Issue with grouping multiple speakers across Airplay 1/Airplay 2 [Ticket In]

What best describes your playback issue?

· Music doesn't start when I press "Play"

What type of Zone is affected by this problem?

· *Network Zones* are affected.

Is the affected network Zone connected with Ethernet or WiFi?

· WiFi

Does the issue affect all file formats?

· The issue affects *multiple/all* file formats.

Does the issue happen with local library music, streaming service music, or both?

· *Both streaming and local* *library* music are affected.

Do you encounter any playback errors with the "System Output" Zone?

· The System Output has *no problem*, it's only my other Zone.

How is the affected Zone connected to your RoonServer machine?

· Network - WiFi

Which network audio protocol is the Zone using with Roon?

· Airplay

Since this is an Airplay Zone, have you tried toggling Airplay Compatibility Mode for this Zone in the Device Setup window?

· There is no change in behavior.

Does the device show up at all in Roon Settings -> Audio?

· Yes, it shows up there, but it isn't Enabled

Does the "Enable" button unlock the Zone?

· I can Enable the Zone, but the Zone disappears

Does the device play audio from another source when using the same connection?

· The device has no problems with another audio source

Have you checked that Roon is whitelisted in any firewalls?

· I've checked the firewall and the issue remains

If the device has multiple output options, do the other options work as expected?

· Multiple output types are affected

Is the device using the latest firmware as per the manufacturer?

· Firmware is up-to-date but the issue remains

Do you have an approximate timestamp of when the issue last occurred?

· Since I installed roon (today) and I'm trying to make the speakers work in a group.

What are the make and model of the affected audio device(s) and the connection type?

· Denon Home 150 NV, Sonos FIVE and Sonos SL

Describe the issue

Hi Support Team,
I use my Windows 11 PC as a roon server (System Output).

I have 3 speakers.
1 Sonos ONE SL
1 Sonos FIVE
1 Denon Home 150 NV.

Note that the set works under Airplay2 via the Apple Music application without problem. I can group the speakers together or not.

All the speakers are up to date regarding hardware updates.

Configuration in roon:

This PC: System Output (it is activated)
roon localhost: my iPhone (it is activated)
roon ready: Denon Home 150 NV - not activated because I cannot group the speakers if they are of different protocols (Airplay2 versus the RAAT protocol).
roon Tested : Sonos FIVE (it is enabled)
roon Tested : Apple TV (it is enabled)
Other network devices : Sonos ONE SL (it is enabled)
Other network devices : Denon Home 150 NV (it is enabled)

The problem is this :: Each of the speakers can play music independently. When I group the 3 speakers together no sound comes out, and then none of the speakers work after that.

Describe your network setup

I have a Bell Canada modem (internet provider) no routers nor range extenders.

Hi @watier.alain,

Thank you for your post.

We’ve taken a look at diagnostics and found two issues.

First, there are traces related to Airplay2 setup failures with at least one Sonos device that resemble a known, ticketed issue that Development is investigating. We’ve updated our investigation to include detailed notes on this particular case and will provide more information as soon as possible.

Second, we can see network connectivity failures between Roob and the Denon endpoint’s Airplay2 receiver. These failures are specific to audio streaming rather than device discovery, and are possibly more closely related to the symptom you’ve described.

I recommend these steps in the meantime:

  1. Toggle Compatibility Mode in the Airplay Zones in your screenshot. This is unlikely to resolve the issue but may provide more evidence for our team.
  2. Make sure that any multicast forwarding or IGMP settings are toggled on in your router firmware.
  3. If your Bell modem/router combination offers dual-band WiFi, try disabling one of the two bands and restarting your device. Then, disable the other band and restart again.

Hi Connor,
I hope you doing well!

I switched the compatibility mode without success. Here are the steps:

  1. Initially compatibility mode was disabled (old network config)
  2. When I opened the ticket, I had already activated the compatibility mode (old network config).
  3. I completed the changes requested in your e-mail //(Step no.2 (Make sure that any multicast forwarding or IGMP settings are toggled on in your router firmware.) and (Step no.3 (If your Bell modem/router combination offers dual-band WiFi, try disabling one of the two bands and restarting your device. Then, disable the other band and restart again.))
  4. I’ve restarted all equipment (PC, Network and Speakers)
  5. Unfortunately, it still doesn’t work. I can’t pair all the speakers. (new network config)

Observation: I can get my speakers to work (zone share or not, including different music playback on each of them too, via the Apple Music app.

I wish you an excellent and successful year 2025.

Best regards,
Alain Watier

Hey @watier.alain,

Thanks for the follow up and for your continued patience, I’m sorry you’re still facing issues pairing your devices.

While our development takes a closer look into things, we’d be curious to see if you still experience this issue on a fresh RAATServer database.

You can generate a new RAATServer instance on your device by following these instructions, but please be aware that this will reset your Roon Settings → Audio Tab to factory settings and I would advise making a backup of any custom DSP settings you have:

  • Create a Backup of your current Roon database
  • Exit out of Roon
  • Navigate to your Roon’s Database Location
  • Find the folder that says “RAATServer”
  • Rename the “RAATServer” folder to “RAATServer_old”
  • Restart the Roon App to generate a new RAATServer folder

Let us know the results, thank you!

Hi Benjamin and Connor,
I hope your doing well!

I generated a new RAATServer instance on my PC following these instructions.

  1. I created a backup of your current Roon database
  2. I quit Roon
  3. Navigated to the location of your Roon database
  4. I found the “RAATServer” folder.
  5. renamed the “RAATServer” folder to “RAATServer_old”.
  6. I restarted the Roon application to generate a new RAATServer folder.

Unfortunately, I still have the same problem: I can’t group all the speakers together.

I can occasionally group the speakers (Foyer, Hall and 3) as you’ll see on the attached printout.

When I try to add the speaker (Denon Home 150 NV), all the sound from the speakers stops working.

Then it’s hard to get the speakers to work independently of each other again, it takes a long time for the connections to be made with each of them.

Best Regards,
Alain

Hi @watier.alain,
Thank you for getting back to us with those results. We’ve given this case to our development team to do a deeper investigation. Once we know more we will let you know here. We really appreciate your continued patience with the troubleshooting process!

Hello to the Support Team,
As my trial period ends on Sunday, January 12, I’ve stopped it today.

I was very interested in using your product to facilitate and bring together all the management and information in one place.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to work easily in my environment.

Thank you for your time and effort, it is much appreciated.

Best regards,
Alain

Hi @watier.alain,

Thanks for the follow-up! We’d be happy to extend your trial while we continue to investigate your issue further - let me know!

Did you ever by chance test grouping your Sonos zones over your Sonos network for playback?

Hi Benjamin,
I am able to zone my Sonos speakers.
In fact the Sonos application allows me to zone Sonos speakers only.

However, with Roon, at the moment I can zone my Sonos speakers and my PC.

The only speaker I can’t zone via Roon is my Denon 150 NV.
I think the concern comes from the fact that the Denon Home 150 NV is Roon Ready.

See attached screen prints.

Also, as mentioned above, with Apple Music I’m able to zone both my Sonos speakers and my Denon speaker.

My free trial is over, if you think you can find a solution to the problem, you can reactivate my free trial.

Let me know how to proceed.
Best Regards,
Alain

I’ve removed the screenshot showing your private email address - it is not a good idea to show such addresses in a public forum. Thank you for your understanding.

Hi Geoff,
My mistake thank you very much Geoff.

Good evening and have a great weekend,
Best Regards,
Alain

Hi @watier.alain,

The team has a ticket in with Development for an Airplay 1/Airplay 2 compatibility issue. This fix should be delivered in an upcoming Roon build. There are diagnostic indications that you’re experiencing an analogous problem and the fix should work in your case - unfortunately, it may be several more weeks before the Roon release containing the fix.

We’ll notify you here as soon as we have a more fruitful update to share. We’re very grateful you’ve brought this to our attention and we appreciate your patience in the meantime. Thanks!

Welcome Connor,
It’s a pleasure to help, thanks for the feedback, it’s much appreciated.
I’ll be waiting to hear from you and will be able to test the updated application when it becomes available.

Have a Nice Evening,
Best Regards,
Alain

Hi @watier.alain

I wanted to briefly touch base, we are still looking into this issue and it is in the dev team’s queue. It looks like it will take a bit longer to address, your continued patience here is greatly appreciated!

Hi Noris,
Thanks for the follow up, it’s much appreciated.
Have a great day and weekend!

Best Regards,
Alain