Choosing the right media player is key to getting the best out of your directional speaker - especially in environments like retail stores, museums, kiosks, and exhibitions.
To help integrators and decision-makers choose with confidence, we’ve compared five leading media players based on real-world usability, content support, and connectivity for directional sound installations. We focus on how each player fits with targeted audio setups, including compatibility with the Akoustic Arts Speaker B, a leading directional speaker for professional environments.
| Manufacturer | Model | Type of Device |
|---|---|---|
| Akoustic Arts | Player B | Audio / Video / Image |
| BrightSign | AU335 | Audio |
| Waves System | NanoPlayer Box | Audio |
| Waves system | AP420 | Audio |
| Lūpa Player | Lūpa | Video |
| Brand | Model | Media Support | User Interface | Output |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akoustic Arts | Player B | SD / USB / Internal | Remote control - Sensor detector - Buttons - RS-232 | TOSLINK optical - Line - HDMI |
| BrightSign | AU335 | SD / Cloud | USB - GPIO - Ethernet | Line - ARC/eARC - USB-C |
| Waves System | NanoPlayer Box | SD | Remote control - Button | Line - Headphone |
| Waves system | AP420 | SD / USB / Internal | Ethernet (Web GUI) | Line |
| Lūpa Player | Lūpa | USB | None | HDMI - Line |
A flexible media player for interactive retail displays, museums, and corporate installations. It supports audio, video, and image playback with a digital TOSLINK output for noise-free integration with the Akoustic Arts Speaker B. Includes motion sensor, RS-232, remote, button, and auto-start triggers. Setup is easy via autofile.txt, and supported formats include H.264, FLAC, MP3, WAV, and JPG.
Designed for cloud-managed audio networks, this player supports three audio zones and integrates with BSN.cloud and BrightAuthor. Outputs include HDMI ARC/eARC, USB-C, and 3.5mm line. Ideal for large-scale deployments, but lacks video support and optical output for directional sound.
A small-format player for kiosk audio loops. Supports WAV/MP3 from SD cards, with remote or button control. Configuration requires renaming folders and files manually. No digital outputs, so best suited for simple setups without high-fidelity audio demands.
Built for scheduled background audio, this unit offers playback from SD, USB, internal memory, and online sources like NAS or webradio. Managed via a web-based calendar interface. A good option for ambient music, though it lacks GPIO triggers and optical output.
An ultra-simple video loop player for retail signage or museum displays. Plug in a USB drive with an MP4 and it plays automatically. Sync mode allows coordinated playback across devices. No support for audio-only, triggers, or digital sound output.
| Player | Configuration Method |
|---|---|
| Player B | Text file script (autofile.txt), no software needed |
| AU335 | Requires BrightAuthor software and BSN.cloud |
| NanoPlayer Box | Manual folder renaming |
| AP420 | Web-based calendar interface |
| Lūpa | Automatic plug-and-play via USB |
- Digital Optical Output
Only Player B includes TOSLINK (SPDIF), eliminating ground loops and preserving sound integrity for directional playback.
- Triggering Options
Player B supports five modes including motion, RS-232, and buttons – essential for interactive setups.
- Media Format Requirements
Need both video and audio? Choose Player B or Lūpa. For audio-only, options include AU335, NanoPlayer, and AP420.
- Setup Simplicity
Player B requires no software. Others vary in complexity – from proprietary cloud systems to manual file renaming.
| Player | Best Use Case | Trigger Support | Optical Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player B | Interactive retail, museums, exhibitions | 5 trigger modes | Yes |
| AU335 | Centralised AV fleet deployments | Software-only | No |
| NanoPlayer Box | Basic kiosks, static installations | Button / Remote | No |
| AP420 | Scheduled background music | None | No |
| Lūpa | Video wall synchronisation | None | No |
Each player brings something unique to the table – but only the Akoustic Arts Player B offers the complete toolkit for directional audio projects:
- Optical digital output
- Audio, video, and image support
- Five modes of interactive triggering
- Simple setup with no software required
- Seamless compatibility with the Akoustic Arts Speaker B
Whether you’re working on a retail experience, museum installation, or corporate demonstration, Player B delivers performance, reliability, and directional precision.
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