Pioneer has unveiled two upcoming bookshelf audio systems that work with Apple’s AirPlay media sharing. The X-SMC3-S Music Tap and the X-SMC4-Elite Music Tap share a Wi-Fi connection and Ethernet port. The former, other than getting Pioneer’s more exclusive Elite treatment, also adds Bluetooth.
Beyond AirPlay, the pair can play back music from a user’s local network and access music from iTunes, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and other online services. A 2.5-inch color LCD on either will display album art and song details. DLNA 1.5 support, vTuner web radio and Pioneer AirJam are built into both systems.
iPod/iPhone docks will charge the iOS devices and retract into the units when not needed.
The two ship in October, with the base model carrying a $400 sticker and the Elite trading for $480.
X-SMC3-S Music Tap
X-SMC4-Elite Music Tap
What’s the difference between these models then as it looks like the elite gets a black front piece saying elite on it?
Still sounds very cool this and in regards to it connecting to the local network, is it VIA ethernet or wireless?