Introducing S2, New App and OS for Sonos

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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.

Hi - I just tried the S2 update on my system - Playbase, 2xPlay:1 and Sub. 
 

Playbase and 2xPlay:1 working fine but Sub won’t update. Tried connecting with an Ethernet cable too, reset it, reconnected etc but no luck. Here’s the diagnostic info number : 385246781

 

Please help. Thanks. 

@Ryan S  So this grouping thing, does it allow me to use the same sub in two different groups? I have my sub in the door opening just in middle of two rooms. In one there is my home theatre and next room an Amp with stereo speakers. Would be nice just to activate which group I need.

Disappointing. I was hoping S2 would at least support 24/96 so I could justify upgrading the Connect that I’m using as a Roon endpoint to a Port. Also sounds like the need for high res audio To be local may preclude that idea anyway...

THANK YOU for 24-bit ALAC support!! This is so wonderful!

 

No need for sample rates above 48kHz. This is perfect. Now I want to buy more speakers!

I was an earlier adopter for Sonos and have a house full of their equipment.

I feel abandoned. The rebranded S1 app is not going to be maintained according to their notes on the new release. Does that mean I am going to have paperweights as soon as Apple releases its next OS and there is some issue with the S1 application?

I’m feeling really screwed over by Sonos right now.

Is there still no support for streaming high res? 24-bit, 44.1/48kHz  FLAC was already supported wasn’t it?

Hesitating to upgrade because not sure my Control4 integration will still work afterwards but from what I  understood so no Tidal Master support, only local files: “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.”

@Archidee tested this morning on our Control4 system [Version 3.1.3] running the Sonos (Works with Sonos Certified) Driver [Version 98].  Everything working fine on Sonos S1… performed a system update to S2 and Control4 works perfectly and immediately via Control4.

I would imagine there are many sites where the customer would initiate an update to S2 without any consideration to their Control4 system - nice to know that this integration works seamlessly and perfectly between S1 and S2.

NOTE - Expect Control4 to be mighty confused if you run a mixed S1 + S2 System as I guess you would have two root bridges.

It seems Sonos seldom fails to disappoint these days. With two systems in two countries, I expected the ability to take advantage of higher resolution streams from the likes of Tidal to be one of the major benefits of the latest Sonos missteps and the ensuing fiasco. And, poof, my expectations have been deflated. At least I won’t be worried about my one legacy device, an earlier-generation Connect, now that there is no compelling reason for me to move to S2. 

Couldn’t agree more, Toolio - I am absolutely gobsmacked that they haven't added support for Tidal, Qobuz etc and high res. With the fiasco of S2 a couple of months ago the one thing I kept saying to myself was that at least they will be catching up many other companies and finally supporting hi res streaming. I should have known better. I almost admire the stubborn consistency with which this company keeps letting its customers down. 

 

Seriously, what are the advantages of S2 for most people with their current setups? 

 

One change at a time, they only have a finite amount of support staff. I’ve now got a split system, works fine for me with a few speaker moves.

One change at a time, they only have a finite amount of support staff. I’ve now got a split system, works fine for me with a few speaker moves.

Wrong change, wrong time. The number of streamers using Sonos speakers far outnumbers those playing files from their local libraries. Streaming is the present, playing files stored on a hard drive is the past. Most businesses support the majority of their customer base, not the minority. 

One change at a time, they only have a finite amount of support staff. I’ve now got a split system, works fine for me with a few speaker moves.

Wrong change, wrong time. The number of streamers using Sonos speakers far outnumbers those playing files from their local libraries. Streaming is the present, playing files stored on a hard drive is the past. Most businesses support the majority of their customer base, not the minority. 

 

In my case i would disagree, i play all my files from a nas drive, don’t have to worry then if the streaming service goes down for any reason.

Ryan, thanks for your response re Amazon HD/UHD and the 16bit vs. 24bit question.  

One follow-up: You say that S2 will play 24bit Amazon tracks at 24bit “assuming the tracks are downloaded to your local music library and shared with Sonos.”  Is it enough that they’re downloaded and visible in S2’s Browse-->Amazon Music→My Music, or do the tracks need to be added to “My Sonos” to play at 24 bit? 

Ryan, thanks for your response re Amazon HD/UHD and the 16bit vs. 24bit question.  

One follow-up: You say that S2 will play 24bit Amazon tracks at 24bit “assuming the tracks are downloaded to your local music library and shared with Sonos.”  Is it enough that they’re downloaded and visible in S2’s Browse-->Amazon Music→My Music, or do the tracks need to be added to “My Sonos” to play at 24 bit? 

 

I’m pretty sure Ryan is talking about purchased tracks that are added to your local library.  Sonos has never been able to play downloaded tracks from a monthly service, they contain DRM that is usually only readable by the service’s app.  

Can you shorten the app names? SonosS1Controller is on the long side for a mobile device, iPhone, etc.

Sonos1

Sonos2

Would be fine or:

Sonos

Sonos+

There are some on Facebook suggesting that reversion from S2 back to S1 might be possible. Can anyone confirm please?

There are some on Facebook suggesting that reversion from S2 back to S1 might be possible. Can anyone confirm please?

 

At this time, it appears that factory resetting an S2 device allows it to be added to back an S1 system.  However, this is not what it says in the Sonos FAQ, and we do not know how long this will be possible.  

There are some on Facebook suggesting that reversion from S2 back to S1 might be possible. Can anyone confirm please?

 

At this time, it appears that factory resetting an S2 device allows it to be added to back an S1 system.  However, this is not what it says in the Sonos FAQ, and we do not know how long this will be possible.  

Thanks. Has that been reported by someone who actually did it, or just people supposing it is possible?

There are some on Facebook suggesting that reversion from S2 back to S1 might be possible. Can anyone confirm please?

 

At this time, it appears that factory resetting an S2 device allows it to be added to back an S1 system.  However, this is not what it says in the Sonos FAQ, and we do not know how long this will be possible.  

Thanks. Has that been reported by someone who actually did it, or just people supposing it is possible?

Me, for one.

There are some on Facebook suggesting that reversion from S2 back to S1 might be possible. Can anyone confirm please?

 

At this time, it appears that factory resetting an S2 device allows it to be added to back an S1 system.  However, this is not what it says in the Sonos FAQ, and we do not know how long this will be possible.  

Thanks. Has that been reported by someone who actually did it, or just people supposing it is possible?

 

It’s been done by a couple different people.  I have done it myself.

There are some on Facebook suggesting that reversion from S2 back to S1 might be possible. Can anyone confirm please?

 

At this time, it appears that factory resetting an S2 device allows it to be added to back an S1 system.  However, this is not what it says in the Sonos FAQ, and we do not know how long this will be possible.  

Thanks. Has that been reported by someone who actually did it, or just people supposing it is possible?

 

It’s been done by a couple different people.  I have done it myself.

Thanks. Is it reliable enough that it might be a solution for those that have accidentally updated because they wanted to have a look at the S2 app?

Has anyone tried to see if 24/44.1 works with Roon? Or does the music literally need to come from something in the library?

So, I’ve set up a couple of Groups on the iOS S2 app, all good, how come they’re not available on the S2 Mac app?

There are some on Facebook suggesting that reversion from S2 back to S1 might be possible. Can anyone confirm please?

 

At this time, it appears that factory resetting an S2 device allows it to be added to back an S1 system.  However, this is not what it says in the Sonos FAQ, and we do not know how long this will be possible.  

Thanks. Has that been reported by someone who actually did it, or just people supposing it is possible?

 

It’s been done by a couple different people.  I have done it myself.

Thanks. Is it reliable enough that it might be a solution for those that have accidentally updated because they wanted to have a look at the S2 app?

 

Yes.  It’s essentially the same process as adding a brand new speaker.  

S2 Controller on Kindle Fire resolved:

  • Download S1 Controller from Kindle Appstore
  • First time you run it, select Join an Existing System
  • App detects that you’ve upgraded your system and prompts to download S2 Controller
  • Install S2 Controller
  • Delete S1 Controller

Nonintuitive to say the least. S2 Controller needs to be added to Kindle Appstore.

One change at a time, they only have a finite amount of support staff. I’ve now got a split system, works fine for me with a few speaker moves.

Wrong change, wrong time. The number of streamers using Sonos speakers far outnumbers those playing files from their local libraries. Streaming is the present, playing files stored on a hard drive is the past. Most businesses support the majority of their customer base, not the minority. 

 

In my case i would disagree, i play all my files from a nas drive, don’t have to worry then if the streaming service goes down for any reason.

Me too. but mainly because the streaming services always have gaps and they are particularly annoying on compilation/soundtrack albums. Singles (Cameron Crowe film) is one of my fave soundtracks but every streaming service I have trialled has missing tracks, for example. Until a service has everything I’ll stick with my NAS… which I upload to Play Music so I can stream it “free” when I am away from home. 

 

That was kinda off topic - so to say something on topic  - “upgraded” to S2 and I basically notice no difference is use except there are icons, instead of icons+words iat the bottom of the app. :neutral_face:

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