Yamaha to bring AirPlay 2, Google Assistant and more to its home audio range

Yamaha continues to improve its product line-up with the addition of Apple AirPlay 2 support and expanded Spotify Connect capabilities via an upcoming firmware update on 15 current home audio products – including a sound bar, wireless speakers and AV receivers. Additionally, a recent update to the Yamaha MusicCast app has seen over 70 Yamaha home audio products gain support for Actions on Google, enabling voice control via the Google Assistant.

These new capabilities join a growing family of built-in services – including Spotify, Deezer and TIDAL – as well as an impressive line-up of features such as high-resolution audio support, voice control via an Alexa device, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

Firmware updates will also add eARC (enhanced audio return channel) functionality to 23 of its industry-leading AV receivers.

“We are committed to the longevity of our current range of home audio products,” said Simon Goldsworthy, General Manager, AV Division of Yamaha Music Australia. “Yamaha creates products with some of the most robust hardware in the industry. With these free updates, we are able to provide the latest technology and features to both our existing and future customers, who now have even more options to choose from when it comes to enjoying their favourite music and audio content. Additionally, they can now use their favourite voice assistant – whether that be Siri, Alexa or the Google Assistant – to seamlessly control the experience throughout their homes.”

The upcoming firmware updates include:

- Support for Apple AirPlay 2, adding the ability to stream Apple Music and other streaming services from your iPhone, iPad, HomePod and Mac to multiple Yamaha devices and other AirPlay 2-enabled speakers – simultaneously, perfectly in sync and throughout your home. And, with Siri on your iPhone, iPad, HomePod and AirPods, you can control what's playing in every part of your home with just your voice.

- Actions on Google, enabling voice control of compatible Yamaha devices via the Google Assistant. Now you can use your Google Home, Android or iOS devices with the Google Assistant app from the App store to control your Yamaha home theatre with voice commands, link rooms hands-free, adjust volumes and more.

- Ability to use Spotify Connect with free Spotify accounts (previously only available for paid subscription-based accounts)

- Addition of eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) feature to 2017 and 2018 AV receivers, supporting uncompressed audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD, and object-based surround such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X

Release schedule

AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect updates

Late April: MusicCast 20 and MusicCast 50 wireless speakers, MusicCast BAR 400 sound bar, RX-Ax80 Series AV receivers, RX-Vx85 Series AV receivers, RX-S602 slimline AV receiver, MusicCast BAR 40 sound bar, CX-A5200 AV preamp/processor, XDA-QS5400 MusicCast Multi-Room Streaming Amplifier.

Mid-year: MusicCast VINYL 500 turntable

Actions on Google

April 16: All MusicCast models introduced since 2015 through an update to the MusicCast app.

eARC

April: RX-Ax80 Series AV receivers, RX-Ax70 Series AV receivers, RX-Vx85 Series AV receivers, RX-Vx83 Series AV receivers, RX-S602 Slimline AV receiver, CX-A5200 AV preamp/processor.