Using Airport Express - is there a noticeable time delay between rooms?

[admin_exported]

Hi Folks

I'm currently setting up a multi-room system using Airport Express units. I've got one in my living room and the kitchen is next. The house is open plan and runs from living room through to dining room and then to kitchen. Its likely at times I will want to have both the livingroom and kitchen speakers active at the same time. With the open plan nature of the rooms there will be an element of sound overlap between the two rooms.

I'm wondering if the two AE units would be perfectly in sync, or could there be the chance of creating a slight unwanted time delay between the two rooms? I'd be grateful to hear from anyone elses experience and whether this is an issue.

We're getting a new kitchen installed in a couple of months so the timing is also good to consider my options for installing and connecting up the AE unit in the kitchen ranging from:

1. A simple 3.5mm cable from AE into the AUX connection of a new IPOD dock
2. Installing in-ceiling speakers and powering them from a new budget amp
3. Installing in-ceiling speakers and running a 20m run of cable from my existing AV amp in the lounge and using its Zone 2 feature - bit fiddly but could be done. Would also mean two AE units being close to each other at back of the amp. Seems to defeat point of AE.
4. Buying active speaks, although my wife isn't keen on having any speakers (however small) on the new worktops or walls (but ceiling is fine)!

Again not sure if any of these would be better for ironing out potential time delays if they exist.

 

[professorhat]

I have AE units in living room, office and kitchen and like yours, there's overlap in sound between them and they are all in sync so long as you are using the same program to output the sound e.g. accidentally at one point I still had Airfoil outputting to the kitchen speakers, whilst iTunes was outputting directly to my office and there seems to be a longer delay when using Airfoil. However, if you set everything to use the same (whether it be Airfoil or iTunes direct) it's all in sync.

 

[Juzzie Wuzzie]

I run two AEs in my flat (small) and don't notice a time delay. I guess there might be some "mid-point" between distance and ability to hear where you might notice a delay, but I doubt it.

 

[John Duncan]

Using iTunes there should be no delay, as iTunes creates a delay so that it can make sure they are in sync - therefore any delay you hear would be cause by distance rather than software (which in your average house should be undetectable). I have iTunes playing on both my Mac and my Airport (well, Apple TV now) with no discernable delay between them.

 

[Anonymous]

Excellent news - just what I'd hoped for so thanks for taking the time to clarify. It's full speed ahead then!

On another point I don't suppose either of you have an Airport Express connected into something like an IPOD dock using the 3.5mm connection output on the AE into the "AUX in" on the dock?

I'm trying to weigh up: cost v size v ease of installation - all against a workable sound for the kitchen that I can live with (without getting too carried away).

I'm swaying towards the IPOD dock option as it would seem to be the easiest and cheapest rather than putting in new ceiling speakers and new amp, cabling etc. I'm just worried that there might not be enough coming out of the airport express unit to sound good through such an option. Any views?

 

[John Duncan]

I wouldn't worry about the output levels of an AE. Though I haven't done it, I think I'd be quite confident about doing what you suggest. Personally, though, I might consider the audioengine route, one model of which (A5 I think) includes a plug socket for an AE round the back (though it's an american socket if i recall, you'd have to get the Apple adapter).

 

[Anonymous]

One thing to note with in ceiling speakers, you can get sound bleeding up into the rooms above.

 

[Anonymous]

Cheers for the steer on the A5's John. These look great I must admit.

But......alas - after a couple of months spent with various kitchen planners trying to find the best solution to create more worktop space I sense my negotiating edge will limited with these! Wall mounting isn't really an option as wall space will be filled by new cupboards.

The A2's might be worth a shot though, considerably smaller and could maybe be wall mounted discretely underneath one of wall units with a bit of care.

In terms of docks the Logitech MM50 looks like a good deal at the moment for £40 but may need to spend a bit more.