What’s Sonos S2 and what Sonos gadgets aren’t suitable?

• What’s Sonos S2 system software program?
• What Sonos audio system and gadgets are affected?
• Why do not they get new options?
• What to do should you personal an affected Sonos speaker or gadget
• Commerce up your Sonos gadget for 30 per cent off a brand new one

Sonos overturned its choice in 2020 to discontinue a number of of its legacy audio system and gadgets. That mentioned, the Sonos S2 software program the corporate launched in the identical 12 months doesn’t assist them.

Sonos S2 (aka Sonos on app shops) is for current and new devices only, because it requires the better processing energy they supply. That does not imply your older package is defunct although. Certainly, legacy merchandise proceed to work – you may simply must decide on them, or two.

Here is the whole lot it’s worthwhile to know concerning the Sonos S2 software, together with what Sonos audio system are supported and which of them aren’t.

What’s Sonos S2 system software program?

Sonos S2 was a serious Sonos system software program replace that was made accessible in August 2020 for the overwhelming majority of Sonos audio system and gadgets. It added new options, resembling assist for Dolby Atmos, plus different greater decision audio codecs and room teams.

It is usually now the default software program for all suitable Sonos gadgets.

All older gadgets (as on the checklist beneath) will be capable to proceed on the older Sonos controller software program – which was renamed to Sonos S1 when the S2 software program launched.

What Sonos audio system and gadgets are affected?

In the event you improve to Sonos S2, the next gadgets aren’t suitable and have to remain on the present technology software program (Sonos S1):

• Sonos Bridge
• Sonos Join
• Sonos Join:Amp
• Sonos CR200 wi-fi distant
• Sonos Play:5 (Gen 1)
• Sonos Zone Gamers (ZP90, ZP100, ZP120, and so on)

All different Sonos gadgets are able to working Sonos S2 software program. Any merchandise launched after Might 2020 require the Sonos S2 software program.

Why do not they get new options?

Like TVs, smartphones, tablets and most different types of leisure gear, Sonos gadgets inevitably present their age – not due to their audio tech, however due to the processing and storage capabilities accessible when first launched. The affected gadgets are due to this fact not able to successfully working the newest software program or the extra superior, fashionable streaming providers.

In any case, a few of the gadgets are practically 20 years-old. How many individuals count on a 20 year-old TV to run Netflix, 4K and even BBC iPlayer today? Sonos continues to launch patches for the legacy gear if safety holes are detected, simply not the identical important upgrades as the remainder of its household of audio system.

What to do should you personal an affected Sonos speaker or gadget

In the event you do personal any of the gadgets above and are frightened that they’re going to merely cease working, relaxation assured that completely is not the case.

As an alternative, you may proceed to make use of them on the Sonos S1 software program. There are some caveats to this, nonetheless.

For instance, if you wish to use legacy merchandise with newer audio system as a part of the identical Sonos community you will be unable to replace the newer gadgets to Sonos S2. They are going to all proceed work collectively, however your newer gadgets might want to stay on Sonos S1 to take action.

Alternatively, you may isolate the older, affected gadgets and run them separate to your newer audio system – ie. run two independently linked zones in your house somewhat than one. The older gadgets linked to one another in a single, the unaffected gadgets as one other. That approach, your newer gadgets will get the advantages of the S2 software program.

And, if you buy any Sonos audio system launched after Might 2020, you may solely use them with Sonos S2, so you may must create two separate networks anyway.

Commerce up your Sonos gadget for 30 per cent off a brand new one

In the event you do not need to proceed to make use of your affected Sonos gadgets in future, you may decide to utilise the company’s Upgrade program as an alternative.

This successfully permits you to get 30 per cent off a brand-new, alternative gadget. Nevertheless, when you had been beforehand required to “brick” your outdated one completely, via “Recycle Mode”, that’s not the case.

Now you can use the Commerce Up service with out bricking your outdated gadget – permitting you to move it on to a member of the family, promote it and even nonetheless use it with the older system software program.

Detailed directions on how to use the Sonos Upgrade program will be present in our separate characteristic.