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Contributor I
January 19, 2024
Answered

Audio via Browser and Desktop (Era 100)

Hi, how can we listen to audio from browser on our phones or desktop computers (through Era 100)? I’m on iPhone and Mac M2, if it matters. Sonos app doesn’t seem to allow it.  

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Airgetlam
AirgetlamAnswer
January 19, 2024

Use AirPlay 2 to send the signal from one of the Apple products to the speaker. You can’t connect both at the same time, though. At that point, you’re essentially skipping the Sonos software, and the using Apple’s AirPlay 2 to control the speaker(s), although if need be, grouping in the Sonos software is still preferable, so you’re not sending multiple streams from the Apple device.

I’m doing this at the moment, sending an AirPlay 2 signal from an Apple TV to a Sonos One, which I’ve then grouped in Sonos with a pair of PLAY:3s. 

Bruce

17 replies

Airgetlam
AirgetlamAnswer
January 19, 2024

Use AirPlay 2 to send the signal from one of the Apple products to the speaker. You can’t connect both at the same time, though. At that point, you’re essentially skipping the Sonos software, and the using Apple’s AirPlay 2 to control the speaker(s), although if need be, grouping in the Sonos software is still preferable, so you’re not sending multiple streams from the Apple device.

I’m doing this at the moment, sending an AirPlay 2 signal from an Apple TV to a Sonos One, which I’ve then grouped in Sonos with a pair of PLAY:3s. 

Bruce
Airgetlam
January 19, 2024

Just as a note, though, this isn’t intended design. Sonos still doesn’t make/sell/advertise computer speakers. This is a work around. 

Bruce
Airgetlam
January 19, 2024

Upon further thought, there is also the option of connecting your device’s headphone output to the Sonos Line In Adapter, and sending the data over in a wired manner. I’d assume it would require some fiddling of the volume sent by the device, and the sensitivity of the line in settings on the Sonos, to be sure you’re getting an appropriate signal strength. Generally, a line in is looking for a ‘line level’ input, not a variable strength input. 

Bruce
CGGAuthor
Contributor I
January 20, 2024

Thanks @Airgetlam for the suggestions. We purchased the speaker with the intention to listen to audio wirelessly from any device including the computer. Nowhere there was a note about its limitations and we certainly haven’t considered a computer would be one. We can’t do line in adapter due to our physical setting but will look into AirPlay 2. Hopefully it’s easy to do and doesn’t bring up more surprises. 

controlav
Lead Maestro
January 20, 2024

 

Author of the leading independent Sonos apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, Windows and Xbox.
Airgetlam
January 20, 2024

It would be an unusual company to advertise what it doesn’t do. 

Bruce
CGGAuthor
Contributor I
January 20, 2024

Thanks @controlav, it looks like listening to audio from computer over wifi is not possible with Sonos speakers.

@Airgetlam we are not the only ones; a little search on the internet brings up many people who purchased these speakers with the same intention so obviously something somewhere is wrong. On top, we’re also stuck with Sonos ads each time we change the radio station unless we upgrade! Bravo to marketing folks!

buzz
Grand Maestro
January 20, 2024

On top, we’re also stuck with Sonos ads each time we change the radio station unless we upgrade! Bravo to marketing folks!

I have some musician friends who are grappling with the reality that they cannot pay their rent if music is “free”.

CGGAuthor
Contributor I
January 21, 2024

Your musician friends are totally right and should check in with companies like Sonos that advertise their products in the middle. 

106rallye
January 21, 2024

@CGG It seems you are laying the blame for the feature you seem to miss with Sonos because there are “many people who purchased these speakers with the same intention”. I’d agree that being able to play computer sounds via WiFi to Sonos speakers would be nice to have, and this could be a commercially viable option for Sonos, especially because some people seem to expect it. I’d also agree “something somewhere is wrong”, but it still amazes me so many people buy expensive devices without doing the necessary research. The fact you cannot play from your computer to the speakers is not a secret - the fact Sonos does not advertise it should be a clue for those looking for a feature that is important for them.