What is Sonos? A beginner’s guide
Sonos explained in five minutes
Sonos makes wireless speakers and soundbars that connect to your home Wi-Fi and are controlled from one app on your phone. You can have one speaker in one room, or speakers all around the house, and play different music in each room or the same song everywhere.
If we've quoted you for a Sonos system, this page covers the basics. Each section links to our more detailed guides when you're ready. We've been an authorised Sonos dealer since 2008, and the range is on demo in our Fleet showroom.
Three ways people start with Sonos
Better TV sound
A soundbar for your TV
One soundbar in front of or under your TV gives clearer dialogue and fuller sound than the TV speakers, and it plays music too.
Best for anyone who struggles to hear dialogue or wants a cinema feel at home.
Music in one room
A speaker for music
A single Sonos speaker fills a kitchen, living room or bedroom with music from Spotify, Apple Music, radio and more.
Best for a room that needs good sound without wires and clutter.
Take it with you
A portable speaker
Portable Sonos speakers join your system at home on Wi-Fi, then go into the garden or away with you on battery and Bluetooth.
Best for gardens, patios and days out.
One room, or every room
Every Sonos speaker in your home joins the same system. In the Sonos app you can play the same song in every room for a party, or let each person play something different in their own room.
Rooms can be added one at a time, even years apart, and they all work together. Lots of our customers start with a soundbar, then add a speaker in the kitchen, then the bedroom.
Start small and add more later
A soundbar on its own is a big step up from TV speakers, and you can build on it whenever you like:
Add a Sub for deeper bass you can feel in films and music.
Add a pair of rear speakers for true surround sound.
Add speakers in other rooms for music around the house.
Add ceiling or wall speakers powered by a Sonos Amp, for an installed look with nothing on show.
How you play music
Most people use the free Sonos app, which brings your music services, radio and podcasts together and controls every room.
Streaming services: Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, Deezer and many more. You can also play straight from the Spotify app.
AirPlay 2: play from an iPhone, iPad or Mac.
Voice control: Amazon Alexa or Sonos Voice Control on speakers with built-in microphones.
TV: a Sonos soundbar connects to your TV with one cable, and your TV remote can usually control the volume.
Bluetooth: Sonos portable speakers and Era speakers also play over Bluetooth.
What you need at home
Wi-Fi. Sonos runs on your home Wi-Fi, and most broadband routers work fine. In larger homes, or where the signal is patchy, a mesh Wi-Fi system makes Sonos more reliable. We design and install home Wi-Fi networks.
A power socket near each speaker. Portable speakers charge on their base or dock.
A phone or tablet with the free Sonos app for setup. There's no subscription to pay for Sonos itself.
For a soundbar: a TV with an HDMI ARC or eARC socket, which most recent TVs have. Sonos Ray connects with an optical cable instead, and older TVs can often connect with an optical adapter. Tell us your TV model and we'll check.
Built-in sound: ceiling, wall and garden speakers
If you'd rather not see speakers at all, Sonos can be built into your home. A Sonos Amp sits out of sight in a cupboard or AV rack and powers wired speakers, so they become part of your Sonos system, with the same app, music services and multi-room grouping.
In-ceiling and in-wall speakers for kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms and home cinemas, with just a slim grille on show.
Outdoor speakers built to handle the weather, so your music follows you onto the patio or into the garden.
TV sound too: Amp connects to your TV by HDMI, so ceiling or wall speakers can play TV sound as well as music.
Because the speakers are wired into walls and ceilings, this is usually part of an installation. For bigger systems we start with a visit to check your home and recommend the right speakers, then fit and set everything up.
Our installation serviceInstalled Sonos guideSonos AmpSonos in-ceiling speakersSonos outdoor speakers
Hear Sonos for yourself in Fleet
Our showroom at 185 Fleet Road has Sonos soundbars and speakers set up and playing, so you can hear the difference before you buy. No appointment needed: just walk in, or call or email to book a time.
Sonos questions we get asked
Do I need a subscription to use Sonos?
No. There's no subscription to use Sonos speakers or the Sonos app. You only pay for any music services you choose, such as Spotify or Apple Music, and lots of radio stations and podcasts are free.
Will a Sonos soundbar work with my TV?
Almost certainly. Sonos soundbars connect with one HDMI cable to a TV with an HDMI ARC or eARC socket, which most TVs from the last ten years have. Sonos Ray uses an optical connection, and older TVs can often connect with an optical adapter. Tell us your TV model and we'll check.
Can I add more Sonos speakers later?
Yes, and that's one of the best things about Sonos. Start with one speaker or a soundbar, then add a Sub, rear speakers or speakers in other rooms whenever you like. They all join the same system in the Sonos app.
Do different Sonos speakers work together?
Yes. Current Sonos soundbars, speakers and portables all work together in one system, even if you bought them years apart. A few very early Sonos products only work with the older S1 app. If you have one, ask us about the Sonos Trade Up offer.
Can I play music in every room at the same time?
Yes. Group as many rooms as you like in the Sonos app and they play in perfect sync, or play something different in each room.
What happens if my broadband goes down?
TV sound through a Sonos soundbar keeps working, because the soundbar is connected to your TV by cable. Streaming music and internet radio need a connection, so they stop until your broadband is back.
Can Sonos be built into my ceilings or walls?
Yes. A Sonos Amp powers in-ceiling, in-wall and outdoor speakers, so you get Sonos around the house and garden with nothing on show. We design and install these systems, starting with a visit to check what your home needs.
Where can I hear Sonos before I buy?
In our showroom at 185 Fleet Road, Fleet GU51 3BL. Sonos soundbars and speakers are on demo, with no appointment needed, or call 01252 811800 to book a time.