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Pioneer A4 Powered speaker system with Apple® AirPlay®

Item # 130A4B

Think you can't get great sound from streaming music to a wireless speaker? Then try the Pioneer A4 and let...

Think you can't get great sound from streaming music to a wireless speaker? Then try the Pioneer A4 and let...

3 questions - 12 answers

Item # 130A4B

Shop all Pioneer Wireless Home Speakers

About the Pioneer A4

David Brown

Powerful sound from a versatile wireless speaker

Think you can't get great sound from streaming music to a wireless speaker? Then try the Pioneer A4 and let your ears be the judge. The A4's compact 3-way design features five drivers, including a built-in subwoofer for real bass that will give your music depth and power. And because it streams music over Wi-Fi rather than Bluetooth®, you can be sure that all the details of your music are delivered to this versatile speaker, with no bits or bytes lost in translation.

Powerful sound from a versatile wireless speaker

Think you can't get great sound from streaming music to a wireless speaker? Then try the Pioneer A4 and let your ears be the judge. The A4's compact 3-way design features five drivers, including a built-in subwoofer for real bass that will give your music depth and power. And because it streams music over Wi-Fi rather than Bluetooth®, you can be sure that all the details of your music are delivered to this versatile speaker, with no bits or bytes lost in translation.

Pioneer A4 Wi-Fi speaker with Airplay

The Pioneer A4 delivers powerful sound from a variety of streaming devices.

Plenty of ways to stream music

The A4 offers several different ways to stream audio from various devices. If you have an iPhone®, iPod touch® or iPad®, you can use AirPlay to stream your favorite tunes directly from these devices to the A4. Or if you're a PC loyalist with a networked hard drive, your entire collection is just a swipe away thanks to the A4's DLNA compatibility. Android™ users can even stream music from HTC One smartphones. The A4 also supports Pandora® and vTuner® Internet radio, so you can discover even more artists and genres beyond your personal music library.

No Wi-Fi? No problem, with Wireless Direct

So what about that room with little or no Wi-Fi reception? Thanks to Pioneer's exclusive Wireless Direct, the A4 can interact wirelessly with your Apple device for music streaming independent of your home network. This allows for even more set-up flexibility in your home, so you can enjoy the A4's big sound beyond the reaches of your Wi-Fi signal.

Improve your home's décor

The A4 will improve any room not just with its solid sound, but also its sharp looks. The gloss black enclosure and black metal grill give it a clean, streamlined profile. The control panel features touch sensors rather than buttons, for a sleek appearance that's super-responsive. The rear panel has USB and minijack inputs, as well as an Ethernet jack, for wired connections to music sources and a network router.

Use your smartphone as a remote

The A4 comes with a remote. But if you're playing music from a smartphone, you'll probably want to control the A4 with that same device. Just download Pioneer's free ControlApp for Apple and Android, and your smartphone will handle all the A4's functions just as easily as it streams your music.

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Product highlights:

  • connects to Wi-Fi network for wireless music streaming
  • dual 3" woofers, single 1" tweeter and 4" subwoofer
  • built-in amplifiers: 10 watts x 2 plus 20 watts for subwoofer
  • Apple AirPlay-compatible for streaming music from iPhone, iPod and iPad
  • Pioneer's Wireless Direct allows wireless use without connection to a Wi-Fi network
  • DLNA 1.5 support for streaming music from networked PCs
  • HTC Connect allows music streaming from HTC One smartphones
  • Pandora and vTuner Internet radio (firmware update required)
  • Ethernet jack for wired network connection
  • USB input for charging and playback with Apple devices
  • miniplug input for wired connection to smartphone
  • free Pioneer ControlApp available for Apple and Android devices
  • remote control included
  • dimensions: 14-3/16"W x 8-1/4"H x 5-15/16"D
  • weight: 8 lbs. 4 oz.
  • warranty: 1 year
  • MFR # XW-SMA4-K

What's in the box:

  • Wireless speaker system
  • AC power adapter (w/ attached 5' DC cord)
  • 6' AC power cord
  • Remote control (w/ CR2025 3V battery installed)
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Quick Start Mode Instructions
  • Warranty Card
  • Caution Note

Customer reviews for Pioneer A4

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4.0 out of 5 stars
21 reviews

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More details on the Pioneer A4

Stacey B.

Features & specs

Connections
Ethernet Port No
USB-A Port No
USB-B Port No
USB-C Port No
3.5mm Input No
RCA Input No
XLR Input No
Phono Input No
Digital Input No
HDMI Input No
Headphone Jack No
Subwoofer Output No
Wireless Features
Bluetooth No
Wi-Fi No
Wi-Fi Bands No
Stereo Speaker Pairing ---
Driver Details
Tweeter Size (Inches) 1
Tweeter Type Dome
Tweeter Material Not given
Midrange Size (Inches) 3
Midrange Type Cone
Woofer Size (Inches) 4
Woofer Type Not given
Audio Specs
Watts RMS (Continuous) 40
Watts Maximum (Peak) Not given
Frequency Response Not given
Max. Digital Audio Bit Depth N/A
Max. Digital Audio Sample Rate N/A
High-res Audio Playback
From Network No
From USB Thumb Drive (USB-A) No
From Computer (USB-B) No
Streaming Compatibility
Apple AirPlay No
Apple AirPlay 2 No
DTS Play-Fi No
Chromecast built-in No
Roon No
Sonos No
HEOS No
MusicCast No
SoundTouch No
Bose Home Speaker No
WiSA No
BluOS No
Klipsch Stream No
KEF Stream No
Music Services
Amazon Music No
Apple Music No
iHeart Radio No
Pandora No
Qobuz No
SiriusXM No
Spotify No
Tidal No
TuneIn No
YouTube Music No
Control
Handheld Remote
Control by app N/A
Amazon Alexa No
Google Assistant No
Other Specs
Width (Inches) 14.1875
Height (Inches) 8.25
Depth (Inches) 5.9375
Parts Warranty 1 Year
Labor Warranty 1 Year

Product Research

Features

Overview: The Pioneer A4 is a compact and versatile wireless speaker featuring WiFi, AirPlay, DLNA, and HTC Connect technology. The Pioneer A4 also features a USB port for iPod direct connection and a 3.5mm auxiliary input for connecting almost any portable audio source with a headphone output. The unit comes supplied with a wireless (IR) remote control for added convenience. You can connect multiple Pioneer A4 systems to your home network for music throughout your home.

Pioneer Sound: The Pioneer A4 wireless speaker system has been developed from the ground up by Andrew Jones, Pioneer's world-renowned Chief Speaker Engineer. A single 1" tweeter, dual 3" midrange drivers, and a single 4" subwoofer housed in a bass-reflex enclosure powered by 10W+10W+20W amplifiers provide a clear, natural, and powerful audio experience you come to expect from Pioneer.

Dual Network Connection: The Pioneer A4 is equipped with dual network connection methods. There's an RJ-45 LAN (Ethernet) port for direct wired connection to your home network, and there's also the built-in WiFi (b/g) feature that includes WiFi Protected Setup for safe and secure connection to your wireless home network. The unit's network connection lets you listen to music from your Apple device (via AirPlay) or Android smartphone (via HTC Connect or Wireless Direct), your music files stored on your Windows PC (via DLNA), and music content from Internet Radio (via firmware upgrade).

Note: This unit's RJ-45 Ethernet port supports 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX and requires an Ethernet (LAN) category 5 or higher cable, Router, Modem, and Internet connection. When using a wireless LAN connection, your system must feature an wireless router/access-point which supports WiFi (b/g).

Wireless Direct: When using Wireless Direct, you can connect directly with other WiFi-enabled devices, (such as your smartphone) without using a wireless router. You'll be able to wirelessly transfer audio content to the Pioneer speaker system without connecting to your home network. WiFi Direct completely bypasses your WiFi access point/router, so it's easy to set up. Only one WiFi-enabled device can be connected to the Pioneer A4 at the same time through Wireless Direct mode. Wireless Direct doesn't have an internet connection, so you cannot access the internet.

Note: Wireless Direct should be used only as a temporary connection under conditions where a normal router cannot be used. This connection is not encoded, so the music stream and music metadata will not be encrypted. Streaming of copy-protected audio content is not supported.

DLNA Certified (1.5): The Pioneer A4 is DLNA 1.5 certified. This means you can stream your MP3, AAC, WMA, WAV, or even FLAC music files (up to 96kHz/24-bit) from your Windows PC or laptop to the Pioneer wireless speaker. This unit allows for the streaming of audio files stored on the following DLNA-compatible devices.

  • PCs running Microsoft Windows Vista or XP with Windows Media Player 11 installed.
  • PCs running Microsoft Windows 7 with Windows Media Player 12 installed.
  • DLNA-compatible digital media servers (on PCs or other components).

Playable File Formats: The Pioneer A4 wireless speaker system supports the following audio file formats.

Audio File Type Bit-Rate Sampling Frequency
MP3 (.mp3) 8-320 kbps 32 to 48 kHz
WMA (.wma) 5-320 kbps 32 to 48 kHz
AAC (.m4A/.aac/.3gp/.3g2) 16-320 kbps 32 to 48 kHz
Flac (.flac) 16-bit, 24-bit 32-96 kHz (wired)
32-48 kHz (wireless)
WAV (.wav)
Note: Copyrighted and DRM-protected audio files cannot be played back.

Internet Radio + ControlApp (via firmware update): Expand your audio entertainment options with an endless playlist of your favorite music and access to more than 10,000 internet radio stations from across the globe. With a firmware update, Pandora and vTuner Internet Radio are now built right into the Pioneer A4 wireless speaker and are designed to help you discover and enjoy new music. In addition, Pioneer's free ControlApp, available in the App Store and Google Play, let you control Internet Radio conveniently right from your compatible Apple or Android device.

Music Service Description
vTuner vTuner offers easy browsing of internet radio stations and podcasts. vTuner enables access to web-based radio stations and  podcasts via an extremely reliable online database with a wide variety of content. You can browse content by Genre, Location, Language, and Favorites.
Pandora Pandora is personalized internet radio that is designed to help you discover new music you'll loved mixed in with music you already know. The Pioneer A/V receiver allows you to access your saved Pandora Internet Radio stations and select which station to play. You must have a registered Pandora account in order to listen to your Pandora Internet Radio stations.  Pandora Internet Radio is only available in the United States.                

AirPlay Wireless Technology: Using AirPlay wireless audio streaming technology, the A4 streams music from your iTunes account, iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad anywhere you have a WiFi network in your home. Apple's AirPlay technology allows music from your iTunes, to be streamed wirelessly from your Mac or PC to the Pioneer A4 . You can even bypass your computer entirely, and wirelessly stream high-quality audio directly from your Apple iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad (all without the need for any cables). The A4 & your Apple device or computer must be connected to the same wireless network via WiFi (802.11b/g).

  • iTunes Streaming: AirPlay technology gives you wireless remote access to your entire iTunes 10.1 music collection with full navigation & playback control from your computer (Mac/PC). You can even access your iTunes account from your iPod touch (2nd/3rd/4th/5th gen)/iPhone (3GS/4/4S/5)/iPad running iOS 4.2 or later, via Apple's free Remote app.
  • Apple Device Streaming: AirPlay also lets you wirelessly stream music and music apps stored on your iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad to the Pioneer A4 . So there's no need to connect your Apple device via USB, unless you want to charge it. The A4 supports the iPad, iPhone (3GS/4/4S/5), and iPod touch (2nd/3rd/4th/5th gen) running iOS 4.2 or later.

USB Port (for iPod Direct): The Pioneer A4 wireless speaker system also features a rear-panel USB (type-A) port which allows you to connect your iPod, iPhone, or iPad with the cable included with your Apple device. The speaker's USB port supports audio playback, basic control, and charging of your Apple iPod, iPhone, or iPad. Basic playback controls included - Play/Pause and Previous/Next Track. Advance music navigation can still be done through your compatible Apple device's touchscreen or clickwheel.

Note: The unit's USB port is designed specifically for Apple's iPod, iPhone, and iPad. Its not compatible with other USB-connected devices.

Apple Device Compatibility Chart: The Pioneer A4 is "Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad" compatible & supports the following iPod, iPhone, & iPad model features (as of 12/11/2012):

iPod/iPhone Model Generation Tested Version Media Type Control Type Display Type Charge
Audio Video Unit/Remote iPod/iPhone/iPad AirPlay ControlApp Song/Artist Text Track Info
video 5th 1.3 N N N N N N N N N
classic 80GB 1.1.2 Y N Y Y N N classic classic Y
120GB 2.0.1 Y N Y Y N N classic classic Y
160GB 2.0.4 Y N Y Y N N classic classic Y
nano 1st 1.3.1 N N N N N N N N N
2nd 1.1.3 Y N Y Y N N nano nano Y
3rd 1.1.3 Y N Y Y N N nano nano Y
4th 1.0.4 Y N Y Y N N nano nano Y
5th 1.0.2 Y N Y Y N N nano nano Y
6th 1.1 PC Y N Y Y N N nano nano Y
7th 1.01 PC Y N Y Y N N nano nano Y
touch 1st 2.2.1 Y N Y Y N N touch touch Y
2nd 4.2.1 Y N Y Y Y N touch touch Y
3rd 5.1.1 Y N Y Y Y Y touch touch Y
4th 6.0.1 Y N Y Y Y Y touch touch Y
5th 6.0.1 Y N Y Y Y Y touch touch Y
iPhone 2G 3.1.3 Y N Y Y N N iPhone iPhone Y
3G 4.2.1 Y N Y Y N N iPhone iPhone Y
3GS 5.1.1 Y N Y Y Y Y iPhone iPhone Y
4 6.0.1 Y N Y Y Y Y iPhone iPhone Y
4S 6.0.1 Y N Y Y Y Y iPhone iPhone Y
5 6.0.1 Y N Y Y Y Y iPhone iPhone Y
iPad 1 5.1.1 Y N Y Y Y Y iPad iPad Y
2 6.0.1 Y N Y Y Y Y iPad iPad Y
3 6.0.1 Y N Y Y Y Y iPad iPad Y
4 6.0.1 Y N Y Y Y Y iPad iPad Y
iPad mini 1 6.0.1 Y N Y Y Y Y iPad iPad Y
Note:  Apple iPod/iPhone software updates may change functionality results. If you download a newer software version, you may need to reset the device and your iPod/iPhone to regain functionality. If this doesn't work, you may need to wait until a newer software update is available.

HTC Connect: The Pioneer A4 wireless speaker supports HTC Connect, compatible with HTC One series Android smartphones. HTC Connect makes it easy to wirelessly stream your favorite music straight from your HTC One smartphone w/ Android. There's no need for a separate app; HTC Connect is built right into the HTC One smartphone's music player. Compatible HTC One smartphones included HTC One X and HTC One S.

Aux Input: A rear-panel 3.5mm auxiliary input lets you connect and play music from other audio sources, such as a portable CD player or MP3 player.

IR Remote Control: In addition to its touch capacitance controls, the Pioneer A4 comes with an IR remote control for wireless operation of the speaker system. The remote provides Play/Pause, Previous/Next Track, Input Select, and Volume Up/Down.

Quick Start Mode: Quick Start Mode significantly reduces the time required for startup. It also allows the unit to power on automatically using AirPlay or DLNA. Quick Start Mode will increase the unit's power consumption in Standby mode.

Power Requirements: The Pioneer A4 operates off of standard household AC current using the supplied AC power adapter and cord.

  • Input: 100-240V ~ 50-60Hz, 2000mA
  • Output: 15V - 4950mA

 

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Customer Q&A

3 questions already asked

Q
I have a recurring problem where the speaker stops stream at random and it no long swors up as a selectable AirPlay device on my iPhone 5. If I manually turn the device off and on again, it seems to clear the problem. Does anyone have a way to keeo this from happening?
marc  Jan 06, 2014
1 answer
A
If you purchased the product from Crutchfield, feel free to contact our Tech Support team. They can walk you through the settings on the product and see if there may be a fix. Our toll-free Tech Support number is printed on your invoice, and is also available under the "My Orders" tab in the "My Account" section of our website. If you did not purchase the unit from Crutchfield, then you may want to contact the manufacturer. You can also post your question in our forums: http://community.crutchfield.com. Or try our online support center: http://crutchfield.custhelp.com/app/answers/list/kw/.
jeff  Jan 06, 2014 (Staff)
Q
I've used some Airplay speakers that have an "auto shut-off" feature that turns the speaker off if it has not received a stream signal for a specific amount of time (20 minutes seems to be most common). Does the A4 have any sort of feature like that? And if it does, can it be disabled? (it's not a desirable feature as it requires that you physically interact with the speaker any time you want to airplay to it... which defeats the convenience of airplay for a whole home audio setup).
todd  Jan 06, 2014
8 answers
A
I purchased the speaker for my wife as a Christmas gift. I have only used the speaker a couple of times and haven't noticed it shutting off prematurely , we usually listen to Pandora. I highly recommend the A4 it has a strong base line sound and a decent preset mix I was really surprised how well the speaker sounded. The only con is that the speaker has no base and treble adjustment. It is a great speaker and well worth the money. To answer your question I am not sure , I would suggest going to pioneers web sight,support quick links contact for the answer.
larry d  Jan 07, 2014
A
There is no sort of that type of feature for the A4 , but the one draw back of using the Airplay feature is that,once you turn the A4 off ,not standby , you half to program the whole Airplay function all over again! every time .( sad )
miguel e  Jan 06, 2014
A
Yes it does shut itself off. I have never checked how long it takes. I'm not aware of a way to disable it.
robert  Jan 06, 2014
A
This is directly from the owners manual: During use of AirPlay or DMR input, if no music is played or this unit's controls are not operated for 20 minutes or more, the unit's power will automatically be switched OFF. I do not know if this feature can be disabled.
robert  Jan 06, 2014
A
If you put it in quickstart mode, it will automatically turn on when it starts to receive a stream and automatically shut off after a no stream is received for a period of time of if you deselect it as an airplay device from the source. However, this is not completely reliable. I have had to manually turn on the unit several times when it didn't recognize the start of a stream. That appears to happen at random.
marc  Jan 06, 2014
A
The A4 has something called "quick start" which is a sleep mode that it goes into after no use (not sure when), but jumps out of "sleep" very quickly and always shows as an available spearker on iphones even in sleep mode etc. I'm finding I generally don't need to physically touch the A4 when I use it. It's just always available which is great. One concern I have - and this maybe airplay or my network more than the device - is that it temporarily goes quiet for a few seconds every now and again which is a little disturbing. Also note - this device only works with the G protocol not N.
nick  Jan 06, 2014
A
I'm just a few weeks into owning and using the A4 and have noted the same issue. I've not yet looked into whether it can be disabled and will be curious to find out as I too find "auto shut-off" counter-intuitive.
loretta  Jan 06, 2014
A
The A4 does have an auto shutoff, I believe it kicks in after an hour or something like that. While it does have a "rapid start" feature that makes it take much less time to power on (at the cost of using more electricity), you still have to interact with the speaker (physically) in order to turn it on.
cheng  Jan 06, 2014
Q
Can we connect a windows laptop to this speaker and stream audio using youtube, netflix or any such non-windows media player applications?
rahul  Dec 10, 2013
3 answers
A
Although the directions to connect aren't 100% clear, yes you are able to stream audio from your computer over the speaker. Even without air play, the speaker allows for a wireless connection to any device with Bluetooth
ryan  Dec 10, 2013
A
I assume you mean wirelessly connect. I haven't tried with my PC. Works well with itunes and Mac. You can always use 3.5mm jack to connect
benjamin w  Dec 10, 2013
A
Sorry, I cannot answer your ? . I only tried the A4 with an iPad via Bluetooth. I was not happy with the bass response, and returned it . I bought a Peacthtree. Deep Blue unit, an I am completely satisfied with it.
frank c.  Dec 10, 2013

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