HiFi-ESP32-Plus 
HiFi-ESP32
What is it?
HiFi-ESP32 and HiFi-ESP32-Plus are handy, low-cost media devices that will upgrade your legacy audio system with internet streaming capabilities. It exposes line-level output that you can plug into active speakers, a stereo amplifier, or headphones. They use the legendary PCM51XX series DAC with supreme audio quality.
The HiFi-ESP32-Plus introduces the PCM5122 DAC with built-in DSP capabilities. This board maintains the same audio quality as the original HiFi-ESP32 while adding powerful digital signal processing features, including parametric EQ (6 BQs), and DRC. The PCM5122’s flexible DSP engine can be configured for various audio enhancement scenarios, making it ideal for projects requiring sound tuning
Use cases
HiFi-ESP32 is a flexible, open-source audio platform designed to fit into both smart homes and custom audio projects.
- Smart Home Audio & TTS
Integrates with Home Assistant and Music Assistant for high-quality audio playback and text-to-speech announcements. Perfect for notifications, voice alerts, and whole-home audio driven by your smart home automations. - Multi-Room Audio with Snapclient
Use HiFi-ESP32 as a Snapclient endpoint to create perfectly synchronized multi-room audio systems. Ideal for distributed music playback without proprietary lock-in. - Standalone Player with Squeezelite-ESP32
Run Squeezelite-ESP32 for a self-contained network audio player supporting Spotify Connect, AirPlay, and Logitech Media Server (LMS) — no external computer required. - Educational Projects & Teaching Platforms
A powerful tool for schools, universities, and technical education. HiFi-ESP32 can be used to teach embedded systems, digital audio, networking, and open-source software — ranging from simple audio playback labs to advanced DSP, streaming, and real-time systems projects. - Research, Prototyping & Experimentation
Well-suited for rapid prototyping of audio devices, proofs-of-concept, and research projects involving DSP, low-latency streaming, wireless audio, or human-machine interaction. - A Foundation for Custom Products & DIY Builds
With all firmware and tooling fully open source, HiFi-ESP32 is an ideal base for custom audio devices — whether you’re building a personal DIY project, a small production run, or a community-driven product.
Features
| HiFi ESP (discontinued) | HiFi-ESP32 | HiFi-ESP32 Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCU | ESP32-Mini Module | ESP32-WROVER-N8R8 | ESP32-S3-WROOM-N8R8 | ESP32-WROVER-N8R8 | ESP32-S3-WROOM-N8R8 |
| DAC | PCM5100A 32-bit Stereo DAC -100 dB typical noise level | PCM5100A 32-bit Stereo DAC -100 dB typical noise level | PCM5122 32-bit Stereo DAC -112 dB typical noise level |
| Output | Non-amplified stereo output, 2.1V RMS | Non-amplified stereo output, 2.1V RMS | Non-amplified stereo output, 2.1V RMS |
| DSP capabilities | ❌ | ❌ | Digital volume, Analog gain, 6-band equalizer* |
| Flash/PSRAM | 4MB/8MB | 8MB/8MB | 8MB/8MB |
| Connectivity | WiFi + BT4.2 + BLE | WiFi + BT4.2 + BLE + Ethernet | WiFi + BT4.2 + BLE + Ethernet |
⚠️HiFi boards require an external amplifier or active speakers; you can’t connect passive speakers to it.
💡Need to connect speakers as well? Check out Amped-ESP32
💡Need only speakers output? Check out Loud-ESP32
💡Need more powerful DSP? Check out Louder-ESP32
* Enabling EQ controls in software is a work inprogress
Optional Peripherals
- 0.96″, 128 x 64 px OLED Screen
- External Wi-Fi Antenna
- WS2812B RGB LED
- IR reader
- W5500 Ethernet
DSP Features
The new PCM5122 DAC is a more advanced version of the PCM5102 DAC. While it shares the same audio stage, it has a powerful built-in DSP with I2C control. Basically, all the stuff you’d normally need a separate DSP chip for, or would have to burn CPU cycles on the ESP32 to handle.
- Parametric EQ (6 BQs per channel) and crossover capabilities (for cascading DACs)
- Digital volume control (avoids loss of resolution compared to software volume)
- Advanced audio processing features (DRC)
Onboard PSRAM
Audio streaming requires proper buffering to work, even with the ESP32’s 500K of RAM; it is a challenging task. For that reason, all Louder-ESP32 board versions have an 8 MB PSRAM chip onboard, connected via a high-speed interface.
Case
HiFi-ESP32 and HiFi-ESP32-Plus boards are mechanically compatible with Raspberry Pi 4 cases, and they are very easy to source
Optional Ethernet
Streaming high-bitrate audio over WiFi can be problematic in congested areas, so every board has a header that allows soldering in the W5500 SPI Ethernet module, which is very easy to source as well. The only downside is that with the module installed board will not fit the case unless it is impoved to accommodate extra height.
Firmware
- Home Assistant
Start from the web-installer, as soon as you configure WiFi, the boards will be discovered by the ESPHome add-in automatically. Dedicated configs can be found in the documentation for simple and stable media-player, experimental sendspin protocol, and experimental snapclient component - Squeezelite-ESP32
Flash directly from your browser using the web-installer, configure WiFi using Hotspot (default password: squeezelite). Don’t forget to exit Recovery mode when configured. - Snapclient
Flash directly from your browser using the web-installer, as soon as you configure the WiFi board will discover the snapserver automatically - Snaplient (edge)
Developer’s version of the snapclient, less stable and more feature-rich for those who cannot wait for new features to be released. Installed via web-installer, similar to standard snapclient - Your own software
Use Arduino IDE or Platformio IDE and the provided software samples
Documentation
Both software and hardware are fully open-sourced and can be found on the project’s GitHub. You can follow the project updates at Hackaday
Where to buy
You may support our work by ordering this product at Tindie and Elecrow
- HiFi-ESP32 at Tindie and Elecrow ($20 MRSP, $16 at volume)
- HiFi-ESP32 Plus at Tindie and Elecrow ($24 MRSP, $20 at volume)
Sponsorship & Community Support
If you’re working on an open-source project, an educational initiative, or any pro-bono/volunteer effort, feel free to reach out for sponsorship details. I’ll do my best to provide discounts or even free boards.
Custom Design & Consultation
If you’re interested in a custom design based on or inspired by my boards, I also offer contract design work and consultation when needed.
HiFi-ESP32 