Aire’s mini home speaker is an unusual object. Aire offers a Open-Source speaker and we will tell you more about what’s inside! Note that there are several definitions of open-source. It’s up to you to tell us if this project meets your expectations! Feel free to contact us to help improve this article.
Discover the inside of Aire’s mini speaker
Here are the technical specifications of our mini speaker:
- Dimension: 120 x 120 x 120 mm (L x W x H)
- Weight: 890 grams
- Power: 20W RMS
- Amplifier: TAS5711
- Speaker: Faital Pro 3FE25, made in Italy
- Power supply: 12V 1A
- Bluetooth 5
- Microcontroller: ESP32
- DSP (Digital Sound Processor) 8 bands
The mini home speaker
To start, the mini home speaker is entirely made with 3D printing. We will have other opportunities to discuss this technology of additive manufacturing on our blog. This solution therefore allows us to manufacture precisely, and made to order only. No more resource waste due to large production runs.
Brief definition of open-source
Here is a brief definition to start. The Open Source model involves making software source code available to the public for review, modification, and sharing by the community. Collaboration and sharing are the foundations of this development model, aiming to create superior and reliable software. Contributors can suggest improvements, report bugs, and work together to enhance software performance. This development model is therefore based on sharing and collaboration.
The basics: the speaker is therefore Bluetooth compatible
A Bluetooth-compatible speaker is a speaker that can connect wirelessly to other devices, such as smartphones, tablets, or computers, via Bluetooth technology. This means users can stream music and other audio content from their connected devices to the speaker without needing cables or wired connections. Bluetooth-compatible speakers use a small built-in Bluetooth chip to communicate with connected devices, allowing them to stream sound wirelessly and seamlessly.
Let's take a closer look at the engine
The Aire mini home speaker relies on a microcontroller ESP32. We can compare this chip to the "brain" of our speaker
The ESP 32 is a microcontroller chip integrating a dual-core processor and WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. It is developed by the Chinese company Espressif Systems. This chip is popular in Internet of Things (IoT) projects due to features such as low power consumption, real-time processing capability, and wireless connectivity options. Many developers therefore use it to create connected objects such as home automation systems, sensors, displays, and portable electronic devices like audio speakers. Makers often choose the ESP32 for its features, convenience, and affordable cost compared to other microcontroller options.
What did we put in the brain of the mini home speaker?
We added the Squeezelite-esp32 to our chip. This is its internal software, also called Firmware. Find the project on Github. The community around the firmware is simply fantastic! We thank her again here for this work and passion! The speaker is compatible Bluetooth 5 but it can also behave as a Squeezelite Receiver. Brace yourself.
A small clarification: Squeezelite is an open source project which allows running an audio streaming server on a computer or compatible device. It is designed to be lightweight and fast, with low system resource consumption. Squeezelite is compatible with the audio streaming protocol Logitech Media Server.
This means you can use the speaker to stream music from a computer or network storage. The Squeezelite project is then used to build home network music systems. You can stream music from a centralized music library to multiple audio playback devices in your home.
So what exactly is a Squeezelite Receiver?
A Squeezelite Receiver is an audio playback device that uses the Squeezelite to receive and decode audio streams from an audio streaming server. It is thus used to listen to music coming from a computer or network storage. It is compatible with the Logitech Media Server audio streaming protocol. You can build home network music systems using Squeezelite Receivers, allowing you to stream music from a centralized music library to multiple audio playback devices in your home. The Squeezelite Receivers can be used with wireless speakers, audio amplifiers, and other audio playback devices to create a complete music streaming solution.
Multiroom with Squeezelite
It is possible to connect multiple speakers with Squeezelite. Using the audio streaming protocol Logitech Media Server, Squeezelite Server can be configured to send music to multiple speakers simultaneously (the Squeezelite receivers). This allows the user to stream music to different rooms in their home. However, the exact setup will depend on the model and configuration of each speaker. Some technical knowledge is therefore required to properly set up such a system.
And Apple AirPlay in all this?
The team at Squeezelite-esp32, who developed the speaker's Firmware, added AirPlay to the engine. It is a audio streaming technology developed by Apple for Apple devices such as the iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. It allows these devices to wirelessly stream audio, video, and photo content to AirPlay-compatible speakers, TVs, and receivers. This means users can listen to music or watch videos on streaming devices without having to connect cables or transfer files. Too bad, Android devices are not compatible with AirPlay without using a third-party receiver.
What is a DSP?
DSP stands for Digital Signal Processing. It is a computing technology that uses mathematical algorithms to process digital signals, such as audio signals. DSP is often used in speakers to improve sound quality by correcting distortion or adjusting sound frequencies. DSP can also be used to enhance speaker frequency response, adjust volume, and process other aspects of sound. These filters can be integrated into the speaker itself or placed externally and connected to the speaker via cable or wireless connection.
What’s inside your audio amplifier?
We use the TAS5711 amplifier from Texas Instruments. It is a digital audio integrated circuit. It is used in audio systems to control and process the digital audio signal (I2S inputs). The TAS5711 has a class D DSP (Digital Signal Processor). This means you can modify the amplifier’s response curve to improve the sound performance of your mini home speaker.
The amplifier then converts the digital audio signal into an analog signal to power the speakers. It is often used in speakers, audio systems, and home entertainment systems to improve sound quality by correcting distortion or adjusting audio frequencies. The TAS5711 offers exceptional sound quality, low distortion, and very low power consumption.
The TAS5711 is a so-called 2 + 1 amplifier. This means you can power 2 full-range speakers with this amplifier + a SUBGood news for the Aire: our The electronic board has thus been designed to give you access to all three of these outputsWe only use an output on the mini speaker. So you can add another speaker and a SUB. You will then need quite a bit of resources and DIY skill to achieve it. But the parts are there, available for a wild adventure!
The TAS5711 has 2 eight-band equalizers for the wideband channels and 4 EQs for the SUB section.
What is an equalizer?
An equalizer is an audio tool that allows adjusting the individual sound levels of frequencies in an audio signalIt works by adjusting the volume levels for different frequencies in the signal, which allows compensating for differences in frequency response of different audio systems or listening environments. Equalizers can therefore be used to improve sound quality by adjusting frequencies that are “over” or “under” represented in the audio signal. This also allows customizing the sound according to personal preferences. Equalizers can be implemented physically or in software (like our DSPs) and can be included in audio systems (such as the Aire mini speaker), audio software, or mobile applications.
Can I modify the response curve of my mini home speaker?
The answer is yes! It is entirely possible to modify the response curve of your mini home speaker. But you will need to put in some effort to achieve it. We will return to this topic soon. It will likely be the subject of a dedicated blog article because this part is very technical. Feel free to contact us for a specific project. We can discuss it to find solutions for your needs.
Can I have a party with the Aire mini home speaker?
The Aire mini home speaker features a 20 W RMS amplifier with a 20 W Faital Pro speaker (this is the Faital Pro 3FE25 of 4 Ohms).
In general, a 20W speaker may be powerful enough to fill a small to medium-sized room with clear and powerful soundHowever, if the room is very large or if there are many people present, you will need a more powerful speaker or multiple speakers to fill the room with sufficiently loud sound. It is therefore important to consider the specific needs of your situation before choosing a speaker.
The Aire mini speaker won't have enough bass frequencies to liven up a party of 6 people. So don't place false hopes on this speaker. It is perfectly suited for cozy use, with family, for aperitifs... But we do not recommend it for hosting a party :)
Now, the next part
The Aire open 2.1 speaker
The Aire team designed the first open and Bluetooth speaker prototype in 2.1 audio format. It was in the Aire workshop in 2021. The speaker was designed to offer superior sound quality thanks to its two full-range channels and its dedicated bass channel.
The Aire team's goal was to create a Bluetooth speaker that could provide an immersive audio experience for users, with exceptional sound quality and enough power to fill every room in the house with music. The two full-range channels deliver higher frequencies with clear sound quality, while the dedicated bass channel ensures powerful and deep bass sound.
In the end, the first prototype of the 2.1 Bluetooth speaker was a significant step forward for the Aire team in creating an innovative and high-quality product that meets users' needs. The photo of the first prototype shows what the speaker looked like in its early days.
Know that the electronic board of the Qube speaker by Aire can still power this type of speaker 😎
I hope you know more about your Aire mini speaker. I also hope you have identified some ways to customize it. For example, you can build a small setup with a dedicated amplifier (our electronic board), 2 cube-shaped speakers, and a Sub to powerfully reproduce the low end of the audio spectrum (also called low frequencies). Feel free to contact us for your audio projects. We hope you enjoy this article. We will of course update it based on your feedback and projects!
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