Marshall has introduced a brand new music streaming hub called the Heddon that may broadcast to a number of audio system utilizing the Bluetooth Auracast feature that’s lastly beginning to catch on. Much like Sennheiser’s BTA1 TV Transmitter introduced earlier this week, the Heddon doesn’t require wi-fi audio units to undergo a pairing course of to stream audio, so long as additionally they help Bluetooth Auracast. However whereas Sennheiser’s transmitter has an HDMI port for broadcasting audio from films and TV reveals, Marshall’s focuses on music.
The Heddon hub consists of Wi-Fi which is used to instantly hook up with streaming companies together with Spotify Join and Tidal. Different platforms like Apple Music can be utilized, however they have to be streamed by different units like your cellphone that hook up with the hub utilizing AirPlay or Google Solid.
Marshall says the Heddon’s Auracast broadcasting is suitable with its Acton III, Stanmore III, and Woburn III Bluetooth speakers. Assuming it’s utilizing a typical Bluetooth connection and never a proprietary implementation, any wi-fi speaker, headphones, earbuds, and even listening to aids that help Auracast ought to be capable of entry its broadcasts.
Older variations of Marshall’s wi-fi audio system, together with its Acton II and Stanmore II, can solely hook up with the Heddon utilizing RCA to AUX or RCA to RCA cables, and simply one after the other. Whereas the hub has two stereo pairs of RCA ports on the again, just one is for connecting to a speaker. The opposite two are line in ports for connecting older audio units like a document participant.
The Marshall Heddon is on the market now for $299.99, which is greater than twice as costly as Sennheiser’s $129.95 BTA1 transmitter. When bought with an Acton III, Stanmore III, or Woburn III wi-fi speaker the Heddon will get a half worth low cost. And when you purchase two or extra of the aforementioned audio system, Marshall will embrace the hub free of charge.
