What Hi-Fi? I was struck again and again by the Ports relative absence of personality. Why the difference? Since this is a two-way box, you can stream audio from your Sonos library to a connected receiver, which is also a simple process. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London and Bath. Sonos says its older hardware doesnt have enough processor power or memory to run the S2 OS, so any Sonos system that includes a mix of older and new components must be bifurcated and the two groups controlled separately (youll find more details in this story). Within the Sonos app, there's support for Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and a host of other sound sources. But if you can resist the urge to upgrade to the latest, greatest software, hang onto your legacy hardware and run it on the original platform (now called S1). The DSP, according to this source, is designed to adjust for the different characteristics [of] different recorded content that impact volume output. Its a shame Sonos didnt build touch-sensitive volume controls into the Sono Port they way it did with the Sonos Amp, which also has play/pause button. This is all the more frustrating because it represents a step back. Likewise, there's no coaxial cable for the digital output, and no standard 3.5mm cable for the 12-volt connection. 
Thank you for signing up to What Hi-Fi?. If youre swapping out an older Connect, the only hard part will be rerunning the power cable, since the Port uses a different connector. But perhaps the coolest thing the Port allows is for non-Sonos speakers to use Sonos technology. The only disappointment I had was with Google Assistant; Google and Sonos have not yet added the ability to set a Sonos speaker as the default output for music in a room, so saying Hey Google, play some music resulted in audio playing from my Nest Hub, not the Sonos. Should you buy an Insignia TV in 2022? I tested it with both the analog audio out and the composite digital output to my Denon receiver, and it sounded excellent with both, although the digital output was a little quieter than I expected. The stereo RCA input is good for just about any component without internet access, given you have the right cables, but there is no phono stage built in, so youll need to buy a separate one if it isnt built into your turntable. The difference between the new Ports audio quality and that of the older Connect, a Sonos spokesperson tells me, is related to the manner in which the DSP (digital signal processor) in each unit handles their analog and bitstream outputs. If you don't have a turntable or a stereo receiver to hook up to the Port, there are still other potential uses for it, but they become harder to justify. There are multiple ways to consider setting up the Port, but using it as an extension of a stereo receiver, rather than, say, the output for a single component, seems like the best use of its abilities. There are two of those, so you can gang a bunch of Ports together and consume just one port on your router or switch. Copyright 2022 IDG Communications, Inc. I know custom installers prefer to use coaxial cables, because their connectors are much less fragile than the ones on Toslink cables and coax cables perform better over long runs, but Toslink is far more common on less-expensive audio components. Measuring 1.6 by 5.4 by 5.4 inches (HWD), the Sonos Port is a 1-pound black box that looks kind of like a much smaller version of the monolith in 2001: A Space Odyssey, or like a larger Apple TV. Kudos for that. Best Dolby Atmos soundbars 2022: the best Atmos TV speakers, The best home entertainment buying advice, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. Its a simple idea executed extremely well everything works and sounds solid, and the box itself is highly configurable for a variety of wacky situations. It's a possibility that many audiophiles seeking the convenience of wireless audio but wishing to maintain a lossless signal might seriously consider, as it allows you to pair a lossless wireless audio stream with a speaker system that employs no digital signal processing, for example. newsletter, Sonos raises prices on pro products as production moves out of China, Lots of configuration and compatibility options, Can be integrated into custom smart home setups, Cannot control receiver volume over a network, Some limitations with Google Assistant voice control. What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Alternatively, you can connect any Sonos product directly to the router via Ethernet. The situation grows even more stressful if you have any combination of newer and legacy (pre-2013) Sonos hardware: The latter includes the aged Connect:Amp/ZP120 and the first-gen Play:5 speaker. PCMag, PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. We wish the Port had been better, but if youre determined to replace your outgoing Sonos Connect (although it's important to note that you don't absolutely have to do so), youre going to have to save a bit more or make do with average-at-best audio quality. The obvious downside to this settings change is that youll no longer be able to control the volume levels using the Sonos app. In testing, there was definitely something wonderful about sending turntable audio to the Move, then taking the Move around my apartment, and even outside where the Wi-Fi still reaches. But its priced to match, and I think its entirely too expensive for the two things most people would want it to do: connecting a record player to an existing Sonos system, or integrating an existing audio system into a Sonos setup. You can control audio playback via the Sonos app or AirPlay 2 with compatible devices. It also seems clear that Sonos knows that the professional AV integrators who are most likely to buy the Port will simply pass the cost along to their clients, who are already spending thousands on custom solutions. Out of the box is actually the best the Sonos Port can be. The Port is outfitted with a beefier microprocessor and more memory than what comes in the Connect, and that additional muscle is required to run the new Sonos S2 operating system. Its worth noting that Sonos hasnt made the Port with television in mind, so if you want to connect your TV without lag between picture and audio then youre better off with the HDMI-toting Sonos Amp. Unfortunately, however, the Ports presentation is about as disorganised as a teenagers bedroom. But for whatever reason, its so heavy-handed on the Port that I was ready to give up on the new component. Setup takes just minutes, and control is simple with the Sonos app and AirPlay 2. Sign up for Lab Report to get the latest reviews and top product advice delivered right to your inbox. I piped this in from Qobuz running at its CD-quality service level, delivered to my gear in parallel through a fiber optic cable-connected Connect and a coax cable-connected Port grouped in the Sonos app in perfect synch. Lots to bitch about. Find the Port you wish to configure (youll want to repeat these steps for each Port you own), and scroll down to the Line Out setting. The Port worked flawlessly in my testing, and it offers a tremendous amount of configuration options that allow Sonos to work with almost any kind of audio system you might have. For more information, see our ethics policy. Lets back up: the Sonos Port is part of a welcome reboot of the Sonos product line thats been happening since new CEO Patrick Spence took over. Also, given that the Sonos Amp has no digital output or tape output that could connect to an existing hi-fi system, it cannot be connected to an existing hifi system without replacing your current amplifier. PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering lab-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. The diminutive box, which allows you to integrate Sonos whole-home audio into virtually any kind of setup you might have, was already feeling a little expensive to me. After that, everything is managed in the app. Integrate your legacy stereo equipment into your Sonos ecosystem with the Sonos Port Audio Streamer. If you have an account, its library gets integrated into the Sonos app, and you can stream to your speakers from there. Technically, you can have a "Sonos system" using the Port that uses whatever speakers and stereo gear you wish to connect. Once I did that, the Port sounded just as wide open and almost as detailed as the Connect. But if youre willing to tweak some settings, Ive learned there is a means of bringing the two devices at leastclose to parity. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, I was therefore even able to listen to rough mixes from a ProTools session on my studio computer through a Sonos Move, which was quite useful. My lifelong faves, the Rolling Stones, gave me ample test material with the 2019 deluxe edition of their career-spanning, 46-track compilation album Honk. Played through the Port, it often sounded like Watts was just dutifully marking time, with the rest of the band sitting in his lap, muffling his efforts.
That goes double for anyone who cares deeply about audio quality and has a Connect linked to high-end audio components. The price might seem high, but you get higher-quality audio than Bluetooth streaming allows, and the ability to connect third-party gear adds serious versatility to your Sonos setup. The footprints are just about the same, but Port has half the height and none of the volume-control buttons found on the Connect. On the Connect I was out on the field, stage lights shining in my eyes, spitting distance from the stage, feeling the urgent give-and-take of the players. It reminded me of the highly compressed sound that rival FM rock radio stations in the Philadelphia market took on in the progressive music era, when I myself was on the air. There is no effort made to falsify bass levels, or roll off treble to appease rougher partnering speakers or electronics, and the midrange is full enough to provide a smooth and easy listen. Its heavy on remastered studio hits that I know and love, whilst also made special and new with a third CDs worth of recent, very well-recorded concert performances. First, open the Sonos app, tap Settings, and then System. All of this works exactly as intended, and as elegantly and powerfully as youd expect from Sonos. Theres a coaxial S/PDIF connector should you own a cherished outboard DACor simply want to keep the signal in the digital domain until it reaches your DAC-equipped receiver or pre-amp (which is how I chose to set it up). Make almost anything work with Sonos, but itll cost you. The first of those products, the Sonos Amp, was a total reboot of the older Sonos Connect:Amp. The broadcast engineers installed Optimod dynamic range compressors to keep the meters peaking, the sound louder than the competition, and to hell with dynamics and finesse. The top panel has a Sonos logo, and the bottom has a rubberized surface to keep the box from sliding around or being pulled by cable tension. More recently, Sonos announced that it would be issuing a patch for the brand-new Sonos Arc soundbar, to fix a bug impacting certain low frequencies, a flaw that TechHives Senior Writer Ben Patterson encountered in his evaluation of the Arcs Dolby Atmos chops. The Port doesnt have a microphone, but it can be controlled with voice commands spoken to any smart speaker powered by Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. (That is, until you remember you're listening to a record and need to go back inside and flip to side B.). We had no issues at all connecting its output to a stereo receiver and streaming audio from our Sonos library through the system's connected, wired speakers. Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide, [ Further reading: The best smart speakers and digital assistants ], Tidal streams encoded with Dolby Atmos Music, podcast about 39 minutes in, at this link, fix a bug impacting certain low frequencies. The Sonos DAC delivered the goods in satisfying fashion, although it wasnt quite as sweet sounding and resistant to shrill microphone peakiness as youll find with a primo DAC built into a high-end receiver. Your subscription has been confirmed. But there are a million little edge cases where a product like the Port makes sense for consumers, and its a shame Sonos doesnt have a cheaper, simpler version of the Port that helps regular people get the most out of their systems, especially when Amazon seems intent on making sure it has a million cheap Echo devices that can play audio in almost every room as well. Please confirm your subscription to Verge Deals via the verification email we just sent you. Presumably, that means the Arc will support Tidal streams encoded with Dolby Atmos Music, although that is yet to be confirmed. What initially excited me about Sonos new S2 platform was Sonos promise to support higher-resolution audio technologies, compared to the CD-quality(16-bit/48kHz) audio supported by the current OS. Ive always thought timing is one of the more nebulous and ambiguous words used by whathifi reviews. The advantage of connecting an audio hub's output to the input of the Port becomes clear immediately: One connection can handle your turnable, CD player, computer audio, Blu-ray audio, or just about any other audio source, provided it's connected to the receiver. At the rear of this shallower chassis you will find ethernet ports, which we recommend you use for a more stable connection, alongside two pairs of stereo RCA terminals (one in, one out) and a coaxial digital output. Solos sounded flat as pancakes. I ran comparison tests with the high-res remastered version of Van Morrisons classic Moondance, which is ripe with his honkin jazzed vocals, brassy horns, breathy harmonica, and delicately brushed drums. The big question here is: Is the Sonos Port worth $449? While its expensive (more so now), I really liked it and thought it made a case for itself in a variety of situations since it is a self-contained high-end amplifier with Sonos capabilities. The ethernet ports on the backside of the Port are joined by one set of analog stereo inputs for a CD player or turntable preamp (or a turntable itself, if it has a preamp built in), and one set of analog stereo outputs for connecting an amplifier or self-powered speakers.
Thank you for signing up to What Hi-Fi?. If youre swapping out an older Connect, the only hard part will be rerunning the power cable, since the Port uses a different connector. But perhaps the coolest thing the Port allows is for non-Sonos speakers to use Sonos technology. The only disappointment I had was with Google Assistant; Google and Sonos have not yet added the ability to set a Sonos speaker as the default output for music in a room, so saying Hey Google, play some music resulted in audio playing from my Nest Hub, not the Sonos. Should you buy an Insignia TV in 2022? I tested it with both the analog audio out and the composite digital output to my Denon receiver, and it sounded excellent with both, although the digital output was a little quieter than I expected. The stereo RCA input is good for just about any component without internet access, given you have the right cables, but there is no phono stage built in, so youll need to buy a separate one if it isnt built into your turntable. The difference between the new Ports audio quality and that of the older Connect, a Sonos spokesperson tells me, is related to the manner in which the DSP (digital signal processor) in each unit handles their analog and bitstream outputs. If you don't have a turntable or a stereo receiver to hook up to the Port, there are still other potential uses for it, but they become harder to justify. There are multiple ways to consider setting up the Port, but using it as an extension of a stereo receiver, rather than, say, the output for a single component, seems like the best use of its abilities. There are two of those, so you can gang a bunch of Ports together and consume just one port on your router or switch. Copyright 2022 IDG Communications, Inc. I know custom installers prefer to use coaxial cables, because their connectors are much less fragile than the ones on Toslink cables and coax cables perform better over long runs, but Toslink is far more common on less-expensive audio components. Measuring 1.6 by 5.4 by 5.4 inches (HWD), the Sonos Port is a 1-pound black box that looks kind of like a much smaller version of the monolith in 2001: A Space Odyssey, or like a larger Apple TV. Kudos for that. Best Dolby Atmos soundbars 2022: the best Atmos TV speakers, The best home entertainment buying advice, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. Its a simple idea executed extremely well everything works and sounds solid, and the box itself is highly configurable for a variety of wacky situations. It's a possibility that many audiophiles seeking the convenience of wireless audio but wishing to maintain a lossless signal might seriously consider, as it allows you to pair a lossless wireless audio stream with a speaker system that employs no digital signal processing, for example. newsletter, Sonos raises prices on pro products as production moves out of China, Lots of configuration and compatibility options, Can be integrated into custom smart home setups, Cannot control receiver volume over a network, Some limitations with Google Assistant voice control. What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Alternatively, you can connect any Sonos product directly to the router via Ethernet. The situation grows even more stressful if you have any combination of newer and legacy (pre-2013) Sonos hardware: The latter includes the aged Connect:Amp/ZP120 and the first-gen Play:5 speaker. PCMag, PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. We wish the Port had been better, but if youre determined to replace your outgoing Sonos Connect (although it's important to note that you don't absolutely have to do so), youre going to have to save a bit more or make do with average-at-best audio quality. The obvious downside to this settings change is that youll no longer be able to control the volume levels using the Sonos app. In testing, there was definitely something wonderful about sending turntable audio to the Move, then taking the Move around my apartment, and even outside where the Wi-Fi still reaches. But its priced to match, and I think its entirely too expensive for the two things most people would want it to do: connecting a record player to an existing Sonos system, or integrating an existing audio system into a Sonos setup. You can control audio playback via the Sonos app or AirPlay 2 with compatible devices. It also seems clear that Sonos knows that the professional AV integrators who are most likely to buy the Port will simply pass the cost along to their clients, who are already spending thousands on custom solutions. Out of the box is actually the best the Sonos Port can be. The Port is outfitted with a beefier microprocessor and more memory than what comes in the Connect, and that additional muscle is required to run the new Sonos S2 operating system. Its worth noting that Sonos hasnt made the Port with television in mind, so if you want to connect your TV without lag between picture and audio then youre better off with the HDMI-toting Sonos Amp. Unfortunately, however, the Ports presentation is about as disorganised as a teenagers bedroom. But for whatever reason, its so heavy-handed on the Port that I was ready to give up on the new component. Setup takes just minutes, and control is simple with the Sonos app and AirPlay 2. Sign up for Lab Report to get the latest reviews and top product advice delivered right to your inbox. I piped this in from Qobuz running at its CD-quality service level, delivered to my gear in parallel through a fiber optic cable-connected Connect and a coax cable-connected Port grouped in the Sonos app in perfect synch. Lots to bitch about. Find the Port you wish to configure (youll want to repeat these steps for each Port you own), and scroll down to the Line Out setting. The Port worked flawlessly in my testing, and it offers a tremendous amount of configuration options that allow Sonos to work with almost any kind of audio system you might have. For more information, see our ethics policy. Lets back up: the Sonos Port is part of a welcome reboot of the Sonos product line thats been happening since new CEO Patrick Spence took over. Also, given that the Sonos Amp has no digital output or tape output that could connect to an existing hi-fi system, it cannot be connected to an existing hifi system without replacing your current amplifier. PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering lab-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. The diminutive box, which allows you to integrate Sonos whole-home audio into virtually any kind of setup you might have, was already feeling a little expensive to me. After that, everything is managed in the app. Integrate your legacy stereo equipment into your Sonos ecosystem with the Sonos Port Audio Streamer. If you have an account, its library gets integrated into the Sonos app, and you can stream to your speakers from there. Technically, you can have a "Sonos system" using the Port that uses whatever speakers and stereo gear you wish to connect. Once I did that, the Port sounded just as wide open and almost as detailed as the Connect. But if youre willing to tweak some settings, Ive learned there is a means of bringing the two devices at leastclose to parity. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, I was therefore even able to listen to rough mixes from a ProTools session on my studio computer through a Sonos Move, which was quite useful. My lifelong faves, the Rolling Stones, gave me ample test material with the 2019 deluxe edition of their career-spanning, 46-track compilation album Honk. Played through the Port, it often sounded like Watts was just dutifully marking time, with the rest of the band sitting in his lap, muffling his efforts. That goes double for anyone who cares deeply about audio quality and has a Connect linked to high-end audio components. The price might seem high, but you get higher-quality audio than Bluetooth streaming allows, and the ability to connect third-party gear adds serious versatility to your Sonos setup. The footprints are just about the same, but Port has half the height and none of the volume-control buttons found on the Connect. On the Connect I was out on the field, stage lights shining in my eyes, spitting distance from the stage, feeling the urgent give-and-take of the players. It reminded me of the highly compressed sound that rival FM rock radio stations in the Philadelphia market took on in the progressive music era, when I myself was on the air. There is no effort made to falsify bass levels, or roll off treble to appease rougher partnering speakers or electronics, and the midrange is full enough to provide a smooth and easy listen. Its heavy on remastered studio hits that I know and love, whilst also made special and new with a third CDs worth of recent, very well-recorded concert performances. First, open the Sonos app, tap Settings, and then System. All of this works exactly as intended, and as elegantly and powerfully as youd expect from Sonos. Theres a coaxial S/PDIF connector should you own a cherished outboard DACor simply want to keep the signal in the digital domain until it reaches your DAC-equipped receiver or pre-amp (which is how I chose to set it up). Make almost anything work with Sonos, but itll cost you. The first of those products, the Sonos Amp, was a total reboot of the older Sonos Connect:Amp. The broadcast engineers installed Optimod dynamic range compressors to keep the meters peaking, the sound louder than the competition, and to hell with dynamics and finesse. The top panel has a Sonos logo, and the bottom has a rubberized surface to keep the box from sliding around or being pulled by cable tension. More recently, Sonos announced that it would be issuing a patch for the brand-new Sonos Arc soundbar, to fix a bug impacting certain low frequencies, a flaw that TechHives Senior Writer Ben Patterson encountered in his evaluation of the Arcs Dolby Atmos chops. The Port doesnt have a microphone, but it can be controlled with voice commands spoken to any smart speaker powered by Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. (That is, until you remember you're listening to a record and need to go back inside and flip to side B.). We had no issues at all connecting its output to a stereo receiver and streaming audio from our Sonos library through the system's connected, wired speakers. Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide, [ Further reading: The best smart speakers and digital assistants ], Tidal streams encoded with Dolby Atmos Music, podcast about 39 minutes in, at this link, fix a bug impacting certain low frequencies. The Sonos DAC delivered the goods in satisfying fashion, although it wasnt quite as sweet sounding and resistant to shrill microphone peakiness as youll find with a primo DAC built into a high-end receiver. Your subscription has been confirmed. But there are a million little edge cases where a product like the Port makes sense for consumers, and its a shame Sonos doesnt have a cheaper, simpler version of the Port that helps regular people get the most out of their systems, especially when Amazon seems intent on making sure it has a million cheap Echo devices that can play audio in almost every room as well. Please confirm your subscription to Verge Deals via the verification email we just sent you. Presumably, that means the Arc will support Tidal streams encoded with Dolby Atmos Music, although that is yet to be confirmed. What initially excited me about Sonos new S2 platform was Sonos promise to support higher-resolution audio technologies, compared to the CD-quality(16-bit/48kHz) audio supported by the current OS. Ive always thought timing is one of the more nebulous and ambiguous words used by whathifi reviews. The advantage of connecting an audio hub's output to the input of the Port becomes clear immediately: One connection can handle your turnable, CD player, computer audio, Blu-ray audio, or just about any other audio source, provided it's connected to the receiver. At the rear of this shallower chassis you will find ethernet ports, which we recommend you use for a more stable connection, alongside two pairs of stereo RCA terminals (one in, one out) and a coaxial digital output. Solos sounded flat as pancakes. I ran comparison tests with the high-res remastered version of Van Morrisons classic Moondance, which is ripe with his honkin jazzed vocals, brassy horns, breathy harmonica, and delicately brushed drums. The big question here is: Is the Sonos Port worth $449? While its expensive (more so now), I really liked it and thought it made a case for itself in a variety of situations since it is a self-contained high-end amplifier with Sonos capabilities. The ethernet ports on the backside of the Port are joined by one set of analog stereo inputs for a CD player or turntable preamp (or a turntable itself, if it has a preamp built in), and one set of analog stereo outputs for connecting an amplifier or self-powered speakers.