In a review published on November 12, 2026, 少数派 contributor 南桥北桥不是桥 tested the Home Assistant Connect AUX-2, an audio receiver designed to bring existing speakers or amplifiers into a multi-room setup using Home Assistant, Music Assistant and the open-source Sendspin protocol. At the time of the review, Sendspin had reached version 1.0 RC1.
The AUX-2 has a 3.5 mm output that automatically switches between analog audio and optical digital output depending on the cable used. Its gigabit Ethernet port supports PoE, allowing one cable to carry both power and network traffic. It also has USB, serial and Grove connections for projects built with ESPHome. The reviewer found Home Assistant setup straightforward, without needing ESPHome Builder for ordinary playback or firmware updates.
In the reviewer’s home tests, playback stayed synchronized across multiple devices for hours once buffering finished. Starting a track and changing multi-room groups felt slower than AirPlay, however. The reviewer also encountered potential stuttering when streaming lossless FLAC over a crowded 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection and recommended Ethernet where possible.
For locations without Ethernet, the reviewer reported smoother wireless playback after enabling the lower-bandwidth Opus codec in ESPHome Builder. The review expressly qualifies that recommendation: it says the patented Opus codec is for personal testing and noncommercial use only. That is the reviewer’s stated condition, not an independent legal assessment.
The review listed the AUX-2 at 520 yuan, with a 450-yuan launch price, and said it was expected to reach SEEED Studio’s official stores on Chinese e-commerce platforms. Those were the price and availability details reported at publication, not a statement of current stock or pricing.