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ZachGrove1
Contributor I
June 28, 2023
Answered

Can I set up a Sonos Amp with no wifi?

  • June 28, 2023
  • 10 replies
  • 1951 views

I’m wiring 5 Amps into a new construction home that does not currently have wifi, but the amp will be hardwired to the speakers. Can I set-up the Amp via bluetooth, or do I need to have wifi? In a pinch I can connect to an iphone hotspot.

 

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Best answer by jgatie

Wow...that’s a tremendous disappointment considering the price of the units.

Does this also mean that if wifi drops out, then the Amp cannot be used once set-up?

 

It’s a wireless music system.  So although an Ethernet connection can be used, by very definition it requires a WiFI network to operate.  All this is spelled out very clearly here: 

Sonos system requirements

 

General requirements

  • High speed wired internet connection such as cable, fiber, or DSL
  • WiFi router
  • Sonos app and all Sonos products are on the same subnet

10 replies

jgatie
jgatie
June 28, 2023

Wifi is required, because you can only do the setup via the Sonos app, which is WiFi only.

    Airgetlam
    Airgetlam
    June 28, 2023

    Additionally, the controller can not be run on the same device providing the hotspot. 

    Bruce
    ZachGrove1Author
    Contributor I
    June 28, 2023

    Wow...that’s a tremendous disappointment considering the price of the units.

    Does this also mean that if wifi drops out, then the Amp cannot be used once set-up?

    Airgetlam
    Airgetlam
    June 28, 2023

    Perhaps you may want to better define your terms between external internet and LAN. If it’s set up using a Wi-Fi connection to external internet first, it will continue to play local music (on a HD or NAS) or TV sources,  as long as it’s on a LAN. However, it can not stream music from the outside world if it has no connection to it. 

    Bruce
    jgatie
    jgatieAnswer
    June 28, 2023

    Wow...that’s a tremendous disappointment considering the price of the units.

    Does this also mean that if wifi drops out, then the Amp cannot be used once set-up?

     

    It’s a wireless music system.  So although an Ethernet connection can be used, by very definition it requires a WiFI network to operate.  All this is spelled out very clearly here: 

    Sonos system requirements

     

    General requirements

    • High speed wired internet connection such as cable, fiber, or DSL
    • WiFi router
    • Sonos app and all Sonos products are on the same subnet
      106rallye
      106rallye
      June 28, 2023

      Why should the price of the Amp say anything about the need for an internet connection for set up?

      ZachGrove1Author
      Contributor I
      June 28, 2023

      Why should the price of the Amp say anything about the need for an internet connection for set up?

      Granted, I’m new to A/V and am picking up the pieces from an A/V contractor that left in the middle of a job...but yes, it’s surprising that while I can bluetooth connect my phone and stream audio via my phone through say, a vehicles speakers or a cheap bluetooth speaker without a network no problem - I can also purchase a premium home audio product without that capability, even if the speakers are hardwired to the Amp if I understand correctly.

      Seems like a major R&D oversight if the technology would allow it...but what do I know, I’m just a consumer.

       

        Airgetlam
        Airgetlam
        June 29, 2023

        It’s a network based system. From the get go. 

        Bruce
        106rallye
        106rallye
        June 29, 2023

        Since the Amp meant to be used with an internet connection, for most people this is not a problem - they buy the system for exactly this: playing Spotify or Apple Music. And, as explained above, using two phones you can set the system up.

          jgatie
          jgatie
          June 29, 2023

          Why should the price of the Amp say anything about the need for an internet connection for set up?

          Granted, I’m new to A/V and am picking up the pieces from an A/V contractor that left in the middle of a job...but yes, it’s surprising that while I can bluetooth connect my phone and stream audio via my phone through say, a vehicles speakers or a cheap bluetooth speaker without a network no problem - I can also purchase a premium home audio product without that capability, even if the speakers are hardwired to the Amp if I understand correctly.

          Seems like a major R&D oversight if the technology would allow it...but what do I know, I’m just a consumer.

           

           

          Regardless of what the consumer assumes, the requirements are spelled out rather clearly.  As to what the consumer thinks being the standard by which a company operates, have you ever worked retail?  Because if you did, you’d know making the consumer’s wishes and assumptions the forefront of a business plan is the very worst thing you can do.  

          Ask me about the woman who wanted a pint of half and half with a 4 month expiration date because “I’m going to Florida for 4 months and want cream for my coffee when I come back.” Or the guy who tried to return a Craftsman shovel to a store that didn’t sell Craftsman.  Or shovels.  Or tools.  Or any hardware at all.  

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