TL;DR
Nabu Casa’s Home Assistant Connect AUX-2 is an official Sendspin audio streamer for connecting speakers or amplifiers to Home Assistant’s Music Assistant. It combines analog and digital output with Ethernet and Power over Ethernet, and supports ESPHome customization; a reviewer found wired streaming reliable but noted slower starts and less responsive grouping than established alternatives.
Nabu Casa has released the Home Assistant Connect AUX-2, an official audio streamer built around Sendspin that connects existing speakers or amplifiers to Home Assistant’s Music Assistant. The device adds Ethernet with Power over Ethernet (PoE), shared analog and digital audio output, and ports for hardware expansion, while retaining the option to customize it through ESPHome.
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In a review based on weeks of use, the reviewer found that the AUX-2 was detected quickly when connected over PoE. Home Assistant prompted the reviewer to add the device, and the initial setup took about half a minute. Wi-Fi setup was also possible through a smartphone and the Home Assistant companion app. For ordinary playback, the reviewer did not need to configure ESPHome or manage firmware manually; Home Assistant handled device management and updates.
The AUX-2’s 3.5 mm jack supports analog and digital audio, with the output format determined by the cable used. The reviewer preferred digital output with an IKEA SOLSKYDD speaker, reporting better sound in that test and less noise associated with loose connections or poor grounding. Ethernet and PoE can carry network traffic and power over one cable, an option the reviewer found more reliable than Wi-Fi in a crowded wireless environment, particularly when streaming FLAC.
The review also identifies performance trade-offs. Playback often took longer to start than expected, and grouping or ungrouping speakers could feel less responsive than on AirPlay. After playback had been running for a while, the reviewer reported close synchronization between grouped Sendspin speakers and no meaningful drift in that setup. Wi-Fi users can configure the Opus codec through ESPHome; the reviewer said this improved performance in their tests but did not remove every possible wireless issue.
Home Assistant Connect AUX-2 A flexible audio upgrade
Nabu Casa’s Sendspin streamer connects existing speakers or amplifiers to Home Assistant’s Music Assistant. Wired audio proved reliable in one reviewer’s setup, with trade-offs in playback starts and speaker grouping.
A Wired Route to Home Audio
The AUX-2 targets Home Assistant users who want to bring existing speakers into a centrally managed music setup rather than replace them with a dedicated smart speaker. Its PoE and Ethernet support may suit installations where a wired connection is practical, including fixed speakers or equipment placed away from a Wi-Fi access point. The reviewer found Ethernet more reliable than Wi-Fi in their own crowded network, but that is a test result, not a guarantee for every home.
Expansion ports give the product a second audience: users who want to add hardware or adapt its function. USB, serial connections and a Grove port offer options beyond basic audio playback, while ESPHome configuration makes more advanced changes possible. That flexibility comes with extra setup work, and the review does not establish that every proposed accessory or integration is ready for everyday use.
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From Easy Setup to ESPHome
The AUX-2 is built around Sendspin, an open audio project used here with Home Assistant’s Music Assistant. The product aims to package that approach as official hardware while still allowing ESPHome customization. The review compares it with compact, community-oriented devices such as Apollo Automation’s Cast-1, describing the AUX-2 as a broader option for setups needing digital audio or additional connections.
Most users can add and manage the device through Home Assistant. More involved features—such as changing codecs, adding voice-related functions or connecting a display—require ESPHome configuration. In the reviewer’s demonstration, a Grove RGB LCD showed the current song title, album and playback progress after custom configuration. The review points readers to ESPHome code and printed case files on GitHub and MakerWorld; these examples require additional work and are not presented as standard setup steps.
““The streaming experience in Music Assistant still reflects the maturity of Sendspin and the limitations of the ESP32-S3 platform.””
— The reviewer
Performance Depends on Setup
The supplied material does not give a price, release date, or formal product specifications, so it is not possible to compare cost or verify performance claims against a complete technical sheet. The reviewer’s observations come from one setup, including a particular speaker and a crowded Wi-Fi environment; results may differ with other networks, amplifiers and speaker groups.
The review also does not establish how broadly USB-connected Zigbee or Z-Wave coordinators are supported. It describes the ZHA experience as experimental and says the reviewer is waiting for possible OTBR support alongside the ZBT series. The source ends mid-sentence while discussing serial control and integrations for LG and Samsung TVs, so it does not provide a complete account of those integrations or their limitations.
Further Testing and Firmware
Users considering the AUX-2 can check Home Assistant and Nabu Casa documentation for current compatibility, firmware options and setup instructions. The reviewer recommends trying the beta firmware channel for Sendspin, saying it provided a better experience during testing; beta software may change and should not be treated as a finished performance guarantee.
Further testing across different speakers, networks and expansion devices will help clarify how consistently the AUX-2 performs outside the reviewer’s setup. Any confirmed changes to OTBR support, coordinator compatibility or TV-control integrations would also affect its appeal to users planning a broader hardware project.
Key Questions
What does the Home Assistant Connect AUX-2 do?
It is a Sendspin audio streamer that connects speakers or amplifiers to Home Assistant’s Music Assistant. It can use analog or digital audio output and can connect over Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
Does setup require ESPHome?
Not for basic use, according to the reviewer. Home Assistant detected the device over PoE and handled setup and firmware management. ESPHome configuration is needed for advanced changes, such as changing codecs or adding custom hardware features.
Is Ethernet better than Wi-Fi on the AUX-2?
The reviewer found Ethernet more reliable than Wi-Fi in a crowded wireless environment, particularly with FLAC streaming. That result reflects the reviewer’s setup; performance will depend on each home’s network.
Can the AUX-2 connect displays or smart-home radios?
It has USB and Grove expansion options, and the reviewer demonstrated a Grove display using custom ESPHome configuration. The review describes coordinator use with ZHA as experimental and does not confirm broad compatibility with Zigbee, Z-Wave or OTBR hardware.
Source: matteralpha.com
