CUSTOM INSTALLATION HOW-TO

BOTTOM LINE

As a multizone Wi-Fi music-streaming system, the Yamaha MusicCAST2 succeeds in that it does what it is supposed to do: play music. And if you already own a network-capable Yamaha receiver and are looking for an easy way to add music to some extra rooms, the MusicCAST2 system offers a compelling addition. However, in this case, just doing what you're supposed to do isn't enough. The Yamaha MusicCAST2 costs more than a similar Sonos system, but it's lacking in features - there's no pandora, Sirius, analog inputs, streaming of connected sources, or iphone/ipod touch control - so I find it difficult to recommend. And the one feature that could have set MusicCAST2 apart - its ability to function as a universal remote - is so clunky that it's likely to end up going unused.