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Contributor I
October 8, 2018
Answered

Sonos ONE + Alex speaker group

  • October 8, 2018
  • 15 replies
  • 1167 views
does anyone know how to group a couple of ONEs with other dot / speak combo? So frustrating having multiple groups when I just want one group of all speakers
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Best answer by Master T
If you've ever used Alexa's 'announcement' feature with a combination of Sonos & Amazon products, the problem with audio synchronization between the devices is glaringly obvious.

On the other hand, I use an app called Tunity that can scan a television screen, determine which audio stream is needed, and play that stream through my phone or bluetooth headset. (It can be useful at the gym, bars, etc). The audio is rarely in sync initially, but a quick adjustment in the app allows you to make the necessary + or - correction. My point is that while the sync issue is real, it's not an insurmountable obstacle. The bigger issue, at least in my view, is that it seems unlikely that this is anywhere near the top Sonos' priority list right now.

15 replies

Chris
Lead Maestro
October 8, 2018
You can’t group Sonos and Alexa device such as dot. Sonos can only group in sync with other Sonos speakers.
Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)
melvimbe
October 8, 2018
Sonos speakers and Amazon echos cannot play audio together, if that's what you're asking for.
Danny
bplisterAuthor
Contributor I
October 8, 2018
ok thats frustrating - but thanks for confirming! Would love to see a fix for this
Chris
Lead Maestro
October 8, 2018
I don’t foresee it as ever happening. Two different architectures for sync between speakers.
Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)
Master T
Master TAnswer
Prodigy I
October 8, 2018
If you've ever used Alexa's 'announcement' feature with a combination of Sonos & Amazon products, the problem with audio synchronization between the devices is glaringly obvious.

On the other hand, I use an app called Tunity that can scan a television screen, determine which audio stream is needed, and play that stream through my phone or bluetooth headset. (It can be useful at the gym, bars, etc). The audio is rarely in sync initially, but a quick adjustment in the app allows you to make the necessary + or - correction. My point is that while the sync issue is real, it's not an insurmountable obstacle. The bigger issue, at least in my view, is that it seems unlikely that this is anywhere near the top Sonos' priority list right now.
bplisterAuthor
Contributor I
October 8, 2018
I don’t foresee it as ever happening. Two different architectures for sync between speakers. but one voice activation system for two different playback systems?
melvimbe
October 8, 2018
I don’t foresee it as ever happening. Two different architectures for sync between speakers. but one voice activation system for two different playback systems?

Yes. There are lots of business and technical reasons why it won't happen. Just as a taste, Sonos has a patented multiroom audio technology. It really is superior to other techs to get it done. Sonos isn't willing to give this tech to Amazon. They don't even license it out. Amazon is somewhat willing to give up there own multiroom protocol but only if you play the audio that Amazon approves initiated from Amazon approved voice controlled or apps. Amazon doesn't want google or apple audio playing on their speakers. And clearly Sonos doesn't want to to do that. Even if they did manage to work out all the details and such, it's still a rather complicated set of rules. You can group with scenarios A, B, and C, but not D, E, and F. Not very user friendly.
Danny
melvimbe
October 8, 2018
If you've ever used Alexa's 'announcement' feature with a combination of Sonos & Amazon products, the problem with audio synchronization between the devices is glaringly obvious.

On the other hand, I use an app called Tunity that can scan a television screen, determine which audio stream is needed, and play that stream through my phone or bluetooth headset. (It can be useful at the gym, bars, etc). The audio is rarely in sync initially, but a quick adjustment in the app allows you to make the necessary + or - correction. My point is that while the sync issue is real, it's not an insurmountable obstacle. The bigger issue, at least in my view, is that it seems unlikely that this is anywhere near the top Sonos' priority list right now.


Sounds as if the stream it's recognizing has to be a publicly available stream. So I can see how that would work with a radio station, but a custom playlist wouldn't work with that methodology, if I'm understanding it correctly.
Danny
bplisterAuthor
Contributor I
October 8, 2018
I don’t foresee it as ever happening. Two different architectures for sync between speakers. but one voice activation system for two different playback systems?

Yes. There are lots of business and technical reasons why it won't happen. Just as a taste, Sonos has a patented multiroom audio technology. It really is superior to other techs to get it done. Sonos isn't willing to give this tech to Amazon. They don't even license it out. Amazon is somewhat willing to give up there own multiroom protocol but only if you play the audio that Amazon approves initiated from Amazon approved voice controlled or apps. Amazon doesn't want google or apple audio playing on their speakers. And clearly Sonos doesn't want to to do that. Even if they did manage to work out all the details and such, it's still a rather complicated set of rules. You can group with scenarios A, B, and C, but not D, E, and F. Not very user friendly.


...seems like the Alexa integration into the ONE speakers is a red herring. Makes us consumers assume that these speakers can easily be grouped with other alexa linked speakers. Or maybe its the first step in Amazon acquiring Sonos...either way I wish they'd get on with it!
melvimbe
October 8, 2018

...seems like the Alexa integration into the ONE speakers is a red herring. Makes us consumers assume that these speakers can easily be grouped with other alexa linked speakers. Or maybe its the first step in Amazon acquiring Sonos...either way I wish they'd get on with it!


Not really. I could be off on the dates, but I think the Sonos One came out before Alexa had multiroom audio. Maybe not. Even then, the alexa multiroom functionality was for echos only, not even including their fire tvs and fire tables. I believe it's expanded since then.

Honestly, I can see why people make this assumption, but neither Sonos or Amazon ever state that it's a feature.
Danny