There are a lot of ways to get music around your home without wires. Of course, there are plenty of WiFi and Bluetooth products, but mega-companies such as Apple and Google have also branded their own offerings. Now, Yamaha is hoping to challenge AirPlay and Google Cast with MusicCast, the latest wireless music option.
MusicCast connects to your home's WiFi network to put music in every room -- or at least, wherever you have MusicCast-enabled products. All of those devices (and the music) are then controlled by a single, simple app.
Thanks to WiFi, MusicCast promises a better range than Bluetooth. However, it can also support Bluetooth devices. Hey, the more the merrier, right? In fact, Yamaha is also making it so that MusicCast can output a Bluetooth stream, so you can pair MusicCast devices with third-party wireless speakers or headphones.
In addition to streaming stored music, MusicCast can also tap into the aforementioned Bluetooth devices, web radio, and streaming services such as Pandora, Spotify Connect, Rhapsody and SiriusXM. (Just know that subscriptions and/or fees may apply for streaming services.) However, it also works with your existing set-top boxes, media streamers, Blu-ray players, and even turntables -- as long as those devices are paired with a little something from the MusicCast product lineup.
Discerning listeners will be happy to know that MusicCast also supports playback of high-resolution audio files, including Apple Lossless (ALAC) up to 96 kHz/24-bit, as well as FLAC, AIFF and WAV files up to 192 kHz/24-bit. Several MusicCast products will also support single-device playback of DSD streams up to 5.6MHz. And because it will be available on so many types of products, there are options for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X integration as well.
In fact, Yamaha plants to offer a total of 20 MusicCast-enabled products by the end of this year. That lineup will include AV receivers, wireless speakers, soundbars, powered monitor speakers, and other components.
Yamaha's free MusicCast app is available now for iOS and Android devices. The app allows users to browse content from any device on the network, and play it back in different rooms or link all of the rooms to the same music. There are also plenty of personalization tweaks, from placing images and colors within the app to naming, removing and reordering selections for an easier user experience.
So how do you get MusicCast? If you recently purchased something from the RX-V 79 and AVENTAGE RX-A 50 Series of AV receivers, you can get a firmware update to add MusicCast capabilities. That lineup includes the RX-V479 ($449.95), RX-V579 ($549.95), RX-V679 ($649.95), RX-V779 ($849.95), RX-A550 ($549.95), RX-A750 ($699.95), RX-A850 ($999.95), RX-A1050 ($1,299.95), RX-A2050 ($1,699.95) and RX-A3050 ($2,199.95). The company is also offering the firmware upgrade to the YHT-5920 Home-Theater-in-a-Box (HTiB), which is priced at $699.95.
Next month, Yamaha will debut the CX-A5100 preamp/processor, with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based multidimensional sound technology, the latest HDMI specs including HDCP 2.2, balanced subwoofer outputs and MusicCast. The company also plans to launch a slimline RX-S601 AV 5.1-channel AV receiver. Additional details on both products will come closer to the launch dates, but we do know that the CX-A5100 will have an MSRP of $2,999.95, with the RX-S601 priced at $649.95.
In October, Yamaha will launch the MusicCast Wireless Speaker for $249.95. It features a 2-way design with a large passive radiator and Yamaha's digital sound processing. Available in black or white with a silver accent, this compact model is designed to go almost anywhere. It can even be wall-mounted.
Also in September, Yamaha will start shipping the MusicCast Sound Bar ($499.95) and a MusicCast TV Speaker Base ($599.95). Each one stuffs MusicCast into a compact cabinet that's made to be paired with a TV. Both have Yamaha's Digital Sound Projector technology and HDMI connectivity with 4K Ultra HD and HDCP 2.2 support. The MusicCast Sound Bar (YSP-1600) packs eight speaker drivers plus dual built-in subwoofers inside a 2.5-inch tall enclosure. The MusicCast TV Speaker Base (SRT-1500) has 10 speaker drivers and two built-in subwoofers in a solid wood MDF enclosure that's made to sit under most TVs from 32 to 55 inches. In December, Yamaha will launch the MusicCast Sound Bar (YSP-5600), which will include support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X via Digital Sound Projector technology, all for $1,699.95.
Last but certainly not least, Yamaha will also include MusicCast in the new R-N62 network Hi-Fi receiver and the NX-N500 powered monitors. Available in October, the R-N602 will be priced at $649.95. The NX-N500 will follow sometime in December for $799.95 per pair. Yamaha plans to release more details on each product in separate announcements at a later date.
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