Sonos AirPlay 2-compatible Amp brings wireless audio to existing speakers
Sonos on Wednesday announced the Amp, a peripheral bringing the company's signature wireless audio to conventional wired speakers.
A successor to the company's existing Connect:Amp, the Amp is a "home audio hub" capable of powering up to four speakers at 125 watts per channel. It has multiple line-in ports, subwoofer support, threaded connections for left and right channels, and built-in HDMI ARC for use with televisions.
The gear otherwise operates much like other Sonos devices, supporting over 100 streaming services -- including Apple Music -- and multi-room audio. AirPlay 2 compatibility is expected at launch, allowing people to push audio from compatible apps on Apple devices, and integrate the Amp into HomeKit and Siri.
Owners can also connect it to an Alexa-compatible device such as an Amazon Echo or the Sonos One for more elaborate voice control.
While it does compete against Apple's HomePod, the Amp effectively breathes new life into existing home speaker systems, especially those that do not offer network-connected features like in-home streaming.
Professional installers in the U.S. and Canada will get access to the Amp starting Dec. 1, but the general public will have to wait until Feb. 2019 to buy an Amp for $599.
A successor to the company's existing Connect:Amp, the Amp is a "home audio hub" capable of powering up to four speakers at 125 watts per channel. It has multiple line-in ports, subwoofer support, threaded connections for left and right channels, and built-in HDMI ARC for use with televisions.
The gear otherwise operates much like other Sonos devices, supporting over 100 streaming services -- including Apple Music -- and multi-room audio. AirPlay 2 compatibility is expected at launch, allowing people to push audio from compatible apps on Apple devices, and integrate the Amp into HomeKit and Siri.
Owners can also connect it to an Alexa-compatible device such as an Amazon Echo or the Sonos One for more elaborate voice control.
While it does compete against Apple's HomePod, the Amp effectively breathes new life into existing home speaker systems, especially those that do not offer network-connected features like in-home streaming.
Professional installers in the U.S. and Canada will get access to the Amp starting Dec. 1, but the general public will have to wait until Feb. 2019 to buy an Amp for $599.
Comments
Amp is the best solution for anyone who cares about sound quality. Choose your speakers. I wonder if the Connect (non-amplified version that connects to existing home hifi systems) will be getting an upgrade too.
Many people have vastly superior sound systems than Apple Homepods who would like to be able to stream to them easily and to multi rooms if they desire.
Sonos has always been the best choice for this...
I've been using a Sonos Connect for... not sure, well over a decade. It's the non amplifier version, as I use it via optical to connect to my hi-fi system which has its own amplification - I imagine Sonos will also produce an updated Connect as well as the Connect Amp detailed above.
Kinda like Apple itself in 2001.
I've got three Connect:Amps hidden away powering ceiling speakers around the house. I'm certain that Apple will never release a product that could replace this setup so it's wonderful to see the next-best company still catering to my needs.