Sonos Connect Streaming music system for home theater or stereo

Does Sonos connect? allow my Sonos app/system to be played through exterior (non Sonos) speakers when powered through an amphifler?

I am using one of these in my S2 system and it works fine.

steve Nov 22, 2020

william Sep 15, 2019

6 answers

Yes - I used different manufactured speakers. In my application the "Sonas Connect" was using powered amplified [200 watt] loud speakers instead of a single amplifier. Either way any properly sized working speaker should perform fine. I think you will grow to like the technology. Good luck.

stephen Sep 16, 2019

Yes. The line outputs on the SONOS CONNECT should be connected to the inputs on your amplifier. The CONNECT functions as a preamplifier but is controlled by the SONOS APP on your phone. I hope this helps. Enjoy!

mark Sep 16, 2019

Yes. You connect your Sonos to the Amplifier and this is how it is usually used.

issam Sep 15, 2019

Yep, that's exactly right.

benjamin Sep 15, 2019

Yes. I have it hooked up to my receiver. I can play anything I want through the app

kevin Sep 15, 2019

Yes. I use one as the media source to a Sonance Sonarray outdoor speaker system. You can also do the same indoors.

john Sep 15, 2019

Can I stack a Sonos Connect on top of a Connect:AMP?

david May 07, 2019

Have a 5.1 wired surround in living room and want to add 4 pairs of sonos 1's to some other rooms. Can i connect a sonos connect to my main receiver and then use each zone independently as well as together?

I'm not sure. Mine is on top of my older receiver, works great there. Regards and good luck.

david May 17, 2019

you can but remember the Sonos Amp is bigger than Sonos Connnect.

issam May 15, 2019

chris May 06, 2019

5 answers

Simple answer is yes. I run three zones (rooms) in my NYC location. I stream different music to each or the same music to all. My understanding is that you can even stream you theater sound to the other rooms as well. Sonos interface is an easy set-up. I hope this helps. FYI, the team at Crutchfield gave me great advice on the hardware and connections.

odonata ltd cow May 21, 2019

Yes you can. That is the beauty of the Sonos environment. It is all controlled via the SONOS app which can be installed ona smart phone or tablet. From there you can Group different rooms to play content as you like. You can all select all rooms to play the same content.

steve May 18, 2019

Yes, sonos has features that allow you to do what you described. One caveat: Using sonos connect for this purpose introduces a slight delay in the audio. If, say, you have speakers wired directly to your receiver, and sonos speakers in a nearby room, if there is audible overlap, the result is an induced echo.

william May 16, 2019

Yes, this would work using the connect's line input. Of coarse the 5.1 system would have to be playing and the Sonos would not be able to control the music being played unless it was one of the sources integrated with Sonos (however I think music control/selection for the main 5.1 system would probably need to be through the music services app). The other Sonos rooms can be grouped into whatever combination you like. Each one can play it's own music or access the main rooms music. Hope that helps.

nicholas May 15, 2019

Pretty sure. I know you can operate all spear independently. I don't have 5.1 but I don't see why it wouldn't work.

mike May 07, 2019

When i connect my Marantz receiver to my Sonos speakers via a Sonos connect, there is a slight delay in the music coming from the Marantz as compared to the Sonos speakers (due to the receiver's processing I presume) unless I put my receiver in a direct mode. At that point, the music timing is perfect but the sound quality in direct mode versus stereo mode in my receiver isn't as good and it doesn't use the Sub either. Has anyone experienced this and is there a way around it?

matthew Mar 07, 2019

In a 2 story home I have whole house audio pre-wired to 3 rooms on the first floor and the back patio. Each location is just for one pair of speakers for a total of 8 speakers. Each location has wires running to a blank wallplate for a volume control and all the wires for those speakers terminate on the first floor. On the second floor a room is pre-wired for a 5.1 surround system and all those wires terminate in that same room. I'm considering using a Sonos Connect and multichannel amplifier to power the 8 speakers on the first floor. I have a couple of questions. Do I have to use a speaker selector or is that optional since I can just turn the volume controls all the way to the "off" position? And also could I use just any surround receiver with WiFi in the 2nd floor 5.1 system so that I can link it with the Sonos Connect and be able to hear the same thing on both the surround sound system as well as the rest of the house?

Don't understand Why are you connecting your Sonos speakers via the connect and not your network?

richard Mar 07, 2019

gabriel Dec 15, 2018

We purchased a house that has 11 year old wired speakers in the ceilings: 2 outdoors, 4 in the kitchen, 2 in the loft, and 2 in the living room. Two of the rooms also have volume control switches. All wires run to the kitchen where they are currently just sitting there, connected to nothing. I know nothing about setting up a sound system so at one time tried an older receiver but the speakers kept clicking or going out. What do I need to be able to get the most out of what I have? Thanks for the help!

the Sonos connect would not have any affect on how your speakers work. think of the connect as a CD player, you connect it to a cd port or aux port on your receiver and the music from the Sonos app will play thru the speakers connected to that receiver. you cannot connect Sonos to your upstairs set up thru wifi, the Sonos app only works with Sonos speakers or a connect. you could use another Sonos connect connected to your upstairs set up and then you could hear the the same thing or two different things. Terry

terry Dec 27, 2018

You have to put a separate sonos connect in each location in order to play the same music in both locations. I dont know how you would plug those 8 speakers in without a speaker selector. Then you would connect that to the amp. With the sonos connected to that. Hope this helps.

richard Dec 22, 2018

wiroi1 Nov 24, 2018

Can you shut off its WiFi? I want to use it with a wired internet connection, a wired connection to an amplifier, and no other Sonos products. That would mean not using anything wireless about it. Can I shut off the WiFi or does it have to stay on?

There are a lot of details that is needed to help you find the gear to run that system. I recommend checking the link below to see if our design services are taking new requests (are right now while sending this message), and submitting all the details through it: https://www.crutchfield.com/Institutional/diy.aspx My Bio: https://www.crutchfield.com/bio/Paul

jason Nov 29, 2018 (Staff)

clifton Nov 09, 2018

I have wired ceiling speakers, and am adding sonos connect with sonos speakers. With turntable connected to audio in on connect, other QA say that the audio in provides a source to select and send to sonos speakers. Is that source also sent out coax/digital out so I can send it to amp connected to ceiling speakers?

yes, in settings, you can disable wifi on most all Sonos i believe, but i did confirm on mine you can disable wifi on the connect.

steve Nov 22, 2020

Yes. If its the only Sonos device you are using, and you're using the wired internet connection this will shut off the WiFi

jason Nov 10, 2018

daryl Jul 23, 2018

The Connect must be wired to your router or you must use a sonos bridge. I'm comparing this to the Bose Soundtouch wireless link adapter. It connects to my home wifi network wirelessly without a bridge. The Sonos Connect does not connect wirelessly to my home network. Correct?

Yes, that's correct. Once it's all connected, you would select the Line-In source in the app.The Connect would then output to the amplifier you use for the ceiling speakers.

brian Jul 27, 2018

I don't think u can do that. The DAC in sonos connect does not convert analog to digital. Only digital to analog. No harm trying though.

suraj Jul 27, 2018

seth Jun 16, 2018

Can I hook a Satellite Receiver or DVD Audio to the Sonos Connect and wirelessly play to Sonos Speakers??

I have a connect and i use it wireless (without an ethernet cable). It works great that way.

steve Nov 22, 2020

If I am understanding your question, sonos connect also connects to your home WiFi. However, to connect to music streaming or stereo you will need a receiver. The sonos connect amp does not require a receiver. I have 3 sonos amps and 1 sonos connect and do not use a bridge. I don't think the bridge is necessary. However, sonos creates/expands its own network. So the more you have the more stable the sonos communication network.

william e Jun 16, 2018

jay Mar 06, 2018

Is there a way to power on and off my amp when Sonos music plays through this device?

Yes, this has RCA inputs and an optical input you can use to have a external source of audio.

steve Nov 22, 2020

As long as you have this or another Sonos product wired to your wifi router (just needs one ethernet connection to one Sonos device in your system) you will be able to wirelessly setup your other Sonos products. I have my Connect as an input into a receiver which provides power to my wired speakers plus additional Sonos units throughout our home.

bruce Mar 06, 2018

lukasz Jan 12, 2018

I understand that the Connect can be wired to my router with an Ethernet cable, then connected to my existing hi-fi system, and I will be able to play music stored in my iTunes library in my desktop computer. Will I be able to use the playlists that are stored in iTunes also, or will I need to create new playlists for the Connect? I don't want to have to create new playlists. Can you describe the interface with iTunes as I would see it on my iPad? Final question: Could I then add a Sonos speaker in a location not already served by my hi-fi system and have it play without any additional Sonos equipment?

there are new receivers out now by onkyo and integra that are compatable with Sonos meaning when you play music thru the Sonos app and you choose your connect that will turn on the receiver and choose the correct input and your music will play thru the receiver

terry Apr 15, 2019

It may be theoretically possible but there is not a sonos function that I am aware of that can complete the task. The closest solution I can think of would be a universal remote to power on all AV equipment or something like a Bluetooth power strip (assuming such a thing exists) to power on your amp/receiver at the same time as the Sonos. The last possibility would be to replace your amp with a Bluetooth/smart amp that would eliminate the need for the Sonos. I personally chose to stick with my existing amp.

crystal Jan 14, 2018

The sonus is left on and the on/ off function of the amp is an independent.

richard k Jan 14, 2018

donald b Oct 25, 2017

can I hook up a CD player or turntable directly to the connect without using a receiver or amp and play the music on my sonos speakers ? Terry

Jake We're not very technical but love Sonos! Crutchfield was great in guidance, selection and a great deal of time with set up! We are connected via WiFi to our router and the Sonos amp which is directly connected to our existing system. We then have access via our wired speakers and Sonos speakers to all our iTunes pandora radio Spotify and playlists etc. we can only play our cd and vinyl via the hard wired speakers. The added Sonos speakers are serving rooms that did not have speakers and can be moved to any room we wish. We used the Sonos connect and the boost and the play 1 starter kit-2 speakers. Cruthfield helped us in 2010 with our original/hard wired system and built in speakers and in 2015 with Sonos. Couldn't and wouldn't do it without them. Good luck and happy listening.

sumner Oct 30, 2017

You can manually import your iTunes playlists to the Sonos app: https://sonos.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/154/~/importing-playlists-from-other-apps-like-itunes You can add additional Sonos Play speakers in other rooms of your home; absolutely. They just need AC power and connection to your your Home Wi-Fi network or the Sonos mesh network. For additional assistance and personalized recommendations feel free to contact us directly by phone or through our online chat service: https://www.crutchfield.com/support/ContactUs.aspx

ryan Oct 30, 2017 (Staff)

terry Feb 17, 2017

I understand that the Connect will let me play music from my library through my existing surround sound speakers - but what I want to know is, if I connect my TV/surround audio through Sonos Connect, can I share my TV/surround sound audio with other Sonos speakers in my home? If I have a football game on in the living room, can I hear that audio on the Play:5 in my kitchen, if 'grouped'? I think the Sonos Playbar can do this but don't want to have to replace my existing surround sound with full Sonos line.

Sure Terry hook up cd player rca to input on sonos connect. In sonos app select line in to hear your cd player. ??

ricaldo r Feb 19, 2017

I am not 100% certain, but I believe you can. There are the red/white audio inputs on the back which should allow you to hook up a CD player or turntable and play the music through the Connect to your Sonos speakers.

michael Feb 18, 2017

Don't believe so. Connect is for a hookup to a receiver. I think there's another component where you can accomplish what you're looking to do, but the Connect needs a receiver. To the best of my knowledge.

joe Feb 18, 2017

jonathan Aug 04, 2016

I want a wireless (meaning, no wires to my speakers) solution for a patio. I want to be able to stream sound from a Zone 2/B amp to outdoor wireless speakers. So, not just music, which is what Sonos seems best suited for, but football games and movies. Is there a Sonos setup that will let me take my Zone 2 audio and cast it out to wireless speakers on the patio?

You can connect an external source (such as the outputs from your TV/surround system) to the Sonos Connect's left and right RCA jacks. The input jacks automatically detect a device is connected, and the source appears in the Sonos System App screen. Audio from the RCA connection can then be played through any Sonos speakers you have in your home. I hope that helps! My Bio: http://www.crutchfield.com/Support/Bio.aspx?bio=159

david Aug 09, 2016 (Staff)

Yes........exactly how you describe in your question, it can be grouped with other Sonos speakers in other rooms in your home.

charles Aug 08, 2016

scott May 19, 2016

Hello I have a Yamaha RX-A1020 unit hooked to a pair of Polk floor standing speakers model # RTI A7. I am looking into adding more sound in the room. I would like to go wireless, but don't know if it would be the best choice for the Yamaha unit. I use the Yamaha unit to listen to music, which I can max out the volume control and still looking for more. The question is do I need to hook up more of speaker or add a amp? If more speakers would wireless work well? Thanks for any advise in this matter. Ty

Its pretty easy with sonos. Add a sonos connect to your receiver, and run a rca line out from your receiver to the line in on the sonos. Now you have a receiver source. Group your sonos patio speaker with the sonos connect, select line in from the connect, and you'll get receiver source on the patio.

brian May 21, 2016

Not with the Sonos Connect. Sonos Connect is an INPUT device to your system, not an output. The SONOS Controller has TuneIn and iHeart Radio, so you can listen to streaming radio broadcasts. The Sonos Bar has an input from a TV, but it is wired and only able to be played at that particular device and paired rear channel speakers. That might accomplish what you are looking for, but there is a hard-wired connection required to the Sonos Bar. I do not use the Sonos Bar for a home theater - just as a better experience with my Samsung LED TV with totally crappy internal rear-firing speakers! I have a full-blown home theater system in my sunroom (my wife hates home theater-too loud) so I can watch movies at night without keeping her awake. The Play 5 (older version, I cannot speak for the new one) has an Aux input for output from an MP3 or other device, but it has to be headphone level, not standard pre-amp out.

christian May 20, 2016

I believe if u want to hear foot ball music 9 from tv) to wireless speakers, powered via an amp, u can get a blue tooth receiver hooker to the output to ur sonos connect, and it will send to a blue tooth receiver that you hook it up to your amplifier. it is a bit cumbersome, and u ll need different adapter for the audio out and in, but it is feasible.

paul May 20, 2016

ty Mar 28, 2016

I am looking to run Sonos audio into four different rooms, and I already have an impedance matching speaker selector. Am I better off using the Connect Amp, or just the Connect unit, and buying a separate amp to hook up to my receiver?

I agree with Christian B's comment that it sounds like you need a more powerful receiver/amplifier to power you existing speakers if you aren't getting the output lvl you enjoy at max volume. Adding a wireless unit like the Connect will allow you to have another option for an input (Sonos networked system) where you could add additional speakers, such as the Sonos 1, 3 or 5 (I find the Sonos 1 speakers to be excellent surround sound and small room speakers so you might not need the larger units) to increase the fullness of your sound though it seems that your Polk speakers are currently underpowered (look into getting an amp for the system).

bruce Mar 06, 2018

It sounds like you need a higher power amplifier. Adding a Connect will give you another source (streaming music) but will not add more power. You might be able to add the Connext to the Yamaha and add a couple Play 5's but I do not know if this would be the best solution for you. I have several Connects in my house one feeds an old Proton Integrated amp with Klipsch speakers and another feeds my Yamaha home theater system with Klipsch speakers in my sunroom. The rest of the house consists of single Play 5's, Play 3's and a Soundbar for my LED tv in the family room as the integral speakers are worthless.

christian Mar 30, 2016

todd Mar 07, 2016

5 answers

theres a bunch of confusing things in this question, like hooking up an amp to a receiver? does this receiver already have an amp? and a speaker selector is just a wired sonos connect. either way i can say that the sonos is a very good system for wirelessly transmitting audio around a house. it is NOT a good amp and speaker solution. the optimal, but pricier solution, is connect units in all 4 zones, connected to good quality (not sonos) amps and speakers.

jonathan Mar 16, 2016

Overall I would say the Connect Amp would be the best way to go. It alleviates the issue of having to buy another piece of equipment and the Sony Connect can do the job effectively

don Mar 08, 2016

You say you have an Impedance matching selector. If it's just a switch, or is you have Impedance matching volume controls in each room (I prefer this over an on/off switch by the stereo), then the Connect will run all 4 rooms as 1 zone. If you plan to connect the Connect to a receiver, then you'll want to use the fixed output of the Connect (in the zone setting) and use the receiver's master volume for the 4 rooms. Depending on your receiver's wattage per channel, you'll divide that power by 4 and that's the power you'll have per room/per channel. So, if you have a 100 wpc amp, you'll have 25 watts per channel...if all 4 rooms are playing. The Connect:Amp has 55 wpc RMS and the amp is 4 ohm capable. If you listen to low volumes indoor, the Connect:Amp might just be enough for you. If you like your volume to be rather higher, then I'd suggest either a higher powered amplifier (check your switch to determine what its rated for in watts/ch) or you could do what I REALLY suggest is getting a multi-ch amplifier. This way you'll get so much more volume in each of the rooms and you won't need to use a speaker switch; unless you want to turn off some rooms but keep some on. And, you'll benefit from using the Sonos App's volume from your cell phone or tablet. Stereo Receiver's can become a thing of the past if you dive into Sonos and it's capabilities. Or, another option, although expensive for some, would be to get a Sonos Connect Amp for each room. Each room could then have its' own volume and source capability. But at $499/room, it can get pricey FAST! Hope this gives you some insight !

robert c Mar 08, 2016

I think it really depends on how many speakers will be powered through the amp. The Connect AMP is expensive for its output, and at best can power 2 speakers. If you don't need much power the connect AMP works, and the set up is super simple. If you want to power more than 2 speakers, I would go with the Connect unit, and use a separate amp or receiver for the set up. I personally have a mix of both. I have two connect AMPs for 2 different smaller rooms, and 1 receiver powering the speakers in the living room that is connected through the connect unit. My set up works great. I will be adding an outdoor area to the set up this fall.

francisco Mar 07, 2016

The Connect is all you need if speaker selector is already wired into your receiver. Just set up whatever zone will feed out to your selector from the amp. You won't have the control you would with the Connect Amp ( such as single speaker control, treble, bass, volume, etc) but you will be able to set them as a whole and control volume through your receiver. Of course...you can buy some Sonos speakers for each and every room and be in complete control heaven!

eric Mar 07, 2016

Why is the connect so expensive when it's essentially of the Play devices but without the speaker? Is there something else here that I'm missing?

czbaug Mar 01, 2016

Can I control the volume of my sonos music from the sonos app when my stereo receiver is connected to the sonos connect? Can this thing basically control my existing amp if I am playing sonos music?

I think all of the Sonos products are expensive (I have a connect and 2 Play5s). But, they are well thought out, easy to setup and sound decent. If you want to use your own stereo system then you need the Connect.

jack Mar 01, 2016

The Connect is designed to be used with your own amplifier. You are paying for the App control and integration of the Sonos system and it can be easily added to other Sonos components on your system.

andrew Mar 01, 2016

As far as I can tell the Sonos prices are based on value to the customer rather than the cost of the materials and software.

w Mar 01, 2016

joseph Dec 10, 2015

Can the sonos connect be hooked up to my Bose lifestyle 28 ?

You need to treat the Sonos Connect as another source of music playback material when using it with your existing stereo receiver. The variable output of the Connect (using the App) is actually varying the signal to your stereo receiver. There's a big difference between Signal and Volume!!! You essentially want full signal from every source to the stereo receiver...then adjust the volume of the stereo receiver for higher and lower volumes. If you want volume control from your cell phone or tablet, I'd look at bypassing the preamp section of your stereo receiver (if possible with the model you have.) Some stereo receivers have Pre Out / Main In RCA jacks in the rear connection area. If yours has it, you could run the Connect output to the Main In jacks and voila! You now can control the volume, mute, PLUS: Bass, Treble, Loudness, and Balance from the App (Room settings in the Sonos App.) Either way, you can also utilize the Aux In of the Sonos Connect for another source of equipment. Hope this helps !!

robert c Mar 08, 2016

Yes, you can to a limited extent. The volume control on the Sonos App / Controller will adjust the line out volume on the Sonos Connect. This line out volume will then vary the sound level you hear coming out of the amp, will it will not actually change the volume setting on the amp.

erik Dec 11, 2015

No u can just control what plays thru the unit you would have to control the amp via the volume control

edward Dec 11, 2015

owens Jun 25, 2015

I have home theater receiver I use for main speakers in living room and a second power amp that I use to drive multi room speakers. Recently I've been streaming music though apple tv to my receiver but have not been able to pass the signal to my second power amp. The home theater receiver has both digital and analog inputs but the power amp only has analog input. I want to be able to stream music to both amps simultaneously so that music plays from all speakers. Will Connect output to both devices? Also, does connect have to remain hard wired to router?

Yes it can, via analog (RCA), or digital (optical or coaxial) cabling. For sonos I would use toslink cable.

brian Jun 26, 2015

eric Jun 11, 2015