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Sonos is a leading American audio technology company that is best known for pioneering wireless multiroom audio systems, which make it easy for listeners to stream music and other content throughout their homes. The company continues to innovate, creating wireless speakers, home theater systems, headphones, architectural components, and integrated home audio solutions that revolutionize how people listen and connect to sound.

If you’re serious about home audio, chances are that you have at least a few components already set up to play music in your house — a receiver, a turntable, a couple speakers, maybe even an entire sound system. This can seem like a confusing starting point for integrating Sonos products. At least, you might have some questions about converting your existing system into a Sonos sound system capable of wirelessly streaming high-quality audio throughout your home.

People upgrade their traditional wired sound systems to Sonos 

. We’ve even built a few products with this specific idea in mind. Want to keep your existing speakers? 

 powers your passive speakers while connecting them to the rest of your Sonos sound system over WiFi or ethernet. Can’t let go of your existing stereo or receiver? 

 adds the Sonos streaming experience to gear you already own, with line-in and line-out flexibility and a 12V trigger that lets you control everything from the Sonos app.

Let’s get into some of the reasons people upgrade their existing sound system to Sonos — from a love of great sound to a desire for whole-home convenience. Then, we’ll show you how to choose the right Sonos product to take your current setup to the next level.

Why upgrade your existing sound system with Sonos?

Many traditional sound systems continue to sound excellent even by today's standards, but they simply weren't built for the way we listen today.

Streaming has become the primary way people consume music, but most traditional systems offer little to no native streaming capability — and connecting them to our wireless devices, like smartphones and laptops, often requires complicated additions or setups.

On top of that, managing a traditional system often means juggling clunky remotes and different wired inputs for your TV, audio receiver, and turntable. And extending a wired system to other rooms can be a costly and complicated challenge, given the lack of wireless connectivity between different listening spaces.

Sonos was among the first to pioneer a wireless approach to home audio. What Sonos adds is everything a traditional wired sound system lacks: whole-home audio streaming over a WiFi or ethernet connection, compatibility with virtually any music platform, and control of every room from a 

What does it mean to “convert” a sound system to Sonos?

Converting your sound system to Sonos does not mean starting from scratch. It means keeping the speakers and components you already love while bringing them under the Sonos platform, so everything is connected, controlled, and managed in one place.

The Sonos ecosystem is built to integrate outside components alongside native Sonos products. That means your current passive wired speakers, turntable, and other beloved components don’t have to go anywhere. Bringing Sonos into the mix is less about replacing your current sound system and more about upgrading its capabilities.

Ready to convert? It starts with identifying which of your existing components you want to bring into your Sonos system.

A Sonos Amp on a low bookshelf next to a window

A Sonos Port on a stack of books next to a speaker

Step 1: Identify your current sound system

Let’s take an inventory of your current sound system. This will help you choose which components you want to build around as you integrate your system with Sonos.

. These speakers are called “passive” because they lack a built-in amplifier and thus can’t 

 amplify the signal coming from an audio device. These speakers typically require a wired connection to an external amplifier or AV receiver to power the audio signal. (Not sure if your speakers are 

? If your speakers don’t plug into an electricity source, chances are they’re passive.)

. As noted above, the amplifier powers the audio signal coming from the speakers. Amplifiers are often built into receivers, which serve as the central hub of the audio system, with controls for toggling between different audio sources and adjusting the overall sound settings.

Other existing components you may have include:

 dedicated to producing bass/low-end sound.

The Sonos products that are right for you largely depend on what you already have — specifically, whether your existing setup is built around passive speakers, a stereo receiver, or both.

Keep in mind that it’s OK to keep only your speakers and upgrade your receiver, or vice versa. If you’re satisfied with your existing components, you don’t need to swap them out. But if you’re ready to take them to the next level, there’s a Sonos product that can help you get there.

 is the ideal way to bring your passive speakers into the Sonos system.

Amp not only powers your wired speakers, but also connects to the rest of the components in your audio system via a direct line-in input — including your turntable, CD player, and any other audio components you have in the mix. Amp can also connect wirelessly to Sonos speakers in different rooms throughout your home, making your passive speakers part of a true 

. And for a full home theater experience, Amp's HDMI-ARC input lets you connect directly to your TV.

Sonos Amp: Best for powered control of passive speakers

The back of a Sonos Amp on a shelf, showing the speaker connectors

 connects to traditional audio equipment — including amplifiers and stereo receivers — to add Sonos streaming capability to your existing system. This network audio streamer essentially brings the Sonos experience to a system consisting of all or mostly non-Sonos components. But it also leaves the door open to expand your sound system at any time, by adding Sonos speakers around your home.

Like Amp, Port acts as a central hub to your system, connecting everything over your home network for a seamless listening experience. It features both line-in and line-out flexibility, so you can connect not only your existing amplifier or receiver, but also your turntable, CD player, or other analog audio source.

Port's 12V trigger output is especially helpful for converting your existing system. It connects directly to any amplifier with a matching 12V trigger input, bringing it out of standby mode the moment music starts playing in the Sonos app. This reduces the lag between pressing ‘Play’ and your speakers actually playing audio, keeping your existing amplifier fully integrated into your Sonos system without any extra steps.

Sonos Port: Best for existing amplifiers or receivers

A Sonos Port on a record console next to a turntable

Connecting a new component to your Sonos system is as easy as following the guided setup steps in the app.

 connect directly to Amp using standard speaker wire (we recommend 12 to 16 AWG). Every Amp comes with two 

, which attach to the end of your speaker wire and are optimized to deliver the best possible sound.

. You’ll need the right cable for this — If the source you want to play from has an 1/8" (3.5 mm) output, you’ll need an 1/8" (3.5 mm) to RCA audio cable (not included). If the source has RCA outputs, you’ll need to use an RCA cable (not included).

 connect to Amp’s ‘SUB’ output using a standard RCA cable.

 connect to Port via a digital coaxial cable (not included). Simply connect the Port’s coaxial digital audio output to the audio inputs on your amplified audio component.

 connect to Port via the included RCA audio cable.

Whether you’re using Amp or Port, you’ll also need to connect your Sonos product to the internet. You can connect either component via WiFi, but we recommend using an 

 (not included) to connect to your home router for a more stable and reliable internet connection.

Once everything’s connected and plugged in, simply open the Sonos app and follow a few simple steps to complete the setup.

The Sonos app also allows you to assign each component to a room and group rooms together for multi-room audio playback.

It bears repeating that this is one of the major benefits of converting your traditional sound system to Sonos. Once you’ve placed your 

 in your desired locations throughout your home and connected them to the Sonos app, you can link them together over your home network.

Building a multi-room audio setup via Sonos app is much easier, and it enables some fun customizations. For example, you can create custom groups in your home that are frequently synced together. You might create a custom group called ‘Outside’ to play all of your outdoor speakers at once, or a ‘Hosting’ group to enable simultaneous playback in your living room and kitchen.

Frequently asked questions about converting to Sonos

Yes, you can use Sonos with passive, non-Sonos speakers. Use Sonos Amp to power your passive speakers and connect them to your Sonos system.

You do not need to replace your receiver in order to convert your sound system to Sonos. Sonos Port brings the Sonos experience to your existing stereo or receiver, allowing you to stream audio and connect your receiver to Sonos speakers around your home.

Sonos isn’t just good for whole-home audio — it sets the standard for multi-room connectivity. As the pioneers of whole-home sound, Sonos offers a variety of multi-room speaker sets to suit your audio needs.

In general, you shouldn’t experience a significant audio delay when using Sonos Amp or Sonos Port. That said, you may experience an audio delay when using the line-in feature, as your Sonos component introduces a slight delay between your line-in source and Sonos to reduce the chance of audio issues.

To minimize this delay, you can adjust your ‘Audio Delay’ settings down to the lowest setting (75 ms) in the Sonos app. For more information, visit our support page on 

Yes, you can always add additional Sonos components later, as you expand your system. And when it comes to home theater, Sonos Amp is a great option. You can use Amp in three ways: to power your front left and right speakers on its own; to run two Amps together — one for front left and right, and one for rear left and right; or to power rear surround speakers alongside a premium soundbar like 

. For a single-Amp front speaker setup, you'll need a TV with an HDMI-ARC port, or an optical audio adapter if your TV doesn't support HDMI-ARC.

Convert to a Sonos-compatible system, one speaker at a time

Converting to Sonos isn’t an all-or-nothing task.

We wouldn’t want it that way. We know that lots of people love the speakers they already have but still want to benefit from the simplicity and scalability of a Sonos system, and we’ve designed a range of products to make that possible.

A Sonos sound system is a living thing. Which is to say, you can always add new (or old) components and continue building out your system to reach new rooms in your home. The possibilities are endless, and if you have a particularly complex case in mind, you can reach out to a 

Ready to convert? Get in touch with someone from our team by 

A Sonos Amp on a bookshelf between a pair of wired speakers

How to Convert Your Sound System to Sonos

With Sonos, you can create a home sound system that fits the space you live in. Each Sonos speaker and component is designed to sound amazing on its own, but they’re even more powerful when combined in a system that spans your entire listening space — be it your living room, bedroom, office, or all of the above.

Don’t know where to start? Focus on one room first. Once you’ve nailed the audio or home theater setup there, you can gradually add more components until you have a truly multiroom sound system.

That may sound complicated, but with Sonos, there’s no need for extra clutter and complex controls. Access and tune your entire system to your preferences via the 

, and use Sonos Voice Control for hands-free listening.

Ready to start building your Sonos sound system? First, make sure you have the 

 for setting up and using a Sonos system. From there, the next step is figuring out where you’ll be watching and listening.

Think about where you want sound in your home

One of the most powerful advantages of a Sonos sound system is its versatility.

There’s a Sonos speaker to fit virtually every listening style and type of physical space, from an expansive living room to a kitchen with narrow dimensions. And a Sonos sound system seamlessly connects these speakers from room to room, allowing for an immersive listening experience that moves with you throughout your home. But you might not need to fill 

 room just yet, and you’ll get the most immediate enjoyment by focusing on the spaces where you listen the most.

Living rooms, family rooms, and other large entertainment spaces are usually a primary focal point when building out a Sonos sound system. These rooms tend to require a multipurpose system capable of producing top-quality audio for TV, movies, music, and video games.

Smaller rooms — like the kitchen, bedroom, and office — might not require multiple speakers, and there may be less space to work with in any case. A compact Sonos speaker that connects to your larger surround sound system can do wonders in such spaces.

The good news is that there’s a Sonos speaker to fit nearly every need and space. Some speakers offer a bit more versatility, while others are tailored to specific use cases, such as outdoor listening or immersive 

If you plan to use your Sonos system to watch TV and movies, start with a 

. These sleek, low-profile speakers deliver a cinematic surround sound experience, with deep bass and crisp dialogue in a single package. Soundbars like 

 to immerse you in a digital soundstage, creating a surround sound experience that sounds great even with no additional components.

Heighten the sense of immersion even further with a pair of rear speakers, like 

 to create a surround sound experience. And to complete your home theater system, you can add a subwoofer like 

, specifically designed to handle deep bass sounds like explosions, rolling thunder, or the low end of music.

Entertainment spaces: Soundbars and surround speakers

Couple on the couch watching a soccer match with a black Sonos Arc Ultra home theater setup

If you want to keep the focus on music, start with a premium wireless speaker. Engineered to put you inside the music and make every instrument sound better than ever, these speakers create a vivid stereo soundstage no matter where you listen.

 is best for listeners who want to experience the spatial audio capabilities of Dolby Atmos in their music. Not just for home theater, Dolby Atmos is available to subscribers of Apple Music or Amazon Music. This immersive surround sound technology creates a richer, more layered listening experience, where sounds seem to move through the space around you.

 stereo sound with deeper bass, consider 

. When used as a standalone speaker, Five automatically separates the left and right channels for full stereo sound that permeates even a large room. Or, pair two Five speakers and position them vertically for an even more expansive soundstage.

Worth mentioning is that both speakers feature a 

 audio input, which allows you to play music from a turntable, laptop, CD player, or other audio source.

Offices and larger rooms without TVs: Premium wireless speakers

Person listening to music on a black Sonos Five and a black Sonos Sub 4

Not every room requires a multispeaker setup. If space is tight, a sleek, compact speaker like 

 fits best. Era 100 delivers detailed stereo separation and deep bass at any volume — and in a design that fits nicely on any kitchen counter or bookshelf. (If you don’t need the voice control capabilities of Era 100 but still favor its size and sound, consider 

, which is nearly identical to Era 100, but doesn’t contain a microphone.)

, you may find that some rooms sound perfect with a single speaker. Can’t wait to expand the sonic blueprint of your setup even further? Tackle two rooms at once with a 

Kitchens and transitional spaces: Small, versatile speakers

A black Sonos Era 100 on a white kitchen countertop

When you hear “waterproof speaker,” you might think about hanging poolside or hiking through a downpour. But Sonos 

 of damp or misty environments — including your bath and shower.

If you’re looking to add a bathroom speaker to your Sonos setup, we recommend the powerful, versatile 

. Its compact size doesn’t take up too much bathroom-counter real estate, and it’s rated IP67, which means it can withstand everything from the occasional splash to temporary immersion in water (1 m of water for up to 30 minutes).

A black Sonos Play next to a bathroom sink looking out onto a lake and trees

You may be surprised to learn that Sonos Play and our other portable Bluetooth speakers aren’t just for listening to music on the go. Using WiFi, you can integrate any Sonos portable into your home Sonos system.

This gives you impressive flexibility, with a single speaker that can move in and out of your multiroom setup depending on whether you’re on vacation or relaxing at home. If you want a speaker with enough power to fill your backyard, patio, or lawn with heart-pumping stereo sound, 

 is a great option that you can swap indoors and outdoors whenever the feeling suits. Prefer an ultraportable speaker you can slip into your pocket as you wander from backyard to kitchen? 

For a more permanent setup that blends into your backyard and garden spaces, consider 

 to create an audio system that extends from your house to your yard.

Backyard and outdoor spaces: Portable and outdoor speakers

A white Sonos Move 2, a white Sonos Play, and a white Sonos Roam 2

Your bedroom setup will likely depend on whether you have a TV. If so, a smaller soundbar like 

 offers an ideal compromise between size and performance that fits the more modest dimensions of a bedroom.

If you only listen to music in the bedroom, a single 

Bedrooms: Smaller soundbars and wireless speakers

Person gaming in their bedroom using a white Sonos Ray soundbar for audio

Getting started with Sonos is simple. Download the Sonos app, plug in your speaker, and follow the on-screen prompts. The app will take you step-by-step through the setup process, which includes:

Set up the sign-in information you’ll use when you need to make account updates and changes.

: This is a requirement, as it allows your entire system to play over your home WiFi network. Connecting to WiFi gives you the best possible sound quality and also opens up flexible ways to use your system, like streaming different songs in different rooms.

: You can assign different speakers to different rooms, giving them easy-to-remember names like “Living Room,” “Bedroom,” or “Hall of Mirrors.” You can also adjust the bass, treble, balance, and loudness of individual speakers to your liking using the 

Once you're set up, you can add your favorite streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon Music, plus access 

 for free right out of the box. As your system grows, just plug in a new speaker and use the Sonos app to 

For more on how to set up your system, check out our 

The customization doesn’t stop once you’ve chosen your speakers and components. There are other ways to make your speakers a perfect fit for your unique listening space and habits:

: Trueplay measures the acoustics of your room, then fine tunes your Sonos speaker to make sure it sounds great no matter where you've placed it. Note that you’ll need a 

: You can group two or more Sonos speakers together so they play the same content in sync. You can also group and ungroup rooms to fully customize where your sound plays throughout your home — for example, you might add separate groups for your upstairs and downstairs speakers.

: If you have a soundbar, add two Era 100 or Era 300 speakers as rear channels for a more immersive surround sound experience.

: Products bearing the “Works with Sonos” badge are certified to seamlessly connect with your Sonos sound system, creating an even more harmonious experience across your home devices.

Special considerations and recommendations

Outdoor spaces can be complicated additions to your home sound system. You’re dealing not only with the elements, but also with the unique acoustic properties of open air. If you want to add surface-mounted outdoor speakers to your home system, you’ll likely want to get them 

Portable Bluetooth speakers, such as the high-powered 

, are another option for outdoor spaces. These speakers can pull double duty as indoor-outdoor speakers, depending on what the situation calls for.

A group of kids playing in sprinklers outside with a black Sonos Move 2 playing music

, make sure you choose a compatible speaker or component. The list currently includes:

All of these feature line-in, which will allow you to easily connect your turntable.

. Don’t overlook the phono preamp — it may be built into your turntable, or you may need to purchase one separately to plug in between your turntable and your Sonos speaker.

Person listening to their vinyl records through a pair of white Sonos Era 100 SL speakers

Once you set up Sonos Ace in the Sonos app, just press and hold the button on the right ear cup to instantly transfer what's playing on your TV to your headphones. You'll get the full spatial audio experience, complete with surround sound and Dolby Atmos support. You can even enable 

 so the audio shifts with you as you turn your head.

Personal listening with Sonos Ace headphones

Couple on the couch watching a soccer match with a white Sonos Arc Ultra and white Sonos Ace headphones

With speakers and components to suit a wide variety of listening spaces and styles, you can build a Sonos sound system that perfectly suits your life. And there’s no need to build out your system all at once. Many Sonos listeners have added new rooms and speakers to their systems over time, moving gradually from a single- to a multiroom audio setup.

Ready to start building? Get in touch with a Sonos expert by 

Sonos speaker lineup in black on a grey background

How to Build a Sonos Sound System

When we launched the first portable Sonos speaker in 2019, the goal was to make a premium sound experience available anywhere your adventures might take you. In the years since, we’ve refined our 

 delivers wide, spacious stereo sound with long-lasting battery life, while 

 is an ultra-portable companion that brings the Sonos experience wherever the day leads.

Now, we’re introducing a third portable speaker that’s our most versatile yet — a perfect balance of compact size and powerful, bass-heavy stereo sound.

Sound familiar? If you’ve been listening with Sonos since our origins, you may remember our bestselling Play: product line. The all-new 

 nods to this heritage, though it more fully realizes the promise suggested by the name — this is a speaker designed for play in every sense of the word. It’s small enough to go wherever adventure calls, and powerful enough to fill a room with impressive bass and clarity. It’s rugged enough to take on the trail, and refined enough to hook on your living room wall.

In other words, it’s a portable speaker that plays just like you do.

Before thinking too hard about issues like weight and size, there’s one important question to ask of any portable speaker: 

Sonos Play doesn’t just sound good. It pushes the limits of what a portable speaker this size can deliver, thanks to an acoustic architecture similar to that of its larger sibling, Move 2. This innovative design is capable of generating deep, room-filling bass — on par with what you might expect from a home stereo system.

Creating a sense of sonic spaciousness is always the biggest challenge with a speaker of this size, but we’ve built Sonos Play to ensure wide, clear 

 regardless of whether you use it outside or indoors. Adding to that versatility is the built-in 

 tuning technology, which automatically analyzes the unique acoustics of a space and 

optimizes the speaker’s equalization (EQ)

Despite its compact size, Sonos Play delivers all of this sonic oomph with a long-lasting battery that allows for up to 24 hours of continuous playback (comparable to the larger Move 2). That means it can soundtrack a weekend trip even if you don’t have any room left in your backpack for the included 

Sonos Play also features a USB-C port on the back that pulls triple duty. Use it to charge the speaker, reverse-charge your phone or tablet when you're on the go, or connect it as a line-in for your turntable at home. (Cable not included.)

Woman placing a white Sonos Play into a tote bag

Space-filling sound, at home and on the go

When we say Sonos Play is our most versatile portable Bluetooth speaker yet, we’re not kidding. Even calling it a “portable” speaker risks underrepresenting all the ways you can use it.

For example, Sonos Play can seamlessly integrate with your at-home Sonos system (it can even add an extra room to a 

). Simply use the Sonos app to connect it to the rest of your system over WiFi.

Of course, this is a portable speaker first and foremost, equipped with 

How to Convert Your Sound System to Sonos

How to Build a Sonos Sound System

Introducing Sonos Play

Introducing Sonos Era 100 SL

How to Gift Someone Sonos

When to Roam, Play, or Move: Guide to Sonos Portable Speakers

WiFi vs. Bluetooth Speakers: Key Differences Explained

How do Wireless and Bluetooth Speakers Work?

The Beginner’s Guide to Outdoor Speakers

What Is the Bluetooth Range for Speakers and Headphones?

How Sonos Pro Amplifies Outerknown's Coastal Vibe

The Beginner’s Guide to Surround Sound for Sports

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.css-4c3m2r{color:#ffffff;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Introducing Sonos Play

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