ESCAPE M1 Air HiFi System User Guide
- June 6, 2024
- escape
Table of Contents
ESCAPE M1 Air HiFi System User Guide
Thank you for your purchase!
Thank you for purchasing the ESCAPE M1 Air, a Hi-Res audio streaming module
with a sample rate of 192KHz/24 bit, supporting Chromecast Audio, AirPlay2,
Spotify Connect and Roon.
Important information for correct operation of the M1 Air
The M1 Air creates a wireless connection with your WiFi router. Ensure that you have a sufficiently strong WiFi signal in locations where you wish to use the M1 Air.
Escape Remote app
Use of the dedicated Escape Remote application for the M1 Air is strongly
recommended. It can be downloaded free from the Apple App Store (iOS) and the
Google Play Store (Android).
Airable radio
Using the Escape Remote app you can select the Airable catalogue, with more
than 30,000 radio stations around the world and 25,000 podcasts. This enormous
catalogue can be sorted by region, genre, popularity and quality. The internet
radio stations are managed by airable GmbH, with a team ensuring that new
content is constantly added, creating an unlimited source of freely accessible
music, news and entertainment. This service falls outside the responsibility
of Escape be.
Connecting the M1Air to the AUX 2 input of an Escape™ P9
STEP 1
- Open the keypad cover over the USB input to the right of the keypad and push the locking mechanism to remove the keypad from its compartment (see 1 and 2 on the drawing).
STEP 2
- Remove the keypad completely. Do not disconnect it from the cable connector.
- Stick one strip of the supplied Velcro tape to the far left of the bottom of the P9 compartment located below the keypad. Place the other Velcro strip centrally on the underside of the M1 Air.
Content
Connecting the M1 Air to an existing HiFi installation or active
speakers.
STEP 1
- Connect the 5.0 Volt/1A AC power adaptor with interchangeable plugs (EU/UK/US) to the mains supply and use the supplied 1.5 meter USB type A to micro USB cable to provide power to the M1 Air via the micro USB input.
STEP 2
-
Connect the 1 meter 3.5 mm stereo mini-jack to RCA cable via de M1 Air audio output to the LINE IN of your HiFi installation or active speakers. The red RCA plug is the right channel output.
-
If your HiFi installation is provided with an optical input you can use the supplied mini To slink adapter, which is to be connected to the 3.5 mm output of the M1 Air module, with the 1 meter optical cable used to connect the M1 Air and the HiFi installation.
Note: Avoid placing the M1 Air receiver completely behind your HiFi equipment as this may screen off the WiFi signal, preventing proper operation. -
Connect the short (15 cm) 3.5mm – 3.5mm aux cable to the M1 Air Aux output and connect the short (4.5 cm) right angle USB type A to USB micro cable to the M1 Air power input.
-
Use the Velcro strips to secure the M1 Air to the far right of the bottom, with the Escape™ logo reading in the same direction as on the hand grip. Now connect the 3.5 mm cable to the AUX 2 input of the P9. This is located to the left in the side wall of the compartment (don’t confuse this with the AUX 1 input above). Next connect the short USB cable to the P9’s USB power output. This is located to the right in the side wall of the compartment (don’t confuse this with the USB Audio input at the top
STEP 3
- To reinstall the keypad, you should slide it into the locking hook next to the AUX 1 input and gently press it into the snap-lock mechanism (3 and 4 on the drawing). You should now wait until the configuration of the M1 Air is complete.
STEP 4
- Turn on the P9 with the on/off button.
- Important: ensure that the latest version of the P9 firmware is installed on the device (minimum 3.1.8). For further details see the P9 product page in the Escape Remote app section.
Note: When using the M1 Air connected to the P9 AUX 2 input, the main volume and track controls (skip, pause, play) must be controlled via the M1 Air app, an element of the Escape Remote application or the music app (Spotify – Tidal – Apple Music etc) on your phone or tablet.
Connecting the M1 Air with your wireless network
SPOTIFY CONNECT, AIRPLAY 2 AND CHROMECAST SETTINGS VIA THE GOOGLE HOME APP USING SPOTIFY CONNECT
STEP 1
- Download the Google Home app [ ] to your phone or tablet to connect the M1 Air with your wireless network. Ensure that your phone or tablet is connected with the same WiFi network that you wish to use to set up the M1 Air.
STEP 2
- Wait until the M1 Air is in configuration mode. The green LED on the M1 Air will flash rapidly (0.2s on/off ).
STEP 3
- Open the Google Home app [ ] and select the [ + ] symbol at top left on the start screen, or select “Set up Escape M1 Air”. Follow the steps set out in the Google Home app
Setup is complete. Open your favourite music app and select the AirPlay 2 symbol [ ] (iOS devices only) or the Cast symbol [ ] (iOS and Android devices) and stream the music to the M1 Air. Or stream directly via Spotify Connect.
Tip: Select the M1 Air in the Google Home app, go to device settings and activate “full dynamic range”.
Tip: Group a combination of speakers via the Google Home app to play
music synchronously throughout the home via Cast.
Note: This function is not supported for Chromecast (1st generation) or
devices with Chromecast built in.
USING SPOTIFY CONNECT
Spotify® is a digital music service providing access to millions of songs. Spotify® Connect can be used to create a connection between the M1 Air and the internet, using the Spotify® app for iOS or Android, Mac or PC. You can make and receive telephone calls without interrupting the music. Once you have connected with the M1 Air you can switch off your mobile device or computer and the music will continue to play. Spotify® Connect can only play on a single speaker at any time.
ROON READY
Roon uses a cutting edge audio transport protocol which not only supports high resolution audio but also offers 2-way communication between Roon Ready endpoints and the Roon server. Being Roon Ready means that the Escape M1 Air uses the high end Roon RAAT streaming technology (Roon Advanced Audio Transport). This delivers an incredible user interface, easy installation, rock steady day-to-day reliability and the highest level of audio performance, without compromises. You can find more information on the www.roonlabs.com website.
Using the Escape Remote app: Download the Escape™ Remote app via the Google Play or Apple App store and follow the steps on the screen to get the most out of the M1 Air.
Important! The maximal output voltage on the M1 Air is set at 1 Volt as standard for use with the P9. Intentionally increasing the output voltage from 1 Volt to 2 Volts via the settings menu in the Escape app will inevitably lead to damage to the P9, which is not covered under the guarantee.
Power-Led status indicator
CONFIGURATION IN AIRPLAY 2 AND SPOTIFY CONNECT ONLY, VIA AN IPHONE OR IPAD
STEP 1
- Ensure that your iPhone or iPad is connected with the same WiFi network that you wish to use to set up the M1 Air. Wait until the M1 Air is in configuration mode. The green LED on the M1 Air will flash rapidly (0.2s on/off ).
STEP 2
- Open “settings” on your iPhone or iPad [ ]. The M1 Air will create a temporary network and will appear in the list of available networks. Important! Do not select the temporary Escape M1 Air network (xxxxxxx) in the list of available networks.
- Instead select the “Escape M1 Air (xxxxxx)” under the message “Configure new AirPlay loudspeaker”. Follow the steps set out under AirPlay configuration.
- Setup is complete. Open your favourite music app and select the AirPlay 2 symbol [ ].
Note: If the “Configure new AirPlay loudspeaker” message is no longer visible then carry out a reset on the M1 Air and allow sufficient time for the device to start up again.
AirPlay 2 is supported on a MacBook or iMac via Apple Music and on a Windows PC via iTunes and Apple Music.
Tip: You can mix several different AirPlay 2 compatible loudspeakers or modules to allow music streaming in several rooms. AirPlay 2 is however not available on Android devices.
If you have connected the M1 Air to your HiFi installation and feel that it is not reaching maximum capacity, you should increase the preamp output voltage of the M1 Air from 1 Volt to 2 Volts via the settings menu. Set the volume of the power amplifier to a low setting before increasing the output voltage. Escape cannot be held liable for any damage to external equipment or loudspeakers.
Note: The M1 Air can only retain a single WiFi network at any one time. If you modify your WiFi network you must reset the M1 Air to the new network. You may first need to carry out a reset on the M1 Air.
Automatic software updates: The M1 Air’s internal software will be updated automatically when a new version is available, provided the device is powered up and connected with a WiFi network. The mode LED flashes red-green- blue every 0.5 seconds during an update, and the device will restart automatically when the update is complete. Ensure that the M1 Air remains switched on during the update.
BLUETOOTH CONNECTION
Streaming music to the M1 Air via wireless Bluetooth® technology. Briefly press the Bluetooth® key to initiate the Bluetooth® connection. The status LED will flash blue. Go to Settings on your Apple® or Android™ device, select Bluetooth® in the connections list and switch on Bluetooth®.
Select Escape™ M1 Air xxxx in the list of devices. xxxx stands for the last 4 letter/digit combination in the device’s unique serial number. You will find the full serial number on the packaging or on the label on the underside of the device. The blue LED will illuminate steadily once the connection is created.
Tip: It is possible to select the WiFi connection again on the M1 Air if it has already been set: briefly press the WiFi switch. (The status LED will go from blue to green)
