Home Assistant has launched the Home Assistant Connect AUX-2, a connectivity device intended to bring traditional audio equipment and other hardware into modern smart-home environments. The unit combines audio support with serial, network and expansion interfaces, giving integrators a way to connect legacy systems to Home Assistant-based installations.
The AUX-2 supports both digital and analog audio. Home Assistant says it can provide music streaming through Music Assistant and synchronized playback across multiple speakers using ZenBIN. That places the device within the broader open-source audio and automation ecosystem rather than limiting it to a single traditional source component or control platform.
Connections for AV and building systems
For custom AV applications, the AUX-2 includes two serial ports that can be used to control AV receivers, amplifiers and TVs through RS232. The device also includes RS485 connectivity, USB-A and a GrovePort for expansion. Home Assistant identifies those interfaces as suitable for a range of equipment, including AV hardware, solar systems and heat pumps.
- Audio: digital and analog formats, Music Assistant streaming and ZenBIN synchronized playback
- Control: two serial ports for RS232 control of AV systems and TVs
- Integration: RS485, USB-A and GrovePort connections
- Networking and power: built-in Wi-Fi, PoE and USB-C
- Other systems: Bluetooth devices, solar equipment and climate systems using Modbus
The combination of RS232 and network connectivity is relevant to installations that still include equipment without a current IP-based control interface. The AUX-2 is also described as supporting Bluetooth proxying, which can extend Bluetooth-related functions across larger spaces. Its RS485 and Modbus capabilities are intended for control and monitoring applications involving solar and climate equipment.
Flexible power and network placement
The AUX-2 can be powered through Power over Ethernet or USB-C and includes built-in Wi-Fi. Those options allow the device to be placed according to the equipment being connected, while PoE can reduce the need for a separate local power connection where compatible network infrastructure is available. The announcement also describes a privacy-oriented use case in which the unit controls TVs through RS232 while blocking their internet access.
| Product | Key connections and functions | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Assistant Connect AUX-2 | Digital and analog audio, RS232, RS485, USB-A, GrovePort, Wi-Fi, PoE and USB-C | $69 or $59, depending on the region | Launched; availability timing and channel were not stated |
Home Assistant lists the AUX-2 at $69 or $59 depending on the region. The product supports the Open Home Foundation, reflecting the project’s open approach to connecting audio, AV, energy and climate equipment. The launch gives installers working with Home Assistant another hardware option for bridging older systems and newer automation services without limiting the application to audio alone.
