tostmann

tostmann / SixBack

Public

Local replacement for the shut-down Bose SoundTouch cloud — ESP32-S3/C6 stick that re-enables radio presets on legacy BMX speakers.

bmx bose busware cloud-replacement esp32
29
1
89% credibility
Found May 29, 2026 at 32 stars -- GitGems finds repos before they trend. Get early access to the next one.
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AI Analysis
C++
AI Summary

SixBack is a small ESP32 device (similar to a USB stick) that acts as a replacement cloud service for Bose SoundTouch speakers. When Bose discontinued their internet service, these speakers' preset buttons stopped working. SixBack intercepts the speaker's requests on the local network and responds with the necessary information so everything continues working. Users simply plug the device into power, connect it to their WiFi, and the system automatically discovers and migrates their speakers. All six preset slots work again including TuneIn internet radio, DLNA music servers, and Spotify Connect triggers. The project runs entirely locally with no accounts, subscriptions, or internet connection required after initial setup.

How It Works

1
🔍 Your Bose speakers stop working

Bose suddenly shuts down their internet service, and your SoundTouch speaker's preset buttons go dark and silent.

2
🌐 You find SixBack online

Searching online, you discover a free open-source project called SixBack that claims to bring your speakers back to life.

3
💡 One little USB stick replaces Bose

SixBack runs on a tiny ESP32 computer you can buy for about $15, acting as your own personal cloud server right on your home network.

4
⚡ You flash the device and plug it in

Using a web page in your browser, you flash the firmware onto the ESP32 stick and plug it into a USB power outlet near your router.

5
📶 It automatically finds your speakers

Within minutes, SixBack discovers your SoundTouch speakers on the network and begins the migration without you lifting a finger.

6
🎵 Your presets come back to life

All six preset buttons glow back to life, playing your favorite stations, your DLNA music, and even triggering Spotify playlists with a single press.

✅ Everything works, no account needed

Your speakers work exactly as before, but now they're powered by your own device on your own network with no subscriptions or Bose accounts required.

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AI-Generated Review

What is SixBack?

SixBack is a local replacement for the Bose SoundTouch cloud that went dark in May 2026. It runs on an ESP32-S3 or ESP32-C6 stick you plug into your network, intercepting the protocol your Bose speaker uses to fetch presets and radio stations. Written in C++ for the ESP-IDF framework, it speaks enough of the legacy BMX cloud protocol to make your speaker think it's still talking to Bose servers. You flash the firmware, connect the stick to WiFi, and your six preset buttons work again without any account, subscription, or internet dependency.

Why is it gaining traction?

The hook is simple: Bose killed their cloud, and this brings your hardware back to life. The auto-migration feature discovers speakers on your network and configures them automatically on first boot. It handles TuneIn radio, DLNA music server presets, and even Spotify trigger bindings. The web interface lets you manage presets via drag-and-drop, and the device acts as a captive portal for easy WiFi setup. Multiple ESP32 sticks can coexist without fighting over the same speaker thanks to peer-aware detection.

Who should use this?

If you own Bose SoundTouch 10, 20, or 30 speakers and refuse to throw them out after the cloud shutdown, this is your solution. Hardware hackers comfortable flashing ESP32 boards will get the most out of it. Anyone wanting a self-hosted, privacy-respecting audio setup without vendor lock-in will appreciate the local-first approach.

Verdict

SixBack does something genuinely useful and executes it well, but the credibility score of 0.8999999761581421% and 29 stars reflect a young, niche project. Documentation is thorough for a hobbyist build, and the feature set is surprisingly complete for v0.8.4. The noncommercial license limits commercial deployment, and you should be comfortable with ESP32 flashing before diving in. Worth trying if your speakers are gathering dust.

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