How Encore ST Works - App, Home or Cloud Server and SoundTouch Speakers

How It Works

Only the conductor changes.

Encore ST does not replace your speakers — only the infrastructure behind them.

Your devices keep their original firmware and interfaces. Encore ST works with existing Bose SoundTouch systems without modifying hardware or firmware.

Encore ST does not replace the speaker. Encore ST replaces the missing control and service infrastructure many SoundTouch features depended on.

The building blocks

App: The Encore ST app for iOS and Android controls speakers, playback, volume, presets, rooms, groups and stereo pairs.
Home or Cloud Server: The server coordinates the SoundTouch systems.
Speakers: Existing SoundTouch devices remain the playback devices and become part of a controllable system again.
Home or Cloud: The Home or Cloud Server runs either locally in your network or as a hosted cloud service.

Home edition

Encore ST Home runs locally in your own network, for example on a home server, NAS, mini PC or Mac. This edition will remain free permanently and is intended for users who want to operate their own Home Server.

Cloud edition

Encore ST Cloud is already planned as a hosted service. You do not need your own server; the system stays up to date automatically. Hosting is operated in Germany, and only necessary operational data is processed.

Home and Cloud compared

	Home	Cloud
Operation	Local installation as a server service on Windows, Linux or macOS.	Hosted service, no own server required.
Core features	Speaker setup, app control, presets, stereo pairs, multiroom groups, internet radio and DLNA/UPnP.	All core features of the Home edition.
Users	Multiple household users with their own presets and settings.	User management for cloud use.
Music services	Focus on internet radio and local media.	Additional music streaming services are planned.
Maintenance	You operate and update the Home Server yourself.	You do not have to take care of maintenance and updates; the system stays up to date automatically.
Privacy	Data stays in your own network.	Hosted service operated in Germany. Only necessary operational data is processed; exporting your own data is available in the user interface.
Requirement	Technically experienced users. Home server, NAS or mini PC. Encrypted connections require your own domain with a suitable certificate.	Internet access.
Cost	Free permanently.	Free during development. Later, a small monthly or yearly fee may be needed depending on operating cost. For supporters who help with test devices, feedback or financial support, the cloud service is intended to remain free permanently.