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Contributor I
December 3, 2014
Question

Can Sonos connect to 802.11n or 802.11ac in wireless mode?

Hello, I just got my first Sonos, play 5, really enjoying it. I didn't buy the bridge and have it connected in wireless mode to my AP. I had to change the configuration to support b/g. Is there a plan to support 802.11n/ac? In order to support n or ac, I am wondering if it will be a different hardware or another firmware/software update? TIA
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    16 replies

    Chris
    Lead Maestro
    December 3, 2014
    If it were me I would get a bridge or boost and keep Sonos on separate network (then you can go back to your N network and also keep Sonos traffic off that network).
    Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)
    Max P
    Sonos Employee
    December 3, 2014
    Hi Pawandeep,

    Standard wireless setup is not supported on:
    • Guest networks/Hotspots that use a portal page to login.
    • Enterprise access points configured to require certificates or some other form of enterprise authentication (aka "802.1X", "RADIUS", or "WPA/WPA2 Enterprise").
    • Networks with wireless range extenders.
    Here is a FAQ: Sonos WiFi Setup
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    Chris
    Lead Maestro
    December 3, 2014
    .. .and N only 5 ghz networks not supported
    Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)
    Contributor I
    December 5, 2014
    Chris, Max P - Thank you so much for your time and responses. I appreciate it. Chris - I think I might do that just to separate and go back to N configuration on my Access Point. Max - I did review the documentation and was aware of that information. It doesn't apply to my scenario. I think I did not ask the my question the right way. What I am looking for is that given Sonos now supports direct wireless connect and 802.11n/ac are the new wi-fi standards, when will Sonos support the new standards down the road? And when Sonos is ready to support n and ac as new wifi standards, will it be software only or hardware change? I believe it will be hardware change but I am curious. What I am looking for is whether Sonos roadmap has support for 802.11n and 802.11ac. If yes, when?
    Lyricist II
    December 28, 2014
    Setting up a CONNECT now.  I too find it odd that I had to adjust my router back to n/g compatibility ("2008 called...").  Can we expect 802.11n support?
    Lyricist II
    December 28, 2014
    As I hit "submit" it hit me ...  I'm guessing the answer is "no" as 802.11b vs 802.11g vs. 802.11n is usually a HARDWARE limitation.
    Lyricist II
    January 24, 2015
    This is a joke, no 802.11n support?  When was the hardware for these speakers made, 2005?
    Lyricist I
    May 7, 2015
    Between the no 802.11n support and the inability to support networks with range extenders, that's a problem. I have a Time Capsule and an Airport Express for extending to my home office. I've had significant issues/conflicts with the Sonos bridge, controllers, etc. losing connection.

    Can anyone at Sonos confirm if this is even something on the roadmap? Long time Sonos customer, told many friends about it, but I can't justify buying more gear if it means I can't have an extended network for my work...
    Avid Contributor III
    September 15, 2015
    @Chris: can I say SONOS just have totally no support for 5GHz WLAN at all?
    MikeV
    September 15, 2015
    @Chris: can I say SONOS just have totally no support for 5GHz WLAN at all?
    At least at this time, that is accurate to say. Whether it remains that way in the future, only Sonos knows.
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