November 14th is just around the corner, and it’s about to bring some sweet harmony to your world of sound. Eve, the brilliant minds behind smart home solutions, is stepping into the audio world with their very first audio device — the Eve Play. Priced at $149.95 / €149.95, this gadget is set to take your Hi-Fi gear to a whole new level by integrating Apple‘s AirPlay 2 technology.

Okay, I know what you’re thinking — $149.95 might seem a bit steep, but trust me, the Eve Play is packing some serious features that will make audiophiles’ hearts sing. It’s got optical, coaxial, and RCA audio outputs, making it a breeze to connect with various audio equipment. Plus, it comes with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands, so you can enjoy a rock-solid connection. And for that crystal-clear sound quality, there’s a built-in DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter). Oh, and don’t forget the ethernet port for those who prefer a wired setup.

The Eve Play isn’t just a middleman for AirPlay 2; it’s designed to give you complete control. With the Eve app’s nifty Audio Sync feature, you can tweak the latency between speakers, ensuring your multiroom audio setup is perfectly synchronized. The catch? You’ll need an iPhone or iPad and a home network, either through Wi-Fi or ethernet.

You see, there aren’t many wireless receivers out there that support AirPlay 2, which can be frustrating for Apple Home users. Sure, you could hunt down a second-gen AirPort Express or grab Belkin’s SoundForm Connect Audio, but the closest competitor to the Eve Play is probably LinkPlay Technology’s WiiM Pro.

Like the Eve Play, the WiiM Pro comes in at $149 and offers a buffet of audio output options along with an ethernet port. But here’s where it gets interesting — the WiiM Pro also plays nice with Chromecast Audio, supports local streaming via DLNA, and even has audio input ports. That means you can use it as a preamp for a turntable. The Eve Play, on the other hand, keeps it simple with AirPlay 2 support, making it a more specialized choice.

Alongside the Eve Play, Eve is dropping some other exciting goodies on November 14th. First up, we have the Matter-compliant Thermo Control wireless temperature sensor. This little gizmo pairs up with the EU-exclusive Eve Thermo smart radiator valve, letting it work based on the room’s temperature instead of just the valve’s temperature. It’s got a cool e-ink display and easy-peasy capacitive buttons, and it won’t break the bank at €79.95.

And if you’re rocking Eve MotionBlinds, you’re in for a treat. Eve is rolling out a Matter firmware upgrade that brings the Adaptive Shading feature to your smart shades. Get ready for a more dynamic and responsive shading experience, also coming on November 14th.