Skip to main content
Ryan S
Retired Sonos Staff
June 8, 2020

Introducing S2, New App and OS for Sonos

Related content:Software
Introducing S2, New App and OS for Sonos

The next generation of Sonos software is now available. Sonos S2 is a new app and an operating system for compatible devices, which brings support for higher resolution audio, saved groups, support for new Sonos products, and more.

Learn more about the Sonos S2 app on our S2 home page.

 

Support for the newest Sonos products

The all new Sonos Arc, Sonos Five, and Sonos Sub will require the Sonos S2 app. These new players are not supported by the Sonos S1 Controller. 

 

Saved Groups

The new S2 app can save groups of rooms to create groups quickly and easily. Once a group is created, you can select it to start playing music and the players will automatically group up. 

 

High Resolution Audio

 

With S2, Sonos speakers now have support for high resolution audio, 24-bit, 44.1/48kHz for FLAC/ALAC only. This support is for local music libraries shared from computers and network attached drives. We’ve updated the article on Sonos supported music formats here.

The Sonos Arc is a Dolby Atmos soundbar, and S2 brings support for that audio to Sonos for home theater and music. Dolby Atmos can be read from Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby MAT, and Dolby TrueHD. 

 

How to get S2

All Sonos systems will be able to update to Sonos version 11.2, which contains some bug fixes and stability improvements. This version is a new S1 update, and compatible with all players. 

Once the 11.2 update is completed, systems compatible with Sonos S2 will receive a notification that the new app is available. You can tap that notification to start updating and the new app which will guide you through updating compatible players to the new platform. If you don’t see the notification banner, you go to System Tools in Settings to check compatibility and update. Sonos S2 is Sonos version 12.0.

You can check our Sonos S2 Compatibility article for a list of products that are compatible with S2.​​​​​

 

Articles and important information about S2

We will support products on Sonos S1 with bug fixes and security patches, and we will do what we can to ensure they keep working with the music services you love given their limited RAM and processing power.

We’ve put together answers to some of the top questions we’ve seen around S2 here, so please check out the following articles on:

Sonos S2 Overview - A great starting place to learn more about S2.

Sonos S2 Compatibility - Information about the differences between Sonos S2 and S1, including which Sonos products are compatible.

Set up separate S1 and S2 systems - Learn how to set up a separate Sonos S1 system with Sonos products that are not compatible with S2.

Known limitations with separate S1 and S2 Sonos systems - This article covers what you can expect when using two separate S1 and S2 systems.

Set up a separate Sonos S1 system

Remove Sonos products that are not compatible with S2 - Instructions on how to use the product removal tool in the Sonos S1 Controller before updating to Sonos S2.

Information about Trade Up:

If you’re interested in updating older Sonos speakers, here’s all the details on our Trade Up program, a way to get a big discount on any new Sonos products that are S2 compatible.

Trade Up home page - Get a general overview of the Sonos Trade Up program.

Trade Up support article - Step by step instructions on how to trade up your eligible Sonos products.

This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.

230 replies

Trending Lyricist I
January 26, 2021

So in summary paying for a Hi-Fi subscription to Tidal, Qobus or Deezer does not make sense because Sonos doesn't support it. 

You get lossless audio, but you don't get MQA.

Trending Lyricist I
January 26, 2021

 

Last but not least, bluesound doesn't use a separate wifi network like Sonos, and I never had any interferences issues. You know the BIG and only excuse used by Sonos support why your system isn't working properly. Obviously you cannot be a sound and network engineers in the same time. Pathetic. 

We have been able to use Sonos on normal wifi as a normal mode for many years now?

January 26, 2021

Finally I found the solution for Hi-res and MQA streaming compatibility. 

https://www.bluesound.com

Well, you are welcome to MQA.  Pure snake oil.  Better sound?  No - just expectation bias.

Good luck!

Avid Contributor III
January 26, 2021

Finally I found the solution for Hi-res and MQA streaming compatibility. 

https://www.bluesound.com

Well, you are welcome to MQA.  Pure snake oil.  Better sound?  No - just expectation bias.

Good luck!

Agreed. I have a Tidal trial account right now, running through a traditional hifi separates system that is way better than my Sonos gear and there is precisely ZERO difference between MQA and the standard lossless.

TBH, I’m not 100% sure there is even any reliably detectable difference between the “Hi-Fi” level lossless and the 320kbps stuff. Certainly nobody is going to hear any different through Sonos all-in-one speakers.

chicks
January 26, 2021

Finally I found the solution for Hi-res and MQA streaming compatibility. 

https://www.bluesound.com

As with most ‘solutions’ - they have a tendency to ‘evaporate’...

 

Indeed no more issue and happy with my real Hi-fi sound. My jazz collections never sound better. 

Last but not least, bluesound doesn't use a separate wifi network like Sonos, and I never had any interferences issues. You know the BIG and only excuse used by Sonos support why your system isn't working properly. Obviously you cannot be a sound and network engineers in the same time. Pathetic. 

You do realize that the Bluesound Node 2i’s inherent noise level means it isn’t even capable of 16-bit resolution, right? :joy:

 

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-bluesound-node-2i-streamer.6631/

SirDigitalKnight
Enthusiast I
March 1, 2021

 

TBH, I’m not 100% sure there is even any reliably detectable difference between the “Hi-Fi” level lossless and the 320kbps stuff. Certainly nobody is going to hear any different through Sonos all-in-one speakers.

There have been a lot of studies on this and you are right, the vast majority of people can not distinguish the difference so long as it is 320kbps or higher. I am sure there are some out there that have very very good ears and have some very high end gear that can hear the difference and they of course should be able to choose and enjoy to listen to the lossless. I have tinnitus in both ears so 320kbps is more than fine with me and it also uses up a lot less disk space on my 10TB NAS. On a side note, just about everyone that I have setup Sonos for in their houses/apartments only use Sonos for background music which 128kbps is just fine for.

SirDigitalKnight
Enthusiast I
March 1, 2021

Anyone on here using URC Total control 2 and upgraded their Sonos S1 to S2 and can comment on if the the Sonos intergration still funtions?

Also anyone care to share how S2 works when internet is down for local music playback compared to S1? 

I am upgrading my system in April to S2 and want to be prepared.

Thx. 

SirDigitalKnight
Enthusiast I
March 21, 2021

No entiendo nada?

Ken_Griffiths
March 21, 2021

Anyone on here using URC Total control 2 and upgraded their Sonos S1 to S2 and can comment on if the the Sonos intergration still funtions?

Also anyone care to share how S2 works when internet is down for local music playback compared to S1? 

I am upgrading my system in April to S2 and want to be prepared.

Thx. 

You might be best to contact URC Automation to answer your question, or perhaps just setup a separate S2 HH with one or two currently compatible S1/S2 devices to check the compatibility with the URC system. As long as you retain an S1 HH, you can always go back and downgrade the devices to S1, if necessary.

https://www.urc-automation.com/contact-us/

SirDigitalKnight
Enthusiast I
March 21, 2021

Thanks Ken for the reply! Brilliant minds think alike, I purchased two newish Connects S2 capable units off eBay for a fraction of the cost of a new Port. Since my old Connect is S1 once I add the two new Connects I should be able to do some testing on this once my friend brings them down to me here in Colombia. :fingers_crossed_tone2: