[Editorial] Here's Auracast, a new Bluetooth streaming for an infinite number of simultaneous users

It is should be evident to anyone that technology in audio and wireless applications, has taken giant leaps forward in recent years, so overwhelming that these will probably change many of our habits regarding listening to music.

It's a fact that a constantly increasing number of audio enthusiasts are moving towards listening with headphones, for reasons that are easy to understand: you don't disturb anyone, listen at the volume you like better, when you prefer, and it's no longer necessary to occupy half of your living room with bulky speakers and amplifiers. Moreover, the quality of listening with headphones has improved a lot in the last 10 years: new high-end headphones and, above all, a great development of dedicated headphone amplifiers have radically changed the audiophiles' perception with respect to listening with headphones.

Furthermore, wireless transmission allows you not to be blocked by a cable that links you to the amplifier, a convenience not to be underestimated. Bluetooth transmission is also improving qualitatively (see also my latest editorial on UWB technology by Remora and Sonical), so - little by little - it would seem that the obstacles to good listening with headphones are all about to be removed. What was missing from the Bluetooth connection was the ability to serve many different devices simultaneously. The answer from Auracast™ meets this need; a technology developed in the Bluetooth context exactly for this purpose, and it is already compatible with Android 15 and the most recent iPhones.

You may wonder what the applications of Auracast could be. It's easily said: imagine visiting a public place, where different information is transmitted simultaneously by several operators: museums, airports, shops, etc. With a touch of the finger you can decide whether to tune into one of these broadcast stations and listen to the content of their audio or musical messages. This, all of a sudden, will thankfully eliminate the annoying - intolerable for me - background music to which we are forced in any public place (shops, restaurants, etc.)

Again, imagine the advantage for people with hearing problems, who will be able to listen to public conferences or broadcasts of any kind distinctly, benefiting - at the same time - from any new technology to assist their specific hearing impairment.

Let's imagine further developments too: since Auracast allows streaming and simultaneous connection of an unlimited number of users, why not attending a completely silent live concert, enjoying the same audio quality, regardless of the position with respect to the stage? We might enjoy the same sound as any other spectator! How many times have we complained about having found a place in an acoustically unlucky area and not having been able to enjoy the live audio as we would have liked? Or how many times have we complained leaving the concert with tinnitus because we were too close to the public address system? Well, all these problems, with an Auracast system, would be a thing of the past. We could listen like any other spectator, perhaps even deciding the volume we prefer. Not even the inventors of Auracast themselves have listed this as a possible application of their technology, but it is clear that it is just a matter of time. Of course, listening to a string quartet, a jazz trio or an orchestra playing live acoustic, without electronic devices and microphones, remains the most effective and desirable option, but for electrified music the advantage is quite obvious.

My personal opinion is that the sound perceived from a traditional system, at home or in a concert, cannot be replaced by listening through headphones, independently on how sophisticated these may be. We will lack the physical impact, so relevant for a complete involvement in listening to certain kind of music. Oh yes, dear audiophiles, we can also do passive resistance, if you prefer, but the trend is unavoidable, in my opinion.

Did you enjoy this article? You can support our free, advertising-free magazine with a small Paypal donation using the button below. Thank you!

DISCLAIMER. TNT-Audio is a 100% independent magazine that neither accepts advertising from companies nor requires readers to register or pay for subscriptions. If you wish, you can support our independent reviews via a PayPal donation. After publication of reviews, the authors do not retain samples other than on long-term loan for further evaluation or comparison with later-received gear. Hence, all contents are written free of any “editorial” or “advertising” influence, and all reviews in this publication, positive or negative, reflect the independent opinions of their respective authors. TNT-Audio will publish all manufacturer responses, subject to the reviewer's right to reply in turn.

September 2024 Editorial

Auracast, Bluetooth for the masses