INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Sonos is doubling down on the custom in-home audio market with new products and partnerships
The company today announced a new version of the Sonos Amp and a partnership with Sonance that will result in three architectural speakers
— in-wall, in-ceiling and outdoor — that Sonos says will gain additional functionality when paired with a Sonos system.
Sonos is also
announcing upcoming Control APIs that the company says will make it easier to integrate Sonos into the ever-evolving smart home
This jibes with Sonos& long-standing approach of working with other platforms to offer its customers as many services as possible.
The new
Amp allows owners to use traditional home audio speakers with a Sonos system
Connect a turntable or stream media with just the Amp and power a set of bookshelf speakers
According to the spec sheet, the Amp has enough power to push most high-end bookshelf speakers.
The Amp replaces the Connect:Amp
The new version is more powerful, works with more platforms and is more expensive at $599 rather than $499
This new version outputs 125 watts per channel at 8 ohms; it can power four speakers instead of two
The additional power makes the Amp more versatile than its predecessor, too
Sonos says the Amp can be used to add stereo sound to a TV (thanks in part to HDMI Arc support) or add wireless rears to a Sonos theater
Or, two Amps can be used to add a complete surround sound system
Multiple Amp units can be stacked or mounted in a rack.
The Amp works with AirPlay 2 and with Alexa when used in conjunction with an Amazon
Alexa-enabled Sonos device like a Sonos One or Beam.
With a product like the Amp, Sonos has a new offering for those customers looking to
integrate the convenient Sonos line into their high-end home theater setup
That a serious market, too, and the company new partnership with Sonance shows Sonos is committed to addressing the home audio enthusiast
while building products to compete with Apple and Amazon.
Together, they will produce in-wall speakers that when used with a Sonos Amp will
offer additional functionality
The company stopped short of detailing the added functionality
These speakers are set for an early 2019 release.
This is Sonos& first large announcement after going public on August 2.
