AirPlay as main speakers?

[Nimrad]

With wifi-standards being as fast as they are and airplay seemingly being as seemless and easy-to-use as it is I have some questions.

Will I be able to make airplay-speakers my main audio-output from my Mac? I currently use logitech z-5500 in stereo mode and I think there's just too many cables. Are there any stereo desktop speakers announced that support airplay and maybe some inputs too? I want OK audio-quality, but I'm more concerned about looks and that it's user-friendly ATM.


BTW, are there any specs out there saying anything about how many kb/s airplay supports?

 

[netdog]

I think there is a significant lag using AirPlay due to buffering even if you could patch system sounds and the like over. Video would be a disaster if you could do it (if I understand it right).

I use AirTunes for all my music, but everything else plays on the system.

 

[reebzor]

I recently unplugged my desktop speakers from my mac and plugged them into my Airport Express for use with airplay.

I love it. All of my system sounds (aka things that dont matter) go through my ACD's speakers and I set itunes to play to the airplay speakers. The thing that sucks is that you cant set the airplay speakers to be the default output for all audio on the mac... yet. I doubt it would happen anyway as there is a couple second lag when you send a song to the AirPlay speakers.

 

[Nimrad]

Aah, that sucks! Seems like it will be music only then, at least for now. Looking forward to buying the iHome-speakers. Perfect to bring into the bathroom when showering!

 

[waw74]

you can use airfoil to send audio from any program (one at a time) or system audio. as has been mentioned, there is a couple second delay.
I will mention this is a paid app, there is a free demo that will send audio for a couple minutes at a time. as once when i mentioned it, someone got a cranky because they bought it and it didn't work like they thought it should.

this works great with fluid (a single site browser) and your favorite streaming service (pandora, last.fm) so you can have it open, and not send all the annoying audio from ads from whatever else you're browsing to.