How to Play Music via Wi-Fi: 5 Methods for Speakers, TVs, and Smartphones

Stream music via Wi-Fi — is a convenient way to listen to your favorite tracks wirelessly, with minimal delays and maximum sound quality. Unlike BluetoothWhere connectivity is limited to 10 meters and is often interrupted, a wireless network allows you to control playback from any device in the house, synchronize multiple speakers, or even stream audio to Smart TV without additional cables.

But how does this work in practice? Depending on your equipment—whether it’s smart speaker (like JBL Link or Sonos Era), multimedia TV (Samsung QLED, LG OLED) or even old audio systems with Wi-Fi adapter — connection methods can vary dramatically. In this article, we'll look at 5 proven methods, including AirPlay 2, DLNA/UPnP, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth via a router And live broadcast from PCWe'll also find out why the sound sometimes "lags" and how to fix it.

Before you begin, make sure all devices are connected to one Wi-Fi networkThis is a key requirement for most protocols! If you have dual-band router (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz) is better to use 5 GHz — there is less interference and higher speed, which is critical for streaming music without delays.

1. AirPlay 2: How to Stream Music to Apple Speakers and TVs

AirPlay 2 - this is the protocol from Apple, which allows you to stream audio (and video) via Wi-Fi to compatible devices: speakers (HomePod, Sonos, Bose), televisions (Apple TV 4K, Samsung Q-Series with AirPlay support) and even some Android devices (via third-party apps). The main advantage is synchronizing sound on several speakers simultaneously (for example, to create a multi-room audio system).

To use AirPlay 2:

• 📱 On iPhone/iPad: open Control center (swipe down from the top right corner), tap the music playback icon → select a device from the list AirPlay.
• 💻 On Mac: In the menu bar, click on the speaker icon → select a speaker or TV.
• 🎵 In applications (Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube): tap on the icon AirPlay (rectangle with a triangle at the bottom) and select the target device.

If your device does not appear in the list, check:

• 🔌 Are the speaker/TV and smartphone connected to one Wi-Fi network (not to the guest!).
• 🔄 Is the software updated on all devices (on HomePod updates are installed automatically through iPhone).
• ⚙️ Is AirPlay enabled in your device settings (for example, on Samsung TV This Settings → General → Apple AirPlay).

⚠️ Attention: On Android AirPlay 2 only works through third-party apps like AirMusic or AirBubbleThe sound quality may be worse than on devices Apple.

2. DLNA/UPnP: a universal method for any device

DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) and UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) are standards that allow the transfer of media files (including music) between devices on a local network. Unlike AirPlay, no proprietary protocols are needed here: it is enough that both the source (smartphone, PC) and the receiver (speaker, TV) support DLNA.

How it works in practice:

1. 📡 Make sure that on router included UPnP (usually in the section Local Area Network → UPnP).
2. 💻 On Windows PC:
   • Open Settings → Network & Internet → Sharing options.
   • Turn on Media sharing and select folders with music.

📱 On Android: use apps like BubbleUPnP or LocalCast to transfer music to DLNA devices.

🔊 On the speaker/TV: select the source DLNA or Network player (on Sony this can be called Media Player).

Advantages of DLNA:

• ✅ Works on any device (even old ones) Samsung TV 2015).
• ✅ Supports formats FLAC, WAV, MP3 without recoding.
• ✅ You can stream music from NAS servers or network drive.

⚠️ Note: Some routers (eg. TP-Link Archer C6) by default block multicast traffic required for DLNA. If music is interrupted, check your settings. IGMP Snooping in the router admin panel.

3. Spotify Connect: Lossless Music

Spotify Connect - this is the service's proprietary technology Spotify, which allows you to control music playback from your phone, but stream it directly to a speaker or TV via Wi-Fi. The main difference from Bluetooth: the sound comes from the servers Spotify to the receiving device, rather than from the smartphone, which saves battery power and ensures a stable connection.

How to connect:

1. 📱 Open the app Spotify on a smartphone.
2. 🔊 Turn on a compatible speaker (for example, Sonos One, Google Nest Audio or Bose Soundbar 900).
3. 🎵 Click on the icon in the bottom panel of the player Devices (wave speaker) → select your speaker.

Spotify Connect Benefits:

• 🎧 The sound is transmitted in the original quality (up to 320 kbps for Premium subscription).
• 📱 You can receive calls on your phone without interrupting the music on the speaker.
• 🔄 Supports playlists And track queue with synchronization between devices.

If the speaker does not appear in the list of devices:

• 🔌 Check if both devices are connected to one Wi-Fi network.
• 🔄 Restart the speaker (on some models Sonos To do this you need to hold down the button Play/Pause 5 seconds).
• 📱 Update the application Spotify and the speaker firmware.

The speaker is on and in standby mode|Wi-Fi is the same on both the smartphone and the speaker|Spotify has been updated to the latest version|There is no active Bluetooth connection on the speaker-->

4. Bluetooth via a Wi-Fi router: an unusual but effective method

If your speaker or headphones only support Bluetooth, but you want to stream music via Wi-Fi (for example, to not be limited to a distance of 10 meters), you can use Bluetooth-enabled routerSome models (for example, ASUS RT-AX88U or TP-Link Deco X90) have a built-in Bluetooth adapter and can relay audio over the network.

How to set up:

1. 📡 Connect Bluetooth speaker to the router:
   • Go to your router's control panel (usually at 192.168.1.1).
   • Find the section Bluetooth Audio or Multimedia.
   • Enable device search and select your speaker.

💻 On your PC or smartphone:

• Open a music playing app (e.g. VLC or Windows Media Player).
• Select as output device [Your router name] Bluetooth Audio.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Audio delay (~200–500 ms) due to double encoding (Wi-Fi → Bluetooth).
• ❌Sound quality is limited AAC or SBC (Not aptX!).
• ❌ Not all routers support this feature (check your model specifications).

Which routers support Bluetooth audio?

List of models with built-in Bluetooth:

- ASUS RT-AX88U (Bluetooth 5.0)

- TP-Link Deco X90 (only in Mesh mode)

- Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 (with firmware 2023+)

- Xiaomi AX9000 (requires manual activation in Developer Mode)

For other routers, you can purchase an external one Bluetooth adapter (For example, CSR 4.0) and connect it to the USB port.

5. Live Streaming from PC: For Audiophiles and Streamers

If you want to stream music from PC to an audio system without loss of quality, the best way is to use specialized software like Roon, Foobar2000 with plugin UPnP or even Steam Link (for gamers) This method is suitable for:

• 🎧 High-quality audio systems (Denon, Marantz, Cambridge Audio).
• 🎤 Streamerswho want to broadcast music from DAW (For example, FL Studio or Ableton Live).
• 💿 Local collections in formats FLAC, DSD, ALAC.

Step-by-step setup with an example Foobar2000:

1. 💻 Install Foobar2000 and plugin foo_upnp (you can download it from the official website).
2. 🔊 Turn on UPnP/DLNA in the speaker or receiver settings.
3. 🎵 In Foobar2000:

   File → Preferences → Tools → UPnP/DLNA → Add Renderer

   Select your device from the list.

4. 🔥 Drag tracks into the playlist and click Play — the sound will go directly to the speaker.

For professionals: If you need minimal latency (for example, to synchronize music and video), use the protocol RAAT V RoonIt is optimized for audiophile systems and supports:

• 🎛️ Bit-perfect transmission (without recoding).
• 🔊 MQA (high resolution format from Tidal).
• 📡 Synchronization of multiple zones (for example, speakers in the living room and kitchen).

⚠️ Attention: When broadcasting DSD or 24-bit/192kHz FLAC Make sure your router supports it QoS (Quality of Service) to prioritize audio traffic. Otherwise, audio interruptions may occur.

6. Troubleshooting: Why music is slow or won't connect

Even with the correct setup, problems may arise: the sound is interrupted, the devices do not see each other, or playback is delayed. Here top 5 reasons and ways to eliminate them:

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
The music stops every 5-10 seconds	Weak Wi-Fi signal or interference from other networks	Switch to 5 GHz or change the channel in the router settings
Devices do not see each other in DLNA/AirPlay	Disabled UPnP on the router or firewall	Turn on UPnP in the router panel and check the exceptions in Windows Defender/Antivirus
Sound delay when watching videos	Unsynchronized audio and video streams	Use low latency protocols (AirPlay 2, Google Cast) or customize A/V Sync on TV
Spotify Connect won't connect	The speaker is in Bluetooth or guest network mode	Restart the speaker and make sure it is connected to the main Wi-Fi network.
Poor sound quality	Automatic compression in the application settings	IN Spotify turn on High quality (320 kbps) in the playback settings

If nothing helps, check:

• 🔌 Router power supply: some budget models (Tenda N301) slow down under heavy load. Try connecting the router to an uninterruptible power supply.
• 📶 Wi-Fi channel: use a network analyzer (eg Wi-Fi Analyzer For Android) and select the least loaded channel.
• 🔄 Router firmware: on some models (Keenetic, MikroTik) Old versions of software block multicast traffic.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to stream music via Wi-Fi to an old speaker without Smart features?

Yes, if you connect to it Wi-Fi adapter (For example, Google Chromecast Audio - you can still find it used) or Bluetooth receiver with support UPnP (For example, Eufy Boom). Also some AV receivers (like Yamaha RX-V385) have a built-in Wi-Fi module and can work as DLNA receivers.

How to sync music on multiple speakers at the same time?

It depends on the protocol:

• AirPlay 2: supports multi-room audio (eg. HomePod Mini in the living room and in the kitchen).
• Sonos: use the app Sonos Controller to create column groups.
• Google Cast: V Google Home You can combine columns into one zone.
• DLNA: synchronization is possible only through specialized software (for example, BubbleUPnP with plugin Sync Playback).

For Bluetooth- speakers cannot be synchronized - only via Wi-Fi!

Why does music sound quieter over Wi-Fi than over a cable?

This may be due to:

• Volume limitation in the speaker settings (check Volume Limit in the manufacturer's application).
• Audio compression when transmitting (for example, Spotify uses by default 160 kbps for free accounts).
• Incorrect choice of output device (on Windows check that in Sounds the correct device is selected, not Stereo, Bluetooth Hands-free).

Solution: enable High quality in the streaming service settings and check if the mode is activated Night mode or Equalizer on the column.

Is it possible to stream music from an iPhone to an Android speaker?

Yes, but with restrictions:

• If the column supports AirPlay 2 (For example, Sonos Era 300), the connection will be direct.
• If only DLNA/UPnP, use apps like AirMusic (For iPhone) or BubbleUPnP (For Android-columns).
• For Bluetooth-any speakers will do Wi-Fi/Bluetooth adapter (For example, 1Mii B06 Plus).

Please note: on iPhone You can't stream music directly DLNA without third-party applications.

How to reduce audio latency when streaming over Wi-Fi?

Latency depends on the protocol and hardware:

• AirPlay 2: ~50–100 ms (best for video).
• Google Cast: ~100–200 ms.
• Bluetooth (via router): ~200–500 ms (not suitable for video).
• DLNA: ~100–300 ms (depending on software).

To reduce latency:

• Use 5 GHz Wi-Fi instead of 2.4 GHz.
• Turn on QoS on the router and set the priority for audio traffic.
• For Android TV or Fire TV Stick turn off power saving mode (Settings → Display & Sound → Sleep Mode).