I started using Airplay 2 after I got that Sony receiver last year. It took some time for the full benifit of the wireless streaming option to kick in mentally for me, but when they did, I rairly used Bluetooth, accept for private listening over Airpods.

Airplay 2, from iOS with Voiceover.

Just a couple years ago, we gained better control of our handsets Voiceover and media aueio over Bluetooth, being able to leave Voiceover volume over the handsets speaker, without it yelling or drasticly changing volume, however, with a Bluetooth destination connected, you can only change media volume with the volume buttons on the handset. Airplay 2, takes this a step further allowing you to change Voiceover volume when it is speaking, and media volume when it is not. Their is no odd pops over the handset speaker, and, you can also use Bluetooth for speach, if you first have your airpods connected, for example. You may also take and make phone and Facetime calls and the media over airplay doesn’t stop, or break up. It much feels like your not using your handset to play the media at all.

Multiroom:

If you have multiple Airplay receivers, such as the Wiim devices, you may play media to all the airplay 2 devices in your home, in multiple rooms. You also, can have your handset across the house and use a receiver, or speaker far away. As long as you have a good wifi signal, Airplay will go, where your phone does not.In my opinion, the audio is also better quality over Airplay 2, than Bluetooth.

Transmitting over Airplay:

Apple and airplay go hand in hand, but it can get a bit more tricky when you want to transmit from another OS.Also, Apple does not natively receive. For Windows, you may use an app called Tuneblade for transmission. This windows app also, has a remote app for iOS. It is really neat, if you have a home radio station up, that you leave playing all the time, as Tuneblade, transmits whatever your default audio device is playing on the PC. As long as the app is open, you don’t need to touch the computer. Tuneblade on the Windows side is mostly accessible, you see the volume sliders per speaker, and you tab past this for the button to enable the receiveing device. You can not, with JAWS, or NVDA, register the software. You will either need to have sighted assist, or, use the app Viewpoint, an AI app that creates an accessible UI, from a UI, that is otherwise inaccessible, that’s another post in itself, but as long as you have airplay 2 receivers, the Tuneblade remote app allows you to enable, or disable each receiver, and you can easily play in multiple rooms at a time.

For anilogue sources, their is an app called Airchord that allows you to Airplay from your iOS device, so the Microphone, or a usb audio device. I have installed it, but not played much with the app. It looks accessible.

Wiim, allows for prapriitory Multi-room audio, which, in itself, is not airplay, but it’s very similar, as long as you have, say, a Wiim Pro, and then multiple Wiim mini’s to receive. The Wiim Home app is accessible. The only thing I got hung up on, was, that you go into the Wiim Pro, to setup the listening, or receiveing sources. but the audio is in sync across rooms! and to mee the technology is very similar quality to Airplay. The Pro has rca and digital inputs and outputs. The Mini has eighth inch input and output, and optical out. These Wiim devices are powered by USB c, 5 v.

All and all, Airplay can change the way you think about home audio, and multi-room audio! It’s a very cool technology! you can transmit from iOS, Windows and anilogue sources.