Sonos inputs comparison
All Sonos speakers stream music from internet services such as Spotify via WiFi. Some can also connect via network (Ethernet) cables and audio devices via Line in and digital optical inputs or HDMI. This table helps select the right speakers if you need to connect Sonos speakers to another sources such as TV, amplifiers, record players etc.
| model | Ethernet | WiFi standard | BT ver | aux inputs | max Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Era 100 | 0 | ax | 5.0 | mic, USB-C, battery,Line in with 3.5 Jack adapter ($35) | 183 | $399 |
| Era 300 | 0 | 260 | $749 | |||
| Roam | 0 | ac | 5.0 | mic, USB-C, battery | 168 | $299 |
| Roam 2 | 0 | ac | 5.2 | 168 | $299 | |
| OneSL | 1 | n | no | no | 162 | $319 |
| One | 1 | n | no | mic | 162 | $299 |
| Ray | 1 | n | no | IR,IN:optical | 559 | $499 |
| Beam G2 | 1 | n | no | mic, HDMI eARC,IR | 651 | $799 |
| Arc | 1 | n | no | mic, HDMI eARC,IR | 1142 | $1499 |
| Arc Ultra | 0 | ax | 5.3 | mic, HDMI eARC,IR,IN:Optical sold separately | 1178 | $1799 |
| Move | 0 | n | 4.1 | USB-C, battery | 240 | $699 |
| Move 2 | 0 | ax | 5.0 | mic, USB-C, battery,Line in with 3.5 Jack adapter ($35) | 241 | $799 |
| Five | 1 | n | no | IN: Line in 3.5 Jack | 364 | $899 |
| SUB | 1 | n | no | no | 389 | $999 |
| SUB G3 | $1299 | |||||
| Sub 4 | 1 | ax | 402 | $1299 | ||
| Sub Mini | 1 | n | 305 | $699 |
- WiFi standard column indicates the maximum WiFi protocol supported. For example, for the a/b/g/n/ac/ax, it is ax; for a/b/g/n/ac, it is ac. While any WiFi protocol is sufficient for streaming sound, the latest standard could be more compatible with the router you might have.
- max Size column indicates the maximum of all sizes to give an idea of the speaker size.
| model | Ethernet | aux inputs and outputs | max Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PORT | 2 | IN: analogue stereo RCA, OUT: analogue stereo RCA, digital RCA. This is the adapter for external amplifier, no speakers | 140 | $599 |
| AMP | 2 | IN: analogue stereo RCA, OUT:Stereo 2x125 Watts on 8 Ohms speakers. Amplifier only, no speakers | 217 | $999 |
| BOOST | WiFi extender only | $149 | ||
| PLAYBASE | 1 | IN:optical | 720 | $999 |
| PLAYBAR | 2 | IN:optical | 900 | $999 |
| PLAY1 | 1 | 162 | $229 | |
| PLAY3 | 1 | 268 | $379 | |
| PLAY5 | 1 | 364 | $749 | |
| CONNECT | 2 | IN:Stereo RCA, OUT: Stereo RCA, optical, digital RCA | 140 | $549 |
| CONNECT AMP | 2 | IN: analogue stereo, OUT: stereo 2 x 55 Watts on 8 Ohms speakers, mono for an active subwoofer | 207 | $749 |
Sonos and WiFi
All Sonos speakers have 2.4GHz WiFi connectivity, and all current models except Ray also have 5GHz. Though 5GHz WiFi routers won't improve Sonos music quality, they provide compatibility with all routers and may reduce the delay between changing songs and other control functions.
Volume control should be smooth across different locations around the house. Delays and inconsistency in controls usually indicate problems with the WiFi network or mobile devices where apps are installed, not Sonos.
Why wont my Sonos connect to my router?
One common issue is that Sonos won't connect after a WiFi reset or new router installation or just changing WiFi password. The Sonos app and Help provide detailed instructions on how to change to a new WiFi network, although this does not always work. The reason could be that your speakers may not be fully compatible with your WiFi router or mesh system.
As seen in the specifications tables above, only the Era, Move 2 and new Sub 4 support the AX (WiFi 6) standard. While WiFi 6 allows for extra speed and should be backward compatible, it may create problems when connecting non-AX devices.
Solutions include disabling AX features in the router, resetting the Sonos speakers, or switching to 2.4 GHz only with a 20 MHz channel width.
Another option is using Ethernet cables, which are more reliable than WiFi. As shown in the table, some older Sonos devices included a second Ethernet port, allowing other devices to connect to the internet through the speaker. For models with only one Ethernet port, a third-party network switch can be used to connect additional devices like a TV or Foxtel box.
Sonos versus audio amplifier
Conventional amplifiers usually have few analogue and digital inputs. Not so for Sonos. It may have only one aux input of each; analogue or digital. To combine two audio sources, you will need to use other amplifier or preamplifier.
For example, to set Sonos as a stereo analogue amplifier, you need at least Sonos CONNECT + 2xPLAY speakers. That gives analogue stereo for $1007. And if you want to set Sonos to 5.1 for digital surround sound, the minimum set is PLAYBASE or PLAYBAR + SUB + 4x PLAY1 with a total of $2910.
Sonos versus Yamaha amp
In comparison, few Yamaha Home Theatre systems include seven speakers plus a subwoofer, multi-room wireless and cost around $2500. They have several digital and HDMI inputs supporting 7.2 surround sound and 4K video. Optical digital (Sonos) is limited to 5.1 by design. And on top of controlling sound and TV with your mobile phone, you can play Spotify on Yamaha via WiFi or Bluetooth.
Information on this page is based on our best knowledge but may be outdated or contain errors. Please refer to the official Sonos website for the most accurate details.