What is it?
Louder-ESP32-Pro is a feature-packed version of the Louder-ESP32-Plus, which hosts most of the optional extras as standard, adds support for color TFT screens, and, perhaps most importantly, adds an industrial-grade heat release solution for reliable heavy-duty operation.
It comes in Raspberry Pi 5 shape with the most important component placed to follow the original heat release pattern. This allows the use of Raspberry Pi aluminum radiators, including those with soft-controlled fan connectors, that can be driven through Louder-ESP32-Pro software when operating in hot conditions.
Louder-ESP32-Pro is equipped with a high-quality TAS5825M DAC with powerful DSP features, allowing audio tuning to turn your speakers into high-quality audio streamers, big or small likewise. Onboard ESP32-S3 with 8MB PSRAM is there to ensure enough horsepower for solid streaming capabilities.
It is designed to be used with USB-PD-enabled power sources, so powering it is as easy as plugging in a standard laptop power charger. For maximum power, a 65W power source is recommended, but it would also happily accept quick-charge phone power adapters, and even standard USB-C power adapters, with limited output power
Use cases
The main use case for the Louder-ESP32-Pro is Home Assistant and Music Assistant integration via ESPHome, including voice-assist support using the onboard MEMS microphone and multi-color feedback LED. But being an open source solution, it can serve your other needs as well
- Multi-Room Audio with Snapclient
Use Louder-ESP32-Pro as a Snapclient endpoint to create perfectly synchronized multi-room audio systems. Ideal for distributed music playback without proprietary lock-in. - Standalone Player with Squeezelite-ESP32
Run Squeezelite-ESP32 for a self-contained network audio player supporting Spotify Connect, AirPlay, and Logitech Media Server (LMS) — no external computer required. - Educational Projects & Teaching Platforms
A powerful tool for technical education. Louder-ESP32-pro can be used to teach embedded systems, digital audio, networking, and open-source software. - Research, Prototyping & Experimentation
Well-suited for rapid prototyping of audio devices, proofs-of-concept, and research projects involving DSP, low-latency streaming, wireless audio, or human-machine interaction. - A Foundation for Custom Products & DIY Builds
With all firmware and tooling fully open source, Louder-ESP32-pro is a base for custom audio devices — whether you’re building a personal DIY project, a small production run, or a community-driven product.
Features
| Louder-ESP-Pro | Louder-ESP32 | Louder-ESP32-Plus | |
| MCU | ESP32-S3-WROOM-N8R8 | ESP32-WROVER-N8R8 | ESP32-S3-WROOM-N8R8 | ESP32-WROVER-N8R8 | ESP32-S3-WROOM-N8R8 |
| DAC | Stereo I2S DAC (TAS5825M) with built-in D-Class amp | Stereo I2S DAC (TAS5805M) with built-in D-Class amp | Stereo I2S DAC (TAS5825M) with built-in D-Class amp |
| Output (4Ω, 1% THD+N) | 2x 45W | 2x 32W | 2x 45W |
| Output (8Ω, 1% THD+N) | 2x 30W | 2x 23W | 2x 30W |
| Output (Bridge, 4Ω, 1% THD+N) | 1x 53W | 1x 45W | 1x 53W |
| Flash/PSRAM | 8MB/8MB | 8MB/8MB | 8MB/8MB |
| Connectivity | WiFi + BLE | WiFi + BT4.2 + BLE + Ethernet | WiFi + BT4.2 + BLE + Ethernet |
| Ethernet | ✅ | optional | optional |
| IR reader | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mic | ✅ | optional | optional |
| RGB LED | ✅ | optional | optional |
| Screen connector | TFT, 2.4″, 320x240px | OLED, 0.96″, 128x64px | OLED, 0.96″, 128x64px |
| Power requirement | Generic power adapter 5..28V | Generic power adapter 5..28V | Generic power adapter 5..28V |
⚠️Louder boards will connect to passive speakers; you can’t use headphones or an external amp
💡Need to connect an external amp? Check out HiFi-ESP32 and Amped-ESP32
💡Don’t need DSP capabilities? Check out Loud-ESP32
💡Looking for a more feature-packed version? Check out Louder Esparagus
Use with the Raspberry case
Louder-ESP32-Pro boards are mechanically compatible with aluminum cases for Raspberry Pi 5. The most important components that release heat under heavy operation would be covered by the case heat release pads. On top of that, the board allows connecting a 4-pin fan with speed control and RPM readout, so it can be engaged only when needed.
Firmware
- Home Assistant
Start from the web-installer, as soon as you configure WiFi, the boards will be discovered by the ESPHome add-in automatically. Dedicated configs can be found in the documentation for simple and stable media-player, experimental sendspin protocol, and experimental snapclient component - Squeezelite-ESP32
Flash directly from your browser using the web-installer (work in progress), configure WiFi using Hotspot (default password: squeezelite). Don’t forget to exit Recovery mode when configured. - Snapclient
Flash directly from your browser using the web-installer (work in progress), as soon as you configure the WiFi board, it will discover the snapserver automatically. The less stable and more feature-rich version for those who cannot wait for new features to be released, can be installed via the edge version web-installer - Your own software
Use Arduino IDE or Platformio IDE and the provided software samples
Using with Home Assistant
The Louder-ESP32-Pro was created specifically to be used with Home Assistant via ESPHome integration. For both boards, rich configs were pre-created with hardware configuration for common use cases. These include
- Sendspin media player – new experimental protocol for multi-room sync with media controls and extra features
- Voice assist config, allowing local voice-controlled assist and automation
- Standard and stable version of the media_player component for simple and robust media playback and TTS announcements with ducking effect
- An experimental snapclient component that allows near-perfect multi-room sync and seamless integration with Music Assistant
Configurations are being actively maintained and upgraded, new experimental components added for you to test and enjoy
Documentation
Both software and hardware are fully open-sourced and can be found on the project’s GitHub. You can follow the project updates at Hackaday
Where to buy
You may support our work by ordering this product at Tindie and Elecrow
- Louder-ESP32-Pro coming soon on Tindie, Lectronz, and Elecrow ($50 MRSP, $40 at volume)
Sponsorship & Community Support
If you’re working on an open-source project, an educational initiative, or any pro-bono/volunteer effort, feel free to reach out for sponsorship details. I’ll do my best to provide discounts or even free boards.
Custom Design & Consultation
If you’re interested in a custom design based on or inspired by my boards, I also offer contract design work and consultation when needed.
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