Introducing Amp Multi: 8 channels, 125W/ch and efficient GaN technology

Hmmm.. I see this having the potential as trickle-down tech for consumers in some fashion… I hope 🤞 

OR

Just give us the shelved Streaming box 👍👍👍

ATMOS support?

The image shows 24 speakers. I guess they are the SONANCE speakers.

I have a few questions. 

Is it 8 Ohm stable only or can I put a pair of regular speakers going down to 4 Ohm’s?

Since no HDMI, will we be able to set up as rears for 4.1 with an ARC, Beam, or Amp?

Can it only do 1 Sub pairing or can we do 2 Subs’ per zone and/or even if it was just one of the zones?

Can I use the physical sub out and a wireless sub for the same zone?

Will it be able to use as Atmos areas in a zone?

I think that is all. I have looked at all the information and watched the video s released.

More info.

No HDMI and no Atmos. This is clearly a product for pro installers only. Not very useful for most of the current user base.

We have seen a few posts from folks replacing other brand central audio systems as well as wanting to update older multiple amplifier Sonos systems.

My biggest concern would be the Sonos Sub support, the 5 gHz Sonosnet link might lack the range to reach some rooms. Didn't read the full manual.but hopefully there is a wired Sonos Sub option.

Since this a multizone product, can this be used with other Sonos speakers that are zone compatible in some way to create zones?

Along the same line as the above question, can 2  or more Amp Multi’s be used to create various combinations of zones?  For example, can Amp1:Output 1 be ‘bonded’ to Amp2: Output 1 to form a single zone?

Any possibility that the ability to manually tune the Amp Multi be ported over to the original amp or other Sonos speakers?  (probably can’t answer that one).

With Sonos 32 device limit, does this count as a single device or does it count as 4 (since it potentially has 4 zones)?  Does the device hold a single IP address?

The device has analog and USB inputs.  Does the USB input require an analog dongle like other Sonos speakers? if it is digital only, is there certain formats that are supported (not sure if that’s a good question)?  Can these inputs be assigned/shared to other Amp multis or speakers in your system?

I can only answer the device limit. It takes up however many zones you make it. So if you you all 8ch for 1 zone it takes up only 1 device, if you split it then it would take up two and so on. I was on the release webinar and that was one of the questions that was answered. It was pre recorded so I didn’t get my questions answered. 

Thank you, and that makes some sense.  I was going to ask if the zones can be reconfigured rather quickly...but I can’t think of a good use case for that, which couldn’t be better solved via grouping.

This could expand the user base.

Technology broadens. Think of the original personal computers that needed to be built by the user. And then there was the operating system to install. Relatively few people could deal with this. Now, the hard part is connecting with the mouse, printer, and network. Mostly this is plug and play.

There are a lot of audio systems using multi-channel amplifiers with control systems and signal sources that are aging out — along with their original installers. It would be relatively easy for many of these users to simply disconnect the multi-channel amplifier, trash inputs they haven’t used in a decade or more, drop in this amplifier, and ignore the original (often very crude) control systems.

It could expand the customer base, but not very much. I still wonder why no HDMI input or Atmos support.

I also wish there would be HDMI and Atmos support. This could replace a lot of older component systems, however, HDMI-ARC is not the friendliest interface to work with.

Given that a Dolby Atmos “component” system requires an array of free standing speakers in addition to ceiling speakers IMO that isn’t a market Sonos wants at least not with this product. Again IMO this product is geared toward “Zones for music” wherein consumers want the speakers to disappear (ceilings or walls).

it seems unlikely that a rack mounted, multi room device would be anywhere near an ARC output, nor be close enough to a Bluetooth device to get a signal. Not impossible, in either case, just unlikely. Given the sales channel, and rack mount abilities. I think I can understand the savings in hardware cost across the line. I could guess less than 10% might use it, and that’s likely too low to incur the cost across all. 

In this type of installation, there is currently no soundbar. One obstacle could be that there is no HDMI connection between the TV and current (ancient) sound system. The current sound system could be in a central closet or nearby and could easily be replaced by a soundbar, but this would require abandoning many of the current passive speakers that might already be neatly integrated into the environment. 

There is no one size fits all solution. A soundbar is a celebrated mess consolidator for many users. A discrete Atmos system is the only way to go for other users -- and they can manage the wires.

Well, I already have this functionality with my installed ceiling speakers and an outboard amp and a couple of ports. This is tidier and I suppose I could get another zone or two (but my rooms, like perhaps most people, are part of the flow of the house and don’t need different music playing just 15 feet away). If I were building a new house, it’s an easy decision. If reasonable on price, I suppose I could “upgrade”, but it ain’t broke as it stands. 

It surely will be attractive to custom home builders. The difference in:

This shiny box fills the house with music and if you want more we just add a second box.

And this rack of boxes and cables…

As a non-technical home shopper I sure know which I'd want.

I am very impressed with Ampli Multi and I would really like an updated Sonos Amp with this technology even because, not being an installer, I would not be able to buy this product.

Do you know if there can be a chance to see a 2 channel version with the same features and tech for the single user that can be bought as other Sonos products? Thank you.

They already make a 2 channel version of the Amp Multi.  It’s called the Amp.

Yes but do not have at first the same technology (GaN and PFFB) and definitely not the 10 band Parametric EQ).
My request was for this kind of product.

I currently have 4 sonos amps, running 4 zones and 3 of those have sound bars. Can this amp be utilized to pair with sound bars with the surrounds and subs for each independent zone?

Not according to the guide: https://www.sonos.com/en-us/guides/sonosampmulti

No mention of setting up as surrounds, only as audio devices. 

There are logical reasons why companies manufacture two levels of a seemingly similar product. Here are some that come to mind:

• As a differentiator between professional and consumer grade. Price point being a factor as you notice none is provided for the Amp Multi.
• To prevent encroachment by consumers upon the professional market base which companies want to protect.
• The technology and/or features are best handled by a professional for proper installation thus mitigating technical support calls by untrained consumers.

That’s not to say that certain aspects/features of a professional grade product won’t trickle down to the consumer level in a future iteration of a similar product such as the Amp. Such can occur via a product upgrade possibly designated as the Amp II or a completely new design.

I would not be surprised to see the next generation of the amp to have consumer and installer versions for similar reasons you listed above.  There is precedent for this already with the Era 100 (consumers) and Era 100 Pro (installer).  If I were to guess, the next version of the consumer Amp will have GaN and PFFP, but not protune.

I suspect that, going forward, all new products will likely use GaN and PFFP. It depends on when design was started.