A recent CNet article suggests that bluetooth is better than Apple’s AirPlay when it comes to steaming music to speakers from an iPhone. Really? If you’ve been following AirPlayCompatible.com you know we’re far from AirPlay snobs. In face we often suggest that DLNA in some instances is just as good.
Easy of Use – Bluetooth and AirPlay work very differently. In fact the biggest difference is that with AirPlay every device will work almost identically. This is because Apple is calling the shots. Ease of use? AirPlay wins
Price – AirPlay speakers are expensive right now because manufacturers are mostly producing higher end speakers, not 2″ toys that sound like, well, toys. The Apple licencing costs around $4. Not sure what the WiFi costs are but it is certainly not main difference between a $100 bluetooth speaker and a $300 AirPlay speaker. You’re getting a better sounding spekaer.
Sound – Bluetooh compresses the sound, AirPlay does not. You won’t hear the difference in comparably priced and designed speakers, but since most of the bluetooth only speakers are low end, you’ll hear the difference.
Range – Here is the biggie. CNet says you’ll most likely be within the 33 foot range of the speaker the entire time you’re listening to it. Really? Why would that be. This makes the least sense of all. WiFi is a far superior solution for a speaker setup. If you’re in 33 feet of the speaker you might as well dock your device and get a direct connection.
Lastly – Bluetooth does not need WiFi. Yep, it does not. So if the speaker is not device to device compatible with AirPlay, (many are) then bluetooth has an advantage. That’s if you don’t have WiFi. The last point they make about bluetooth being universal vs AirPlay being Apple only is a weird argument, but does make sense ifyou have multiple OS devices in your home, Android and iOS
Overall I’d say pick the device that fits your situation, budget, and desired level of sound quality, but don’t base it on CNet’s article.
