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Metsfan1975
Contributor II
August 9, 2020
Question

Port or Amp

I am looking to install speakers on my patio.  The patio is wired and the A/V port is in the living room.  Since the patio is already wired and I just need to install speakers, would I need the Amp or the Port to get them to play?  TIA! 

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melvimbe
melvimbe
August 11, 2020

@buzz so should I be going with the connect or amp?

 

Let’s back up a bit.  There are essentially 3 parts to every audio system.  You need a source to provide the audio you want. For Sonos, this is a Connect or  Port.  You need an amplifier to provide power for speakers.  You can use any amplifier you want, but Sonos has the Connect:Amp or Amp.  The Connect:Amp/Amp have the source built into it, so you would not use a Connect/Port if you’re using a Connect:Amp/Amp.  The third thing you need is passive speakers, which have already for your patio.

So your two option is to get a Connect/Port with a third party amp four your passive speakers...or to just get a Connect:Amp/Amp.  The recommend option is an Amp, since it’s the most straight forward option and the most future proof option.

 

Not important for this discussion, but FYI, when a device is both an amp and speaker all in one, it’s called an ‘Active Speaker’.  The speakers Sonos makes all have the amp+speaker so are considered active speakers.  There are also devices that are source + amp + speaker, and the term for this is not so standard.  Some will call this a ‘Smart Speaker’, but other definitions require that a smart speaker also have built in voice control.  All Sonos speakers are source + amp + speaker, so some would call them smart speakers.  Some Sonos speakers also have built in voice control, so everyone would call those smart speakers.

Danny
buzz
buzz
Grand Maestro
August 12, 2020

Metsfan1975,

Do you have or want to add any other SONOS units? Do you want the ability to play music from your SONOS system through the A/V receiver?

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