THE WIRELESS SPEAKERS: SONOS

A wireless multiroom speaker system is the most convenient method to listen to music, podcasts, and other audio entertainment in multiple rooms simultaneously, and we believe Sonos is the finest choice. It works with most streaming providers, the speakers sound fantastic, and the applications are almost flawless. Although the competition is catching up, Sonos remains the most comprehensive and reliable solution.

Sonos is our recommendation if sound quality, ease of setup, and straightforward operation are your top objectives in a multiroom wireless speaker system. Sonos has been making these systems for longer than anyone else, showing on every level. The smartphone and desktop interfaces are among the best on the market, with unified search across all of your services.

Because of Sonos’ tight control over its ecosystem, the speaker brands you can add to your setup are restricted (unless you buy Sonos devices expressly built for you to add your speakers). Still, the company’s products are affordable and sound great. The Sonos One is an excellent starting point. Although it is less expensive than most high-end Bluetooth speakers, its music performance is comparable to speakers costing several times as much. The higher-end Sonos Five offers a broad soundstage on its own, and a pair can compete with similarly priced midrange bookshelf speakers—without the need for a separate amplifier—for greater sound or larger rooms. 

There’s also the Sonos Sub, a wireless speaker that you can pair with any current Sonos speaker to amp up the volume. You can also connect Sonos to your TV via the company’s Arc or Beam smart soundbars, which can be used to create a surround sound system with a sub and two other Sonos speakers. You may even acquire an Atmos-capable wireless home entertainment system in one box if you want it all at once.

Sonos will release a new operating system and improved hardware in June 2020. The new S2 operating system offers support for higher-resolution audio and newer audio formats like Dolby Atmos (which is only available on the Arc soundbar) and a simpler and more intuitive design, making the entire ecosystem easier to use than ever before.