Every time I post a new build I also post the build notes here. It has been a few times per week, sometimes once or even twice per day. I don't want to spam the group here, so I wanted to ask: Are these posts helpful? I could consolidate into a single post with an ongoing thread, or I could even just post the notes on the web site.
Let me know what you prefer. Thanks.
Hi everyone, a small request:
Something that would be really helpful is if you left a review in the Microsoft Store for Audio Hero.
Thank you!
In both AH v5.4.7.0 and v5.4.8.0, the new feature that writes a firewall exception for you is not behaving as intended. This feature is supposed to avoid that firewall popup that some users get when installing an updated AH version.
I'm working on it, just wanted to acknowledge the bug.
Critical fix: Device tone & system controls (Big thanks to GreyPole !)
EDIT: Alexa bridge still disabled / unavailable in this release
Feature: Alexa bridge option now available with simplified Amazon device setup
https://bommerts.com/audiohero/docs/#echo
I sort of rushed the Alexa bridge feature out so I am still marking that feature as experimental until I can complete further testing. It does work in my testing, but I had to balance testing time vs. getting the bug fix out. I would love your feedback on this feature. I am sure I will be releasing more updates to the feature and the helper.
I wanted to get this update out right away due to the critical nature of the bug GreyPole found.
Hi everyone,
To support continued development of the app, the one-time license fee for Audio Hero will be increasing to $20 effective July 10th, 2026. This will help me continue to release updates, features, and fixes.
I may switch to a subscription model some time in the future ($x/mo or /yr), but will always honor those who purchased a one-time license forever without having to subscribe.
Do any of you use smart plugs to control power to your receivers, speakers, or subwoofers?
My office sub is on a Kasa outlet. When I want bass, I power on that plug. But I have to open my phone, open the app, find the plug, then power it on.
I have an idea to incorporate that as an automation and/or switch in Audio Hero.
My question to you all: Do you do the same? What brands of smart plugs do you use? Would this be a useful feature to you?
I added experimental support for Sonos devices in the Audio Hero app. I'm still fine tuning that and making improvements.
Would it be interesting to you guys if the app also supported Chromecast devices?
My ultimate goal would be the ability to play music across multiple different devices types all at once (HEOS + Sonos + Chromecast + etc etc)
Every time I want to add/change/remove a music service, I have to do it on my phone in the "official" heos app, it's a bummer. So, I think I found a way around this and am going to build it into Audio Hero. If I can make it work, I also want to include every other feature that the heos app does - but in Audio Hero instead.
It will take a minute, so might not be the immediate next release, but it will be coming soon.
I haven't given up on the concept of a heos-device emulator. This would unlock grouping your PC as a virtual heos device along with your real heos devices. This one is going to take more time, though.
more auto-update fixes....one day I will get this right
Known issue, working on it!
Fix: Group volume sliders now id the device. Thx u/TBoneCO1 !
Here's where we started - version 1.0!
I just noticed the "test" window that snuck in my screenshot, I decided to leave it because why not :)
I am thinking of adding Sonos controller capability to Audio Hero: I am envisioning controlling Sonos devices similar to how we control HEOS devices today in AH.
Of course the biggest problem is they are completely different protocols and spec, so creating cross-groups between the two would be impossible unless someone cracks the proprietary systems. I have a ton of research documented and am really close to doing this with HEOS, but have not explored Sonos' methods yet.
I do think I could make HEOS & Sonos device/speaker groups in an early v1, but they would likely be out of sync by a fraction of a second. Airplay is an option, but not all HEOS & Sonos devices support Airplay.
In the future I could also add support for Yamaha MusicCast, Alexa, Google Home, Cambridge, Polk, etc, the list goes on.
Would this be valuable? Do you have any other device/receiver/speaker brands you would like to be able to control?
Get it here: https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9P2P2LGDSCH3
1/ Feature: Detailed sync choices added in settings
Think of a scenario where you might use Audio Hero on multiple PCs. This feature allows you to keep all your settings and preferences in sync across PCs.
2/ Feature: Logos for Internet & starred favorites.
3/ Fix/feature: Stereo pairs now show the pair name you set in the HEOS app instead of the leader device's individual name. Big thanks again to u/GreyPole
4/ Fix: Audio Hero app auto-update process improvements.
Thank you to everyone for all the feedback, suggestions, and bug reports! This app has been a super fun project.
etc...
Get it here: https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9P2P2LGDSCH3
Feature: Sync your Audio Hero settings using your OneDrive account
Feature: Sort your starred favorites & internet radio sources
Feature: Added 3 more volume presets, for a total of 6 now
Feature: Drag & drop volume presets where you want them
Fix: Remember Audio Hero window location in multiple different scenarios (Thx u/svkowalski !)
Fix: Improve volume slider size in compact views for different sources
I broke the auto-update service in the last build, sorry. You'll have to go to the ms store app to complete the update.
Small app cosmetic changes.
Auto-update feature added. It's disabled by default, you will need to enable in settings.
It's a bug fix kinda day.
- Bug fix: Spotify seek works again. Previous build blocked it; the underlying issue turned out to be elsewhere.
- Bug fix: Seek now sends the command to the device that actually owns playback, not the device Audio Hero originally connected to. Fixes seek snap-back when controlling multiple devices.
- Bug fix: Seek on grouped devices and HEOS stereo pairs now routes to the group leader, which is the only device that accepts it.
- Bug fix: When a Microsoft Store update is available, Audio Hero now downloads it and asks you to close and reopen, instead of attempting an automatic restart that sometimes left the app closed without relaunching.
- Seek bar now reliably scrubs through local USB/NAS tracks: the underlying UPnP Seek command was rewritten to use the correct MediaRenderer endpoint, a properly padded HH:MM:SS time format, and an automatic ABS_TIME fallback for stricter firmwares.
- Spotify tracks now correctly disable the seek bar (Spotify Connect only allows seeking from the Spotify app), and any seek the speaker refuses now snaps back instantly with a short status message instead of silently stalling.
Thx to GreyPole for the find!
Feature: Next track playing art change respects Animation - page flip setting
Improvement: Spacing improvements on now playing panel
Fix: Track stream data bug where detailed stream info disappeared on app close until track changed
Fix: Album/service art displayed incorrectly when streaming a HEOS service then changing to an Internet service
The MS store wasn't moving fast enough so I had to cancel certification on v4.7.2.0 and replace with this one.
I'm done for the weekend - talk to you all next week. Gonna do some outdoor stuff, we're finally getting some nice sunshine here in Michigan.
