Sonos ceiling, wall & outdoor speakers explained
Sonos built into your home
With a Sonos Amp, speakers in your ceilings, walls and garden become part of your Sonos system. You get the same app, the same music services and the same multi-room control as any other Sonos speaker, but with nothing on show except a slim grille.
This guide explains the speakers, what the Amp does, how to plan rooms and zones, and what an installation involves. It's ideal if you're building, renovating or just want music without speakers on every shelf.
The three types of installed speaker
Most popular
In-ceiling speakers
Flush with the ceiling and spread sound evenly around the room. Ideal for kitchens, bedrooms and open-plan spaces.
Sonos makes 6-inch and 8-inch models, co-designed with Sonance.
Best for TV and focused listening
In-wall speakers
Fitted into the wall facing your seating, for clearer stereo and a stronger sound for TV and music.
Ideal either side of a TV or in a home cinema.
For gardens and patios
Outdoor speakers
Wall-mounted, weatherproof speakers that bring your Sonos music outside, and sound fuller than a portable speaker.
Ideal under the eaves by a patio or terrace.
Sonos Amp: the heart of an installed system
Ceiling, wall and outdoor speakers are passive, so they need an amplifier. Sonos Amp is that amplifier, with Sonos built in. It sits out of sight in a cupboard, under-stairs or in an AV rack, and connects to your Wi-Fi like any other Sonos speaker.
Power: 125 W per channel. Sonos says one Amp can power up to three pairs of its own Sonance-designed architectural speakers.
TV sound: Amp has an HDMI ARC connection, so ceiling or wall speakers can play TV sound as well as music.
Add a subwoofer: a powered sub connects to Amp's sub output for deeper bass.
Your existing speakers: Amp also powers most other passive speakers, from bookshelf and floor-standing speakers to other brands of ceiling speaker.
Ceiling or wall: which suits your room?
Ceiling speakers are the most discreet choice and spread sound evenly, so they suit kitchens, bedrooms, dining rooms and open-plan spaces where you want background music wherever you stand.
Wall speakers point straight at you, which gives clearer stereo and more impact. They suit TV rooms, home cinemas and anywhere you sit down to listen.
Small rooms and bathrooms: a single stereo ceiling speaker can replace a pair in a cloakroom or en suite, and for bathrooms we recommend moisture-resistant ceiling speakers, such as our Q Install range.
Not sure? Tell us how you use each room and we'll recommend the right mix.
Music in the garden
Sonos Outdoor speakers by Sonance are built to stay outside all year. Sonos says they're engineered to withstand humidity, water, salt spray, heat, UV and freezing temperatures.
They're usually mounted on the wall under the eaves, facing the patio, and powered by their own Sonos Amp indoors. That makes the garden its own room in the Sonos app, so you can play music outside while something else plays in the kitchen, or group them together.
If you'd rather carry music around, a portable Sonos speaker is the alternative.
Planning rooms, zones and cabling
One Amp per zone. A zone is any area that plays its own music, such as the kitchen, the garden or a bedroom. An open-plan kitchen and dining area can share one Amp; rooms that play different music at the same time each need their own.
Where the Amps live. Amps can sit together in a cupboard or AV rack, with speaker cable run to each room. Two Amps fit side by side in a standard 2U rack space.
New builds and renovations are the easiest time to install, because cables go in before the ceilings and walls are finished.
Existing homes can usually be done too. Our survey checks joists, insulation and cable routes so we can tell you what's practical.
TV rooms: ceiling or wall speakers can also be the rear surround speakers for a Sonos soundbar, powered by a second Amp.
What happens on an installation
1. Survey. For bigger systems we start with a visit to see your home, talk about how you use each room and check what's practical.
2. Recommendation and quote. We recommend the speakers, Amps and any Wi-Fi improvements, with a clear written quote.
3. Installation. We fit the speakers, run the cabling and set up the Amps, ideally at first fix for new builds and renovations.
4. Set-up and handover. We add everything to your Sonos system, tune the sound and show you how to use the app.
Planning Sonos for your home?
Talk to our team at Jennings Sound & Vision in Fleet. We’ll help you plan the rooms, speakers and Amps, and arrange a survey for bigger systems. Visit our showroom at 185 Fleet Road, or call or email us.
Installed Sonos questions
Can I use my existing speakers with Sonos?
Usually, yes. A Sonos Amp powers most passive speakers, including bookshelf, floor-standing, in-wall and in-ceiling speakers, and brings them into your Sonos system. Sonos recommends speakers of 4 ohms or more.
How many speakers can one Sonos Amp power?
Sonos says one Amp can power up to three pairs of Sonos Architectural by Sonance speakers. With other speakers, Sonos supports two pairs of 8-ohm speakers wired in parallel. Each Amp plays one zone, so rooms that play different music need their own Amp.
Do I need a Sonos Amp in every room?
You need one Amp for each zone that plays its own music. Open-plan areas, or rooms that always play the same music, can share an Amp. We'll work out the right number on the survey.
Can ceiling speakers play TV sound?
Yes. Sonos Amp connects to your TV by HDMI ARC, so ceiling or wall speakers can play TV sound. They can also be the rear surround speakers for a Sonos soundbar, using a second Amp.
Can I put ceiling speakers in a bathroom?
Yes, with moisture-resistant ceiling speakers, such as our Q Install range. We'll recommend the right speaker for each room on the survey.
Are Sonos outdoor speakers weatherproof?
Yes. Sonos says its Outdoor speakers by Sonance are engineered to withstand humidity, water, salt spray, heat, UV and freezing temperatures. They're designed to stay outside all year.
Can you fit speakers into my existing ceilings?
In most homes, yes. Our survey checks joists, insulation and cable routes first. New builds and renovations are the easiest, because cabling goes in before the ceilings are finished.
Do I need good Wi-Fi for an installed Sonos system?
Yes. Each Amp joins your home Wi-Fi like any other Sonos speaker, or can be wired to your network. If your Wi-Fi is patchy, we design and install home Wi-Fi networks too.