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MikeConnelly
Enthusiast II
Jan 9, 2018 9:34 PM UTC

Advanced Sonos Wireless Network Configuration Using Sonos BOOST

I wrote a how-to on my blog that describes in detail the performance differences between:

* using your existing WiFi network (“Standard” mode),
* using SonosNet 2.0 (“Boost” mode) with an Ethernet-connected Sonos speaker,
* using SonosNet 2.0 (“Boost” mode) with an dedicated BOOST device, and
* adding a second and then a third dedicated BOOST device

Initially, I had only two Sonos One smart speakers, each in different rooms. I used Standard mode, connecting them to my Wireless AC WiFi home network. As I added more Sonos speakers, I encountered occasional audio drop outs, particularly noticeable with paired speakers and particularly with lossless audio. Now, I have purchased three Sonos BOOST hardware devices to feed over a dozen Sonos One smart speakers.

In the article, I walk through using the Sonos Network Matrix to optimize your network (and therefore audio) performance. Beyond the red/yellow/green color codes, I describe how to understand signal strength, noise floor, and OFDM ANI level. I also provide tips for coverage, avoiding wireless interference, network management, and enabling STP on your router.

The full article is here:
http://freetime.mikeconnelly.com/archives/6050

If you have any feedback, please let me know!

Mike



P.S. Also be sure to read my articles on:

Sonos One Smart Speaker (Part 1): The State of Smart Speakers
http://freetime.mikeconnelly.com/archives/5648

Sonos One Smart Speaker (Part 2): Review of Its Voice Services Including Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant
http://freetime.mikeconnelly.com/archives/6004
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    39 replies

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    Brett_11
    Contributor I
    May 12, 2018 1:40 AM UTC
    Hi Mike. Thanks for your article -- terrific. One question: I recently added a second wired Boost to my setup. Seems to have really improved my setup -- all my speakers now have "green" connections to one or the other Boost. But one odd thing: The second boost is named "unnamed room" in the network matrix. I can't figure out how to re-name it. If I go into the Sonos controller under Boost Settings, only my original Boost is seen in the drop down menu. So while the new Boost is working, I see no way to manage it separately or give it a new name. Is that the same for you or others?
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    ratty
    ratty
    May 12, 2018 6:36 AM UTC
    Does the second BOOST appear in About My Sonos System? Have you tried simply rebooting?
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    MikeConnellyAuthor
    Enthusiast II
    May 12, 2018 1:56 PM UTC
    Like @ratty says, I would reboot the second Boost (and perhaps all Sonos devices). You should be able to manage the second Boost no differently from the first, including renaming it.
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    Stanley_4
    Stanley_4
    Grand Maestro
    May 13, 2018 1:22 AM UTC
    Too lazy to read back and check but have you set up reserved/static IP addresses for your Sonos gear? Doing that stopped some very strange issues here that were giving me fits.
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    Brett_11
    Contributor I
    May 14, 2018 2:42 AM UTC
    Thanks for the help all. The next day, when I went into the Sonos controller app, it said "Continue setting up your Boost?" It then asked me one more question -- what is the name? After naming, it now appear properly. I suspect that rebooting would have triggered this faster, but all seems fine now.
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    tcafranz
    Contributor I
    May 22, 2018 9:46 PM UTC

    * using SonosNet 2.0 (“Boost” mode) with an Ethernet-connected Sonos speaker,
    * using SonosNet 2.0 (“Boost” mode) with an dedicated BOOST device

    Can’t read your whole article as I’m driving in SoCal traffic but does a dedicated BOOST device help at all with drops when playing lossless (FLAC or ALAC) on multiple groups?
    Simple yes or no will suffice so I know if I need to stop on my way home & buy one then read your blog.
    Thanks.
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    MikeConnellyAuthor
    Enthusiast II
    May 22, 2018 9:57 PM UTC
    @tcafranz

    If your Sonos audio dropouts are due to poor RF coverage, then a BOOST potentially helps v an Ethernet connected speaker.

    However, I am still working with Sonos to triage why there are audio dropout issues in my personal system for >3 rooms (6 paired speakers) even when using 3 Ethernet-connected BOOST devices and a single audio stream. My system appears to showcase a bottleneck in how SonosNet handles communications for a large (17+ device) Sonos system with only 3 wired links.
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    tcafranz
    Contributor I
    May 22, 2018 10:41 PM UTC
    @tcafranz

    If your Sonos audio dropouts are due to poor RF coverage, then a BOOST potentially helps v an Ethernet connected speaker.

    However, I am still working with Sonos to triage why there are audio dropout issues in my personal system for >3 rooms (6 paired speakers) even when using 3 Ethernet-connected BOOST devices and a single audio stream. My system appears to showcase a bottleneck in how SonosNet handles communications for a large (17+ device) Sonos system with only 3 wired links.

    Main setup is in my living room:
    Orbi Router-Ethernet-PLAYBAR
    PLAYBAR-Ethernet-SUB
    2 PLAY:1’s no Ethernet
    To create a 5.1

    Garage has a CONNECT hooked up to a Sony 7.2 receiver

    Two bedrooms each with a single SONOS:One

    A ton of smart lights n whatnot throughout house too though. What do you think?
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    MikeConnellyAuthor
    Enthusiast II
    May 22, 2018 11:00 PM UTC
    It's not clear from your setup which devices, if any, are experiencing audio dropouts. I would expect your living room to play just fine because the Playbar is wired. Re the garage and bedrooms, if you are experiencing dropouts there, I would check your Sonos network matrix, as described here: https://freetime.mikeconnelly.com/archives/6050
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