Hurricane
Well-Known Member
You could buy and install a Fusion (or similar) audio system and then use your mobile phone to play your favorite music on the boat.
But 7 or 6 years ago, I chose to make my own.
I used marine speakers (some were already fitted by Princess) and marine amplifiers.
Internally, in the saloon, I used the already fitted Bose HiFi system.
The idea was to create a fully integrated audio system throughout the boat.
I divided the boat into 3 audio zones (Cockpit, Flybridge and Saloon)
Each zone has its own amplifier connected to dedicated speakers - 4 on the Flybridge - 2 in the Cockpit and a Bose system in the Saloon.
The input to each amplifier has one of these connected.
It is a little box that connects to each amplifier and WiFi
It then uses Apple's AirPlay technology to receive music over WiFi which it then passes on to its associated amplifier.
iPhones can natively connect to each zone but Android devices require an app to make the connection.
The end result is a good quality audio system.
Using the Android app, you can connect to more than one zone and synchronise the audio throughout the boat.
However, this year, these little streaming boxes have been "playing up".
It seems that they, not only connect to WiFi, but they can also become access points for mobile devices.
I'm not entirely sure why this hasn't happened before but this year, the "took over" my WiFi slowing down my internet connections.
Switching them off fixed solved the problem.
I've been upgrading the WiFi a lot over the last year so maybe thats whats different.
One of the disadvantages of these little audio receivers is that they don't have Bluetooth so any friends wanting to play music on our boat have to join our WiFi network.
The whole AirPlay concept is more complicated than a simple Bluetooth connection.
That said, once working, WiFi streaming using AirPlay is really good - more control, better range and good synchronisation etc.
The advantage of the audio receivers that I have been using is that they don't require setting up so I installed them behind panels alongside the amplifiers.
Connection using WiFi doesn't require any button pressing - simply power them up and use them.
Anyway, I decided to upgrade them.
After a few hours research, it was clear that there are lots of these audio style receivers available.
Most with Bluetooth and some using AirPlay like my original ones.
However, I couldn't find anything that was better than the ones I installed 7 years ago.
Some of the new ones contain batteries and require you to press buttons to pair with them etc.
Lots were very cheap - ranging from <£10 upwards.
But none of them that did what I wanted.
So, I decided to build my own.
I'm a great fan of the Raspberry Pi and have made lots of projects using them.
Apart from the very cheap Raspberry Pi Pico (from £3.90 inc VAT !!!!) most of the Raspberry Pis run the Linux operating system.
Linux is one of those operating systems that lots of people have never heard of - but use daily without knowing it.
Most of the worlds servers are built using it so it is very flexible stable environment.
All my systems are Linux based - I don't have a Windoze computer in the house (or on the boat).
So, using a Raspberry Pi so make an audio system is second nature to me.
So, which model Raspberry Pi did I choose?
There are several in the range but there are three that would suit this application:-
First the Raspberry Pi Zero 2W at £17
This is what it looks like:-
Unfortunately the Zero doesn't have any audio out so it would need adapting - probably using a HAT (expansion board) like this:-
Next up - the Raspberry Pi Model 3B - Millions have been sold throughout the world.
At about £40
The Model 3B has everything I wanted - audio out and WiFi etc but its Bluetooth is only version 4
I finally settled on the Raspberry Pis current flagship - the Raspberry Pi Model 4B.
Lots of I/O channels and faster than the old Model 3B
Again full WiFi but this one has Bluetooth version 5 - I understand has better quality and range than Bluetooth 4.
Whenever I make these little projects, I first look to see if someone else has done the work before.
Better still, maybe there is an Open Source Project where a team pf people have developed the project.
The Open Source world is massive - even Linux itself is Open Source - over 1000 people contributing to it daily.
So, after a little research, I came across a Git project where someone has created a script that merges three projects into a single working solution.
Git is another of those Open Source Projects - Git is used to generally manage projects - either using a team of contributors or just a single developer who wants to store his application as he develops it.
Actually, Git was developed by Linus Torvalds - the creator of Linux - it is a fascinating world.
Anyway, as I say, I came across this little Git project - it is stored on a server called Github - see here:-
GitHub - nicokaiser/rpi-audio-receiver: Raspberry Pi Audio Receiver with Bluetooth A2DP, AirPlay, and Spotify Connect
It was then just a matter of setting up a spare Raspberry Pi4 that I have on my desk and running this guy's script.
The first thing I did was download a Lite version of Raspberry Pi OS (Linux) and copy it into a microSD card.
The Lite version doesn't have a GUI (desktop) - just a command line.
This makes it quicker to set up and run - I did connect a keyboard and monitor to it though.
Then I inserted the microSD card into the Raspberry Pi and powered it up.
Then after a few updates I ran that Github script.
After a bit of head scratching, IT WORKS
The Raspberry Pi has become an audio receiver.
Furthermore, I can connect to it using Bluetooth or Apple's AirPlay and as a bonus, it also supports Spotify apps.
The main reason for selecting this particular software is that I can "bury the Raspberry Pi away" behind the boat's panels.
It doesn't require any intervention after it has been powered up.
Bluetooth is open to any device without the need to exchange pin numbers (OK - I understand the security implications)
And AirPlay devices can attach to it using WiFi.
All the notes on the internet that refer to that Github project indicate that the Raspberry Pis Bluetooth interface isn't good enough.
Yes, that was a problem.
When a device first connects to it, you get poor quality sound but it you stop and restart the music (just for that first time you connect), the Raspberry Pis on board Bluetooth works fine.
So, after playing with it for a while, I made up a second Raspberry Pi audio receiver to see how they would work together.
I had hoped that I could connect two receivers at the same time using Bluetooth (my Samsung S23 does allow this) but the first one connected gets rejected when the second one connects.
However, using AirPlay it can handle multiple zones - all synchronised with each other.
The control over the volume is better with AirPlay as well.
So, I have decided to replace the old audio receivers with three DIY Raspberry Pi 4s
Over the last two years, it has been difficult to get Raspberry Pis but most of them are available again so I ordered a couple to finish this job and replenish my stock.
I know this isn't boaty but I think some people will find it interesting - I love doing this kind of thing.
But 7 or 6 years ago, I chose to make my own.
I used marine speakers (some were already fitted by Princess) and marine amplifiers.
Internally, in the saloon, I used the already fitted Bose HiFi system.
The idea was to create a fully integrated audio system throughout the boat.
I divided the boat into 3 audio zones (Cockpit, Flybridge and Saloon)
Each zone has its own amplifier connected to dedicated speakers - 4 on the Flybridge - 2 in the Cockpit and a Bose system in the Saloon.
The input to each amplifier has one of these connected.
It is a little box that connects to each amplifier and WiFi
It then uses Apple's AirPlay technology to receive music over WiFi which it then passes on to its associated amplifier.
iPhones can natively connect to each zone but Android devices require an app to make the connection.
The end result is a good quality audio system.
Using the Android app, you can connect to more than one zone and synchronise the audio throughout the boat.
However, this year, these little streaming boxes have been "playing up".
It seems that they, not only connect to WiFi, but they can also become access points for mobile devices.
I'm not entirely sure why this hasn't happened before but this year, the "took over" my WiFi slowing down my internet connections.
Switching them off fixed solved the problem.
I've been upgrading the WiFi a lot over the last year so maybe thats whats different.
One of the disadvantages of these little audio receivers is that they don't have Bluetooth so any friends wanting to play music on our boat have to join our WiFi network.
The whole AirPlay concept is more complicated than a simple Bluetooth connection.
That said, once working, WiFi streaming using AirPlay is really good - more control, better range and good synchronisation etc.
The advantage of the audio receivers that I have been using is that they don't require setting up so I installed them behind panels alongside the amplifiers.
Connection using WiFi doesn't require any button pressing - simply power them up and use them.
Anyway, I decided to upgrade them.
After a few hours research, it was clear that there are lots of these audio style receivers available.
Most with Bluetooth and some using AirPlay like my original ones.
However, I couldn't find anything that was better than the ones I installed 7 years ago.
Some of the new ones contain batteries and require you to press buttons to pair with them etc.
Lots were very cheap - ranging from <£10 upwards.
But none of them that did what I wanted.
So, I decided to build my own.
I'm a great fan of the Raspberry Pi and have made lots of projects using them.
Apart from the very cheap Raspberry Pi Pico (from £3.90 inc VAT !!!!) most of the Raspberry Pis run the Linux operating system.
Linux is one of those operating systems that lots of people have never heard of - but use daily without knowing it.
Most of the worlds servers are built using it so it is very flexible stable environment.
All my systems are Linux based - I don't have a Windoze computer in the house (or on the boat).
So, using a Raspberry Pi so make an audio system is second nature to me.
So, which model Raspberry Pi did I choose?
There are several in the range but there are three that would suit this application:-
First the Raspberry Pi Zero 2W at £17
This is what it looks like:-
Unfortunately the Zero doesn't have any audio out so it would need adapting - probably using a HAT (expansion board) like this:-
Next up - the Raspberry Pi Model 3B - Millions have been sold throughout the world.
At about £40
The Model 3B has everything I wanted - audio out and WiFi etc but its Bluetooth is only version 4
I finally settled on the Raspberry Pis current flagship - the Raspberry Pi Model 4B.
Lots of I/O channels and faster than the old Model 3B
Again full WiFi but this one has Bluetooth version 5 - I understand has better quality and range than Bluetooth 4.
Whenever I make these little projects, I first look to see if someone else has done the work before.
Better still, maybe there is an Open Source Project where a team pf people have developed the project.
The Open Source world is massive - even Linux itself is Open Source - over 1000 people contributing to it daily.
So, after a little research, I came across a Git project where someone has created a script that merges three projects into a single working solution.
Git is another of those Open Source Projects - Git is used to generally manage projects - either using a team of contributors or just a single developer who wants to store his application as he develops it.
Actually, Git was developed by Linus Torvalds - the creator of Linux - it is a fascinating world.
Anyway, as I say, I came across this little Git project - it is stored on a server called Github - see here:-
GitHub - nicokaiser/rpi-audio-receiver: Raspberry Pi Audio Receiver with Bluetooth A2DP, AirPlay, and Spotify Connect
It was then just a matter of setting up a spare Raspberry Pi4 that I have on my desk and running this guy's script.
The first thing I did was download a Lite version of Raspberry Pi OS (Linux) and copy it into a microSD card.
The Lite version doesn't have a GUI (desktop) - just a command line.
This makes it quicker to set up and run - I did connect a keyboard and monitor to it though.
Then I inserted the microSD card into the Raspberry Pi and powered it up.
Then after a few updates I ran that Github script.
After a bit of head scratching, IT WORKS
The Raspberry Pi has become an audio receiver.
Furthermore, I can connect to it using Bluetooth or Apple's AirPlay and as a bonus, it also supports Spotify apps.
The main reason for selecting this particular software is that I can "bury the Raspberry Pi away" behind the boat's panels.
It doesn't require any intervention after it has been powered up.
Bluetooth is open to any device without the need to exchange pin numbers (OK - I understand the security implications)
And AirPlay devices can attach to it using WiFi.
All the notes on the internet that refer to that Github project indicate that the Raspberry Pis Bluetooth interface isn't good enough.
Yes, that was a problem.
When a device first connects to it, you get poor quality sound but it you stop and restart the music (just for that first time you connect), the Raspberry Pis on board Bluetooth works fine.
So, after playing with it for a while, I made up a second Raspberry Pi audio receiver to see how they would work together.
I had hoped that I could connect two receivers at the same time using Bluetooth (my Samsung S23 does allow this) but the first one connected gets rejected when the second one connects.
However, using AirPlay it can handle multiple zones - all synchronised with each other.
The control over the volume is better with AirPlay as well.
So, I have decided to replace the old audio receivers with three DIY Raspberry Pi 4s
Over the last two years, it has been difficult to get Raspberry Pis but most of them are available again so I ordered a couple to finish this job and replenish my stock.
I know this isn't boaty but I think some people will find it interesting - I love doing this kind of thing.
