Belkin SoundForm ConnectFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 28 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment39%
PROS 39%
CONS 61%

Rank based on 28 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want to revive an old active speaker, iPod dock, or CD system with AirPlay 2
  • You found it discounted well below the original $99 price
  • You need optical output for a soundbar lacking AirPlay

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You own nice speakers and care about audio quality or hi-res support
  • You only have passive speakers without a built-in amp
  • You're not willing to troubleshoot HomeKit pairing and firmware issues

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Premium
FiiO M15
Useful 'delete currently playing song' featurePowerful driving power for demanding headphonesPremium packaging and build detailsHigh price relative to value for many usersSingle MicroSD slot limits storage flexibilityDiminishing returns versus cheaper alternatives
FiiO M15
Useful 'delete currently playing song' feature
Powerful driving power for demanding headphones
Premium packaging and build details
High price relative to value for many users
Single MicroSD slot limits storage flexibility
Diminishing returns versus cheaper alternatives
Best value
2Mid
FiiO M21
Cassette case designMusical, warm sound signatureDesktop mode with battery bypassCrackling/popping between tracksButton/port layout debateWeak or fiddly EQ
FiiO M21
Cassette case design
Musical, warm sound signature
Desktop mode with battery bypass
Crackling/popping between tracks
Button/port layout debate
Weak or fiddly EQ
3Mid
Cambridge Audio CXN v2
Detailed, high-quality soundBroad connectivity and service supportPairs well with Cambridge Audio ecosystemTreble can sound bright or harshApp usability issuesBluetooth and Chromecast reliability problems
Cambridge Audio CXN v2
Detailed, high-quality sound
Broad connectivity and service support
Pairs well with Cambridge Audio ecosystem
Treble can sound bright or harsh
App usability issues
Bluetooth and Chromecast reliability problems
4Premium
FiiO R9
Dynamic, lifelike soundAttractive, understated designImprovement over the R7High priceMissing features some wantedBuggy app and Bluetooth
FiiO R9
Dynamic, lifelike sound
Attractive, understated design
Improvement over the R7
High price
Missing features some wanted
Buggy app and Bluetooth
5Mid
Marantz NA6006
Positive purchase confidence from reviewsAnalogue-like sound signatureWorks well as a preamp with separate ampsUnanswered compatibility questionsFiddly menus and login entryFile format playback errors
Marantz NA6006
Positive purchase confidence from reviews
Analogue-like sound signature
Works well as a preamp with separate amps
Unanswered compatibility questions
Fiddly menus and login entry
File format playback errors
6Premium
Cambridge Audio Azur 851N
Excellent sound qualityFlexible digital connectivityWorks well as preamp with external power ampsUnclear Roon and DSD supportNo HDMI ARC inputNo headphone output
Cambridge Audio Azur 851N
Excellent sound quality
Flexible digital connectivity
Works well as preamp with external power amps
Unclear Roon and DSD support
No HDMI ARC input
No headphone output
7Mid
Onkyo NS-6170
Strong Sound QualityHi-Res and MQA PlaybackBroad Storage Format SupportConfusing Streaming App SetupSlightly Muted Treble vs CDThinner Sound Compared to CD Player
Onkyo NS-6170
Strong Sound Quality
Hi-Res and MQA Playback
Broad Storage Format Support
Confusing Streaming App Setup
Slightly Muted Treble vs CD
Thinner Sound Compared to CD Player
8
Cambridge Audio Minx Xi
Flexible Subwoofer IntegrationVersatile Digital ConnectivityInternet Connectivity Failures
Cambridge Audio Minx Xi
Flexible Subwoofer Integration
Versatile Digital Connectivity
Internet Connectivity Failures
9Premium
Sony NW-A105
Excellent sound qualityPhysical buttons and dedicated music focusPremium build and designPoor battery lifeBluetooth and headphone driving limitationsHigh price for the value
Sony NW-A105
Excellent sound quality
Physical buttons and dedicated music focus
Premium build and design
Poor battery life
Bluetooth and headphone driving limitations
High price for the value
10Premium
FiiO M23
Exceptional sound qualityPowerful desktop mode & transport useBuild quality and design touchesBuggy, laggy softwareBattery life and battery quality concernsTrack playback glitches
FiiO M23
Exceptional sound quality
Powerful desktop mode & transport use
Build quality and design touches
Buggy, laggy software
Battery life and battery quality concerns
Track playback glitches
You are here
14Mid
Belkin SoundForm Connect
Revives old speakers with AirPlay 2Fills a market gapHelpful third-party setup guidance worksDifficult, buggy setupFirmware update process confusingInitially expensive
Belkin SoundForm Connect
Revives old speakers with AirPlay 2
Fills a market gap
Helpful third-party setup guidance works
Difficult, buggy setup
Firmware update process confusing
Initially expensive

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Setup is frequently reported as buggy and frustrating. Multiple commenters describe the device getting stuck searching, showing 'device not responding,' or failing to appear in HomeKit after initial setup. Firmware update prompts are confusing or hidden, and some needed multiple resets or router band changes (forcing 2.4GHz) before it worked. Several people thanked video creators for solving what Belkin's own documentation could not, while one user gave up after three days of trying with zero support from the company.

It successfully extends AirPlay 2 to old or non-smart speakers. Users repurposed iPod Hi-Fi docks, Apple AirPort Express replacements, Sony CD/tape players, and Bose/Sonos setups using the 3.5mm or optical output. It's noted as filling a gap for soundbars with only optical input, like a Sonos Playbar. However, it only works with active (powered) speakers, not passive ones needing an external amp, which one commenter explicitly warns about.

Audio quality and price are contested points. The device is capped at 24-bit/48kHz, disappointing users hoping for Apple Music Hi-Res support, and one long-term owner called sound quality 'so bad' after comparing it through a mixer and headphones. Pricing drew complaints at the original $99, with users wishing for $40 or less versus $30 Chromecast Audio, though later comments note prices as low as £19-£20.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?