6 tricks every Sonos owner should know (2023)

Sonos speakers are the most popular wireless multi-room speaker because they offer great sound (and good design) at a reasonable price. Plus, they're really easy to use thanks to an intuitive companion app.

Sonos currently makes a wide range of speakers, from smart speakers to portable speakers, home theater speakers, amplifiers, and wireless transmitters. Regardless of which Sonos speaker you have, there are likely some tips and tricks that you probably don't know that could enhance your experience.

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Here's how to regroup your Sonos speakers without the app

If you have more than one Sonos speaker and you have grouped them, you will find that one of the Sonos speakers will become ungrouped from the others. The typical fix for this is to just go to the Sonos S2 app and group them together, but there's a quicker fix that doesn't require you to open the app.

(Video) Top 10 Sonos Tips & Tricks

Instead, you just have to go to the speaker that isn't playing,Press and hold the Play/Pause button on the speaker for three seconds, it will automatically regroup with the other speakers. All Sonos speakers have a play/pause button, so this little tech works with all Sonos speakers.

(The only downside is that all Sonos speakers must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.)

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Turn your Sonos speaker into an alarm clock

Even if you don't have a Sonos speaker with a built-in voice assistant like Alexa or Google Assistant, you can still turn it into an alarm clock to wake up to your favorite music. Or you can program your Sonos speakers to start playing at a specific time and stop playing at a specific time. All you have to do is wake up the Sonos app.

  1. Open the Sonos app.
  2. Select the Settings tab.
  3. select system.
  4. Scroll down and select Add alarm.

    From here you can create a custom alarm to play through one or more Sonos speakers at a specific time. You can then select a specific playlist to start playing on your Spotify or Apple Music (or whichever streaming service you use).

    LEARN MORE

    (Video) Top Sonos Tips & Tricks: Getting The Most Out Of Your System

    How to manually adjust the equalizer on Sonos speakers

    One of Sonos' best features is TruePlay (and automatic TruePlay on the Roam), software that calibrates each Sonos speaker to sound its best for the room it's in. Of course, this is Sonos' take on what sounds best, and you might like something different. Luckily, you can disable TruePlay and manually adjust your Sonos speaker's bass and treble. That's how it goes.

    1. Open the Sonos app.
    2. Select the Settings tab.
    3. select system.
    4. Select the Sonos speaker.
    5. Scroll down and select the EQ tab.
    6. Drag the sliders to make adjustments.

      You can disable TruePlay from the same menu. Open the Sonos app > Room Settings > select the speaker > and turn off Trueplay.

      LEARN MORE

      6 tricks every Sonos owner should know (3)
      (Video) 6 Things Sonos NEEDS to Do!

      sons

      How to remove audio delay when connected to a turntable

      If you have a turntable connected to your Sonos system via Play:5, Five, Port, or Amp, you've probably noticed that audio playback doesn't start immediately when the stylus touches the record, which is very frustrating. That's because Sonos intentionally delays, so it may do some digital signal processing (or DSP) to make the recording sound better. However, that audio delay negates much of the enjoyment of analog audio. The good news is that you can adjust this audio delay in the Sonos app.

      1. Make sure the line-in connection is properly set up with your Sonos product. (Look here.)
      2. Open the Sonos app > select Settings > and select System.
      3. Choose your wireless speaker or amplifier with line-in connection.
      4. Scroll down and select Audio Delay > select Low (75ms).

        There are four different audio delays to choose from in this menu: Max (2000ms), High (150ms), Medium (113ms) and Low (75ms). By default, the Sonos speaker or wireless amplifier line-in connection is set to Max, which is 2000 milliseconds, or two seconds; This allows the Sonos product to optimize its sound most of the time. The Low setting has an audio delay of 75 milliseconds. It's still a lag, but you might not really notice it.

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        How to use Sonos speakers as computer speakers

        not sleepcomputer speakersand as similar as the Play:1 and Sonos One speakers sound, they don't work like traditional computer speakers. That said, if you really, really badly want them to work like your computer's computers do, there's a way out. It's a little tricky and definitely expensive, but it's doable.

        First buy onePorto Sonos ($449). The transmitter is typically used to stream music to analog speakers or to sync those speakers to your existing multi-room system. In this case, connect your laptop or desktop computer directly to the port. This is how it's done.

        (Video) SONOS Arc +SUB - Tips And Tricks/Hidden Features You Must KNOW!

        1. Connect your laptop or desktop computer to the Sonos connector via its input. This will link your computer's audio to the Sonos app.
        2. Open the Sonos app, go toIdeas,Furnish roomand then select the Sonos speakers you want to use as your new computer speakers.
        3. Choose "Auto Game Room"So your Sonos speakers will play automatically when the line-in detects a signal.

          A cheaper but less effective way to use Sonos speakers as computer speakers is Sonos' latest speaker, theHiking ($169), connect it to your computer via Bluetooth, and then group it with your other Sonos speakers in the Sonos app. (Roam is the first Sonos speaker that you can group with your other Sonos speakers via Bluetooth.)

          LEARN MORE

          Here's how to factory reset your Sonos speakers

          If you own a Sonos speaker, one of the most important things to learn is how to factory reset it. Because at some point you'll need to connect the speaker to a new WiFi network (maybe you've moved or just changed routers). Or maybe the speaker just stopped working properly. Or maybe you want to sell it. No matter what, knowing how to factory reset is important, and it's a little different for every Sonos speaker.

          If you have One, One SL, Five, Beam, Arc, Sub, Port and Amp, the speaker factory reset process is the same.

          1. Disconnect the speaker.
          2. Press and hold the Connect button on the back of the speaker. Plug the speaker back into the wall.
          3. Continue to hold the connect button until the light on the speaker starts blinking white and amber.
          4. When the light starts flashing green, the speaker has been reset.

            If you have one of the older Sonos speakers i.e. H. Play:1, Play:3, Play:5 (Gen-1), Connect, Connect:Amp and Playbar, the following process will reset your speaker.

            1. Disconnect the speaker.
            2. Press and hold the Play/Pause button on top of the speaker. Plug the speaker back into the wall.
            3. Press and hold the Play/Pause button until the speaker light starts flashing white and amber.
            4. When the light starts flashing green, the speaker has been reset.

              If you have a Move or Roam, the process of factory resetting your speaker is slightly different. Read our guide by clicking the link below for more information.

              (Video) Top 10 Sonos Soundbar Tips (Ray, Beam & Arc)

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              FAQs

              How do I get the best out of my Sonos System? ›

              1. 7 tips for your Sonos speaker. ...
              2. Tip 1: control your speakers via Google Assistant. ...
              3. Tip 2: choose the correct streaming service. ...
              4. Tip 3: discover new music with Sonos Radio. ...
              5. Tip 4: control your music without a phone. ...
              6. Tip 5: wake up and go to sleep with your favorite music. ...
              7. Tip 6: switch off the light. ...
              8. Tip 7: expand your system.
              Sep 6, 2022

              What are Sonos voice commands? ›

              Common voice requests you can now make with Sonos Voice Control:
              • "Hey Sonos, play a little quieter."
              • "Hey Sonos, what's playing?"
              • "Hey Sonos, pause."
              • "Hey Sonos, play NPR."
              • "Hey Sonos, turn the TV on."

              How do I control someone else's Sonos? ›

              Sonos S2 app for iOS or Android
              1. Connect your device to the WiFi network that Sonos is on.
              2. Open the Sonos app.
              3. Tap Connect when you are prompted to control a nearby Sonos system. If you do not receive this prompt, go to the Settings tab and tap Join nearby system. ...
              4. Follow the prompts to connect to the Sonos system.

              Can guests control my Sonos? ›

              If you have an AirPlay-compatible Sonos device, a guest with an iOS device could AirPlay the audio to that speaker and then you could group the Playbar with it in the Sonos app. This Sonos device is compatible with AirPlay: Arc.

              Is it OK to leave Sonos speakers on all the time? ›

              Sonos products are designed to stay powered on and use minimal electricity when not playing music.

              Can I play my TV through Sonos? ›

              You can't connect them directly to your television, but have to connect them via your soundbar. You can do this wirelessly and via the Sonos App. For example, you can use the WiFi speakers as rear speakers with your television. You can create a home cinema setup this way.

              What is the Sonos wake word? ›

              “Hey Sonos” will be the wake word for Sonos Voice Control, and the company's internal tests show it to be quicker than competing assistant services at core music tasks.

              What can I ask Sonos to do? ›

              You can ask Sonos to play a specific track, artist, or album, as well as adjust the volume, pause music, or skip tracks. You can also group and ungroup rooms with a voice request, or move music from one room to another. You can find a full list of the requests you can make in our list of Sonos Voice Control requests.

              Can Sonos tell the weather? ›

              It can't tell you the weather or set a timer — the “smartest” thing Sonos Voice Control can do is tell you the time — but its singular focus results in extremely fast performance when playing songs, adjusting volume, or grouping rooms together.

              Can two phones control Sonos? ›

              Hi, and thank you for you question. Yes, you can have as many "Sonos controllers" as you'd like on your system with control at the same time, or different times.

              Can two people use the same Sonos account? ›

              You can add a family member to your Sonos on your Android or iOS device following these steps: Open Sonos. From the Settings. tab, tap Services & Voice.

              Does Sonos turn off when you leave? ›

              Sonos products are designed to stay powered on and use minimal electricity when not playing music. For information about Sonos power consumption, please see the following article: Sonos Power Consumption When Idle.

              Is there a limit to how many Sonos speakers you can have? ›

              As said, you can combine different Sonos speakers (up to 32) and create your own sound paradise. I have 15 speakers throughout my house and the party never ends! When Sonos speakers are connected, you get audio for the whole house, allowing your tunes to stay in sync as you travel from room to room.

              How many devices can you have on Sonos? ›

              The Sonos wireless sound system originally worked by connecting one single speaker to your home network, then adding more Sonos units (up to a maximum of 32) into the mix, using a dedicated secure wireless mesh network known as Sonosnet.

              Can Sonos play different music in each room? ›

              If you have a Sonos player in each room where you want music, you can play different music in different rooms. You can also group rooms together if you want them to play the same music in perfect sync. When rooms are grouped together, you can control the volume for each room individually or as a group.

              Which Sonos speakers will be obsolete? ›

              The four product lines losing software support in the spring are the original Zone Players (later sold under the names Connect and Connect: Amp); the very first Play:5 Sonos speaker; the CR200, a physical controller that preceded smartphone-app control; and the Sonos Bridge, which was used to wirelessly connect Sonos ...

              Does Sonos drain WiFi? ›

              The Effect of Sonos Speakers on Your Wi-Fi Speed

              You can rest assured that they do not take up a whole lot of bandwidth. Unless you have a WiFi network with super low bandwidth, to begin with, the Sonos speakers streaming audio is very likely not the cause of your WiFi speed issues.

              How long do Sonos speakers last? ›

              Ok, thanks - so Sonos products have a 5 year life-span.

              What is the difference between Sonos surround full and ambient? ›

              Ambient: Subtle, low volume audio with a limited frequency range. This is the default setting for surround speakers during music playback. Full: Full range audio at the same volume as the home theater speaker.

              Can I play Sonos through Bluetooth? ›

              Portable Sonos products can connect to your devices using Bluetooth. To pair with a Bluetooth device, you must first put your Sonos product in Bluetooth discovery mode.

              Does Sonos use HDMI? ›

              Sonos Arc, Arc SL, and Beam (Gen 2) support playback of Dolby Atmos audio via Dolby Digital Plus or Dolby TrueHD. They must be connected to HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC to play any Dolby Atmos content.

              What is Sonos brilliant sound? ›

              At Sonos, brilliant sound includes the technical smarts needed to easily listen to what you want, where you want, how you want. But it's our commitment to how our speakers sound that truly defines our work. Over the next few weeks, we'll share what “brilliant sound” means to us.

              Does Alexa talk to Sonos? ›

              Download the Alexa app and set up your Amazon Alexa device. Any Alexa-enabled device can control Sonos as long as the Sonos skill is enabled.

              Can I change Alexa's name? ›

              Select Devices . Select Echo & Alexa. Select your device. Select Edit Name.

              Is Sonos being sued? ›

              After Google lost an earlier patent case over speaker volume controls, Google is now suing Sonos over voice control technology.

              Which assistant is better on Sonos? ›

              So, why do we need a Sonos voice assistant when Sonos speakers already host your choice of either Alexa or Google Assistant? Well, there's the official reason, which is that the single-purpose “Hey Sonos” will be a better voice assistant for music than the ask-me-anything Amazon and Google assistants.

              What is so good about Sonos? ›

              Overall, Sonos makes speakers with well-balanced sound profiles suitable for home use. Some are even compatible with certain Sonos soundbars, letting you create a surround sound system. Many of their speakers have built-in voice assistants, like Alexa and Google Assistant.

              Can Sonos wake you up? ›

              To set a Sonos alarm using iOS or Android:

              From the Rooms tab, tap the Alarm icon. Tap New Alarm. Set the Time, Room, Music, Repeat, Volume, and Alarm Duration, and tap Save. Tap Done.

              Can you say hey Google to Sonos? ›

              Enjoy voice control for Sonos from your phone, a Google Home Mini, or any other smart device with the Google Assistant. Use simple requests to play, pause, adjust the volume, control your entire Sonos system, and more. ”Hey Google, who is this artist?”

              Can Sonos Move in sunlight? ›

              The Move is designed to be weather proof. We have tested the product to make sure that it stands the test of time whether it is the sun, the rain, or the snow!

              Can you have 2 Sonos systems in the same house? ›

              You can have multiple Sonos Systems on the same WiFi signal. Reset your Sonos App and choose to 'create a new Sonos system' and then add your Roam to that new System/Household using your own Sonos Account/login credentials.

              Do Sonos speakers talk to each other? ›

              If you have Sonos speakers in different rooms, you can choose to synchronise the same song in every room to create a “Party mode” or play different songs in different rooms. As the signal is communicated via WiFi and not each device, the Sonos speakers can talk to each other wirelessly.

              Does each family member need a Sonos account? ›

              You only need one account. All Sonos pieces in the house are linked to that account. And technically only one controller needs to be logged into it; when you connect to Sonos it doesn't ask you to log in. One only has to log in to add new Sonos units.

              Can I add another user to my Sonos account? ›

              The Sonos app can be added to as many devices as you like so your wife can add the app to her phone.

              Can you have 2 Apple music accounts on Sonos? ›

              If you subscribe to a family plan for Apple Music or Spotify, you're able to add multiple accounts to the Sonos app.

              Can you play on multiple Sonos at once? ›

              To group Sonos speakers together, all you have to do is power on all of your Sonos speakers you wish to group together, create a group, and select all of your speakers. Once you're done, you can play music, podcasts, and more all through your group of Sonos speakers!

              Do Sonos speakers use a lot of electricity? ›

              Sonos products are designed to use minimal electricity when powered on and not playing music.

              Does Sonos work off WiFi or Bluetooth? ›

              Does Sonos support Bluetooth? All Sonos speakers operate via WiFi but there are currently 3 options that support both WiFi & Bluetooth, namely the Move, Roam and Roam SL. These are classed as portable speakers, ones that you might use out and about.

              Should I leave my Sonos Move on the charger? ›

              Yes, it is best to leave the Move on the charging dock when you can. This will also keep the Move fully charged so it will always be ready to be taken on-the-go when you need it. And according to Sonos, leaving it on the charging dock will not reduce the battery's lifespan.

              Can you run 4 speakers off a Sonos Amp? ›

              How many speakers can Sonos Amp power? A. As Sonos Amp is now much more powerful, it can run 4 speakers or even 6 Sonos architectural speakers (in-ceiling, in-wall and outdoor) at 8 ohms.

              How many Sonos speakers do I need for my house? ›

              A speaker for every room

              The Five is a suitable speaker for the larger rooms. The One and Move speakers are suitable for medium-sized and smaller rooms. If you place the speakers in a small or humid room, choose the One. Do you want to use the multi-room function by Sonos in multiple rooms?

              How many zones can Sonos have? ›

              As more of our clients are upgrading to a Sonos system, clients want to know how many zones can be in a Sonos system. The answer is 32 zones or devices. To clarify, a Zone is defined as a space with either a Sonos Soundbar, Sonos wireless speaker such as a Sonos 5, or a Sonos amplifier.

              Is Bose better than Sonos? ›

              Verdict: Bose definitely has the most choice, but there's also something to be said of the more streamlined offering from Sonos. The top-end soundbars from both brands are the same price, and while Sonos is more focused on home cinema with multiple speaker sets, Bose has a more substantial Bluetooth speaker range.

              Can you have 4 Sonos speakers in one room? ›

              Yes, each One should be set up as its own room. If the placement of a pair of speakers are closer together, you could create a stereo pair which would combine the two speakers into one room. But if the speakers are all far apart, I would keep them as four separate mono speakers and group them in the Sonos app.

              How do I get Sonos to play all songs in the same room? ›

              From the Rooms pane on the left side of the app, click the group button next to the selected room. Select the rooms you want to add to the group, then click Done. You can also click Select All - Party Mode to group all of your rooms.

              Where should Sonos speakers be placed in a room? ›

              Audio guidelines

              If your all-in-one speaker is placed next to a wall or on a shelf, make sure there's enough space behind the speaker and that it's not placed right up against the wall. There should be at least 1” of space behind smaller speakers (One, One SL) and 2” of space behind larger speakers (Five, Play:5).

              Can I unplug my Sonos speaker and move it to another room? ›

              You can move around your Sonos speakers with relative ease. Just unplug the speaker and plug it back in in a new location. You can change the speaker's name in the Sonos app's settings menu under room settings.

              How do I optimize Sonos for surround sound? ›

              Head to settings > tap system > tap the room > find Surround Audio > use the TV level slider to increase or decrease the volume of your surrounds. Take care not to overpower the soundbar - we recommend level 2 or 3 if you want a little boost from your surrounds.

              How do I get the best sound quality from Sonos Arc? ›

              Optimize with Sonos Loudness control

              To try out Loudness, go the Sonos app on your device and select the Settings cog wheel. From there select the System tab and then select your speaker from the Products listed. Scroll down to Sound and then select EQ. Next scroll down to the bottom and select Loudness.

              Where is advanced settings on Sonos? ›

              Open the Sonos app on a mobile device. > Settings > Advanced Settings > Wireless Setup. Sonos detects your wireless network.

              Why is my Sonos not very loud? ›

              What should I do? Try this: Open the Sonos App > Select More > Select Settings > Select Room Settings > Select the room named for the Beam > Look for Volume Limit > It should read as "off" > If not Select it and move the slider to the right_100% Also, if you have an iOS device (or can borrow one) run TruePlay.

              What is the best setting for surround sound? ›

              A good 5.1-channel system will give you a full surround sound experience. Most DVD and Blu-ray™ media, some Super Audio CDs (SACDs), broadcast TV, and many streaming sources are in 5.1-channel format. Going to 7.1 channels improves the directionality of sound effects and helps you feel more of your entertainment.

              Which is better Bose or Sonos? ›

              Verdict: Bose definitely has the most choice, but there's also something to be said of the more streamlined offering from Sonos. The top-end soundbars from both brands are the same price, and while Sonos is more focused on home cinema with multiple speaker sets, Bose has a more substantial Bluetooth speaker range.

              What is the best setup for surround sound? ›

              Surround Speakers: Surround speakers work best on the left and right of your listening position, either directly in line with that spot or a little behind it. You can also place them behind that spot facing to the front if it isn't possible to place them at the side.

              How far should I sit from Sonos Arc? ›

              Distance to seating/listener is 10ft. It is expected that the room dimensions of width, length and height will vary by individual dwelling.

              Does Arc improve sound quality? ›

              HDMI ARC is capable of providing better sound quality. It also has CEC (consumer electronics control). If you recall from earlier in this article, it allows control of volume and power of both the TV and the external speaker system with one remote controller.

              Is Sonos Arc really Dolby Atmos? ›

              Sonos Arc, Arc SL, Beam (Gen 2), and Era 300 (as surrounds) all support playback of Dolby Atmos audio when used in a Home Theater setup. This article outlines the main factors that determine if your Atmos-supported product can play Dolby Atmos audio from your TV.

              What does loudness do on Sonos? ›

              Loudness compensates for this by boosting bass and treble at low volumes. It is a function of volume meaning that the boosting of bass and treble is reduced at higher volume. In short this means that if you feel like your music is lacking bass and treble at low volume, then use loudness.

              What is the most updated Sonos app? ›

              Sonos S2 is the latest app and operating system that powers the next generation of Sonos products and experiences.

              How do I run a diagnostic on Sonos? ›

              Sonos app for iOS or Android

              From the Settings tab, tap Support (Help & Tips if using the Sonos S1 Controller) > Submit Diagnostics.

              Is Sonos high quality sound? ›

              They Sound Fantastic: Sonos speakers are all high-quality and deliver consistent, appealing sound. It's easy to argue that Sonos hardware is too expensive, but it's difficult to fault the sound. Not every Sonos speaker is the same, but they have an elegant synergy and sound that no other speaker system seems to have.

              Why do Sonos speakers cut in and out? ›

              Audio stops or skips can occur if a Sonos product has a weak wireless connection to your router or the nearest wired Sonos product. If you are in a wireless setup, move any affected Sonos products closer to the router.

              Videos

              1. Sonos Voice Control: 10 things you need to know!
              (Smart Home Sounds)
              2. Sonos Arc: 5 Things You Should Know…
              (Archway Tech)
              3. 5 ways to improve sound quality on your Sonos speakers (INSTANTLY!)
              (Smart Home Sounds)
              4. How to fix Sonos - Sonos not working? These tips will fix almost every Sonos problem we've seen.
              (Aire Theater Designs)
              5. You Just Bought A Sonos Arc: User Guide
              (You Just Bought A)
              6. Sonos Amp Lowdown: Everything you need to know in 5 mins
              (Smart Home Sounds)
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