What is Sonos and how does it work?

From small speakers to large, connected hubs to connected amps, soundbars to sub woofers, [Sonos](/./sonos] makes wireless, connected speakers for all kinds of people and all kinds of environments. But what is a wireless connected speaker and why should you care about them? Read on!

How does Sonos work?

Sonos speakers are, well, speakers. What makes them different from old-fashioned wired speakers is that you don't need the wires. You just plug them into power and they work. The way they work is by creating a custom Wi-Fi network — called a Sonosnet — in your home. That lets them get sound and do some other amazing things.

Some of those amazing things include streaming most of your favorite music services, like Apple Music, Google Play Music, Amazon, Pandora, and more. If you get a Sonos Playbar, you can also build out a home theater set up. Either way, you can easily add more speakers at any time, and control all of it with your iPhone, Android phone, iPad, or Android tablet. Even your Mac or PC.

It can go in any room, from room to room, can include up to 32 components, and can even connect to existing, traditional speakers and sound systems. You can even play a different song in every room or group rooms together in zones.

That makes a Sonos system incredibly flexible and versatile.

Can I use Sonos with my existing setup?

Absolutely! Using the Sonos Connect or Connect:Amp, you can turn your existing sound system into a wireless sound system!

The Connect connects to your existing receiver, allowing you to stream to your existing speakers.

The Connect:Amp acts as a receiver as well, so you can connects your existing speakers with no need for an amp.

Can Sonos replace my home theater system?

It sure can! Grab yourself the Sonos Sub, a Sonos Playbar, and a couple Sonos Play:1s and boom, 5.1 surround!

You can even get an entire Sonos home theater all at once, if that's what you want.

Where does Sonos getting its music from?

You can stream music from any phone, tablet, or computer over Wi-Fi using the Sonos Controller app,

This means that if you have Apple Music, Google Play Music, Spotify, SoundCloud, or any of the other supported music services (they're listed in the "Add Services" in the Sonos Controller app), you can stream from your iPhone, Android phone, iPad, Android tablet, Mac, or Windows PC.

Think about how awesome a party could be if everyone brought their smartphone (haha, "if") and downloaded the Sonos Controller app. You'd have a house full of DJs all collaborating on the same playlist!

So what is Sonos?

A system of wireless speakers that connect together so you can stream music and even set up a home theater system in any room or every room, and control it all with your phone or tablet.

And it's awesome!

Mick Symons

Mick is a staff writer who's as frugal as they come, so he always does extensive research (much to the exhaustion of his wife) before making a purchase. If it's not worth the price, Mick ain't buying.