Sonos Boost: Do you need it?

[@freeformdesign4709]

"You can avoid needing to buying a boost by connecting just one of your speakers to your network" THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUUU

[@heyboykelly]

True that but my router is in the garage and I don’t want to waste a speaker out there. Using a Boost plugged in to the router works really well for me.

[@DManDaDemon]

@@heyboykelly I would advise you to bring you router inside the house instead of in the garage😭😭

[@mykehigh]

is this automaticly working like this or do I need to adjust my settings :)

[@MrFernandovolpi]

This completely saved me. I was having issues with two new One SL that weren't working with my Xfinity Gateway, and I read people changing their modem, returning the speakers, doing 200 steps to get it fixed, etc...by connecting the Arc to the router (which was 1 feet away) I was able to solve all the issues.

[@petemaineyphoto]

Was going to buy one of these. Have had issues over the past year with speakers going missing from my system, losing my sub and other random rooms. I have a speaker in every room and beam, sub and rears in living room. Then from reading comments and also from the video, took the tip of connecting my sub via the Ethernet cable directly to my network. Sorted the issue out now problem as the app then discovered everything again. Saved me £84 by watching and reading. Thanks guys 😄👍🏻

[@sleepycuber]

My speakers kept dropping out. This fixed it. Great bit of kit. Never dropped out once since I installed it.

[@smarthomesounds]

Good to hear and thanks for watching.

[@LaMont4theW]

Yes you do! Absolute needed to keep audio from dropping out! Review way overdue

[@ironmaiden3812]

You’re my go for to guys for Sonos products here in the States 🇺🇸

[@rodneydangerfield7153]

Thank you, Jonathan, for the very thorough and concise video!

[@jjgross8]

Good informational video, I had tried hard wiring my play5 to my router. That process didn’t help at all. I have over 60 items attached to my WI-FI. I highly recommend spending the money on a good router if you want to solve your issues.

[@todwardtk]

Thanks for this great explanation! Good job!

[@MitchellEarl]

I'm seeing an issue with Google WiFi mesh and disappearing devices. The only time you can see a specific Sonos speaker is when you are connected to the same mesh hub that the Sonos speaker is connected to. If you move to another room, and your iPhone roams to the next mesh hub, it will see the Sonos speaker connected to that hub. Sounds like Boost will fix this.

[@johnphelan6458]

Thank you Jonathan. I just ask you guys about this not too long ago. You answered all my questions! Good job.

[@turkishexpress]

So I had my Sonos network for about 8 years. It worked great for a long time but recently I’ve been having issues. Decided to go with the boost to add to my mesh network, eero. Eero has one glaring issue which is the inability to pick channels for equipment that connects to it. So after speaking with support, I explained the situation to the Sonos sales department and let them know that now I have to spend more money on the Boost and asked for a discount. They gave me 15% off. Make sure to ask.

[@sorenahlback]

Is it best to connect a cable to a mesh or the router, or doesn’t it matter? What if I connect one speaker to the router and one other to a mesh?

[@kennethcoulter791]

I have a rock solid connection with my Sonos speakers. Question: can you have a combination of the Sonos Boost and a hardwired connected Sonos speaker or amp/port? Thanks

[@minigosia22]

Thank you so much for the information. I have 4 IKEA symfonisk speakers. Two that are closer to the router work fine, but the other two, show that they are connected and playing music, but in fact, they are not. I have these connected in my restaurant (it's not a huge restaurant), that has three separate rooms. I assume that Sonos Boost should fix the problem? I just don't understand, why it's showing that there's sound coming through the speakers, but it's not. Once again, thank you for your video 😊

[@jedherman7450]

I have it and I can’t say it’s made much difference. Perhaps fewer Drop outs but I still find the S2 app struggles to connect to speakers - often get a failed to connect to network message when I go onto app.

[@MaxwellAinley]

Same, does my head in, Sonos seems terrible for this reason.

[@petera4813]

Excellent video and explanation. I have a sonos arc, two fives and a sub connected in my living room. Only ARC is connected via ethernet switch, the rest on wifi. Every now and then the app all speakers including arc and sub are not found in the app. I have to restart router, unplug and plug all products, unplug and plug ethernet switch. Is there another way around this? What i did was disconnect the arc to work with wifi for a solution but i would like to have it wired. Is there a soluton for this?

[@isabelle761]

Sonos Support also told me the signal the Boost creates is stronger than a speaker connected directly with the router.

[@smarthomesounds]

Hi there, yes this is correct.

[@OldGregg00]

What's a rooter?

[@Schweigardt]

it’s the end of Dec.2022, and I just connected a pair of Play3’s that appear to be of different generations and they are still working fine with the S2 app and my home WiFi directly. No bridge or boost needed

[@leebeeskee]

Can two boosts be used?

[@eriklarson1122]

So if I have an Sonos arc right next to my router than this will use the Sonos mesh network? no need for boost? thanks for your time!

[@ebasguy]

Can you now play spotify using your mobile data via the sonos network

[@derk8701]

Hi guys, if I buy the boost for use on a eero network do I need to plug it into the main hub or can I plug it into one of the other stations around the house?

[@mydogskip]

I have a boost, but what does the second Ethernet port do? Is it a pass through?

[@LightningSnake]

Gives internet directly in order to avoid more signal noise over wireless networks

[@JN-ys6eq]

Yes a pass through (a switch). You can connect another device (pc, console, etc.) to the boost and it will also get wired internet. Someone said it maxes out at 100mbps (unconfirmed) so I would only use it if I ran out of open ports on my router.

[@TeXasDadBod]

Can I use sonos boost for my base station since I don’t have a speaker near my router ?

[@donmarling9251]

How do I get to work it has orange light on

[@laurayeesnover631]

Well done

[@watson4694]

Great video. Question: do I need another boost if I have gen 1 and gen 2 Sonos speakers? Meaning, do I have to purchase another Boost to connect the gen 2 speakers? Thanks.

[@smarthomesounds]

No that’s not necessary, also hardwiring any Sonos speaker also does the same job as the boost.

[@watson4694]

@@smarthomesounds Thank you!

[@phildirt3]

Yep

[@jaderaradza4242]

is the useful if you live in student accomdation with public wifi?

[@J1a9m8e3ss]

Can you plug the boost into a switch or does it have to be directly into the router ? Cheers ps great video btw

[@smarthomesounds]

As long as it is an unmanaged switch, you can do this. Hope this helps!

[@J1a9m8e3ss]

@@smarthomesounds sorry not really massively tech savvy “unmanaged” ?? Cheers

[@smarthomesounds]

@@J1a9m8e3ss An unmanaged switch connects Ethernet devices with a fixed configuration that you cannot make any changes to. It is very likely to be an unmanaged switch that you would install in a residential property.

[@grahambeale9891]

Hi Iv just ordered the arc but I live rural and my WiFi is poor, I don’t plan on adding other speakers at mo, will I need a boost to set up my arc?

[@futurecactus]

Being rural can mean your internet is poor but should have no effect on your WiFi as it's entirely dependent on factors that can be found anywhere like your house building materials, WiFi access point quality etc. If you put the Sonos speaker somewhere that has a good WiFi signal, you won't need a Boost, if you put it in a low signal area, the Boost may or may not help, depends where you put it.

[@fastbird101]

Would this help with connecting to a Sub? My amp is in a closet too far away.

[@fernandokaadou97]

Can we use the Sonos surround set with a projector?

[@smarthomesounds]

Hi there, you could achieve this by using a device such as a HDMI or Optical switch with a dedicated audio out.

[@niceguy235uk1]

Can i just plug a ONE SL direst into a local switch and not connect it to my network with WIFI?

[@AnisKadri]

I used to have a bridge when it was still a requirement and upgraded to a boost when S2 came out. It's always worked flawlessly until recently when the roam came out. It turns out, having the boost on the network prevents me from grouping audio between a roam and stereo paired play:1 speakers (in bluetooth and wifi). No audio comes out of the stereo pair. In this case, the boost actually makes the system worse.

[@andrewpiscina4777]

Hi. I still need to use the S1 controller for 6 legacy speakers + 2 x Sonos One speakers in our garden room. We currently use a mesh network to allow wifi to be strong enough in our garden room (aboyt 20 feet from the main house). We have been having a few buffering/connectivity issues and so considering the replacement of the bridge with the Sonos Boost. We worry is whether the Sonos One speakers in the garden room will be able to reach the speakers or Boost? Any thoughts?

[@grinster399]

We have 8 x Sonos Ones plus a Sonos Subwoofer spread throughout a fairly large home. There are 2 x ASUS AC routers in mesh mode, using ethernet backhaul, that cover the home comfortably. Beyond that, three of the Sonos Ones are connected via ethernet ... the other five, and the Subwoofer, are all wireless connect. The 3 x ethernet connected speakers conveniently happen to be in fairly equidistant locations across our home. Although we have no apparent streaming issues, our wireless devices continue to grow in number and so we wonder - QUESTIONS: 1. If issues should arise, might the Boost potentially offer any benefit? 2. Does the fact that several of the speakers are already ethernet connected mean that they have thereby already established a Sonos specific mesh network amongst all of the Sonos speakers, that is separate from our ASUS routers provided wireless network?

[@smarthomesounds]

Hi there, thanks for your comment. I would only suggest adding a Boost until you start to experience longer buffering times or drop outs as your WiFi might be capable enough to handle it. If you are able to wire one of the speakers via ethernet permanently to your router, you probably wouldn't need a Boost anyway as this achieves the same thing and establishes the Sonos mesh for all of the speakers on your system. I hope that helps!

[@grinster399]

@@smarthomesounds Many thanks! You gave me a particular answer I was hoping for - "If you are able to wire one of the speakers via ethernet permanently to your router, you probably wouldn't need a Boost anyway as this achieves the same thing and establishes the Sonos mesh for all of the speakers on your system" ... great news!

[@saeedhn12]

Hi! Thank you very much for reviewing Sonos boos. May I know what the best router for Sonos speakers?

[@grinster399]

@@saeedhn12 I don't have enough experience / expertise on that particular matter to be able to advise you there. However, as a general comment and from the many reviews that I have read, I have a strong personal preference for ASUS routers - I currently have 2 x ASUS RT-AC68 routers, both wired via CAT 5e cabling (ie. wired backhaul), and approx half of my 9 x Sonos speakers are hard wired to that same network, via switches that are connected to the network (wired back to my main, 16 port switch). So ... the remaining, fully wireless Sonos speakers communicate via the Sonos mesh network that 'overlays' (if that's the correct term?) the ASUS routers wireless mesh network.

[@saeedhn12]

@@grinster399 Thank you very much and I highly appreciated it.

[@ctopha87]

I thought that the Roam and the Move did not work with Sonosnet.

[@LaMont4theW]

They don’t

[@Synplex]

So not needed, got it!

[@martinjedras8513]

I've had issues with a Smart Meter interfering with my surround sound setup (playbar, sub and 2x play 1's), causing the satellites to show as question marks in the S2 app, would a Boost help? It wasn't suggested when I spoke with Sonos support.

[@staylor6043]

Like the new do

[@helpful_info]

I have just installed an ASUS ZenWiFi AX Mini mesh system but I can't seem to get my SONOS system to connect to it. I even changed the ASUS setup from router mode to Access Point mode and that worked for a bit but now its dropped out. Any advice?

[@Bl0ckHe1d]

Sonos only connects to a 2.4ghz Wi-Fi network, the router / mesh may be currently configured for 5ghz.

[@josiahraleigh6656]

Great video

[@smarthomesounds]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@nickparker2367]

Currently have 9 Sonos speakers through the house and recently tried putting one of my Play 1's into a Bar I've built in the garden 20-30 foot away from the house and instantly dropped off the app adding a boost will this solve the issue as I do get wifi out there ? All speakers are run off the wifi as cannot connect a speaker direct to the router

[@cliffedwards9472]

🤙😎

[@DIGITALidYOUTUBE]

Sonoss Rooters.

[@deanprops]

I am paying extra for a high speed internet. It just seems anyone who has spent the dollars on the original Sonas S1 system has not been kept in the loop ever since Sonas went to their S2 version. At one point they even tried to pull out of their original offerings and offer rebates so we would retool our systems to S2. So the original supporters of Sonas have been left behind, forgotten. I quite frankly want to rip the entire system out and spend my money on something more consumer friendly. The Sonas approach has been completely unsupportive to it’s original supporters. And I have zero contact with the Sonas system I have now.