You should go to reddit with that question.  AVSForum is also a good place to get information about anything AV, not just Sonos.

Thanks

Framework for Evaluating Sonos Competitors:

Sonos systems are fundamentally multi-room audio streaming solutions that allow seamless audio control across various rooms through a network-based setup. To be considered a true competitor to Sonos, a product or system should offer similar capabilities, including Wi-Fi-based streaming, multi-room synchronization, app-based control, and integration with a range of streaming services. It could also support more advanced functionalities like home theater integration with dedicated soundbars, subwoofers, and surround speakers.

Many Bluetooth speakers exist that only allow basic wireless casting from a mobile device. There are also systems from companies like KEF, Bowers & Wilkins, Bang & Olufsen, and Naim Audio that offer wireless Wi-Fi streaming capabilities but do not support whole-house, multi-room audio solutions like Sonos. If we exclude these limited offerings, the list of "true competitors" would include:

Major Competitors to Sonos and Their Functional Gaps:

• Bluesound:

  • What It Lacks: Some say less intuitive setup than Sonos. It does provide a dedicated device, the Bluesound Node N130, that connects directly to existing Hi-Fi systems.

• Apple HomePod 2:

  • What It Lacks: No dedicated soundbar or home theater system. Limited to Apple's ecosystem, with restricted support for third-party services like Spotify and Tidal. Siri lacks full functionality with certain services. No dedicated device for connecting to existing Hi-Fi systems.

• Amazon Echo Studio:

  • What It Lacks: No dedicated soundbar for home theater; relies on multiple Echo Studio speakers to create a surround sound setup, which may not match the immersive experience of a soundbar-based system. Limited integration with third-party devices. Does not offer a dedicated device for connecting to existing Hi-Fi systems.

• Google Nest Audio:

  • What It Lacks: No dedicated soundbar or specialized home theater products. Primarily designed for single-room or grouped speaker use, not for comprehensive home cinema setups. No option to directly connect to an existing Hi-Fi system.

• Bose Smart Speaker Series:

  • What It Lacks: While it offers soundbars and surround speakers, Bose’s ecosystem is less flexible and more closed compared to Sonos, with fewer third-party integration options and a less unified app experience. Limited options for devices that directly connect to existing Hi-Fi systems, although some Bose components (like the Bose SoundTouch Wireless Link Adapter) offer basic connectivity.

• Denon HEOS Multi-Room System:

  • What It Lacks: Some say less intuitive user experience and more complex setup compared to Sonos. While it offers a soundbar, it lacks the ease of use and widespread adoption of Sonos products for casual users. Does not provide a dedicated device for direct connection to existing Hi-Fi systems.

Moderator edit: Post is likely AI generated

@AlexPermit you forgot WiiM 

There is also Yamaha MusicCast.

I do own a wiim.  Since it only provides connection to an existing HiFi system, I didn’t include it as a “direct competitor” to Sonos.  You are correct, however, in pointing ot out.

Good catch, thank you

I have a WiiM ultra connected to my Sonos 5 pair which I use now instead of Sonos software 

I use a widget application for grouping and volume control works better than Sonos software which I haven’t used for months now so there are options besides totally dumping Sonos speakers mine are just dumb powered speakers now

I’ve bought 2 WiiM devices since the app pocalypse. Will be avoiding buying all in one speakers without line ins in the future so I’m not locked in to one ecosystem. That’s the one of the lessons for me from Sonos’ lying and anti owner behaviour. Also turn off Sonos freaking auto updates. 

@almazri

just a heads up I never updated so my Sonos software works but having watched from the sidelines I have decided to do what you said

replaced my roams with 2 echo dots and battery bases the rest will go when they stop working apart from my 5s which I am replacing with an a/b amp and floor standing speakers at Christmas,no more one system does all for me

 If you own WiiM & Echodevices and want to do whole house audio a plus is the fact that WiiM devices can become part of an Amazon Echo group.  Sonos can be seen in the Alexa app, but cannot become part of a group.

I own MusicCast and it suits my needs. Personally I prefer the MusicCast 50s sound profile to the Sonos profile and don’t have a need for a sub using them. Availability can be hit and miss on the new products as Yamaha changed production plants during the covid pandemic.

The main thing the current line up lacks in terms of hardware vs Sonos, in the uk, is a MusicCast soundbar for people who want them. The MusicCast soundbar has been replaced by a TrueX soundbar, which as far as I can tell, isn’t compatible.

The AVRs support the MusicCast sub and speakers as wireless or ethernet connected. They have a mix of AVRs, network receivers, speakers and 1u rack mount 4 zone units with a power amp expansion unit. Size vs the Sonos Amp is significantly different due to the Yamaha AVRs and receivers being HiFi sized.

The AVRs can provide up to 4 zone multi zone, with video and audio, depending on the model.

Integrated streaming sources, like most alternatives, is far more limited than the wide range that Sonos support, but for my usage the Dlna/upnp server, qobuz and radio streaming, which supports international streams in the uk, it covers my required usage. AirPlay gets used occasionally for anything not native.

I should probably stay out of this thread but I can’t help but make a comment on what’s been stated. Full disclosure I’m a die-hard Sonos fan and have no intentions of moving to another product. That is unless Sonos goes under and all functionality ceases. Even if that happens, I don’t believe my system would be bricked.

However, before moving on let me compliment  @AlexPermit  on the well thought-out analysis of potential Sonos replacements. Well Done!!

That said...what I hear is…one can move to Brand X but here are the short comings vs Sonos. So I suppose if you’re willing to accept what may be lost or not possible with Brand X vs Sonos then it may be the right decision to move on and close the door on Sonos.

Granted Sonos has disappointed many dedicated customers with the recent app update that basically; for some, destroyed a previously great in-home/whole house listening system/experience. As a result many are having delayed buyers remorse as Sonos was not able to right-the-ship in an acceptable time frame.

Sonos IMO will make things right in terms of its software (the app) and restoring 99% of what went missing. Some things will never comeback as the newer technology will not allow it.

However, as far as jumping ship for another brand before doing so ask yourself….was my decision to purchase Sonos in the beginning based upon fact that Sonos was the better choice vs the competition; or did I just flip-a -coin and Sonos won the toss? I don’t think it was a flip-of-a coin as the Sonos investment is too pricy to allow luck as the deciding factor.

My point being that if Sonos was the right decision then (whenever then was) it’s most likely going to be the right decision again once the dust settles. I get it…frustrations are high but improvements are being made. Granted the pace to correct things is not moving at Warp Speed but nevertheless they are being made.

I’d venture to say that if everything wrong with Sonos since the app refresh were corrected tomorrow there would still be complaints and/or assistance needed. If not, this Community would be useless. BTW…this community existed before the app refresh.

I’ve said enough but before I go I’ll leave you with this thought….sometimes we may find ourselves jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire.

 WiiM is HOT for sure!!

 I am patient.  So I’ll hang on to my Sonos stuff.  App is slow and unfinished, but it works here.

No need to get rid of your Sonos, plug WiiM into Sonos line in. 

Question about the WiiM. I have a multiple room setup with Arc / Sub / 300s in the big room and ones, a move and fives in three other rooms. If, hypothetically, Sonos was to go out of business tomorrow, would the WiiM Ultra allow me to use my system on a par with Sonos? 

99% seems optimistic. We’ll see.  There’s the obvious app problems and the not so obvious but just as nefarious firmware issues causing playback instability and other problems.

My decision to purchase SONOS was in 2009 after seeing the system at a Porsche Panamera Launch party with it hooked up to a Burmester sound system.   We were blown away by how easy it was to use and good it sounded (lot of credit to Burmester as well).  So, no Panamera for us, but we did come home and dig into SONOS.  It was a different company then - vibrant, focused, making high-quality products with great support - worthy of exotic car launches and customer briefing centers at high-tech companies.  Not cheap, but worth it.  When the dust settles, that assessment of the company will no longer be true.  In fact, this is the 2nd time in several years, they’ve told their customers to “stuff it”.

You may be able to swallow that - apparently - but for me, it’s no longer the same math - not the same company and hardly a company I would recommend anyone do business with.  The “no-brainer” stellar product is no longer what defines SONOS.  They are the “fiasco company” now, chasing revenue at the expense of customer satisfaction.  What company would roll out what amounts to alpha-quality software and think that’s OK?  Read their Q3 2024 Sonos Inc Earnings Call - they basically admit chasing revenue is what led to this.  And it will now cost them in damage control - WSJ estimates $137 million, roughly 10% of yearly revenues.

FWIW, I have used the SONOS Community forums only a few times ever before this - customer service slightly more.  I’d venture to say the Community has never seen the traffic this app refresh has created - ever.  When we inadvertently updated and broke everything, I was shocked to log into the community and see what looked the aftermath of a hurricane hitting south FL overnight while I slept.  That was a WTF moment like I have never seen here - even worse than the “S1 S2” debacle.

Had they given us the proper option to simply roll back to the working S2 system - still a great idea, I would have done that and vanished again from here as would have most of us.  It was, in fact, SONOS who forced us INTO THE FIRE!  That’s why people are looking at frying pans!

Hi @Editor John, think of the WiiM Ultra as an alternative to the Sonos Port and the WiiM Amp as an alternative to the Sonos Amp.

WiiM does not make all-in-one speakers/soundbars to compete with Sonos.

First: even if one has Sonos Inc stock, an emotional investment in a “for profit” as some display here. is unhealthy, it also can lead to poor financial decision making.

Second, as someone that has moved from the Sonos frying pan to a happy place since 2020 via opting for Echo front ends for the smart UI, I will address the Amazon option based on my experience with AEX/Sonos/Amazon from 2011 till now, through two Sonos upheavals, 2020 and 2024.

To start, Amazon does not do TV sound well. But neither does Sonos - all sound bars are compromised solutions compared to a fully wired 7.1 or higher HT set up. Which in turn are compromised versions of the latest multiplex. Which is in turn so for the real world experience. So, one has to draw a line somewhere for home video and I have found that to be via adding a pair of high end active speakers that also do bass well, flanking a 4K TV.  It also helps if one has grown out of effect heavy movies and moved to movies with a story.

Second, Amazon does not do NAS music. 

With that said, I have found Echo front ends - the smaller and cheaper the better - to be an excellent replacement for the Sonos app, where the Echo units are wire connected to Sonos line in jacks, if one has at least some Sonos kit with those, and one wishes to get full value for the money paid for expensive hardware to Sonos, which can easier done if on S1. I find that the Echo devices are just as stable - perhaps more so - as Sonos for wireless music play. All my Echo front ends are on 5GHz.

Be it Amazon/Sonos/WiiM/Yamaha or any other, for music at home I now see no sense in having bundled solutions with the necessary high quality kit needed to render good sounding music at home to be held hostage to the frequent shenanigans of the smart front ends. That rules out Echo Studio as well, for the same reason. 

In 2011 I had a high end SACD player from Marantz, wired to my legacy amp/high end speakers. If I were to wire an Echo Dot instead of said Marantz to the same downstream components today, and streamed music from standard Spotify, Miles Davis on Kind of Blue would sound no different, late at night in a quiet room. Because even at that time, the ambient sound levels in the room would defeat any subtle differences that the SACD would deliver. And 95% - perhaps 99% - of sound quality heard in such a space is down to speakers/speaker placement, which would be unchanged in the cited example.

Calling them that is just scare-mongering. There many viable alternatives out there now - which is why in the overall scheme of home audio, Sonos is still small fry.

Which makes them a better solution for the many that have the savvy to wire WiiM/similar to active or passive speakers that can give sound quality that is largely determined by the business end of the solution, the speakers. Bundled solutions are the dumbed down versions of such solutions.

Totally agree, @Kumar: a WiiM Amo with a pair of 4” or 5” speakers delivers fabulous sound at a very attractive price!

So would an Echo Dot. The electronics at the front end such as DACs to deliver sound quality of the HiFi domain of two decades ago is perhaps even sold by weight these days, and can deliver perfectly adequate line level signals that needs the speaker end to just be able to process such signals, these being just voltages - no need for any software protocol translations. It is a far less complex thing to do than to set up a HiFi separates system from the old days when things like impedance matching/power delivery/clipping was a complex subject.

So Amazon/WiiM/any other is just a matter of user preference for the UI on offer. And therefore, plenty of alternatives to Sonos, many that arguably do WiFi more efficiently than the two decades old Sonos way of doing it.

Which state of affairs is the reason for Spence having his knickers in a twist, a misguided response to which has led to the current mess that Sonos is in today.

@press250 There is an analogy for this right now with smart TVs. My new Samsung 4K has bundled smarts that I know suck when compared to Amazon Fire Cube. I haven’t even bothered to explore that bundled offering; when I bought the TV, I just moved my Cube over to it from the departing TV, and I fully control the new Samsung via the Cube interfaced to HDMI Arc on the Samsung, using the Amazon UI. In his room, my son that is more Apple than I am, does the same via the Apple TV box. 

But Samsung can hold its own in the market by continuously pushing things forward on the video quality front, but I suspect they will soon face similar barriers that Sonos has reached a decade ago - beyond 4 and maybe 8K, improvements for video will be as less a perceived benefit, as HiRes in audio has been for a long time now.

Also, even today, smart TVs are not using their UI as a differentiator - they know that compared to Amazon/Apple, all TV makes suck on this front.

@Kumar While an echo dot works for you and your Sonos speakers, it is still just another alternative along with the others as long as it fits someone’s usage requirements.

For me Amazon devices are a non-starter because they don’t support my music streaming provider. I’m not interested in switching providers at the moment, which means I’d be tied to using Bluetooth from my tablet, which defeats the purpose of a streamer imo and I may as well airplay direct to the Sonos speakers if my tablet is going to need to be the always in use playback device.

Only 3 out of the 11 Sonos devices I used to have provided line in support, which messes up being able to play independently in multiple rooms.

Sonos provided a jack-of-all trades covering the most streaming sources offering handy for people who don’t know what they want.

For those of us who know what we want, whether it’s certain streaming providers, local music playback, ease of integration with smart home, multi-room flexibility, independence from brands so there is minimal lock-in there is no one product fits all solution.