Sonos Connect:Amp Review

Sound equipment can be overwhelming even to an expert, especially with the range of options – and the differences in price – across the market.

If you’re looking for an amp, how do you know it includes all you need for a reasonable price? That’s why, today, we’re looking at the Sonos Connect:Amp.

With its smart capabilities, easy set-up, and compact size, it may be exactly what you’re after.

Unfortunately, not everyone had a good experience. Some users thought it was too expensive, while others had it stop working after only a few months.

Are these complaints just a few bad eggs or is it an overarching fault with the product? Let’s take a closer look at the Sonos Connect:Amp and find out.

Sonos Connect:Amp: The Details

Specs

• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 7.3 x 3.5 inches.
• Product Weight: 5.07 lbs.
• Product Type: Amp.
• Compatible with Amazon Alexa? Yes.

How Does It Work

Setting up this Sonos Connect:Amp is very straightforward. Even if you’re not technologically savvy, you can have it up and running in no time.

The Sonos Connect:Amp includes two pairs of speaker binding posts, a subwoofer output, and an analog stereo input. The binding posts are where you will connect your speakers to the amp.

Once you’ve unboxed the device, you can choose the speakers you’d like to connect with the device, and then plug them in. You’ll only need a standard speaker wire to link them up.

Next, download the Sonos app from the Apple or Android app store on your smartphone, iPad, iPod Touch, or Android tablet. Use the app to connect the Sonos device to your Wi-Fi and then use the built-in tutorial guide to move through the remaining steps.

Prompts will arrive on your screen to ensure nothing is missed or set up improperly.

After that, you can stream your music from nearly any service, including Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. You can also play your own music from iTunes, a CD, or from your vinyl collection.

Once the app is fully connected, you can leverage it to control the volume, play and pause, or skip songs. As a bonus, it’s not necessary to be in the same room as the amp, so you can easily use and control it throughout your house.

If you’d like to use the amp directly, instead of with your phone, there is a play/pause button and volume controls on the front.

The Sonos Connect:Amp also enables you to connect it with any of your Alexa-enabled devices. As such, you can control your music using your voice!

Sonos: The Brand

Sonos, Inc. was founded in 2002 by John MacFarlane, Tom Cullen, Trung Mai, and Craig Shelburne, and is headquartered in Santa Barbara, California.

The founders worked on building internet-based businesses before creating Sonos, and took that knowledge to bring music into every home.

They now provide different audio products to customers in the U.S. and internationally. Some of those products include wireless speakers, home theater speakers, and other audio components.

Sonos Connect:Amp Review

The Positives

Good Sound

Testers were unanimous about the sound quality of the Sonos Connect:Amp. The amp has a built-in class-D digital amplifier that allows 55 watts per channel. This makes for an extremely high level of sound.

Since you can adjust the bass, treble, balance, and loudness, you’re able to customize the sound to your unique preferences.

Additionally, because the amp has an aluminum casing, you will only hear your music; you won’t have to deal with any feedback or distortion.

You’re sure to get great sound with the Sonos Connect:Amp, which is the most important thing when it comes to any smart audio device.

Can Go Anywhere

The size of this amp makes it easy to take on the go. Whether you want to listen to music at home, at a friend’s house, at an outdoor barbeque, or on the road, the compact design allows it to fit into even the smallest places.

So long as there is a Wi-Fi connection available, you can control the amp using your smart devices and stream your music from any location.

Additionally, at only just over 5 pounds in weight, it is definitely not too cumbersome to travel with. You can easily tuck this into your baggage without the worry of it taking up too much space, or adding a ton of weight.

The ease of portability with the Sonos amp means that you don’t have to compromise on sound no matter where you are.

Easy to Set Up

Nearly all testers mentioned how easy this amp is to set up. The configuration process requires only a few minutes of time, and the included app offers prompts to guide you through the process.

Even if you’ve never owned an amp previously, let alone a smart one, this plug-and-play device will be operational right away.

Once you plug it in, you need only sync it up with your smartphone or other compatible devices, connect your Wi-Fi, and get to jamming. You can also connect it to your preferred streaming services, but it’s not necessary.

This amp’s ease of use opens it up to a variety of users no matter how skilled in technology they are, which is relieving for those who aren’t as tech-savvy or those who want to purchase this amp as a gift.

Convenient

With the ability to control it through the Sonos app or with any Alexa-enabled device, this amp could not be more convenient.

You don’t have to mess with any buttons or knobs; everything is controlled via the app. If you’re relaxed on the couch, listening to your favorite album, but you want to skip to the next song, you don’t need to get up. Just go to the app or say a command to Alexa.

The wireless options also make this device much less fussy than others of its kind, keeping up with the modern cordless trend.

With the ability to connect to a wide variety of streaming services, Sonos ups the convenience factor by giving users access to large databases of music with almost endless options. It doesn’t get much more convenient than that!

Programmable Settings

For even more convenience, Sonos has constructed this smart amp with programmable settings so you can fine-tune your amp and listening preferences to your schedule.

Sonos has included convenient features like alarm scheduling and music-timing so music is one less thing you have to worry about throughout your day.

Want to wake up to a specific pick-me-up? Or do you prefer to cook with some classic melodies? You can schedule Sonos to play specific sounds when you need it throughout the day.

Need some energetic tunes to get you through your workout? Or if you need some calming sounds to help you fall asleep, you can place a timer on the Sonos to turn off after a certain amount of time.

Customer Service

No matter the type of technology you’re getting, it’s always comforting to know a warranty comes along with it.

In the case of this smart audio technology, the Sonos Connect:Amp comes with a 1-year limited warranty protecting customers against any errors or faults in manufacturing.

Should you find something to be damaged or not as advertised, you’ll simply need to contact Sonos for a repair or replacement. And while some companies can be a pain to deal with, customers have raved about Sonos’ customer service department.

Sonos customer service is known for being helpful and attentive, working with customers to resolve issues efficiently.

The Negatives

Expensive

One major issue testers had with the Sonos Connect:Amp was the price. At around $500 on Amazon, this is by no means an inexpensive piece of sound equipment.

If you’re serious about your music and desire the best sound on the market, you really can’t do better than this.

However, if you’re just looking for any smart amp to bump up the sound on your speakers or phone, this may not be for you. It’s best suited for the true audiophile who has a budget to spare.

Need Own Speakers

A few testers disliked that no speakers were included with this purchase. You must have your own. Since most amps don’t come with a speaker, this flaw isn’t too unexpected.

Furthermore, Sonos compensates for this by ensuring you can connect the amp with any speaker brand or model; you’re not limited to their exact products.

While it’s disappointing for those who expected an all-in-one purchase, it’s not an unusual case in this market. As long as you have some kind of speaker or music-playing device with an aux port, you should be fine.

Early Retirement

This was by no means a problem for the majority of testers, but a couple did have issues with the amp failing to work after a few months of use.

Most likely, this is due to either user error or a small problem with the manufacturing process. It doesn’t seem to be an overarching issue.

If you do have any complications, Sonos offers a one-year warranty.

This video shows what the Sonos Connect:Amp looks like out of the box.

Overall Verdict

After going over all the positives and negatives, we highly recommend the Sonos Connect:Amp.

With the high quality of sound, the easy set-up, and the convenience of its smart features, you can’t do much better than this.

Very few amps on the market can be controlled using a smartphone, Amazon Alexa, or a tablet – especially none this lightweight.

With that said, if the price is too much for your wallet, don’t worry. There are some great, affordable options to pick instead, including ones from Sonos.

Where to Buy the Sonos Connect:Amp

Sonos is a popular brand, known for putting forward high-quality, innovative products that’s accessible to a variety of users. This brand is known worldwide with trendy products available around the globe.

Thanks to the success of Sonos, finding items like the Sonos Connect:Amp won’t be hard to find both in-store and online.

While it’s usually best to check tech, audio-video, and home department stores, you can kick-start your search with the following online retailers.

• B&H Audio Video (from $399)
• Best Buy (from $399)
• Crutchfield Audio Video (from $399)

And of course, you can also find this smart amp on Amazon.

That’s the end of our Sonos Connect:Amp review. Tempted to give it a go?