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jdwdmi
Contributor I
January 20, 2019

New Sonos Amp compare to “Hifi” amp

  • January 20, 2019
  • 27 replies
  • 12551 views
I’m curious if any of the members have owned “Hifi” amps and have switched over to the new Sonos Amp.


How does the Sonos Amp perform? I own vintage Mcintosh amps in two setups currently.

Thanks for you opionions. Sorry if this has been discussed, new member here.
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    27 replies

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    John76
    Prominent Collaborator I
    March 20, 2019
    I’d break it in with music before judging it, mine is sounding great!
    pwt
    pwt
    Virtuoso
    March 20, 2019
    Actually disappointed at the direct comparison to my hifi amp. The sound is clean enough, but lifeless and the bass doesn't shake the house like we're used to. Progress huh?
    Not exactly dripping with insight 🙂 What’s the comparison amp, what speakers, what music sources, at what volumes? What does ‘lifeless’ mean?
    4 x P:5 | Sub | 4 x P:1 | 3 x Connect | 2 x Boost | Connect:Amp | 2 x One | Amp | Move | Port | Era 300
      Graham Triggs
      Lyricist III
      March 21, 2019
      Actually disappointed at the direct comparison to my hifi amp. The sound is clean enough, but lifeless and the bass doesn't shake the house like we're used to. Progress huh?

      Interesting, I'm finding the bass particularly to be an improvement in my system. Maybe it has something to do with the characteristics of your speakers?

      One thing to check is to go into the EQ settings in Sonos. As well as loudness, the "sub" controls are also enabled by default. It's possible that the amp is set up to direct some of the bass signals to the sub output.
        Andy Hedge
        Lyricist II
        April 3, 2019
        Actually mea culpa time. Did some research on iphone settings, now delighted with the sound I'm getting from Amp and trusted old, floor-standing speakers! Happy to admit when wrong/dumb....
        John76
        Prominent Collaborator I
        April 3, 2019
        Andy, glad to hear you sorted out the sound. What settings on your iPhone did you change?
        Andy Hedge
        Lyricist II
        April 3, 2019
        I'm streaming apple music and I think what made the difference was going into Music settings and ensuring mobile data was on and volume limit was off. Also adjusted the EQ to boost bass, but the sound is now great in other EQ settings, so not sure that's particularly critical. Very simple really, but the difference is astonishing...
        Belly M
        Belly M
        April 3, 2019
        I'm streaming apple music and I think what made the difference was going into Music settings and ensuring mobile data was on and volume limit was off. Also adjusted the EQ to boost bass, but the sound is now great in other EQ settings, so not sure that's particularly critical. Very simple really, but the difference is astonishing...

        Had you not tried using Apple Music as a Service in Sonos and only via Airplay?
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