Airfoil 5 Review

The Old Features

I have written about the numerous Airplay features of Airfoil many times, so I won't go over every detail here (use the search function on this site if you want to find full articles).   However, I have recommended  Airfoil combined with the Airport Express (I have two of these $39 last gen versions and they work great) or AppleTV for several years for people that want to stream audio from their computer to a stereo via wifi.  The old version of this program could do that with any audio stream and it could also let you choose numerous Airplay receivers and play on all them individually or simultaneously.  It is an awesome program for those that want multiroom-audio without spending a fortune.

The other unique features is that it will also make your iOS device or Computer appear as an Airplay device.  This ideal if you want to stream from your computer to your iPhone/iPad/Android Device.

Groups 

One of the best new features with the new version of Airfoil is the ability to create "Groups".  Instead of needing to click on individual Airplay devices in the menu every time, you can now setup Groups for the speakers you listen to most often and group them together for easy access.  For example, if you like to have your Kitchen Speaker on with your main Living Room speaker when you prepare meals, you can simply put those two speakers in a group and click one button to activate both of them.  It is very convenient for those that like to listen to the same speakers all the time.  

Below, you can see the "Groups" setup menu.  When you hit the "+" symbol, it brings up an "Untitled Group" you can rename.  Next, you put a check in the box of the Airplay devices you want in the setup.  I have already setup a "Bedroom" group and a "Living" group.   

Bluetooth

Airfoil now supports Bluetooth devices, as well.  I tested this with myParrot ZIK 2.0 headphones that I had paired to my Mac.  I sent the audio to my Denon receiver and my headphones simultaneously and the audio played on both devices.  

The interesting thing was that my Bluetooth headphones could still pause and play the audio that was being sent via Airfoil from iTunes.   I don't use Bluetooth around the house a lot, but this could really come in handy for those that have Airplay devices playing in one room while a Bluetooth speaker is playing in the kitchen or a bathroom. 

Notice in the picture below that myParrot ZIK's are listed with my Airplay devices, my iOS devices, and the Macs that are running Airfoil Satellite:

Audio Drop Outs

I was reading an audio forum thread recently where someone complained that he was getting drop outs using Airfoil for his 5 Airplay devices and he said it was not a router issue, but instead, it was an issue with the technology.  That claim sounded false to me, but I decided to test it to be sure. 

I set up Airfoil to send audio to the following Airplay devices:

1.  Appletv 3 in gym/garage (wireless)
2.  Airport Express in the bathroom on the other side of the house (wireless)
3.  Phillips Speaker in the kitchen ( wireless)
4.  Appletv 4 in my Denon setup the living room ( wired to Ethernet)
5.  Airport Express in the Sunroom ( power plug adapter)
6.  Airport Express feeding Marantz in living room (wireless)
7.  iPad Pro ( wireless) - I even took the iPad out to the deck in the backyard.

I streamed Apple Music's service for a hour. No problems in any of the setups. I then switched to my own lossless (ALAC) music and listened to a full album. Also, no problems. I tried skipping songs and pausing songs using the Remote app on my Apple Watch.  The streaming was still perfect on every AirPlay device all over the house/garage/sunroom.

I concluded that any issue with drop outs has NOTHING TO DO WITH THE TECHNOLOGY.  I realize that people have the tendency to believe that they have the best router and they actually have it setup correctly.  Maybe they do and have some sort of other interference, but the fact is that in my setup it worked exactly the way it is supposed to from one end of the house to another and from the front of the house to the backyard.   If it works in my setup, it is proof that the technology works and that if you have an issue it is something related to your individual environment.   

My setup consists of a Google OnHub router for wifi and I also have an older Airport Extreme (that I bought in 2013) in the setup running in Bridge mode since it has a couple drives hooked to it.  

The Satellite App

Airfoil also provided an update to their Airfoil Speakers and AF Remote iOS apps with a new app called Airfoil Satellite.  It is a lot better than needing two separate apps to control where the music plays.  With the old AF Remote app, it would often have an issue finding Airfoil on my network.  No such issue with the new app.  It works perfectly.  

As with the old Airfoil Speakers app, there is also a new Satellite app that works on your computer.  Below is a screenshot of Satellite on a Mac Mini receiving an Airplay signal from an iPhone and then Airfoil sending the audio out: 

Awesome Update

Airfoil 5 is an awesome update.  They are charging a $15 upgrade fee for those that already paid for a license to a prior version or about double that ($29) for a new license.  I bought updates for my Windows and Macs which costed me $30, but you can get a combo license for Windows and Mac for $40 if you are not upgrading.  

I realize that paid upgrades are frowned upon by many users, but in this case, $15 is more than fair.   I want to support these folks.  There is no one doing the stuff they are doing with Airplay audio.  

(As a side note, I know some people will wonder if Airfoil works with Chrome Casting.  At this point it does not, but they are working on adding the feature.  If and when it is added, they say it will be a free update for the people using Airfoil 5.)