You could also add the more affordable Echo Dot to the mix if you have Bluetooth speakers in and around the house that you want to add to your multiroom music system. The standard Amazon Echo (4th Gen) and the larger Echo Studio are both great picks, and the latter in particular offers something that no other compact wireless speakers do: Dolby Atmos support (which adds a height element to make the sound even more immersive). Using voice commands to operate a synchronized multiroom music system requires a little more in the way of setup-and isn’t quite as intuitive as Sonos’s app control-but the Echo system’s configuration and operation don’t require an unreasonable amount of effort. Although none of the Echo speakers sound as good as anything in the Sonos lineup, the latest generation of Amazon speakers is a big improvement over earlier Echo devices. If you’re looking for a more affordable multiroom wireless music system that still sounds great-or if advanced voice control is especially important to you-Amazon’s Echo family of smart speakers is a good alternative to Sonos. The new S2 operating system adds support for higher-resolution audio, along with newer audio formats such as Dolby Atmos (specifically on the Arc soundbar), and it features an even simpler and more intuitive design, making the entire ecosystem easier to use than ever before. In June 2020, Sonos rolled out a brand-new operating system and some updated hardware. Or if you want it all at once, you can get an Atmos-capable wireless home theater system in one package.
And you can even add Sonos to your TV using the company’s Arc or Beam smart soundbar, either of which can pair with a sub and two other Sonos speakers to form a surround system. There’s also the wireless Sonos Sub, which you can pair with any existing Sonos speaker to add some oomph. For better sound or bigger rooms, the higher-end Sonos Five creates a large soundstage on its own, and a pair can compete with similarly priced midrange bookshelf speakers-without the need for a separate amplifier.
It costs less than most high-end Bluetooth speakers, yet its audio performance measures as accurately as that of speakers costing several times as much.
Sonos’s tight control of its ecosystem means you’re limited in terms of the speaker brands you can add to your setup (unless you buy Sonos devices specifically designed for you to add your own speakers), but the company’s offerings come at a variety of prices and all sound excellent. The mobile and desktop apps are among the most polished available and offer unified search across every service you subscribe to-including Apple Music. Sonos has made these systems for longer than anyone, and its experience shows at every level. If sound quality, easy setup, and intuitive operation are your top priorities in a multiroom wireless speaker system, Sonos is our recommendation.