Saddened by no ethernet in new models

I believe a generic USB-C Ethernet adapter will work, but for line-in (or combo) you’ll need the Sonos one, for obvious reasons.

​@controlav I don’t need line in so that would do for me. I suppose I’ll have to buy one and try out, I couldn’t find any other info about it.

I see now that at least Five is still coming with an ethernet port, that gives me a little hope Sonos won’t decide to make at least premium speakers wifi-only in the near future.

The Five was released in 2020. I wouldn’t expect any replacement for the Five to include an ethernet port on the device.

​@Mr. T already 5 years? wow. Anyway, that would be myopic in my opinion, since when a premium audio appliance is supposed to be better for giving less connectivity options to the user?

I get the argument for miniaturizing portable devices for which sacrificing a “big” plug like ethernet makes sense most of the times, but for fairly big speakers not meant to be moved around like the ones we’re talking about what would be the rationale behind it? Even more so that they still have at least one more wire to be plugged in (the power supply).

Personally I’ve been loyal to the Sonos brand for long (IIRC the first purchase was a Play1, could be wrong though, that was long ago...) even after the most controversials of choices but not giving me premium devices with eth would probably be the last nail in the coffin and push me to consider alternatives, an idea that I don’t like but I want to get premium quality when I pay premium money.

I haven’t tried with my 300s (no way to wire) but this one is serving me well for Linux and Windows.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CK9X9Z8?th=1

This one works in Linux but crashes Windows, often corrupting the OS and BIOS, even the HP battery “protection” for no reason I can find.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077KXY71Q/

Not happy HP sold me a laptop with no Ethernet port! 

I’d call Sonos and see if they can’t arrange a shipping option but only after trying the speakers on WiFi and making sure you need it.

Thank you ​@Stanley_4 

To answer your question, I have an ethernet plug just behind the spot the speaker is supposed to be hanged (bedroom wall), it’s pretty far from the wifi router but that’s beside the point, the house has been built with ethernet wiring all around and would be nice to be able to make use of them, having to add wifi repeaters to workaround the lack of plug is really an ugly workaround for something that’s always been working fine in the past (the One SL has eth port and it works great).

Meanwhile I found a connector to try and I can confirm it DOESN’T work with Era 100: adapter led flashes correctly but speaker led flashes blue and red, app settings don’t show anything special for the speaker but lacks the choice for wired/wifi networking.

Sonos has had to drastically trim the Linux hardware support to fit the kernel into the limited speaker memory so finding one that is supported will be challenging.

Avoid repeaters, they usually cause Sonos problems. A mesh system or additional access points appear to work well.

Digging around here:

https://en.community.sonos.com/home-theater-229129/era-300s-do-not-use-ethernet-correctly-6899843

I’m a wired freak too, but I’m afraid that we are a dying breed in consumer electronics land. Most people that I talk to exclaim “isn’t everything wireless now?”. And for most of these individuals “wireless” means Bluetooth. I find Bluetooth to be very frustrating.

​@buzz I guess wires won’t disappear any soon from fields like production servers and so on, audio reproduction for me kind of overlaps with that world because I associate it with “professional” and “high fidelity”.

If e.g. I’d be developing a networked hifi system I’d think at least to give the option to the consumer (use the most robust connection if you want stability vs use the less robust if you need flexibility/comfort).

You’re right though that Sonos product are not meant for hardcore audiophiles anyway so wired freaks might not be their most dear customers.

Anyway, for now they are still wired (albeit with extra $ connectors) and I’m kind of ok with that especially for the small sized speakers, would be sad to see the next gen of subs/playbars/etc require the extra adapter too though, the savings in space+production costs would be negligible (zero?) and a (small, but still) chunk of user base would be asked to pay extra for something which has been built-in from day 1.

Many of the problems that are shown here will be solved wiring devices. But it’s also true that not everybody can easily wire all the speakers along a house. I’ve tried a medium term, wiring the main sources (TV and Arc) and let the Sub and Eras to connect with Arc through their own wireless network. 

Then the Move2, which is free as a bird, but sometimes make me suffer with AirPlay issues, perhaps coming from a bad signal reception.

The only “new-ish” Sonos hardware that has an Ethernet port is the Era 100 Pro, which supports PoE (power over Ethernet). The additional cost, combined with the convenience of powering it that way, is easily covered by the cost of the device. (And yes, the Pro’s cost isn’t obvious as it is a Dealer-only device, so if you have to ask, you can’t afford it, I’m guessing).

With a WiFi connection there is no need to give up any quality. Bluetooth may degrade quality, depending on the version used.

Wireless reliability can be an issue in congested areas. I’ve recently moved in an urban area. A quick WiFi scan can turn up about 100 access points. I haven’t yet run any wires to SONOS units and I may not. While surprised, I’m not noticing any issues. Wired or wireless my PC is showing the full 500Mbps delivered by my ISP.

Just a guess, but I think there is still a significant portion of users out there who see an ethernet port on a device and assume that ethernet is required, or that it won’t perform well without a wired connection.  Therefore, marketing may want the port removed to dispel that misconception.

Another reason is that many consumers will use the speakers as surrounds, and the back will be exposed. So for aesthetic reasons, leaving the ethernet port off means that the majority of users that will never use it will never have to see it.  Related, many uses will use floor stands, which are designed to hide a single power cable, not an additional ethernet wire.

The latter reasons are probably the bigger factor.  Indeed, the Arc Ultra would never have it’s back displayed or be on floor stands, and it does have a dedicated ethernet port.  The Port and Amp, though much older, also have ethernet ports and would not be placed on stands or openly display their backside.

Yes. The vocalists in a live music performance will have wireless microphones and instruments. The cameras and microphones in a live sports event for interview etc will be wireless. The satellite transmitting the 4k UHD live video stream of the music event or sports event will be wireless. The mobile phone, tablet, TV etc watching/listening to will probably not have any network cables.

There shouldn’t be an issue transmitting a relatively low bandwidth music source a final few meters in a house without wires?

If compatible equipment is being used and a clear enouugh channel for passing the data is available there isn't a problem.

The things mentioned above are carefully designed for compatibility and clear channels are available. 

 By the way, SONOS wired is 10/100.

I agree, there isn’t a problem with wireless technology (including WiFi) if it is correctly configured.