Sonos Zoneplayer 120 or AMP vs Bluetooth amp

  • 18 January 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 193 views

Hi, I recently moved into a house with in-ceiling speakers and Zoneplayer 120 / Connect Amp connected to the speakers throughout the house, other than in the basement where there is no amp.  I am using the basement room as a gym so I don’t see the need to have that room play the same music as other parts of the house.

I was just going to get a used Zoneplayer 120 / Connect Amp but they still sell for $200+ CAD where I am.  My questions is do you see any benefit in getting that over a generic Bluetooth amp for less than half the price.  Bluetooth would be nice because I am then not limited to S1 music services (no Airplay, etc.).

If I stick to similar wattage of the Zoneplayer 120 (55W per speaker), will I miss out on sound quality? Some alternative Bluetooth amps I found quickly on Amazon are:  

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B06Y67PZB1/ref=emc_b_5_t

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B076XSBCCL/ref=emc_b_5_i

Look forward to hearing your views. Thanks.


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2 replies

Thanks. The house came with speakers already installed and 3 zoneplayer 120s so I am locked into S1 unless I upgrade everything.  The basement speaker wire connection is in the basement room so no issue with Bluetooth reception from gym to Bluetooth amp. 

Wattage isn’t really a good measure of sound quality.  I’m not saying those amp options are bad, but I definitely wouldn’t assume they are equivalent to Sonos ZPs just because they have similar wattage stats.

Are there speakers already in the basement?  It’s kind of implied by your statements, but couldn’t tell for sure.  I wasn’t sure why you were looking for an amp rather than other options.  Also, where would the amp be located relative your basement?  Bluetooth has a limited range, so if the distance is through a couple walls, a bluetooth amp may not work that well.

But anyway, my personal opinion will definitely be subjective, but I don’t like to buy used equipment that is already out of date.  A Connect:amp is compatible with S2, so you aren’t locked into S1 there, but still not as good as a Sonos Amp and all the features you get there.  Even if you can’t use the features, you may have a need in the future, and you’ll get firmware updates you may be happy about later.  So I would go with the current Amp, or Sonos speakers if it were me.

However, I understand going with the cheaper amp option, especially since you haven’t lost much if it doesn’t work out as you hoped.  You may even be able to try it out and return to Amazon if it doesn’t work out.