Top 10 Sonos Questions

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Do I need a BRIDGE/BOOST?

Player

Connecting any Sonos player to your router with an Ethernet cable automatically creates a dedicated Sonos wireless network.  Any player (PLAY:1, PLAY:3, PLAY:5, PLAYBAR, CONNECT, CONNECT:AMP) or a BRIDGE/BOOST can make this hard-wired connection. A dedicated Sonos network is ideal when your WiFi isn’t reliable in your home.

Home Theater

It is also required to wirelessly connect PLAYBAR to SUB and rear speakers. Sonos requires a dedicated Sonos network to add SUB or rear speaker to PLAYBAR. If your PLAYBAR (or other Sonos speaker) is near your home internet router, you can connect it directly to your router with an ethernet cable. If you want to place your PLAYBAR or speaker in a different room, you’ll need to connect a BRIDGE/BOOST or another Sonos speaker to your router to expand your home theatre.

What's the difference between the PLAY:1, PLAY:3 and PLAY:5?

WHILE ALL OF OUR SPEAKERS PROVIDE CRYSTAL CLEAR HIFI SOUND AT ANY VOLUME, EACH OFFERS PROGRESSIVELY DEEPER BASS AND MORE POWER.

For many, the PLAY:1 will provide an incredible music experience with deep bass and plenty of power. The PLAY:3 and PLAY:5 each deliver progressively deeper and more powerful sound, as well as left and right channel separation from a single player. (Note: The PLAY:3 delivers left and right separation only in horizontal orientation.)

What is the difference between the CONNECT and the CONNECT:AMP?

ALREADY HAVE A STEREO? USE THE CONNECT. JUST SPEAKERS? THE CONNECT:AMP IS ALL YOU NEED.

The CONNECT is an un-amplified unit designed to run into an existing amplifier or receiver as a music source. You simply run an audio cable from an output on the CONNECT into an input on your existing equipment. The CONNECT has both digital and analog outputs, as well as a line-level input.

The CONNECT:AMP has a built-in amplifier, and drives passive speakers directly via speaker wire. The amplifier inside of the CONNECT:AMP is a 110 watt stereo amplifier which puts out 55 watts per channel. The CONNECT:AMP is designed to power a single pair of speakers, but it can power a maximum of two pairs so long as the speakers are rated at 8 ohms.

Where does the music come from?

Sonos can access any music files that are stored on a computer or network-attached-storage (NAS) drive. If you have a music library managed through iTunes, WinAmp, Windows Media Player, Rhapsody or Music Match, Sonos can import your existing playlists. We support nearly every format, including: MP3, iTunes Plus, WMA, AAC (MPEG4), AAC+, Ogg Vorbis, Audible (format 4), Apple Lossless, Flac (lossless) music files, as well as uncompressed WAV and AIFF files.

Internet Radio

Sonos Radio powered by TuneIn presents an aggregated collection of the world’s radio stations. Over 50,000 channels from every corner of the earth. Plus live and on-demand radio shows from around the world - all streaming direct to Sonos players throughout your house for free.

Not good enough? You can also manually add any Internet Radio station streaming MP3, AAC or WMA.

Subscription Services

Sonos works seamlessly with AUPEO!, Deezer, iHeartRadio, JUKE, Last.fm, MOG, Pandora®, Rdio®, Rhapsody®, SiriusXM™ Internet Radio, Slacker® Radio, Songl, Spotify®, Stitcher SmartRadio™, TuneIn, Wolfgang’s Vault®, WiMP, and downloads from any service offering DRM-free tracks. (Service availability varies by region.)

Line In

The PLAY:5, CONNECT, and CONNECT:AMP each have an analog line input. Anytime you have an external source, such as a TV or CD player, connected to one unit in our system, that external source can be played throughout the entire system. Specifically, it shows up as an option under the line-in category of the music menu, and can be selected for playback in any room with a Sonos player.

Do you make an outdoor speaker?

The speaker units that we sell, the PLAY:1, PLAY:3 and PLAY:5, are not weather-rated. They can certainly be moved outside, but they are not designed to live outside unless they are in a covered space. If you are looking for a permanent outdoor zone of music, you can use our CONNECT:AMP unit with traditional weather-rated speakers.

Will Sonos work with my existing equipment?

The CONNECT is designed specifically to integrate with an external amplifier/receiver, and bring Sonos functionality to a third party system.
If you have existing wired speakers that are not currently driven by amplifier, you can use a CONNECT:AMP to bring Sonos functionality to your speakers.

Can I connect Sonos to my TV?

PLAYBAR is the only soundbar that delivers outstanding Hi-Fi Sound for your TV and is a complete Wireless HiFi System that plays all the music on earth. It is simple to set-up, control and expand throughout your home. With only an optical cable connecting PLAYBAR to your TV, you can control it with your regular TV remote or with the free Sonos apps on iOS, Android, Mac and PC.

Can I connect more than 2 speakers to the CONNECT:AMP?

The Connect: Amp is designed for a single pair of speakers- it is a stereo amplifier, right and left channel.  However, if your speakers are rated at 8 ohms, you can wire up to 2 pairs, or 4 speakers, to one Connect: Amp- you just won’t have independent control between those two pairs of speakers, in terms of volume and music selection.

Can I use two speakers as a stereo pair?

A single PLAY:5 will play sound in stereo - it has left and right speaker drivers built in. However, if you are looking for better stereo separation, you can use two PLAY:5's in a stereo pair. This simple software toggle turns one speaker into a dedicated left and the other into a dedicated right.

A single PLAY:3 will play sound in stereo - it has left and right speaker drivers built in. However, if you are looking for better stereo separation, you can use two PLAY:3's in a stereo pair. This simple software toggle turns one speaker into a dedicated left and the other into a dedicated right.

You can use two PLAY:1's in a stereo pair. This simple software toggle turns one speaker into a dedicated left and the other into a dedicated right.

Which speaker is right for my room?

For many, the PLAY:1 will provide an incredible music experience with deep bass and plenty of power. Consider upgrading to a PLAY:3 or PLAY:5, or to a stereo pair of speakers, if you:

  • Want deeper bass
  • Want more power
    How much power is enough for you is based on many factors. How loud do you like to listen? Will you be listening in front of the speaker, or do you want to fill the room with music? If so, how big is your room? How high is your ceiling? How open is your space? The louder you listen, or the bigger the space you want to fill, the more likely you will want a speaker with more power.
    Have the space to set-up two Players in stereo pair mode

How do I choose between the PLAY:5 and a stereo pair of PLAY:1s?

  • Choose PLAY:5 for maximum power and the deepest bass.
  • Choose a stereo pair of PLAY:1s to create a wider sound stage, allowing every vocal and instrument to be heard more discretely.
     

Feel free to call us 631-723-3660 or come by to discuss your particular needs
… or stop by a store and listen for yourself!

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