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Bengt_swe
Contributor I
Jan 3, 2017 11:29 AM UTC

Power consumption?

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
    Jan 3, 2017 12:29 PM UTC
    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!
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    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
    Jan 3, 2017 1:34 PM UTC
    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
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    thommy349
    Lyricist III
    Nov 25, 2017 10:14 AM UTC
    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.
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    Belly M
    Belly M
    Nov 25, 2017 3:21 PM UTC
    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.
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    thommy349
    Lyricist III
    Nov 25, 2017 3:22 PM UTC
    Great, but don't have one available right now, so why isn't this published information?
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    Belly M
    Belly M
    Nov 25, 2017 3:31 PM UTC
    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.
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    thommy349
    Lyricist III
    Nov 25, 2017 3:52 PM UTC
    It doesn't say what it's maximum consumption in watts is?

    Voltage would be European standard 230v.
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    Stanley_4
    Stanley_4
    Grand Maestro
    Nov 26, 2017 5:20 AM UTC
    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.
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      thommy349
      Lyricist III
      Nov 26, 2017 10:22 AM UTC
      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?
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      Stanley_4
      Stanley_4
      Grand Maestro
      Nov 26, 2017 8:07 PM UTC
      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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