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Bengt_swe
Contributor I
January 3, 2017

Power consumption?

  • January 3, 2017
  • 17 replies
  • 30219 views
I want to know what the normal and maximum power consumption is for PLAY1, PLAY5, PLAYBAR and SUB when I play? Not when idle. Can´t find that in any specs on sonos.com (the minimum is stated for some of them ex. PLAY1 appr 4w) I need to know this because I have limited power in my apartment. It is not important that your answer is exactly 🙂
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    17 replies

    Stuart_W
    Stuart_W
    World-Class Superstar
    January 3, 2017
    Afraid I cannot help

    Not particularly convinced that in 2017 you are limited in power in your apartment to the extent that you'd have to worry about the power consumption of a speaker. I do hope you don't have any 100W light bulbs!
    Arc + Sub (Gen 1) + 2 x Play 1/ Stereo Play 3s/ Era 100 Stereo in Kitchen, One Stereo in Bedroom, Play 1 stereo pair in Study, Play 1in Bathroom, Sonos Move 2
    dean76
    Trending Lyricist I
    January 3, 2017
    Depends on the volume and US or EU etc I believe
    A quick call to support will answer your query.
    TVs use a lot of power v SONOS
    http://www.frequencycast.co.uk/howmanywatts.html
    So if you are okay with your TV I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised by SONOS maximum power consumption
    thommy349
    Lyricist III
    November 25, 2017
    Did anybody solve this? I too found the idle power consumption (https://sonos.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/260/~/sonos-power-consumption-when-idle), but who cares about that, what's the maximum power consumption? This should definition be a published specification as with any electronic device. Very disappointed I can't find this anywhere.
    Belly M
    Belly M
    November 25, 2017
    Did anybody solve this? I too found the idle power consumption (https://sonos.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/260/~/sonos-power-consumption-when-idle), but who cares about that, what's the maximum power consumption? This should definition be a published specification as with any electronic device. Very disappointed I can't find this anywhere.

    Grab a speaker and look at the label, it details the voltage and maximum power consumption in Amps.
    thommy349
    Lyricist III
    November 25, 2017
    Great, but don't have one available right now, so why isn't this published information?
    Belly M
    Belly M
    November 25, 2017
    At what volume and voltage... hard to calculate.

    The Play 1 is rated at 1 Amp but if it drew that at maximum voume it would be very hot.
    thommy349
    Lyricist III
    November 25, 2017
    It doesn't say what it's maximum consumption in watts is?

    Voltage would be European standard 230v.
    Stanley_4
    Stanley_4
    Grand Maestro
    November 26, 2017
    Go to ebay.com and search on the model sonos you want the power use for. Check the photos there and you'll find a listing that shows the power label with a few tries. Just found a play 1 listed at 1 amp for 100-240 volts.

    The maximum power number is pretty useless, it is likely the start-up surge current, not the playing current. If you really care grab a Kill-A-Watt meter or something similar and test the ones you are interested in.
      thommy349
      Lyricist III
      November 26, 2017
      Good call Stanley. I found the Play 5 gen 1 is rated at 2 amps. I am guessing the gen 2 is not much different if at all and probably nothing, except maybe the subwoofer, would draw more than the play 5.

      Does anyone have a sub that can say?
      Stanley_4
      Stanley_4
      Grand Maestro
      November 26, 2017
      Dug out my Kill-A-Watt EZ and my Gen 1 Play 5, these numbers are at 120 volts.

      Idle: Watt 5.1, VA 14.1, PF .35 (Not far from the Sonos 6.9 watt spec)

      Playing moderate volume: Watt 10.7, VA 23.3, PF .45 (testing loud playing not an available option per the wife)

      I wonder how many years it would take to pay-back for an upgrade to the 2.1 Watt Gen 2?

      I'm going to look at my Play 3s and ZP-80s power use at some point too just out of curiosity. May even be able to try them loud if I pick a good time. 🙂
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