Apple is renowned for its tight control over access to the inner workings of its operating systems. This is especially evident in the “walled garden” of iMessage, FaceTime, and the Apple Watch. However, they have made a noteworthy exception with AirPlay and MagSafe accessories. Enter Dio Node, a cutting-edge AirPlay compliant speaker system that stands out as a formidable contender for your entire home audio solution.
“The Dio Node speakers deliver seamless AirPlay integration with surprisingly rich sound—all without the privacy concerns of an always-on microphone. Its effortless setup and minimalist design make it a perfect addition to any Apple-centric home.”
Design
The industrial structure of the Dio Node speakers are very unassuming. This seems intentional to have the simple, square units to blend into any aesthetic or room. They seriously are just light gray squares with a few volume controls button and a power port in the back. Honestly, it’s refreshing to see such a muted design to make sure these just live anywhere without calling attention.
Internally, you have a single speaker and Wi-Fi. No Bluetooth, microphone, or other sensors. This allows for a quick connection capable of lossless audio without affecting your privacy. No constantly listening device in the corner of the room, and Dio skipped the inconsistency of Bluetooth.
My only negative with the design is I wish the port was a little more flush and/or USB-C. I ended up landing on mounting two of these speakers in my garage for my home gym, and having the port making a hard 90-degree angle out the back made for a weird situation when trying to mount on either the ceiling or wall. This is especially true with a unit as niche as the Dio Node that simply doesn’t have the mount support from 3rd parties you’d see from say a Google or Apple official speaker.
The same is true for the power port. While both Apple and Google also use a proprietary charging option, I’d love to see someone like Dio use a modern standard like USB-C. Not only does it support the simple ethos the company seems to be looking for, but it makes supplying replacements easier for consumers.
AirPlay and setup
Getting the Dio Node out the box to a working speaker literally takes less than five minutes. There’s a nice quick guide included in the box, or you can scan a QR box for a similar tutorial, but you really just need an iOS device. No extra app. You’ll just need the iPhone or iPad’s existing Wi-Fi settings page to get them going.
Yep, you just open your Wi-Fi settings, much like you were joining a new Wi-Fi router for your device. From here, you should see the new option to “set up an AirPlay speaker”. After this, your new Dio Node will look and act much like an Apple HomePod. It can be paired with other AirPlay devices for dual play and will be seen in any AirPlay menu.
That’s by far the selling point of the Dio Node speakers. Look, act, and basically be a HomePod without Siri and a microphone. But that doesn’t mean that it’s stripped of full connected features. You can link Dio Nodes to the Home app on your iPhone smarts. From here, you can play music and use Shortcuts to utilize the speaker over voice commands.
Sound
Another area the Dio Node speakers aren’t lacking is sound. While it’s not quite as robust as an audio device as a HomePod, it’s damn close. The output of the Dio speaker is much better than I expected. That unassuming shell made it seem like it would underperform, but it’s very good for a speaker this size.
The same is true for pairing them together. While you can’t use them in stereo like the HomePods, you can sync the playback to two different ones with the same audio output. This functionality is incredibly useful, as it allows you to create a more expansive sound experience throughout your home. Whether you’re entertaining guests or just enjoying some alone time, having the option to play music in multiple rooms simultaneously adds a delightful ambiance to any setting.
For example, you might set one Dio Node speaker in your living room while placing another in the kitchen. This way, you can enjoy seamless music playback while moving about your home without interruptions. The sound quality remains consistent across both speakers, and as you transition from room to room, the listening experience doesn’t falter. It’s truly impressive how these compact devices can deliver such satisfying audio performance.
Final Thoughts
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The Dio Node speaker system is a surprising addition to the Apple accessories ecosystem. The seamless set-up and better than expected sound make this a great option for AirPlay in your home. Add in the appeal that some people will prefer that it doesn’t have an always on microphone, and you have a more private alternative to a HomePod without losing the ties to Apple or HomeKit.
The only other thing to cover here is the pricing. The Dio Node speakers are $90 for a single or the most popular options seems to be the 3-pack for $240. I also think this is the best value when compared to something like Sonos or even the closer relative of the Apple HomePod Mini. Having multiple speakers to utilize the multi-room playback showcases the full feature list of the Dio. You can get yours now with the link below from Dio Connect’s direct website.
