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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.

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230 replies

Toffe
Trending Lyricist I
June 8, 2020

So I still can’t use Tidal hifi and stream my music. :rolling_eyes:

I sincerely hope that support comes along the way...

Regards:Kris
Producer I
June 8, 2020

Hey Ryan, quick question and 1 suggestion if you can add.

I use Amazon Music HD as my main source of music, its nice there because it says what quality of the music is currently playing. I did not find this on the app, it still doesn't let you know what's the quality of the audio that it's playing.

When I stream directly from Amazon Music App an (ultra hd song “Ultra HD tracks have a bit depth of 24 bits, with sample rates ranging from 44.1 kHz up to 192 kHz, and an average bitrate of 3730 kbps.") to Sonos S2 what quality the sonos speakers will receive ?

 

Thanks

 

Ryan S
Ryan SAuthor
Retired Sonos Staff
June 8, 2020

I’ll pass along the suggestion for you, tiago. Amazon Music HD on Sonos plays at 16-bit/44.1kHz FLAC, that hasn’t changed with S2, though I’ll add a request for that for you.

Mark good posts by pressing the like button, and select the best answer on questions you've asked to help others find solutions.
Producer I
June 8, 2020

Ryan, I've had just updated my comment with the quality of the ultra hd tracks. 

 

The ultra hd tracks have a bit depth of 24 bits, with sample rates ranging from 44.1 kHz up to 192 kHz, and an average bitrate of 3730 kbps.

 

So what will happen is it will get played on 16bit/44.1kHz even if I stream directly to the Sonos S2 speaker? 

Ryan S
Ryan SAuthor
Retired Sonos Staff
June 8, 2020

Amazon Music HD on Sonos doesn’t stream the 24-bit files, it uses the CD quality 16-bit/44.1kHz FLAC. The Amazon servers have both formats available. 

Mark good posts by pressing the like button, and select the best answer on questions you've asked to help others find solutions.
melvimbe
June 8, 2020

So just so I understand . . . If I stream 24bit music from Amazon, S2 will play it at 16bit, but if I download 24bit music from Amazon, Sonos will play it at 24bit? Is that right? 

That’s correct, assuming the tracks are downloaded to your local music library and shared with Sonos. As opposed to trying to play offline music that’s been saved for playback later.

Right, which I believe that mean the tracks need to be purchased.  From what I’ve seen, download tracks form Amazon that you do not own, but have access by subscription, are only playable form an Amazon music app.

Danny
Lyricist I
June 8, 2020

Most of my local 24 bit music exceeds the Sonos limit of 1536kbps bitrate, i Dont want to downscale all my flac files 😠. I tested with some different files, some 24 bit 48 Hz files with higher bitrate than 1536kbps payed just fine, and some dident. Very Odd.

Chromatic Producer I
June 8, 2020

Hi Ryan, I confirm the older versions of Android still work after the S1 update. Strangely newer devices and the PC Software show the App as SONOS S1 but the older units just say Sonos.

busy trying to edit the queue
Contributor II
June 8, 2020

Since updating to S2 my tv setup which worked fine yesterday will not work. Play bar works but sub and rear play 1’s will not. Says wireless network will not support these products but they are S2 compatible. 
if I ungroup speakers work fine but won’t work when paired with sub and play bar. 

Enthusiast I
June 8, 2020

When I look in my profile on Sonos.com and click System it tells me that I still have 1 product that is not compatible with S2 which is my old Bridge that I no longer use and gave away for free. I’m pretty sure I had removed it from my system back then but it is still showing up here. Is there a way to remove it permanently from my account? I don’t want the Bridge to be associated with my account anymore since I do not even have it physically. I would have assumed that whomever I gave it to once they set it up would have removed it from my account.

 

EDIT: to be clear I updated to S2 just fine. So the app is working. I just don't want my old Bridge to be associated with my profile any longer which it still seems to be in the System tab within Sonos.com