Yes. In the MusicCast app, you can activate the Zone function from the settings menu. The MusicCast app will allow users to select inputs and provide basic volume controls in secondary zones.

When multiple MusicCast devices are "linked" for playback, Master room playback is at the native sampling rate and other rooms down-convert to 48 kHz. Playback of DSD content is not supported by MusicCast devices when they are linked together.

Multi-channel content (5.1-ch, 7.1-ch, etc.) is down-mixed to 2-channel sound for playback in other rooms without affecting the master room.

Many current MusicCast models support AirPlay 2, which allows you to stream audio from an iOS device or from iTunes on a Mac® or PC to either a single MusicCast device or to multiple MusicCast devices simultaneously. This gives you access to Apple Music on a MusicCast system and can even be controlled using Siri.

Other MusicCast devices support the first-generation AirPlay which allows you to stream audio from an iOS device to a single MusicCast device or from iTunes on a Mac® or PC to multiple MusicCast devices simultaneously. For these models, you may also use a Bluetooth connection or external input (HDMI, optical, analog) to stream to multiple MusicCast devices simultaneously.

Yes. All MusicCast devices support Bluetooth. A Bluetooth input source can be used with multiple linked MusicCast devices, so music can be played in multiple rooms simultaneously. The MusicCast app provides basic volume, play/pause and track skip control of Bluetooth input devices during playback.

Bluetooth wireless technology inherently has some latency. When Bluetooth is used as an input into the MusicCast system, all of the MusicCast devices will play in sync with each other, but there will be some latency between the transmitting device and the receiving (master) MusicCast device. This is typically not noticeable for audio-only content, but may result in a visible "lip sync" delay when playing back video content on a smartphone/tablet with audio streamed to a MusicCast system.

Most MusicCast devices support Bluetooth transmission as an output stream to a Bluetooth-enabled speaker or headphones. Bluetooth devices must be SCMS-T / A2DP profile compatible. Note that if you are using Bluetooth as an input, you will not be able to transmit content at the same time.

[Setup procedure]

1. Set the Bluetooth connection for the Bluetooth device (wireless headphones, etc.) to pairing status.

2. Tap the mark circled in red in the playback display of “MusicCast CONTROLLER.”

3. Tap “Bluetooth Transmission.”

4. Select the Bluetooth device(wireless headphones,etc.).

5. Tap “Done.”

Bluetooth wireless technology inherently has some latency. When a MusicCast device is set up to output a Bluetooth stream to a Bluetooth speaker or headphones, the playback will be slightly delayed relative to the MusicCast devices. This will be noticeable if both device types are played in the same or nearby room, but may be less noticeable if the devices are separated in different spaces. Also there are many applications where it may be desirable to stream to a Bluetooth device and simply mute the MusicCast device volume, such as nighttime listening via Bluetooth headphones or streaming to a water-resistant Bluetooth speaker in a bathroom.

Yes. External inputs can be selected for playback and shared in linked mode with multiple MusicCast devices. When an external input is selected, the MusicCast app provides options for how to handle audio syncing under the sound settings menu (located in the app next to the volume slider on the Now Playing screen). The Audio Sync mode prioritizes syncing audio between multiple MusicCast devices while the TV Lip Sync mode prioritizes syncing audio between the AV receiver or sound bar and the TV.

Yes. All MusicCast devices support playback from network-connected computers and NAS devices that use the UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) networking protocol.

Yamaha was one of the first AV manufacturers to introduce a wireless multi-room audio system, similarly named MusicCAST, back in 2003. This was followed by MusicCAST2 in 2009, and then MusicCast in August 2015. Models released from August 2015 to present are compatible with one another.

No. Connection of MusicCast devices to your home Wi-Fi router can be made wirelessly following a few simple steps in the app and by using the "CONNECT" button on the device. MusicCast devices do offer the option of using a wired Ethernet connection if preferred.

No. MusicCast devices can be connected directly to your Wi-Fi router without using any special adaptor.

MusicCast makes use of standard Wi-Fi 802.11 wireless technology. Wi-Fi extenders and boosters are already widely available in the market and may be used to improve Wi-Fi coverage in your home.

MusicCast is a multi-room audio system built into many Yamaha products, including AV receivers, sound bars, wireless speakers and a turntable. Designed to work with your Wi-Fi® router, MusicCast lets you stream all of your music and other audio content to every room in your home with easy control from the MusicCast app, an Alexa device* or third-party control system, such as Control4, ELAN or RTI.

Certain MusicCast products support MusicCast Surround and/or MusicCast Stereo capabilities, which allow for wireless multi-speaker configurations within a single room for surround or stereo sound. MusicCast Surround allows compatible MusicCast speakers to be used as wireless rear surround sound speakers to create a 5.1-ch. home theater system when used with a compatible AV receiver or sound bar. MusicCast Stereo allows for stereo or 2.1-ch. stereo configurations using compatible MusicCast speakers.

*Availability of voice command control via Amazon Alexa varies by region.

True Sound. As the world’s largest musical instrument manufacturer and leader in both professional and home audio solutions, Yamaha is as passionate about sound quality as you are. This passion is reflected throughout our product line – from sound performance of individual products to the underlying technologies, such as high-resolution audio streaming, supported by MusicCast.

Choice. The MusicCast family includes a broader variety of product types at different performance levels and price points than other multi-room audio systems. MusicCast-enabled devices aren’t limited to wireless speakers and sound bars. You’ll also find AV receivers, stereo receivers, streaming amplifiers, multi-room streaming amplifiers, a subwoofer and a turntable in the MusicCast family.

Flexibility. MusicCast products support not only Wi-Fi, but also other wireless technologies like Bluetooth®, Spotify Connect and AirPlay®. Devices can also be wired to Ethernet. Plus, many MusicCast models offer HDMI®, optical, analog and/or phono inputs that can be selected as a source for listening throughout your home. Wired or wireless, streaming or traditional content, home theater or whole home audio -- MusicCast supports it all.

Up to 32 MusicCast devices can be added to the MusicCast app (version 2.7 or higher). All MusicCast models allow for groups of up to 10 to be linked together for simultaneous playback. Multiple link groups are supported.

For MusicCast Surround/Stereo configurations, which combine multiple devices into a single “room” within the app, each device counts against the total only for the Master room. Client rooms (linked to the Master) are counted as one device even if they are composed of multiple devices in a MusicCast Surround/Stereo configuration.

MusicCast models introduced in 2018 (e.g., MusicCast Surround/Stereo models) are capable of supporting linked groups of up to 10 wirelessly-connected or 20 Ethernet-connected devices. A blend of wireless and wired devices of up to 20 is allowed, but performance may vary.

Alexa is Amazon’s cloud-based voice service. You can talk to Alexa to play music, hear the news, check weather, control smart home devices and more. Alexa is built into many Amazon products, including all of its Echo devices, Fire TV devices and Alexa-enabled devices from other companies.

All MusicCast models can be controlled with Alexa using the MusicCast Smart Home skill and/or the MusicCast skill. It is necessary to have the latest firmware loaded on your MusicCast products and to have the latest version of the MusicCast app on a compatible smart device.

All Alexa-enabled products with a microphone should be able to voice-control MusicCast products. This includes Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Plus, Echo Show, Echo Spot, Echo Look, Amazon Tap, Amazon Fire TV and Amazon Fire HD Tablets – as well as on many devices from other companies.

To get started with Alexa on MusicCast, you’ll need to have your Echo and MusicCast products installed with Wi-Fi® access and both the Alexa app and MusicCast app need to be loaded on your smart device.

The MusicCast Smart Home skill supports the most common, everyday voice commands you would use to control a single MusicCast AV receiver, sound bar, wireless speaker or Hi-Fi component, Hi-Fi system. These basic commands include power on/off, volume control, play/pause/skip/previous, mute/unmute and input selection. This skill supports simple, Alexa-standardized commands such as "Alexa, volume up in the Kitchen." The MusicCast Smart Home skill also lets you play streaming services that you have set up on your Alexa account through easy commands: “Alexa, play [Streaming Services] in the Living Room.” 　The MusicCast skill goes beyond the basics, giving you enhanced control of unique MusicCast functions such as room linking, multiple room control, playback of MusicCast Favorites/Playlists and more. The commands are customized for MusicCast such as, "Alexa, ask MusicCast to link the Kitchen with the Living Room."

Alexa, turn on the [Room Name].

Alexa, turn off the [Room Name].

Alexa, play in the [Room Name].

Alexa, pause in the [Room Name].

Alexa, resume in the [Room Name].

Alexa, stop the [Room Name].

Alexa, next in the [Room Name].

Alexa, previous in the [Room Name].

Alexa, set volume to [30] in the [Room Name].

Alexa, volume up in the [Room Name].

Alexa, volume down in the [Room Name].

Alexa, mute the [Room Name].

Alexa, unmute the [Room Name].

Alexa, switch input to [HDMI1] in the [Room Name].

・Additional MusicCast Smart Home Skills for Models 2018 and newer

Alexa, play music in the [Room Name].

Alexa, play [Song Name] in the [Room Name].

Alexa, play [Artist Name] on [Streaming Service] in the [Room Name].

Alexa, play music (plays your default service) in the [Room Name].

Alexa, pause.

Alexa, resume.

Alexa, next.

- Power on/off

Alexa, ask MusicCast to turn on the [Room Name].

Alexa, ask MusicCast to turn off the [Room Name].

Alexa, ask MusicCast to turn off all rooms.

- Play/Pause/Stop

Alexa, ask MusicCast to play in the [Room Name].

Alexa, ask MusicCast to pause in the [Room Name].

Alexa, ask MusicCast to stop in the [Room Name].

Alexa, ask MusicCast to stop all rooms.

- Play MusicCast Favorites/Playlists/Recents

Alexa, ask MusicCast to play [Favorite x] in the [Room Name].

Alexa, ask MusicCast to play [Playlist x] in the [Room Name].

Alexa, ask MusicCast to play Recents in the [Room Name].

- Volume control

Alexa, ask MusicCast to set volume to [30] in the [Room Name].

Alexa, ask MusicCast to set group volume to [30] in the [Room Name].

Alexa, ask MusicCast to turn up the volume in the [Room Name].

Alexa, ask MusicCast to turn down the volume in the [Room Name].

Alexa, ask MusicCast to turn up the group volume in the [Room Name].

Alexa, ask MusicCast to turn down the group volume in the [Room Name].

- Mute/Unmute

Alexa, ask MusicCast to mute the [Room Name].

Alexa, ask MusicCast to unmute the [Room Name].

Alexa, ask MusicCast to mute all rooms.

- Next/Previous (Skip/Back)

Alexa, ask MusicCast to skip song in the [Room Name].

Alexa, ask MusicCast to play previous song in the [Room Name].

- Repeat/Shuffle

Alexa, ask MusicCast to shuffle all songs in the [Room Name].

Alexa, ask MusicCast to turn shuffle off in the [Room Name].

Alexa, ask MusicCast to repeat one song in the [Room Name].

Alexa, ask MusicCast to repeat all songs in the [Room Name].

Alexa, ask MusicCast to turn off repeat in the [Room Name].

- Input Selection

Alexa, ask MusicCast to switch input to [HDMI1] in the [Room Name].

- Room Linking/Unlinking

Alexa, ask MusicCast to link the [Room Name] with the [Room Name].

Alexa, ask MusicCast to unlink the [Room Name].

Alexa, ask MusicCast to link the [Room Name] with all rooms.

Alexa, ask MusicCast to unlink all rooms.

- Sleep Timer

Alexa, ask MusicCast to set sleep timer for [30, 60, 90, 120] minutes in the [Room Name].

Alexa, ask MusicCast to cancel the sleep timer in the [Room Name].

- Now Playing

Alexa, ask MusicCast what's playing in the [Room Name].

- Disklavier ENSPIRE Controls

Alexa, ask MusicCast to play the piano.

Alexa, ask MusicCast to stop the piano.

Alexa, ask MusicCast to skip the piano.

Alexa, ask MusicCast to play previous song on the piano.

Alexa, ask MusicCast to play [song name] on the piano.

Alexa, ask MusicCast to play the piano in Acoustic mode.

Alexa, ask MusicCast to play the piano in Quiet mode.

Alexa, ask MusicCast to turn up the volume on the piano.

Alexa, ask MusicCast to turn down the volume on the piano.

Alexa, ask MusicCast to turn on the piano.

Alexa, ask MusicCast to turn off the piano.

- User Information

Alexa, ask MusicCast for my user id.

Providing a range of 0-100 allows you to have greater control of the volume level you really want. This is especially helpful for audio systems where a small adjustment makes a noticeable difference, such as when a high-power AV receiver is used with high-sensitivity speakers.

For products made 2018 and after: The MusicCast Smart Home skill allows easy control of your streaming services linked to your Amazon Alexa account. You can ask for specific music just as you would with your Dot or Echo: “Alexa, play Journey”. For products made before 2018: Set up Playlists and Favorites in the MusicCast app and recall those using Alexa voice commands using the MusicCast Skill. Or, use an Echo/Dot as a source for a MusicCast product connected via Bluetooth (all MusicCast products support a Bluetooth input). When an Echo is used as a source, you can request a specific artist, album or song just as you would when using it as a standalone device. MusicCast lets you redistribute a Bluetooth stream to multiple MusicCast products for simultaneous playback if desired.

At this time, the skills support English, German, Japanese, French, Italian and Spanish. Availability of voice command control via Amazon Alexa varies by region.