Sonos has become a household name in the audio space over the last decade. They’ve created some great speakers, and their wireless music system is pretty affordable too.
Sonos was founded in 2002 by Patrick Spence and John MacFarlane. The company started out selling high-end home theater systems, but soon branched into other areas such as wireless speakers, Bluetooth devices, and even smart lighting.
In 2006 they released the first generation of its flagship product, the Sonos One speaker. It was an amazing success, so much so that it sold over 1 million units in just two years. This helped them to grow quickly, and they soon began working on the second generation of the Sonos One.
Sonos has always been known for its excellent sound quality, but more companies have started creating products that are of similar, if not better, quality. This article is going to give you a list of Sonos Amp Alternatives.
Bluesound Node
The Bluesound Node is an all-in-one speaker with a built-in amplifier. It’s designed to be used with your smartphone or tablet. It comes with two drivers: one woofer, which is a speaker that produces low-frequency sounds, and one tweeter, which is a speaker that produces high audio frequencies.
Furthermore, it also features a USB port, so you can connect it to your computer or laptop. You can use this device as a standalone speaker or pair it with another Blue sound speaker. It is controlled using the BluOS app and is also compatible with the Alexa app.
Pros
- Easy setup
- Integrated amp
- High-quality sound
Cons
- No HDMI output
- BlueOS app not too user-friendly
- QUAD-CORE 1.8GHz ARM CORTEX A53 PROCESSOR
- 32-BIT/384kHz PREMIUM DAC DESIGN
- HDMI eARC, OPTICAL & ANALOG INPUTS
- OPTICAL, COAXIAL & USB AUDIO OUTPUTS
- MQA MUSIC AND HI-RES AUDIO STREAMING
Cambridge Audio CXN V2
This speaker from Cambridge Audio is a 2.1 speaker system. It uses a passive radiator design, which means there is no need for any kind of power supply. It has three tweeters and five mid-range drivers. It also has a subwoofer.
There’s a 3.5mm input on the back panel. There are also inputs for RCA, optical, and coaxial cables. It supports Chromecast, Tidal, Spotify, and others.
It has a battery life of about 10 hours and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Furthermore, it is available in a beautiful lunar gray, in collaboration with other products in this range.
Pros
- Good build quality
- Built-in amplifier
- Affordable price
- Supports Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS:X
Cons
- No HDMI output
- Limited connectivity options
- ✓ STUNNING SOUND QUALITY - The convenience of digital audio without compromising audio quality. Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) lets you enjoy the effortless accessibility of digital audio and also appreciate the sonic excellence that Cambridge delivers.
- ✓ ADVANCED UNSAMPLING FOR CLEANER AUDIO – Cambridge Audio’s advanced Adapted Time Filter 2 (ATF2) technology upsamples all incoming digital audio sources into a 24-bit/384kHz signal, which helps resolve very fine detail.
- ✓ MUSIC ANY WAY YOU WANT IT – With the CXN (V2) network streamer, pick from the sources you use daily – Spotify, Google Play, Pandora, Apple AirPlay 2, or other internet radio channels.
- ✓ POWER TO TRANSFORM YOUR DIGITAL EXPERIENCE - Dual Wolfson WM8740 DACs (premium digital to analogue converters) give music more detail and warmth. Hear musical nuances that you’ve never noticed in songs that you’ve listened to a thousand times.
- ✓ WIRED OR WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY - Via wired (Ethernet) or wireless (WiFi dongle), connect to your home network for Internet Radio, online music services, AirPlay, and music libraries stored on your computer.
Audio Engine B-Fi
This is a 2.1 stereo speaker from Audio engine. It has a passive radiator design, meaning there is no need for a separate power source. It has six tweeters and four mids. It also has a bass reflex port.
It has a 5W x 4 channel amplifier. Furthermore, it has a USB input and supports both Apple AirPlay and Spotify Connect. It is powered via micro USB, and it is available in a black and gray finish.
Pros
- Great sound quality
- Affordable price
- Simple setup
Cons
- No HDMI output
- Limited connectivity options
- HIGH-FIDELITY MUSIC STREAMING THAT REALLY WORKS: Easily upgrade the stereo you love and bring wireless streaming music into your home from your favorite music services or library using your phone, tablet, or computer.
- INCREDIBLE SOUND: Breathe new life into your home music system by adding lossless wireless streaming connectivity. Listen to your music the way it was meant to be heard with a high-quality DAC and gold-plated RCA or Optical outputs.
- MULTIROOM LISTENING: Easily add additional B-Fi streamers or Audioengine A1-MRs to create a whole home music system with independent zones and volume control. Users have full control of their music through the easy-to-use app and can play any song from any service in any room (or every room).
- STREAM YOUR MUSIC, YOUR WAY: Whether playing your downloaded music, streaming from our in-app services or via Apple AirPlay, B-Fi sounds fantastic, is easy to use, and actually works. Spotify, Amazon Music, Qobuz, Tidal, iHeartRadio, Napster, TuneIn are all included using our Audioengine Controller app.
- WARRANTY: Stellar US based customer support and 3 year product coverage is included. Based in Austin, TX, Audioengine has been changing the way people listen to music since 2005. Our passion is creating products that sound great, are easy to use, and inspire people to listen every day.
Andover Audio Songbird
This is a 2-channel speaker from Andover Audio. It has a passive radiating design, meaning it doesn’t require any external power source, like several other options on this list. It has a single driver, and it has a frequency range of 50Hz – 20kHz.
It also has a 1W x 2 amplifier, and a 3.5 mm audio jack input. Furthermore, it supports both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections. It is powered via USB. It is compatible with services such as Spotify, Tidal, and Amazon.
You can operate this device using Songbird Control, a free app that is available on both the Apple Store, and Google Play.
Pros
- Good build quality
- Affordable price
- Simple setup
- Support for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
Cons
- Limited connectivity options
Xiaomi Mi Box S
This box from Xiaomi is a 2.0 speaker system. It has a passive radiate design, meaning it does not need an external power source. It has two tweeters and two mid-ranges. It also has a dual-band Wi-Fi antenna.
The box has a 5W x 2 amplifier. This device supports both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections. It is charged through USB Type-C. It has a powerful performance, with 2GB or ram, and 8GB of storage.
Pros
- Easy setup
- Great sound quality
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited connectivity options
- Powered by Android 8. 1 for Superior Functionality: Enjoy the latest Version of Android TV 8. 1, perfect for home entertainment, home theater, business use, and more
- Access Tons of Content: Access to 3000+ channels and Apps, Enjoy movies and TV episodes from Netflix, VUDU, YouTube, and more
- High Clarity 4K HDR: Chromecast built-in. Supports 4K Ultra HD resolution and High Dynamic Range (HDR), experience clarity and smoothness like never before
- Voice Control that Does It All: Built-In Google Assistant and in Apps voice search. Search for photos, check the weather, set an alarm. Life should be simple.
- High Performance Storage Capacity: Powerful Quad-core CPU, 3+2-core GPU, provides fast and stable rendering to enjoy a high quality video experience
Amazon Echo Link Amp
This Amazon Echo Link Amp is an alternative to the Sonos One. It is a 2.1 surround speaker that works with Alexa voice commands. It has a built-in amplifier, and it has a passive radiator design. It has nine tweeters and eight mid-range speakers. It also has a woofer.
It has a 7W x 2 amplifier. The device can be connected to your home network via Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi. It is powered by a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery. It is available only in charcoal gray color.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Built-in amplifier
- Consistent sound quality
Cons
- No HDMI output
- Limited connectivity options
- Upgrade your speakers with a built-in 60W x 2-channel amplifier, high-fidelity streaming music, and Alexa.
- Voice control music selection and playback with your compatible Echo device or the Alexa app.
- Connect Echo Link Amp to speakers and group with other supported Echo devices to play music throughout your home.
- Supports hi-fidelity audio from streaming services like Amazon Music HD.
- Multiple digital and analog inputs and outputs provide compatibility with your existing stereo equipment.
JBL Pulse 4
This JBL portable speaker is designed for outdoor use. It has a waterproof design, and It has a passive radiation design, which means you don’t need to connect anything to it. It has a built-in amplifier, and it has three tweeters and five mid-ranges.
This product will give you an immersive sound experience, along with its engaging light show that is visible beneath its sleek and smooth surface. It is powered by lithium-ion batteries, and it comes with a charging dock. It is available in silver, gold, or rose gold colors.
Pros
- Waterproof design
- Affordable price
- Consistently good sound quality
Cons
- Lacks a remote control
- Limited connectivity options
- DAZZLING 360 DEGREES LED LIGHTS: Pulse 4 shines through the night with an amazing, high-resolution 360-degree LED lightshow.
- POWERFUL JBL ORIGINAL PRO SOUND: Pulse 4 delivers JBL Signature Sound in every direction with its ingenious 360 degree speaker array.
- 12 HOURS OF PLAYTIME: Ready to get your groove on. Pulse 4 delivers up 12 hours of battery life on a single charge.
- WIRELESS BLUETOOTH STREAMING: Wirelessly stream music from your phone, tablet, or any other Bluetooth-enabled device, with up to 40ft wireless range
- IPX7 WATERPROOF: Bring your speakers anywhere. Pool party. Perfect. Sudden cloudburst Covered. Bash on the beach Pulse 4 is IPX7 waterproof for fearless outdoor entertainment.
Yamaha WXA-50
This Yamaha WXA-50 is a wireless speaker system. It has an active radiator design, so it requires an external power source. However, it uses a low-powered amplifier, which makes it suitable for indoor use.
It has a single tweeter and four mid-range drivers. It also has a subwoofer. It has a 10W x 4 amplifier. You can connect this speaker to your home network via ethernet cable or Wi-Fi connection.
It is compatible with an array of streaming services, and it is controlled by the MusicCast App. An added bonus is that it is compact in size, measuring only 8-3/8″. You can fit it anywhere you like in your home, and it can be placed vertically, or horizontally.
Pros
- Compact size
- Good sound quality
Cons
- Requires an external power source
- Limited connectivity options
- Works with Alexa for voice control (Alexa device sold separately). Standby Power Consumption : 1.8 W
- Connect your favorite speakers to create a powerful streaming Audio system
- Wi Fi, airplay, Bluetooth and Spotify connect. Signal to Noise Ratio 110 dB (Opt / Net / USB / Bluetooth in) / 98 dB (aux in)
- High performance design with Premium Audio components
- Extremely versatile control and connectivity options
Benefits Of These Sound Systems
There are an array of benefits when it comes to using these sound systems. Each one offers great sound quality and operates at a high level of performance. As some support a few devices at once, you can enjoy music wherever you go in your home.
Aside from these points, their prices are affordable, and most of them have a relatively easy setup. They also come with a variety of features, such as being able to enjoy music from several of your favorite streaming services.
Some of them are even voice-operated, meaning you can control them without having to get up off the couch!
Final Thoughts
When it comes to buying a sound system, there are many factors that you should consider. First, you need to know what kind of space you want to fill up with sound. Then, you need to decide whether you want something that is portable or stationary.
If you’re looking for a sound system that’s portable, then you might want to look into Bluetooth speakers. On the other hand, if you prefer a more traditional sound system, you may want to choose from the ones listed above.
While Sonos Amps are a great option, since their creation, many companies have produced similar products that are more affordable and may suit your individual needs more than the original Sonos Amp might.
If you’re looking for this kind of sound system, this article has provided you with an extensive list of Sonos Amp alternatives!
If you enjoyed this article, you might enjoy our post on ‘Yamaha HS5 vs HS8‘.
Since then, records have been my go to source of tracks. However, I love finding new ways to improve my sound system through top of the line equipment.
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