sonos multiroom audio

Multiroom audio is a whole new category of home audio. So what does the term mean?  In short, multiroom audio is the ability to play music on a set of wireless speakers located in different areas of your home. Depending on your system, you can play the same music on every speaker in your set up, or different audio in each location.

What is multiroom audio?

Multiroom speaker systems are made by several large brands, and most of them feature a variety of sizes and strengths of speaker, from compact hide-a-way sizes to large and booming. The systems are expandable, and configurable so you can buy several speakers all at once, or build the system as your budget allows.

Multiroom audio is extraordinarily versatile.  Whether you choose it for home or office, it gives you the ability to personalize your music experience room by room and office by office, and control it all in one place with the Sonos app. The easy to set up system and its user interface makes crafting the whole set up simple and hassle free.  Gone are the days of fiddling with wires and connections, and fussy, buggy apps that don’t quite work. With Sonos, you can have an entire home system up and running in minutes, and have the whole network of speakers connected quickly.

How is multiroom audio controlled?

Often, these systems are set up and controlled via a smartphone app or tablet, and again, depending on the system will connect via either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Read more about how to choose a multiroom audio system in Best Buy’s Buying Guide.

Multiroom audio systems make a great gift because they’re so expandable; it’s easy to add a speaker here or there for occasions like Christmas, birthdays or Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.

While you can find several great systems by top manufacturers, Sonos is one of the biggest sellers today.

Get to know the Sonos system

Sonos PLAY:1

Sonos makes a range of speakers for various needs.

Sonos PLAY:1

The smallest of the speakers in the Sonos lineup, the PLAY:1 is compact but solidly built and fits in small spaces like a dream. It’s also humidity resistant, making it great for bathrooms, kitchens or the backyard. Two PLAY:1 speakers can also be paired together to create stereo sound or used as Sonos home theatre rear speakers.

While some systems use Bluetooth to connect speakers to eachother and your smartphone, Sonos uses Wi-Fi so the music never stops – even if you get a phone call.

Sonos PLAY:3

Taking a step up the size ladder, the Sonos PLAY:3 is the mid-size option. It features three  drivers with dedicated amplifiers for a fuller, richer sound.

Like all Sonos speakers, the PLAY:3 has the option of using the Trueplay tuning feature. This smartphone-based technology allows the Sonos app to ‘listen’ to the room the speaker is in and then fine tune the audio so it sound perfect, no matter the size, furniture configuration or other obstacles.

Sonos PLAY:5

Sonos PLAY:5

The granddaddy of the Sonos line is the PLAY:5 which is able to fill even the largest rooms with pure, brilliant sound and deep bass that packs a punch. You can use the speaker sitting up vertically or laying down horizontally, depending on space considerations. As with other speakers in the Sonos line, simplified buttons on the speaker give you instant control over your audio if you don’t want to fuss with a phone app.

Sonos SUB

For those times you need to feel the rumble of true bass, the Sonos SUB is an add-on that can really amp up your set up!

With zero cabinet buzz or rattle and the ability to place it sitting up or lying flat, it’s super versatile.

sonos subwoofer

Expand your Sonos system on your schedule & budget

The Sonos lineup is also expandable to your TV or home theatre system with the PLAYBAR sound bar or the innovative PLAYBASE platform which allows you to set a TV on top of the speaker.

Multiroom audio systems are great for families and for parties; you can control who gets to listen to what, where, giving the kids control over their music in the family room, while parents listen to their own tunes in the kitchen or living room.
Check out the full Sonos lineup in time for Father’s Day at Best Buy.

Erin Lawrence
Editor TV and Home Theatre
Erin is a journalist, writer, and TV producer with a fascination for technology and a love of gadgets. Check out her blog TechGadgetsCanada.com

1 COMMENT

  1. Really? How many children that purchase gifts for their father can afford Sonos? Let alone enough of the components for to be multi-room? I’d be mortified if my kids spent this much on me for father’s day. Is the article title aimed at rich people or something?

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