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OldTimeUser2012
Contributor I
July 15, 2026
Answered

Sonos Port Alarm and AVR that 'Works with Sonos'

  • July 15, 2026
  • 22 replies
  • 145 views

I’m wanting to understand if I connect a Sonos Port to an AV Receiver that is ‘Works with Sonos’ certified, will the AVR switch on automatically if a connected Sonos Port has an active alarm?

I couldn’t find any of this information in the documentation or on this site so wanted to ask here. Hoping someone who has used a Sonos Port in this way can respond.

Based on the answer I can decide if I should purchase a Sonos Port.

Best answer by Stanley_4

Two good options, a call to Sonos support, these forums are mostly user to user with little Sonos presence.

Second call someone experienced at selling integrated systems. Crutchfield Com would be my first choice, they sell Sonos as well as a wide number of recievers (2 to 14[?] channels) that mention works with Sonos in their technical information.

 

22 replies

Airgetlam
Airgetlam
July 15, 2026

Not sure I understand, so more detail would be helpful. 
 

The Sonos Port is a stereo device, it can’t handle / distribute a 5.1 (or higher) signal. The alarm feature is completely separate. 

Bruce
Airgetlam
Airgetlam
July 15, 2026

See ‘tech specs’ on the sales webpage.

Bruce
kdowling
kdowling
July 15, 2026

I don’t have any first hand experience with it, but a “Works with Sonos” AVR is supposed to turn on when the Port plays. I would think that applies to playing due to an alarm also. But I can’t find any documentation the says that explicitly. 

    OldTimeUser2012Author
    Contributor I
    July 15, 2026

    I don’t have any first hand experience with it, but a “Works with Sonos” AVR is supposed to turn on when the Port plays. I would think that applies to playing due to an alarm also. But I can’t find any documentation the says that explicitly. 

    I’m hoping someone from Sonos can confirm the above behaviour and ideally update the documentation

    OldTimeUser2012Author
    Contributor I
    July 15, 2026

    Not sure I understand, so more detail would be helpful. 
     

    The Sonos Port is a stereo device, it can’t handle / distribute a 5.1 (or higher) signal. The alarm feature is completely separate. 

    I’m basically wanting to understand if the Port can switch on the AVR and play the music assigned to an alarm, just like all other Sonos speakers.

    Airgetlam
    Airgetlam
    July 15, 2026

    What I don’t understand is the Audio/Video Receiver. Why not just a standard Audio receiver?

    And while Sonos wrote the API, isn’t the programming done on the receivers OS done by the receiver’s manufacturer, not Sonos? I can understand a certain amount of validation done by Sonos in order to hand out a ‘Works with Sonos’ certification, but it seems you’re asking Sonos to choose one of their partners for you. Which seems like an unlikely thing, kind of like them throwing the rest of their partners under the bus, and recommending just one. 

    Bruce
    OldTimeUser2012Author
    Contributor I
    July 15, 2026

    What I don’t understand is the Audio/Video Receiver. Why not just a standard Audio receiver?

    And while Sonos wrote the API, isn’t the programming done on the receivers OS done by the receiver’s manufacturer, not Sonos? I can understand a certain amount of validation done by Sonos in order to hand out a ‘Works with Sonos’ certification, but it seems you’re asking Sonos to choose one of their partners for you. Which seems like an unlikely thing, kind of like them throwing the rest of their partners under the bus, and recommending just one. 

    If I have an AVR, I would like to use the speakers in that setup as part of my Sonos system, which is what the Port does. As such, that is why I am wanting to purchase a Port, but only if the alarm function can switch on the AVR as well.

    Stanley_4
    Stanley_4Answer
    Grand Maestro
    July 15, 2026

    Two good options, a call to Sonos support, these forums are mostly user to user with little Sonos presence.

    Second call someone experienced at selling integrated systems. Crutchfield Com would be my first choice, they sell Sonos as well as a wide number of recievers (2 to 14[?] channels) that mention works with Sonos in their technical information.

     

      AjTrek1
      AjTrek1
      July 15, 2026

      From what know about configuring alarms with Sonos I can’t find any data that says it can’t be done with a Port. See setting alarms here.

      However, that being said if the Port is utilizing its Audio-Out to an Audio-In on an AVR it would follow that one could set the Port auto-play room as itself to send the alarm audio to connected speakers on the AVR. The Port also has a 12V trigger to turn on an Amp. Otherwise the AVR would have to remain in standby to be awaken by an audio signal reception.

      The above is theory; as I have not tried it. Sonos Tech Support would the ones to confirm or deny.

      Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
      kdowling
      kdowling
      July 15, 2026

      The Port also has a 12V trigger to turn on an Amp. Otherwise the AVR would have to remain in standby to be awaken by an audio signal reception.

       

      This is what the “Works with Sonos” avoids. The best I can tell, it doesn’t rrely on the AVR detecting an audio signal or 12V trigger. The Port sends network commands to the AVR to turn on, select correct input.  change volume etc. There’s not a lot of info that I can find that says exactly what the “Works with Sonos” certification requires.

      So the object is to set the alarm to play on the Port, which will turn on the AVR, et al. Does it work? I couldn’t tell you.

      I would love to know exactly what it takes to be “Works with Sonos” certified.

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