Sonos One, Playbase, and Play:5 Will Support AirPlay 2 Functionality

[FX120]

https://github.com/nfarina/homebridge-sonos
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Sonos 1 can be used as an Airplay 1 speaker with Homebridge so the ability to stream to it is there; seems more like Sonos just wants to push sales on new hardware?

Again, the older Sonos hardware doesn't have the RAM to support the airplay 2 buffer. ALC is vbr, but if you assume an average of 700kbps you need around 80MB just to store 2 minutes of buffered audio. The Play:1 only has a grand total of 64MB for the entire device.

Honestly the shocking thing from this announcement is that a 2015 device (Gen 2 Play:5) is being updated to support a software protocol announced in 2017.

 

[vipergts2207]

Confirmed from reactions here and that clearly an ATV paired with a proper receiver and speakers is the absolute best way to go.

 

[rossy100]

Anyone think Sonos may release a new AP2 compatible bridge, which would effectively mean that the old speakers then become compatible?

 

[JamesLeSmash]

If your using a Mac just download Audiobridge. It lets you use Airplay on your Sonos speakers. Simple!

The problem with this being that I have to have my MacBook powered on 24/7 as the AudioBridge server in order for my Sonos speakers to appear on an iOS device...which is my primary use case. Plus, I want to be able to do this all via Siri on my HomePod. Is that too much to ask?

 

[critter13]

To be fair, it's looking like the AirPort Express, a 6-year-old device may get AP2 support. Though, @hank moody did bring up a good point. Why the need for AP2 if you only have one speaker?

What info is indicating APE will get AP2? This would be fantastic news.

 

[Cinab1mt]

I can understand the frustration, I myself will now have a PlayBar that will not support AirPlay 2, but I look at this as just being a part of the technology marry-go-round. There will always be newer technology, newer software, newer features that will make your older purchases seem out-of-date or not good enough anymore...it can be easy to get carried away trying to keep up with new technology.

As long as you were happy with the product at the time of purchase (and company "x" did not promise any features that are no longer supported etc) then this is just a part of the rat race....a race that cannot be won.

 

[AppleMad98004]

Ummm Apple doesn't even support Airplay 2

 

[bluespark]

Confirmed from reactions here and that clearly an ATV paired with a proper receiver and speakers is the absolute best way to go.

No, it isn’t, for sound quality at least. It doesn’t provide bit-perfect output and actually seems to modify the source sound to allow system sounds to be overlaid on the main audio track. I love many things about the Apple TV, but the sound quality for music is positively destroyed by other source devices I’ve tried.

 

[rhett7660]

Why would I not? It’s 3yrs old when Sonos started selling the special editions with the colours, 2018-mid makes 4yrs. Also there is no hardware difference except the AI chip and RAM to run it. The boot in Wi-Fi chip is upgradeable via firmware; think about the press release. How is the One able to broadcast and pair with the Play:1 to make both AirPlay2 compatible?

I just dislike the shady non distinct clarification, then the major sale push and limited 2:1 discount of the One to entice that models sales when the Play:1 was still and still is sold directly from Sonos and their entire Sales channel.

I’m by asking for new hardware or new features; I really do not wish o have Alexa in my humble abode. I’m quite happy with my tunes, guitar single bed with a lover and a roof right over my head. Son will have his own space. Besides I have Siri already why mix two non compatible crews under one roof?!
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I paused on buying second speaker waiting for AP2 suppprt since AirPlay 1 wasn’t supported.

Why does AP2 matter to me?
- iTunes (PC/Mac) playback support.
- AppleTV 4 audio support (iTunes Music, NetFlix hosted TV/movies, AVX etc.
- iPhone audio streaming form any app.

Sonos app only allows music or podcasts which I currently don’t subscribe to through its own apps connections that’s it.

Can you clarify this, as I use the Apple Podcast app and I am able to play it via my Sonos speakers without AP via the app. Now I can't stream via bluetooth, but I can play items that are on my phone via "This Phone" so I am curious. Do you use a third party service for podcasts like stitcher?

 

[G5isAlive]

Confirmed from reactions here and that clearly an ATV paired with a proper receiver and speakers is the absolute best way to go.

Define "best." Because what you mean is "best for me." I have always had a very decent hard wired set up, 7.1 surround sound, sub woofer, great speakers, and I have finished my transition to sonos and an apple tv for the sheer convenience of it. It used to be a dance of what remote to turn on when and what source to select etc... and yes I will give you that when I take the time the old style DOES sound better. But for just sitting down and turning on the tv, my sonos set up (two play 3's, a playbar, and a sub, plus whatever in the rest of the house) works just fine. And I like that I can pump the sound all over the house without running wires. I run the old style primarily when I am using my 4k UHD discs. So yeah for me best used to be the receiver route. These days, mostly its sonos.. But, I guess I am lucky to be able to chose.

 

[err404]

Anyone think Sonos may release a new AP2 compatible bridge, which would effectively mean that the old speakers then become compatible?

According to Sonos if any one speaker in the group supports AP2, it can ask as the host to send audio to the rest of you older Sonos speakers.

 

[vipergts2207]

What info is indicating APE will get AP2? This would be fantastic news.

It’s showed up in HomeKit for iOS betas.

No, it isn’t, for sound quality at least. It doesn’t provide bit-perfect output and actually seems to modify the source sound to allow system sounds to be overlaid on the main audio track. I love many things about the Apple TV, but the sound quality for music is positively destroyed by other source devices I’ve tried.

I was speaking of the audio side, and if you’re concerned about anything the ATV may be doing to the audio signal, most receivers support AirPlay directly so you can skip the ATV if desired.

Define "best." Because what you mean is "best for me." I have always had a very decent hard wired set up, 7.1 surround sound, sub woofer, great speakers, and I have finished my transition to sonos and an apple tv for the sheer convenience of it. It used to be a dance of what remote to turn on when and what source to select etc... and yes I will give you that when I take the time the old style DOES sound better. But for just sitting down and turning on the tv, my sonos set up (two play 3's, a playbar, and a sub, plus whatever in the rest of the house) works just fine. And I like that I can pump the sound all over the house without running wires. I run the old style primarily when I am using my 4k UHD discs. So yeah for me best used to be the receiver route. These days, mostly its sonos.. But, I guess I am lucky to be able to chose.

Best, as in best sound quality, and apparently AirPlay support as well, which I didn’t realize Sonos didn’t even have. Ridiculous omission on Sonos’ part. Also, there’s no need for any kind of remote dancing with a Harmony. I can press one button and everything fires up and goes to be correct inputs and settings. AirPlay 2 will take care of the wireless whole home audio, with the benefit of not being locked into one brand of speaker as well.

 

[err404]

...Ridiculous omission on Sonos’ part...

For better or worse, they had a different vision for audio a few years ago. They were pushing multi room and independent playback. That said, they built in support for connecting an APE via a 5 series years ago. In anycase they are doing the right thing for users now and are going so far as to preserve users investments in older speakers.

 

[AtomicGrog]

This is a real stab-in-the-back for customers that have been with Sonos for a while. Here’s why...with the below configuration:
Room 1: 2x Play:1’s & HomePod
Room 2: 1x Play:1
Room3: 1x Play:1

If want to integrate AP2 in Room 1 then I need to buy a One (or better) which would result in two smart speakers in one room...pointless. Then for every additional room I need to buy a One to bring it onto AP2.

Given that I don’t want Alexa in my house, I feel like my only Sonos option really is to get a Play:5 & put that in Room 1 (moving one of the 1’s elsewhere) & accepting that only one room will have AP2 (because of the 5 price point).

I’m also assuming that I’ll be able to say “Hey siri, play Britney Spears in Room 1”...if I can’t do this then for me personally there is almost no point...I don’t hate the Sonos app THAT much...

Am thinking either my impression or others is wrong about the functionality being introduced here. I too have multiple Sonos devices and am tempted to wait until a 'One' is available with AP2.

I noticed that Sonos have targeted devices which historically have been used to source external music. I can effectivelyy AP2 to the enabled device and then play it in any/all rooms.

As such I don't need to wreak havoc on any existing setup, it's an add-on I can put into an uncovered room... no lost investment, marginal incremental cost to upgrade.

 

[rossy100]

According to Sonos if any one speaker in the group supports AP2, it can ask as the host to send audio to the rest of you older Sonos speakers.

I understand. If they released an updated bridge though, that could work so that you wouldn’t need to use the group workaround (which would be preferential for users who have one speaker per room and want to use independently)?

If there were such a bridge and it were reasonably priced, this would likely be a more palatable upgrade for existing users rather than having to buy a One.

 

[DeepIn2U]

There is a pretty big difference in hardware required to support the buffer Airplay 2 specifies. Some of the oldest Sonos players only have 32MB of RAM and the Play:1 only has 64MB which is plenty to for what it was designed to do. Sonosnet is a mesh network and only needs stores a few seconds of buffered uncompressed audio in the player. Airplay 2 requires a buffer of several minutes of uncompressed audio, which probably wouldn't be possible to make room for on the older devices.


I didn't see anything from Sonos advertising that Airplay 2 support was coming to all devices natively, just that it would be supported on the One. I think the confusion comes around due to question of whether or not Airplay 2 audio sent to a One would be able to be distributed out to the rest of the network which is compatible with all older devices.

I've bought several Ones and Play:1s in the last year, and am glad that Sonos kept the Play:1 around as it's still a great device for places I don't need or want voice support and is $50 cheaper.
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Software still runs on hardware. The hardware that runs the embedded Linux OS that Sonos uses wasn't designed to support the buffer that Airplay 2 requires. The resources just aren't there on the older devices.

I’m curious, do you have any facts about AirPlay2 and Sonos Play 1 that is publicly documented by Apple and Sonos respectively to support your first statement?

Furthermore last fall Sonos stated AirPlay2 support would be coming. They were not specific as to which models and the statement was released before the Play One was officially leaked or announced by almost a full 30days. Then after the Play One was announced still further unclarity yet they were more clear on a time frame as to when (season) hat Alexa support would occur on the One. This is all public information even right here on front page news historically. You can also do a quick google search on Play:1 AirPlay 2 support and you’ll find at least 2 threads with conflicting information on all things such has chips, wifi, ram, even official statement of a more concise timeframe of AirPlay 2 support back in january to occur in spring.

I find it funny you claim to have information yet with all of this you fail to recall? I guess it didn’t matter as much to you, or just was not as concerned.

Last nights notification email from Sonos claims pairing (also new Sonos player update), that Play:1 can pair to an Echo to get Alexa support. Hmmm. Seems like firmware and OS can be updated to support new software and that the resources ARE there - from a programmers perspective and hardware. There is no restriction I’ve seen with AirPlay 2 having to have 802.11AC that’s the one clear documented difference between :1 vs One.
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Can you clarify this, as I use the Apple Podcast app and I am able to play it via my Sonos speakers without AP via the app. Now I can't stream via bluetooth, but I can play items that are on my phone via "This Phone" so I am curious. Do you use a third party service for podcasts like stitcher?

You didn’t read my post before, I don’t use podcast.

Go to Safari, or YouTube. Play a son or video ... you cannot send the sound to Sonos Play:1 or any Sonos without PlayBar or their Hub (name escapes me atm).

Play a game or video in Photos taken from your iPhone camera. Play a recorded audio from Memo app natively in iOS ... both cannot be sent to Sonos again without Playbar or their Hub.

Apple Podcast or I think Apple Music (I don’t subscribe to streaming music; personal choice), is done via “connecting” through Sonos’ app. You cannot do it natively to the Play:1.
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For better or worse, they had a different vision for audio a few years ago. They were pushing multi room and independent playback. That said, they built in support for connecting an APE via a 5 series years ago. In anycase they are doing the right thing for users now and are going so far as to preserve users investments in older speakers.

(Roll eyes)

Doesn’t seem to preserve my purchase or intended future purchases to Sonos if the Play:1 got AirPlay support.

It is what it is. Someone else will get my Sonos.

 

[rhett7660]

You didn’t read my post before, I don’t use podcast.

Go to Safari, or YouTube. Play a son or video ... you cannot send the sound to Sonos Play:1 or any Sonos without PlayBar or their Hub (name escapes me atm).

Play a game or video in Photos taken from your iPhone camera. Play a recorded audio from Memo app natively in iOS ... both cannot be sent to Sonos again without Playbar or their Hub.

Apple Podcast or I think Apple Music (I don’t subscribe to streaming music; personal choice), is done via “connecting” through Sonos’ app. You cannot do it natively to the Play:1.

Gotcha, you are correct, it has to be through their app, you can't use a native app to stream to the Sonos speaker. I was just curious as I was a little confused/curious on your post. Thank you for the explanation.

 

[JamesLeSmash]

Am thinking either my impression or others is wrong about the functionality being introduced here. I too have multiple Sonos devices and am tempted to wait until a 'One' is available with AP2.

I noticed that Sonos have targeted devices which historically have been used to source external music. I can effectivelyy AP2 to the enabled device and then play it in any/all rooms.

As such I don't need to wreak havoc on any existing setup, it's an add-on I can put into an uncovered room... no lost investment, marginal incremental cost to upgrade.

Perhaps I am mistaken but the way understand this is: if you were to put the One in an uncovered room (let’s say Room 4 in my setup) then you would only be able to play music natively from an iOS device to Room 4 + anything it is grouped with.

The functionalities I would like are to:

1. See my 3 Sonos groups within the Home app.
2. Be able to play three different audio in three different groups natively from iTunes or the Music app without having to open the Sonos app.

To be able to do this I believe I will need a One for every group, or some sort of (unannounced) bridge? If someone could confirm I’d be much obliged! LeSmash

 

[boris1]

Perhaps I am mistaken but the way understand this is: if you were to put the One in an uncovered room (let’s say Room 4 in my setup) then you would only be able to play music natively from an iOS device to Room 4 + anything it is grouped with.

The functionalities I would like are to:

1. See my 3 Sonos groups within the Home app.
2. Be able to play three different audio in three different groups natively from iTunes or the Music app without having to open the Sonos app.

To be able to do this I believe I will need a One for every group, or some sort of (unannounced) bridge? If someone could confirm I’d be much obliged! LeSmash

Yes, you need a Sonos One for every group. I confirmed this with Sonos sales through the website's chat feature.

 

[geofffitch]

When Sonos introduced the new Sonos One back in October, the company confirmed it would add AirPlay 2 support to Sonos speakers later in 2018.

At the time, Sonos did not specify which of its devices would support the new protocol, but Sonos has offered some clarification in the form of a new blog post that includes AirPlay 2 details.

According to Sonos, native AirPlay 2 support will be available on the Playbase, the newest version of the Play:5, and the Sonos One.

Older Sonos speakers will not support AirPlay 2 on their own due to processor limitations, but they can be paired with the Playbase, the Play:5, or the Sonos One to enable AirPlay 2 functionality. A Sonos Play:1 grouped with a Sonos One, for example, will support AirPlay 2.Apple thus far has not released AirPlay 2, despite the fact that it was first introduced as a feature of iOS 11 back in June of 2017. AirPlay 2 functionality was initially included in iOS 11.3 and tvOS 11.3 betas, but it was pulled ahead of the release of those updates.

AirPlay 2 functionality is now included in iOS 11.4 and tvOS 11.4, but it is not yet clear if the features will be included in the final version of the software.

Article Link: Sonos One, Playbase, and Play:5 Will Support AirPlay 2 Functionality

 

[BigMac?]

Its time Sonos releases the time frame for the updates.

 

[cmaier]

Its time Sonos releases the time frame for the updates.

They still say coming soon

 

[chrfr]

Its time Sonos releases the time frame for the updates.

Apple just finalized Airplay 2 this week, nearly a full year after it was announced. Third party developers are going to need some time.

 

[masteroflondon]

Apple just finalized Airplay 2 this week, nearly a full year after it was announced. Third party developers are going to need some time.

Do you think they'll be starting from scratch at this point, or will they have been able to make a head start since there were previous beta releases that had it?
I wonder if they would have worked with those, or if it was better to wait for firm ground.

 

[cmaier]

Do you think they'll be starting from scratch at this point, or will they have been able to make a head start since there were previous beta releases that had it?
I wonder if they would have worked with those, or if it was better to wait for firm ground.

I’m sure they worked with the betas.