Sonos' first new hardware since app debacle targets your most complex audio setup

Sonos

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• Sonos releases Amp Multi, its first new hardware since 2024.
• It's built for consumers with extensive Sonos architectural speakers.
• Pricing and availability are not readily available; you'll need to contact an installer. 

Sonos' newly-released Amp Multi is the company's first piece of hardware since the Ace headphones launched in summer 2024. The eight-channel Amp Multi is designed for larger, professional, or otherwise complex Sonos setups, and you'll need to find an installer and receive a quote to get one. 

According to Sonos, the Amp Multi uses GaN power architecture, Class-D post-filter feedback, and features built-in ventilation for temperature and cable management. Additionally, the Amp Multi features ProTune, the company's new manual tuning tool with a 10-band equalizer, gain, width control, and delay offset.

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The Amp Multi is built for the company's architectural speakers, including its fleet of in-ceiling, wall, and outdoor speakers. Consumers with these speakers can use the Amp Multi to create a consolidated hub with four configurable zones, and each of the amp's eight channels can accommodate up to three architectural speakers.

If your Sonos armada consists of an Arc Ultra, Era 300 speakers, and a few Roam or Move speakers, you don't need to consider the Amp Multi and could opt for the smaller Sonos Amp.

The Amp Multi relies heavily on the Sonos app, unlike the older, smaller Amp, which offers touch controls. Users can connect an Ethernet cable to the Amp Multi to maximize their home's Wi-Fi performance, which should reduce connectivity issues.

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Since 2024, Sonos has focused on improving its app experience, following a major update that left longtime customers with missing functionality, connectivity issues, bugs, and other problems. The missteps of the Sonos app caused significant issues for Sonos both inside and outside its four walls, and the company now seems confident in the app's stability.

Alongside fixing the app itself, Sonos has released several software updates for its products, including a significant update for the Sonos Ace, and overall bug and performance fixes for Arc Ultra, Era 300, Era 100, Move 2, and Sub 4.