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.

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

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.

Then into back of receiver with the other end of the 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.

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.

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.