Guide to Equipment Options & Setups

The good news is that there are lots of options and configurations that can suit the needs of spaces from small stores to large buildings or offices. It can take a bit of time to figure out what setup might be best for your business in terms of speakers and amplifiers, so we have made the following guide to help pick the setup that is right for you. If you have multiple stores and are looking for guidance and help with purchase and installation of equipment, then chat with us online or give us a call.

Starting with the simplest setup, if you have an existing audio system (amp/receiver and wired speakers), then a line out (Aux) from a streaming device (CloudBox, Mobile, Tablet or Computer) to RCA input on the amp/receiver is usually very quick and easy.

Wireless speaker options include Bluetooth (limited range and scale), Wi-Fi, Chromecast and AirPlay /AirPlay 2. These require a little setup and are different depending upon the streaming device.

Our plug-and-play CloudBox (optional, one time charge) has several advantages. It is tamper-resistant, autostarts if the power goes out, and, like all devices, can be remotely controlled from the web or Mobile. If the network connection drops, it will automatically play locally stored music and auto resumes when restored.

		Wireless: WiFi
Wired Speakers	Wireless: Bluetooth	WiFi Vendor speakers & amps	Apple AirPlay / AirPlay 2	Google Chromecast

	Wired Speakers	Wireless: Bluetooth	Wireless: WiFi
Pros	Wires are more reliable than wireless (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth). Simple to setup.	Cheap, wireless, portable speaker options. Simple setup from any streaming device	WiFi range and grouping options for speakers on the same wireless network. See tables below for more information with specific manufacturers	Uses WiFi, so can be better than Bluetooth for range. AirPlay 2 uses multiple speakers from iOS (11.4+) or Mac without grouping and hardware setups	$30 and allows streaming to multiple wireless speakers (and speakers with Aux in) from an Android device or Chrome Browser
Cons	If the wires aren't already in place, running wires (particularly through walls) isn't trivial!	Range limited to Bluetooth equipment specification (30ft for most manufacturers). Most manufacturers limit to one speaker connection; Some (like Bose) allow grouping of multiple speakers using Bluetooth.	WiFi equipment is usually more expensive and takes more setup than Bluetooth. WiFi network reliability and range is required for uninterrupted streaming	Requires streaming from an Apple device which are more expensive than Android or Chromecast options	Requires Chromecast setup. Doesn't work directly with CloudBox

Wired Speakers

Wireless: Bluetooth

Wireless: WiFi

WiFi Vendor speakers & amps

Apple AirPlay / AirPlay 2

Google Chromecast

Wires are more reliable than wireless (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth).

Simple to setup.

Cheap, wireless, portable speaker options.

Simple setup from any streaming device

WiFi range and grouping options for speakers on the same wireless network.

See tables below for more information with specific manufacturers

Uses WiFi, so can be better than Bluetooth for range.

AirPlay 2 uses multiple speakers from iOS (11.4+) or Mac without grouping and hardware setups

$30 and allows streaming to multiple wireless speakers (and speakers with Aux in) from an Android device or Chrome Browser

If the wires aren't already in place, running wires (particularly through walls) isn't trivial!

Range limited to Bluetooth equipment specification (30ft for most manufacturers). Most manufacturers limit to one speaker connection; Some (like Bose) allow grouping of multiple speakers using Bluetooth.

WiFi equipment is usually more expensive and takes more setup than Bluetooth. WiFi network reliability and range is required for uninterrupted streaming

Requires streaming from an Apple device which are more expensive than Android or Chromecast options

Requires Chromecast setup.

Doesn't work directly with CloudBox

Wi-Fi
Sonos	Bose SoundTouch	Libratone	Sony

	Wi-Fi
	Sonos	Bose SoundTouch	Libratone	Sony
CloudBox (includes Bluetooth)	OPTIONS Line out (3.5mm Aux) to line in on Play:5 which then relays to any/all Sonos speakers on the Wi-Fi network (configured as a group). Line out (3.5mm Aux) to RCA in on Sonos Connect to play on any type and number of Sonos speakers on the same Wi-Fi network.	Line out (3.5mm Aux) to line in or one speaker then relays music to up to any type and number of SoundTouch speakers on the same Wi-Fi network.	Line out (3.5mm Aux) to line in or one speaker, then relays music to up to 5 other Libratones (6 total) on the same Wi-Fi network.	Line out (3.5mm Aux) to line in or one speaker, then relays music to up to any type and number of Wi-Fi Multi-room capable Sony audio products (speakers, receivers) on the same Wi-Fi network.
Mobile Android (phone/tablet)	OPTIONS Select Cloud Cover Music as a Music Service from the Sonos app. Line out (3.5mm Aux) to line in on Play:5 which then relays to any/all Sonos speakers on the Wi-Fi network (configured as a group). Line out (3.5mm Aux) to RCA in on Sonos Connect to play on any type and number of Sonos speakers on the same Wi-Fi network.	Line out (3.5mm Aux) to line in or one speaker then relays music to up to any type and number of SoundTouch speakers on the same Wi-Fi network.	Line out (3.5mm Aux) to line in or one speaker, then relays music to up to 5 other Libratones (6 total) on the same Wi-Fi network.	Line out (3.5mm Aux) to line in or one speaker, then relays music to up to any type and number of Wi-Fi Multi-room capable Sony audio products (speakers, receivers) on the same Wi-Fi network.
Mobile iOS (iPhone/iPad)	OPTIONS Select Cloud Cover Music as a Music Service from the Sonos app. Line out (3.5mm Aux) to line in on Play:5 which then relays to any/all Sonos speakers on the Wi-Fi network (configured as a group). Line out (3.5mm Aux) to RCA in on Sonos Connect to play on any type and number of Sonos speakers on the same Wi-Fi network. AirPlay 2 directly from iOS 11.4+ or Mac OS X to select one or many speakers (that support AirPlay 2) on the same Wi-Fi network	Line out (3.5mm Aux) to line in or one speaker then relays music to up to any type and number of SoundTouch speakers on the same Wi-Fi network. Bose Network Link Adapter can be used to connect multiple Bose SoundTouch speakers and also connect to an existing music system or on hold system, using the Line Out from the Adapter.	Line out (3.5mm Aux) to line in or one speaker, then relays music to up to 5 other Libratones (6 total) on the same Wi-Fi network.	Line out (3.5mm Aux) to line in or one speaker, then relays music to up to any type and number of Wi-Fi Multi-room capable Sony audio products (speakers, receivers) on the same Wi-Fi network.
Computer (browser)	Options Add the Cloud Cover Music service in the Sonos desktop application. Line out (3.5mm Aux) to line in on Play:5 which then relays to any/all Sonos speakers on the Wi-Fi network (configured as a group). Line out (3.5mm Aux) to RCA in on Sonos Connect to play on any type and number of Sonos speakers on the same Wi-Fi network. AirPlay 2 directly from iOS 11.4+ or Mac OS X to select one or many speakers (that support AirPlay 2) on the same Wi-Fi network	Line out (3.5mm Aux) to line in or one speaker then relays music to up to any type and number of SoundTouch speakers on the same Wi-Fi network.	Line out (3.5mm Aux) to line in or one speaker, then relays music to up to 5 other Libratones (6 total) on the same Wi-Fi network.	Line out (3.5mm Aux) to line in or one speaker, then relays music to up to any type and number of Wi-Fi Multi-room capable Sony audio products (speakers, receivers) on the same Wi-Fi network.

Bluetooth (some example brands)
Bose SoundTouch	Libratone	Anker	JBL	UE Boom

	Bluetooth (some example brands)
	Bose SoundTouch	Libratone	Anker	JBL	UE Boom
CloudBox (includes Bluetooth)	Bluetooth output. SoundTouch speakers can be grouped together to support multiple speakers playing from one device	Bluetooth output	Bluetooth output	Bluetooth output	Bluetooth output
Mobile Android (phone/tablet)	Bluetooth output. SoundTouch speakers can be grouped together to support multiple speakers playing from one device	Bluetooth output	Bluetooth output	Bluetooth output	Bluetooth output
Mobile iOS (iPhone/iPad)	Bluetooth output. SoundTouch speakers can be grouped together to support multiple speakers playing from one device	Bluetooth output	Bluetooth output	Bluetooth output	Bluetooth output
Computer (browser)	Bluetooth output. SoundTouch speakers can be grouped together to support multiple speakers playing from one device	Bluetooth output	Bluetooth output	Bluetooth output	Bluetooth output

Guide to Equipment Options & Setups

OPTIONS

OPTIONS

OPTIONS

Options

From $16.16/mo|Legal Music for Business

How can we help you?

All plans include Public Performance Licenses for: