetooth audio-out dongles it competes with, and here'southward why.

  • You lot don't have to actively stay connected when yous want to use information technology or, more important in my opinion, actively disconnect from it when you don't. The latter drives me nuts about Bluetooth sound dongles.
  • There are no range considerations in relation to your connected phone / tablet / laptop once music starts playing.
  • There is no annoying "pairing" process for new devices. The Chromecast app is associated with your Google business relationship, and then all your devices just work with it.
  • The limits on audio quality are essentially down to the DAC hardware within the Chromecast, not the information stream, since Wi-Fi offers huge bandwidth compared to Bluetooth - in that location's no need for compression or wrappers.
  • There is essentially no battery drain on your phone unless you are doing direct audio casting, and fifty-fifty so, information technology'due south minimal.
  • No ane can "hijack" your Chromecast without your authorization - they need access to your secure PIN, which you can change at whatever time.
  • Your end device is basically irrelevant in terms of the audio quality, since the Chromecast is the ane handling the information connection and playback.

So, what's not to like? Really, in that location isn't much. The Chromecast Sound fills the niche it targets extremely well, and there's but up to become from here. At present, if you're considering whether or non y'all actually need something like this, let me just exist frank with y'all: if you have to call back about it, yous probably don't. This is a tool for a subset of people who already know what they want, that being an easier mode to go audio from their smart devices to a speaker or A/V arrangement. If yous don't demand that, there's no reason to buy this. The Chromecast Sound is very much a tool with a very specific purpose.

DSC00079

Additionally, remember that a regular Chromecast does all this and outputs video. If you lot've got an A/Five receiver hooked upwards to a dwelling theater setup, the regular Chromecast is clearly the better option unless you lot are really tied for HDMI real estate or plan to near exclusively apply the "cast all device sound" feature. More on that in a minute. The regular Chromecast also gives y'all visual accompaniments to go with your audio, and I know that's something most people like when they're putting on tunes for a go-together or even just doing chores around the firm. Then advisedly consider just what your needs are earlier pulling the trigger on one of these.

The ane exception here, I've plant, is in regard to non-supported casting of sound. Audio casted as part of screen casting on the regular video Chromecast is of substantially lower quality than the audio-out cast on the Chromecast Audio. Withal, the quality of audio on the video Chromecast when casting from supported apps like Spotify or Google Play Music seems comparable to the quality of sound for those apps beingness cast to the Chromecast Audio. Let me encounter if I tin brand this clearer.

  • Chromecast video sound quality when casting a supported app (eg, Spotify): Excellent
  • Chromecast video sound quality when screen-casting a not-supported app/source: Mediocre
  • Chromecast Audio sound quality when casting a supported app (eg, Spotify): First-class
  • Chromecast Audio audio quality when audio-casting a not-supported app/source: Excellent

I'm guessing the reason for the lower quality on the video Chromecast when screen casting is simply processor load. Doing both a live screen cast and streaming sound is probably too much for the device to handle at anything but relatively low bitrates, and it's here where the Chromecast Audio does have an advantage. So, keep that ane issue in mind.

Anyway, if y'all've got an old stereo and bookshelf speakers simply languishing considering of their united nations-smartness, the Chromecast Audio could exist the perfect tool to bring them back to life. I have a Moto Stream Bluetooth hooked up to my stereo receiver for a like purpose. I never utilise it. It was cool for a few days, but the hassle of pairing / unpairing or turning it off when I didn't want to use it - and turning it on when I did - was kind of a nightmare. The Chromecast obviates these concerns completely.

At present, if you're looking for something that comes with an "ecosystem" and tools and management and multi-speaker connectivity a la Sonos, sorry, information technology's not here. Perhaps it will be 1 day, simply don't buy it on that basis - Google talks a big game, but don't exist drawn in by that alone.

Regardless, the Chromecast Audio has its own benefits, and it costs a hell of a lot less than something similar Sonos. At $35, it's easily the all-time value for a tool in its class, and information technology works with Android, iOS, Chrome Os, and even Windows and OS X via tab casting in Chrome (assuming your audio source can be opened on the web). If you already have a Bluetooth dongle, I think replacing it with one of these is a full no-brainer, and gets my "purchase" recommendation unreservedly.

Purchase here.

Philips Hue app update adds even more than scenes to the party

Read Side by side

Nearly The Writer

David Ruddock (3359 Articles Published)

David is the sometime Editor-in-Chief of Android Police and now the EIC of Esper.io. He's been an Android user since the early days - his first smartphone was a Google Nexus One! David graduated from the University of California, Davis where he received his bachelor's degree, and as well attended the Pepperdine University School of Police force.

More From David Ruddock