Affordable audio for smart homes
You have the speakers — we make them smart. Open-source ESP32 and Raspberry Pi audio devices for Home Assistant, AirPlay, Spotify and multi-room sound, built to reuse the gear you already own.
What do you want to do?
Pick a goal. Each guide tells you which device to buy, which firmware to install, and how to set it up — no prior knowledge needed.
Multi-room audio for Home Assistant
Music in every room, in sync, with announcements and automations. Spotify Connect and AirPlay included through Music Assistant.
AirPlay 2 for any speaker
Show up in Control Center next to your HomePod. No server, no app — plus pro-level sound tuning on Louder devices.
Spotify, AirPlay and Bluetooth
One speaker the whole household can use, iPhone and Android alike — all standalone, nothing else to run.
A private voice assistant
Replace Alexa with Home Assistant Assist: wake word on the device, speech at home, and music in the same box.
Perfectly synced multi-room
Snapcast for every room: near-perfect timing, flexible groups, different music in different rooms.
Prefer a Raspberry Pi?
Hats and complete media centres with the same DACs and amplifiers, for your favourite Raspberry Pi audio software.
Not sure? A quick rule of thumb
- Already run Home Assistant? → Multi-room audio for Home Assistant
- Everyone at home uses iPhone, iPad or Mac? → AirPlay 2
- A mixed household and no server? → Spotify, AirPlay and Bluetooth
- Sync matters more than anything? → Snapcast
- Want to talk to your home? → Voice assistant
The hardware is the same for every option, so you can always switch later by installing different firmware.
Or browse by product
Already know what you are after? Here are the product families.
Esparagus
Finished devices in an aluminium case, with screen and volume knob on some models. Ready for the shelf.
ESP32 audio boards
Bare boards in the Raspberry Pi footprint: the lowest price per room, and the easiest to build into your own speaker.
Also: DIY kits · 8-bit products · legacy products
A passion for music for electronic hobbyists
Our ESP32 and Raspberry Pi-based kits allow hobbyists around the world to build their dream audio setup
Open source philosophy
We benefit from open-source software. We give it back to the community by open-sourcing all of our hardware. Get inspired – build your own
Lifetime software support
We don’t lock you into “our” tech. Free to choose from multiple open-source options, and switch when ready
Buy less, reuse what you have
Our kits are aimed at restoring your aging audio gear, connecting it to modern services, and using it for many years to come
Consulting
We have extensive experience with audio hardware. Building something? We’re here to help
Community driven
Have an idea and no suitable hardware? Reach out, maybe we want to create it together
Continuous Support
We don’t forget our old customers. Still have a discontinued product – reach out for help
Speakers built on our boards
Prefer a finished speaker? HouseWaves designs, builds and supports complete Home Assistant speakers in Los Angeles — Made for ESPHome, streaming in perfect sync over Sendspin, and set up in minutes.
Swipe to see the whole range →
Watch, Read, Listen
- Color display-enabled configs for Esparagus boards
The latest update to the esparagus firmware installer brings a nice change for the TFT-equipped boards: a new “now playing” screen and no dependency… Read more: Color display-enabled configs for Esparagus boards - Ethernet-enabled Sendspin configs on the web installer
Both esp32-audio-dock firmware web installer and esparagus boards web installer got a slightly controversial update today: Ethernet-enabled configs. Let’s start from the basics. The… Read more: Ethernet-enabled Sendspin configs on the web installer - Louder-ESP32-Pro is now available at Elecrow
The Louder-ESP32-Pro is now available for purchase at Elecrow, my production and distribution partner. It comes only in an ESP32-S3-based variant. Optional power adapters… Read more: Louder-ESP32-Pro is now available at Elecrow - Screen-enabled Sendspin factory images
Until recently, all Sendspin factory images available at the web installer for Esparagus boards and ESP32 development boards had a single Sendspin image with… Read more: Screen-enabled Sendspin factory images - Audio Brick sales are open
As all Crowd Supply orders have been shipped to backers now, Esparagus Audio Brick sales are finally open in both EU stores (Tindie, Lectronz) and… Read more: Audio Brick sales are open - Stock update: Louder-ESP32-Mini and HiFi-Esaparagus
Hey folks, I just received a large box from my Chinese Santa. Louder-ESP32-Minis are in stock now in the EU store (Tindie, Lectronz). Also,… Read more: Stock update: Louder-ESP32-Mini and HiFi-Esaparagus - New onboarding experience for ESP32 audio boards
Following last week’s update, ESP32-based audio development boards receive a new firmware web installer It works in a very similar way; you get Sendspin… Read more: New onboarding experience for ESP32 audio boards - Retro Pi Handheld Guide
As a side miniproject, I just finished making a small (tiny, actually) handheld game console, based on a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W and a… Read more: Retro Pi Handheld Guide
Get involved
All technical information is available on GitHub. Found something to improve – create an issue or pull request before you forget. Engage in discussion on Discord. Drop an email, I actually read them!