Factory Direct Saves Over "Known" Brands Since 2003

Factory Direct Saves Over "Known" Brands Since 2003

Factory Direct Saves Over "Known" Brands Since 2003

Featured Audio Setup: Apple Airport Express

inwallstore-featured-audio-setup-apple-airport-express

The Apple Airport Express has changed the way I listen to music at home.  Everything is so easy now with just a few of these little gadgets.  They not only integrate with iTunes, but also with Pandora, Youtube and other apps that I’ve found like local radio station apps.  NPR even works!

Parts list:

 

[1] Harman/Kardon HK3390 Stereo Receiver
[4 pr.] InwallTech HD650.2W
[1] InwallTech SS4R Speaker Selector
[1] Apple Airport Express
[1] Computer running iTunes connected to the house network or having Wifi

 

It all starts with a computer that runs the iTunes program. All your music gets downloaded onto your computer either physically from your CDs or via downloading through iTunes or some other form of digital download.

From this iTunes interface, you then basically broadcast your own radio station (what’s playing on iTunes) to your new Apple Airport Express. You can pick which speakers to play to within iTunes. You can click on the image to see it larger.

Apple Airport Express integration
iTunes showing which speakers play

When you click on that area in the lower right, you get this dialogue:

Volume levels for multiple speakers
Volume levels for multiple speakers

If you want to play just to your computer speakers, you can pick just them. If you want both, you can pick both. If you want to send it to your Apple Airport Express, you can pick just that. If you have more than one Apple Airport Express, you can select all of them or any combination. This takes it one step further in that you can now wirelessly send your music to more than one receiver. Maybe you have two levels and can’t get a speaker wire to the second floor.

Your new Apple Airport Express has a 1/8″ headphone jack that you plug into your receiver.

Apple Airport Express with Y-Adaptor for Music
Apple Airport Express with Y-Adaptor for Music

Then into back of receiver with the other end of the Y-Adaptor

RCA Jack end of Y-Adaptor
RCA Jack end of Y-Adaptor

From here, you then have your whole house audio system plug into your receiver, then to the speaker selector, then to optional volume controls and onto the speakers. Here’s a link to a 4-Room Whole House Kit like I have operating, except with ceiling speakers.  Mine is a cathedral ceiling that I chose to put rectangle (wall style) speakers.

Kitchen Speakers InwallTech HD-650W
Kitchen Speakers InwallTech HD-650W

Now use your Apple iPad, iTouch or iPhone, walk around the house and change the track, search your whole library, change the volume – the whole lot.

iPad with "Remote" app
iPad with “Remote” app

 

iPad with "Remote" app
iPad with “Remote” app

Enjoy!  Have a comment on how yours is set up?  Leave me a comment below.

Here’s a really good write up of the Air Play features at How Stuff Works: How Apple AirPlay Works.