"Find all the latest in Apple AirPlay devices, where to get them, and guides on how to get the most from Apple AirPlay"

Best AirPlay speakers

To assist you with finding the right Apple AirPlay speakers for you i have created this overview of AirPlay speakers that are currently in the market or that has been announced for release this year. I will keep updating this section with new speakers as they get announced.

B&W Zeppelin Air

Currently the flagship when it comes to AirPlay speaker docks and the second coming of the Zeppelin speaker dock, now featuring improved audio specifications as well as full AirPlay compatibility. Bowers & Wilkins have stayed true to their design roots, keeping the iconic zeppelin shape, while bringing all of the latest in technology to make the sound and experience of the Zeppelin Air all that more impressive.

Price: From £499 *
Where to buy: Amazon UK / John Lewis / Best Buy

Find out more: B&W Zeppelin Air

JBL On Air speaker dock

JBL's first AirPlay speaker dock stands out from most other Airplay speakers docks that are out so far with its oval, almost wheel like shape, with the docking station sitting in the middle, including a small LCD screen to display audio information. The speakers are situated in the outer curve, with the shape supposedly enhancing the sound experience throughout the room.

Price: From £259 *
Where to buy: Amazon UK / John Lewis

Find out more: JBL On Air


Philips AD7000w Airplay speaker

The AD7000w Airplay speaker from Philips has a more traditional Fidelio style design, but without the physical docking station of course. This is their entry level Airplay speaker and amongst the more affordable solutions in the UK market at the moment. If you want to connect an external docking station, there is a USB port included with the system.

Price: From £180 *
Where to buy: Amazon / John Lewis / Argos

Find out more: Philips Fidelio AD7000w

Pioneer X-SMC3-K Micro System

More of a micro-system than a traditional speaker dock, the Pioneer X-SMC3-K comes with more than just standard AirPlay streaming, it also includes DLNA streaming for those that have devices that are not compatible with AirPlay. Throw in the addition of internet/FM radio and the fact that it also includes a traditional docking station option, at this price this feels like a pretty good deal.

Price: From £188 *
Where to buy: Amazon UK / John Lewis

Find out more: Pioneer X-SMC3-K


Denon CEOL RCD-N7 Airplay

Denon was the first ones to release an AirPlay compatible sound system onto the UK market with the CEOL RCD-N7. 
A more traditional sound system compared to an all-in-one speaker dock, the Denon CEOL RCD-N7 features a central system that houses both a docking station as well as a more 'old school' cd player, with externally connected speakers of your choice. The system can also be further expanded as it supports mutli-zone set up.

Price: From £469 *
Where to buy: Advanced MP3 Players

Find out more: Denon CEOL RCD-N7

Marantz Melody Media M-CR603

Marantz announced their AirPlay intentions around the same time as Denon did, making it an available upgrade for some of their system through an upgrade. One of their systems that can be upgraded is the Marantz Melody Media M-CR603, a system similar to the Denon CEOL as it consists of a station that you can connect whichever speakers you want to. It includes a CD player, DAB radio, bluetooth for additional streaming opportunities, and M-Xport DLNA.

Price: From £449 *
Where to buy: Amazon UK

Find out more: Marantz MCR603

iHome iW1 Airplay speaker

One of the first Airplay speakers to ever be announced, it has taken it about a year to actually make it into the market, but the iHome iW1 is finally here. Use it as a stand alone speaker in one room, or combine several iW1 speakers to create a more room-filling sound, or even to create a multi-room system, with control of which speakers will receive the music right from your iOS device.

Price: From £299.99 *
Where to buy: Amazon UK

Find out more: iHome iW1


Philips Fidelio Soundsphere DS9800W

The first AirPlay system announced by Philips, and what a stylish way to enter the market. The DS9800W Soundsphere is definitely amongst the more design styled AirPlay speakers, and it is quite powerful as well with 2 x 50W drivers with floating tweeters. They are priced at the upper end of the AirPlay market, but compared to what you get they still feel like value for money.

Price: From £699 *
Where to buy: Amazon UK / John Lewis

Find out more: Philips DS9800W


Philips Fidelio Soundring DS3800W

The Soundring Airplay speakers from Philips are unique in their donut shaped design, which according to the company also serves the purpose of creating a more room-filling sound experience. The DS3800W is the lowest priced of the models, featuring four high-definition drivers, a bass tube, and a total power output of 16W. Buy a couple of these for your room and you are pretty much guaranteed a stylish set up.

Price: From £250 *
Where to buy: Amazon UK

Find out more: Philips DS3800W

Philips Fidelio Soundring DS3880W

The only real difference between the DS3880W and the other Soundring model is that this one also comes with a rechargeable battery (including a stylish docking station for recharging), making it something as unique as a portable AirPlay speaker. Might be a bit more expensive, but some might prefer that for the chance to have a portable option.

Price: From £300 *
Where to buy: Amazon

Find out more: Philips DS3880W


Logitech Air Speaker

Logitech has also joined the Airplay market with their Air Speaker, a more traditional looking iPod speaker dock that has got the addition of a docking station to go along with the AirPlay functionality, allowing you to dock your iOS device for charging.

Price: From 299 *
Where to buy: Amazon UK

Find out more: Philips DS3880W



JBL OnBeat Air speaker dock

Whilst we largely saw the higher priced Airplay options earlier this year, we are now starting to see more affordable AirPlay enabled speaker docks as well, including this one from Harman Kardon owned JBL. The On Beat Air is built on the popular iPad speaker dock in the same range and comes in at the lower end of the market.

Price: From £229.95 *
Where to buy: Amazon UK / John Lewis

Find out more: JBL On Beat Air



Libratone Live Airplay speaker

Libratone caused some waves in the wireless speaker market for iOS devices when it launched their Libratone Beat speaker, and now they have added AirPlay to the same style speaker in the Libratone Live. Clad in colorful cashmere wool and a total power output of 150W (RMS), this is one system to watch and is added to my shortlist.

Price: From 599 *
Where to buy: Amazon / John Lewis

Find out more: Libratone Live


Libratone Lounge Airplay speaker

Launched alongside the Libratone Live, the Lounge is designed to sit nicely at the base of your television set for example, providing a stylish and powerful solution for your living room/media room. You still get the same cashmere clad styling, plenty of power, and all for a price just on the top side of a £1,000.

Price: From 1,099 *
Where to buy: Amazon / John Lewis

Find out more: Libratone Lounge




Loewe Air Speaker

With the Air Speaker Loewe has created something different, and in my opinion stylish. The square box looking speaker with the interchangeable top deck in different colors is also quite powerful with its 80W (RMS) Output Power. This is definitely one of the systems i'm personally looking forward to trying out.

Price: £649
Where to buy: Apple UK, John Lewis

Find out more: Loewe Air Speaker


AQ Smart AirPlay speaker

Manchester based AQ Audio has with the AQ Smart speaker delivered one of the lowest priced Airplay solutions in the market at the moment, priced just under £200. Each speaker comes with two built-in drivers that combined deliver 25W (RMS) power output. Might not be as stylish as some of the above solutions, but price is also more affordable.

Price: From 199 *
Where to buy: To be confirmed

Find out more: AQ Smart AirPlay speaker


Philips Fidelio Soundcurve DS8800W

Inspired by the more traditional Fidelio speaker docks like the DS9, the DS8800W Airplay speaker from Philips comes with 2 x 15W of power output, neodymium drivers, and backfiring bass pipes. Compared to some of the similar looking speaker docks, on this one Philips have traded some power for AirPlay streaming instead.

Price: From 349 *
Where to buy: John Lewis / Amazon

Find out more: Philips DS8800W


Altec Lansing inAir 5000

With the inAir 5000 Altec Lansing have launched into the AirPlay market as well, ready to take on the B&W and Philips of the world. Styled to compete and with what looks like plenty of power, it will be interesting to see how the inAir 5000 stacks up to the competiton when it is released.

Price: From £429.99 *
Where to buy: HMV / Amazon

Find out more: Altec Lansing inAir 5000



Geneva Sound Model XXL

When this one hits the market it will be the mothership of all AirPlay speakers, as the Geneva Sound Model XXL is as much a piece of furniture as it is a speaker solution. Plant your flatscreen tv on top of this one and you got 700W of power output to play with. It is priced at pretty much double the price of any other airplay speaker in the market.

Price: From 2,499 *
Where to buy: To be confirmed

Find out more: Geneva Sound Model XXL


Gear4 AirZone Series 1

Popular iPod speaker dock manufacturer Gear4 have announced their first Airplay speaker in the Gear4 AirZone Series 1, a system that in addition to Airplay streaming also includes a physical docking station that allows you to dock your iPod / iPhone / iPad for charging and playing. It is also one of the more affordable AirPlay speakers to be announced into the UK market with a release date around 21st November.

Price: From £199 *
Where to buy: To be confirmed



Audyssey LES Air Dock

Representing the Lower East Side, Audyssey have announced their first AirPlay speaker in the LES Air Dock, a retro looking Airplay speaker that is packed with Audyssey audio quality. The LES Air Dock is expected to come to the UK sometime early 2012, but release date and price is to be confirmed.

Price: £291
Where to buy: Amazon UK

Find out more: Audyssey LES Air Dock



LG ND8520 Airplay speaker dock

One of the more unique looking Airplay speakers to be announced, the LG ND8520 reminds me of a rubix cube with a stylish all black finish. Little is known about the system to date, but it does feature a top mounted physical docking station in addition to its Airplay streaming capabilities + its powerful at 80W output power.

Price: TBC *
Where to buy: To be confirmed



Bang & Olufsen BeoLit 12

Bang & Olufsen have gone retro with their first AirPlay enabled speaker, a portable solution that is guaranteed to divide opinion when it comes to looks, but hopefully not when it comes to sound.

Price: £699 TBC *
Where to buy: Expected January 2012





iTeufel Air

The first AirPlay speaker from one of Europes leading audio manufacturers, and it is a stylish bookshelf solution that packs a decent amount of power.

Price: £429.99
Where to buy: Teufel

Find out more: iTeufel Air speaker





SOUL Party in a Box Airplay speaker

SOUL Electronics and Ludacris have taken the move from headphones to speaker docks, and done so with the inclusion of AirPlay streaming as they are set to bring celebrity endorsement to the speaker market as well.

Price: TBC *
Where to buy: To be confirmed





Acoustic Research ARAP50

Another of the new entrants into the AirPlay speaker market, the ARAP50 will likely be amongst the more affordable solutions when it is released.

Price: TBC *
Where to buy: Likely spring 2012 release date

Find out more: Acoustic Research ARAP50 Airplay





iHome iW4

iHome is building on the success of their iHome iW1 by releasing their first ever Airplay enabled alarm clock speaker dock, bringing airplay streaming to the bedroom.

Price: TBC *
Where to buy: To be confirmed

Find out more: iHome iW4






Pure Contour 200i

Pure has now taken their popular Contour speaker docks into the AirPlay streaming era, delivering their first solution in the Contour 200i.

Price: £199
Where to buy: Amazon / John Lewis / Currys






Logic3 Ferrari Cavallino GT1

Iconic supercar brand Ferrari has teamed up with Logic3 to bring a range of Ferrari branded accessories to the market, including two Airplay speaker docks, with one of them being the Cavallino GT1.

Price: £599 (TBC)
Where to buy: April 2012 release date






Logic3 Ferrari Scuderia FS1

The second of the Ferrari branded Logic3 Airplay speakers, taking its inspiration from the famous racing cars, sporting the yellow prancing horse logo and the red stripe.

Price: £499 (TBC)
Where to buy: April 2012 release date


Samsung DA-E750 AirPlay

One of Apple's top competitors in the smartphone market, and one of the leading consumer electronics brands in the world, Samsung has launched their first AirPlay speakers and done so with the powerful and stylish DA-E750.

Price: TBC *
Where to buy: To be confirmed

Find out more: Samsung DA-E750 Airplay




Samsung DA-E670 AirPlay

This is the little brother of the above model. It has the same smart looks of a tabletop speaker, but not quite packed with the same power and features, which should also be reflected in the price.

Price: TBC *
Where to buy: To be confirmed

Find out more: Samsung DA-E670 Airplay




Klipsch Console

Klipsch used CES to announce three new additions to their AirPlay speaker range, with the top model being the new Klipsch Console, filled with power and performance.

Price: TBC *
Where to buy: Expected Fall 2012




Klipsch Stadium

Klipsch is bringing an AirPlay speaker with stadium speaker look and feel in the Klipsch Stadium, including a powerful 5 1/4-inch subwoofer.

Price: TBC *
Where to buy: To be confirmed


Sony RDP-XA900iP

Sony has focused on building up their own home streaming solution in Homeshare, but with these latest speaker docks, including the top model RDP-XA900iP with 200W of power output they have also embraced Airplay streaming.

Price: TBC *
Where to buy: Expected in May 2012

Find out more: Sony RDP-XA900iP Airplay





Sharp DK-KP95K sound system

Sharp has joined the Airplay speaker race with a more traditional style all-in-one home sound system featuring Airplay streaming, a physical docking station, and a CD player that supports MP3 and WMA.

Price: TBC *
Where to buy: To be confirmed

Find out more: Sharp DK-KP95P




Panasonic SC-HC57

A competitor to the new Sharp Airplay system and the established Pioneer solutions. Panasonic has joined the AirPlay race with a all-in-one home solution with integrated radio and CD player as well as AirPlay streaming and docking station.

Price: TBC *
Where to buy: Expected April 2012

Find out more: Panasonic SC-HC57 AirPlay sound system




Panasonic SC-AP01

The second of Panasonic AirPlay systems announced at CES this year is a slimline stylish soundbar that will go well with your television set and Apple TV.

Price: TBC *
Where to buy: Expected April 2012

Find out more: Panasonic SC-AP01 AirPlay soundbar






Sony SA-NS310

The smallest of the Sony Homeshare speakers that have now also received Airplay streaming capabilities. Use it as a standalone speaker or get a few more of them to create a more complete room sound.

Price: TBC *
Where to buy: Expected Summer 2012

Find out more: Sony SA-NS310 Homeshare





Sony SA-NS410

The bigger brother of the above model, this one features a built-in subwoofer for even better and more powerful sound. Why not combine the different homeshare speakers into a full on sound system with AirPlay streaming.

Price: TBC *
Where to buy: Expected Summer 2012

Find out more: Sony SA-NS410 Homeshare




Sony RDP-XA700iP

This is the little brother of the RDP-XA900iP with reduced power and reduced price.

Price: TBC *
Where to buy: Expected May 2012

Find out more: Sony RDP-XA700iP Airplay

* Prices are updated as per 20th October 2011. Links to merchants are affiliate links from which this site might make a commission on any subsequent sales.
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