Eve announces AirPlay adapter Eve Play

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in iOS edited September 2023

Eve has unveiled the details of its previously leaked Eve Play adapter for AirPlay, and it will be available from November 14, 2023.

The new Eve Play (Source: Eve)
The new Eve Play (Source: Eve)



Full details of the Eve Play were listed in a regulatory database back in June, shortly after Eve was acquired by automation firm ABB.

Unsurprisingly, the announced product appears to entirely match the previously revealed specifications. Eve describes it as "a high-quality audio streaming interface for AirPlay."

"Sporting RCA and digital outputs," continues the company, "Eve Play adds streaming capabilities to existing amplifiers, active speakers or soundbars streaming-capable, and also integrates them perfectly synchronized in multi-room setups with other AirPlay 2 speakers such as Apple HomePods."

The new Eve Play features 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi and an integrated Ethernet port, plus RCA connectors, and optical and coaxial digital outputs.

Eve says the Eve Play will be available both directly from the manufacturer and via Amazon from November 14, 2023. It will retail for $149.95.


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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 9
    mike1mike1 Posts: 3,433member
    That's what I used to use an Airport Express for.
    Alinappleinsideruserwatto_cobrawilliamlondon
  • Reply 2 of 9
    retrogustoretrogusto Posts: 1,135member
    mike1 said:
    That's what I used to use an Airport Express for.
    Me too. And now I use an Apple TV for that, but I’m only able to because my DAC has an HDMI input. It seems like you could probably also use one of the older Apple TVs with optical out, if they can handle Airplay [2]. Belkin also makes a product that seems nearly identical but costs $50 less. 
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 9
    jmw1480jmw1480 Posts: 1member
    Depending on what type of connections, channels, and power output you need, Fosi Audio makes some great products. I have a BT20A Pro powering two Infinity passive outdoor speakers, which gives me audio via Bluetooth and - via an AirPort Express input - AirPlay 2/Wi-Fi.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 9
    AlinAlin Posts: 16member
    Outrageously expensive if you ask me. The cheapest alternative will still be an old airport expres that you can probably pick up for $25-$30 from your local listings. 
    edited August 2023 watto_cobrawilliamlondon
  • Reply 5 of 9
    jeffharrisjeffharris Posts: 834member
    Belkin makes something like this, their $99 SoundForm Connect. It only has a 3.5mm and optical outputs. It supports AirPlay 2, too.
    RCA jacks in the Eve are a nice touch.

    During the pandemic I got a pair of KEF LSX wireless speakers to make a simple A/V system for my bedroom with an Apple TV HD and 32” monitor. I was able to stream to the speakers from my Mac or iPhone or even the music library on my NAS. I really liked the convenience.

    Looked for something to stream to my main hi-fi system. There was the Belkin or $500+ “audiophile” adaptors. The Belkin worked fine, although I had to crank the volume on my amp to get reasonable sound levels. 

    I have a couple of EVE Flare lights, which are great, so hopefully the Eve Play will work as seamlessly. 
    Like I said, the fact it has RCA jacks and coaxial outputs, in addition to optical, is a big plus.
    edited August 2023 watto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 9
    jeffharrisjeffharris Posts: 834member
    jmw1480 said:
    Depending on what type of connections, channels, and power output you need, Fosi Audio makes some great products. I have a BT20A Pro powering two Infinity passive outdoor speakers, which gives me audio via Bluetooth and - via an AirPort Express input - AirPlay 2/Wi-Fi.
    The Fosi Audio stuff looks cool. Good prices, too.

    That BT20A only has Bluetooth? That's weird, I heard that Bluetooth only supports lower res audio files.
    You'd think they'd include wi-fi, too. Too bad you have to add an old AirPort Express to the mix.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 9
    mainstreamusamainstreamusa Posts: 4member
    At this price you should consider a Wiim pro or pro plus, or a Wiim mini for way less.
    appleinsideruserwatto_cobra
  • Reply 8 of 9
    emcnairemcnair Posts: 17member
    I like the fact that it handles both 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi. I also like that it has an Ethernet port and RCA connections, two things Belkin’s offering is missing. 
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 9 of 9
    elehcdnelehcdn Posts: 388member
    I have the Belkin Soundform Connect, use it with a little Chinese class D micro amp to drive my outdoor speakers. Not sure why people are excited over RCA jacks, you are still going to need a cable and it's easy to find a 3.5mm adapter to RCA plugs. The Soundform Connect talks to Airplay 2 over 2.4/5 GHz WiFi (don't think that AP2 can be supported over Bluetooth.) Works well, no issues pairing using iTunes on my iOS and Mac devices.

    Eve includes an HDMI connector which is convenient since so many people are eschewing Home A/V receivers for soundbars so that fills a market need, but that is the only difference I can see from the Belkin. Perhaps Eve will provide a bit more integration with their HomeKit devices - the Soundform Connect is pretty much a one-off product from Belkin that has been poorly marketed.
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