Exploring DIY Smart Speaker Integration with ESP32

Hello fellow enthusiasts,

I’ve been an avid follower of various DIY projects and have recently embarked on a journey to integrate some legacy audio equipment into my smart home ecosystem. My current project involves transforming an old Yamaha NX-E100 speaker into a smart device, controlled via Home Assistant. The goal is to set this up in my home gym, allowing me to stream music from Spotify or my local library.

While researching, I’ve come across several ESP32-based solutions, but most examples use smaller speakers. My Yamaha model requires a 60-100W amplifier, which has me wondering: how feasible is this project? Would I need a separate amplifier, and if so, which one would be suitable? Also, what power supply should I consider to ensure stability and safety?

I’ve heard that using a Raspberry Pi might be overkill for this purpose, but I’m not entirely sure. I’d love to hear from anyone who has successfully integrated a similar setup. Any recommendations or pitfalls to avoid would be greatly appreciated!

On a lighter note, if this project doesn’t pan out, I’m considering using an existing TV in the gym with a Chromecast. It’s a bit of a compromise, but it would at least provide some functionality.

Looking forward to your insights and experiences!

Best regards,
[Your Name]