What development marked the true inflection point for making multi-room audio accessible beyond custom installation niches?

Answer

The convergence of audio streaming and the ubiquity of the Internet Protocol (IP) network.

The major turning point that transitioned multi-room audio from a high-end custom endeavor to a consumer reality was the arrival of mature digital networking technologies. Specifically, the widespread availability and integration of the Internet Protocol (IP) network within homes allowed audio signals to be digitized, compressed or uncompressed, and transmitted efficiently over standard Ethernet or Wi-Fi connections. This digital approach fundamentally separated the content delivery mechanism from dedicated, fixed physical wiring runs. This separation unlocked massive potential for user control, easy system expansion, and simplified content access, effectively enabling the modern concept of networked audio distribution.

What development marked the true inflection point for making multi-room audio accessible beyond custom installation niches?

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