Spotify was one of the first streaming music services to achieve mass popularity and also one of the most successful today. If you pay for your Spotify premium subscription, you may have the app on your computer, on your mobile and even on your Smart TV. But did you know that you can play songs from Spotify directly with compatible speakers thanks to the technology of Spotify Connect?
What is Spotify Connect?
Spotify Connect allows you to play songs from this streaming service on other devices wirelessly. This service is available on TVs, Chromecast and PC, but it also comes integrated in a few smart speakers and sound bars.
Spotify Connect is extremely easy to use, and can be somewhat reminiscent of how Google's Chromecast works. We will simply use our mobile to send a song or playlist to a speaker. And ready. The connection will be made via Wi-Fi, so you will not have to connect anything via Bluetooth. And, in addition, the music will start playing directly from the Spotify servers directly to the speakers, without going through our mobile phone.
How It Works
Basically, you will need a mobile phone, laptop or tablet that has Spotify installed with your account. You must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network than the speaker compatible with Spotify Connect.
On the other hand, Spotify Connect was also an exclusive function for accounts premium from Spotify. However, this limitation is disappearing, so in most devices you will be able to use this function with Spotify Free as long as you have the Spotify application updated to its latest version.
To play songs via Spotify Connect, you'll need to tap on the 'Devices' menu in your Spotify app and switch the output to the corresponding compatible speaker.
How do you control music playback?
The easiest way of all is to use the same source that you used to send the songs as a remote control. If you used your iPhone, you will be able to change the songs, pause or continue playback without any problem from your mobile.
On the other hand, you can also do it by voice commands. To do so, you need to add the Spotify service to Alexa or Google Home. Once you have it, you can speak to the assistant to request music that will be played on the smart speaker of your choice.
Speakers compatible with Spotify Connect
Are you looking for a smart speaker to make use of Spotify Connect? These are the more commercial models that are compatible with this functionality according to the Spotify website itself.
Sonos
Sonos was not only one of the first manufacturers to fully invest in multi-room audio, but also welcomed the Spotify Connect possibilities. That is why this functionality is present in practically its entire line of products:
SonosPlay
Spotify Connect is available on all Sonos Play series wireless speakers (Sonos Play:1, Sonos Play:3 and Sonos Play:5).
Sonos Beam and Sonos Arc
These two sound bars for TVs also have compatibility with Spotify Connect.
Sonos One and Sonos One SL
These two advanced Sonos speakers support Spotify Connect as well as offering many of its advantages thanks to multi-room audio technology.
Sonos five
You can also use Spotify Connect on the Five, which stands out as one of the brand's most advanced speakers.
Sonos roam
The smallest of the Sonos family can also be a good companion if you want to listen to your Spotify playlists wherever you go. In addition, this model is also compatible with Alexa, which is not the case with the SL model, which does not have a microphone and is slightly more affordable.
IKEA
The Swedish company has been working on its multimedia catalog for a few years and as a result we have several speakers from the firm that are also compatible with the Spotify function.
Symphonic
The Ikea Symfonisk are made in collaboration with Sonos, so it is not surprising that they are also compatible with this technology. Whether you have the model that can be used as a small bookshelf or you got the built-in speaker in your nightstand light, you can use Spotify Connect without problems.
Vappeby
This small outdoor speaker from Ikea is not only one of the rarest products that the Swedish brand has presented, but it is also one of the ways cheaper to integrate the Spotify ecosystem into your home. It's a speaker with lamp which costs 59 euros and you can control the music directly with the device using the function Spotify Tap Playback. At the moment, the Vappeby is the only device confirmed to have this feature called 'Spotify Tap', although hopefully it will come to future speakers from other manufacturers.
Angry
The following Bose models are also Connect compatible.
Bose SoundTouch 10
A very interesting alternative to take your Spotify anywhere. It fits anywhere, it is wireless and it is extremely easy to use.
Bose SoundTouch 20
You will be able to control the music at your own pace without problems with this famous bose wireless speaker. You will also be able to pause or control the music thanks to its wireless control.
Harman Kardon
If you are into design speakers, the unbeatable Harman Kardon Aura it also supports Spotify Connect. Also this feature is available on sound bar Harman Kardon Omni Bar+.
JBL
There are also quite a few speakers from this famous brand that you can use with this Spotify feature. They are the following:
Philips
Philips has quite a few stereos that offer compatibility with Spotify Connect. The sound bars stand out, where you can use this feature in the Phillips Fidelio B95, Philips TAB8505 and TAB8905. On the other hand, this function is also present in portable speakers such as the Phillips TAW6205 and TAW6505.
Sony
At the moment, only the sound bar Sony Sound Bar HT-Z9F It is compatible with Spotify Connect.
Yamaha
Among the devices compatible with Spotify Connect from this Japanese manufacturer, sound bars stand out Yamaha MusicCast BAR400 and Yamaha YSP-5600.
On the other hand, also the two portable speakers of the MusicCast series, the Music Cast 20 and Music Cast 50, are compatible with this feature.