Initial setup must be done through a phone/pad App. After the system is setup, you can play music using the desktop controller.
You don’t need to connect the speakers via WiFi if they are wired. Obviously, you’ll need WiFi for the phone/pad.
Development stopped on the desktop controllers several years ago and the player configuration capability has been removed, but the desktop controllers continue to be able to control music play.
As Sonos says: “An iOS or Android device is required to set up your Sonos system.“
https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/sonos-system-requirements