SONOS Amp 2.1 Ch Amplifier User Guide

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1 SONOS Amp 2.1 Ch Amplifier

5 Important Safety Information

6 Documents / Resources

7 Related Posts

SONOS Amp 2.1 Ch Amplifier

Amp

Amp features a built-in state-of-the-art digital amplifier that can power large or small speakers so you can enjoy superior audio in any room.

Power your bookshelf, floor-standing, in-wall, and in-ceiling speakers.
Connect to your TV to create the ultimate entertainment system.
Stream everything you love with the Sonos app and Air Play.
Plug in any audio device, like a turntable or a phone, and listen out loud.
Works with either Sonos S2 or Sonos S1 (for Android and iOS).
See Getting started when you’re ready to add Amp to your Sonos system.

Controls and lights
Swipe, touch, or tap—with Amp you’ve got choices on how to control the sound.

Use the touch controls on Amp.
Use our app.
Use your TV remote control.

Status light
Indicates the status. Learn more If the light is distracting, you can turn it off in your room’s settings.
Volume control
Touch for small adjustments or touch and hold to quickly change the volume:
Volume up (right)
Volume down (left)
Note: You can also use our app or your remote control.
Play/Pause
Touch to play or pause sound.
TV—When the TV is on, touch to toggle the sound on and off.
Music—When the TV is off, touch to pause or restart music.
Next/Previous (Music only)
Swipe right across the touch controls to skip to the next song.
Swipe left to go to the previous song.
Note: You can’t skip forward or go back when listening to a radio station.
IR sensor
The IR (InfraRed) sensor receives signals sent by a remote control.

Note: If you don’t want anyone (like a child) to control playback or change the volume using the speaker touch controls, you can disable them in the room’s settings.

Connector panel

HDMI ARC
Use an HDMI cable to connect Amp to your TV’s HDMI ARC port.
Join button
Press to connect during setup.
AC power (mains) port
Use only the supplied power cord (using a third-party power cord will void your warranty).
Note: Insert the power cord firmly.
Analog audio in
Use a standard RCA audio cable to connect Amp’s analog audio inputs to the audio outputs from a separate audio component, such as a turntable or a portable music player.
Ethernet ports (2)
Use an Ethernet cable if you want to connect to a router, computer, or network-attached storage (NAS) device (optional).
Subwoofer output
Connect a powered subwoofer to this output using a standard RCA cable. The system will detect when a cable is connected to the subwoofer output and adjust the crossover frequency automatically.
Note: If you disconnect your subwoofer, make sure to also disconnect the subwoofer’s cable from the Amp output.
Speaker terminals
Use high-quality speaker wire to connect your speakers to Amp.

What can you do with Amp?

Play music through your favorite speakers
Connect your favorite bookshelf, floor-standing, in-wall, or in-ceiling speakers to Amp to stream all the music you love. Connect a turntable, stereo, or portable music player and play the sound on any Sonos speaker.

Enhance your TV sound
Connect Amp to your TV to create the ultimate entertainment system.

Use Amp and a pair of 3rd-party speakers to create two front audio channels.
Use Amp with third-party speakers to add surround sound if you already have a Sonos home theater speaker (Beam, Playbase, Playbar, or another Amp) connected to your TV.

(For even deeper sound, add a Sonos Sub or connect a third-party subwoofer.) See Connect Amp to your TV for setup information.

Select a location
You can place Amp just about anywhere— in an electronics rack, on a shelf, or on a credenza with your TV.

Rack-mounted

Amp mounts perfectly in any electronics rack.
Place two Amps side by side in a 2U rack.
Place four Amps in a 3U rack.

Placed on a credenza

Place horizontally on a stable and level surface at least 3 in / 50 mm from the TV.
Don’t block the TV’s IR sensor.
If put on a shelf, place at the front and keep 3″ (minimum) clearance on all sides.
Don’t block the front of Amp so you can reach the touch controls.

Connect the cables

Attach desired speakers
Your speakers’ power rating should be at least 125W for 8 ohm speakers, and at least 200W for 4 ohm speakers. Do not connect speakers rated at less than 4 ohm.
Note: Amp can drive speakers with nominal impedance above 4 ohms. Two pairs of 8 ohm speakers wired in parallel are also supported. Don’t wire your speakers in series because it will result in poor sound quality.

Remove the cap from the banana plug to reveal the connection hole.
Insert the stripped end of the speaker wire into the hole, then return the cap to the banana plug to secure the connection.

Note: Connect the red (+) and black (-) terminals from each speaker to the corresponding banana plug and terminal on Amp. Mismatching of polarities will result in weak central sound and a distorted sense of sound direction.

Insert the banana plug into the proper speaker terminal on the back of Amp.
Repeat to install the other speaker wires.

Connect the power cord
Attach the power cord and plug in Amp.
You’ll use our app to set up and control your Sonos system. If you don’t have the Sonos app, download it from your app store. See Controls and lights.

Connect Amp to your TV
Use an HDMI cable to connect Amp to your TV. When connected, Amp creates two front audio channels and plays your TV sound through your favorite non-Sonos speakers.
Note: You may need the optical adapter too (the app lets you know).

Fully insert the HDMI cable into Amp’s HDMI port.
Connect the HDMI cable to your TV. You have two choices:
If your TV has an HDMI ARC port, connect the HDMI cable directly to the TV’s HDMI ARC port.
If your TV doesn’t have an HDMI ARC port, attach the optical adapter to the HDMI cable and connect it to the TV’s optical digital OUT port.

If your TV has an HDMI ARC port
HDMI ARC is a special port that looks like a standard HDMI port. Although they look the same, if you connect to a standard HDMI port, you won’t hear sound.

On your TV’s audio OUT panel, locate the HDMI ARC port. It may be on the back or side of your TV. Look for the port with “ARC” on the label.
Connect the HDMI cable to the TV’s HDMI ARC port.

Note: If you can’t find a port with the word “ARC” on the label, your TV doesn’t have an HDMI ARC port. See If your TV doesn’t have an HDMI ARC port.

If your TV doesn’t have an HDMI ARC port
You’ll need the optical audio adapter.

Remove the protective cap from the optical adapter.
Attach the optical adapter to the HDMI cable.

Connect the optical adapter to the TV’s optical digital OUT port.

Note: The optical adapter’s port is “D-shaped”—make sure the connector aligns correctly into the port. Inserting the adapter incorrectly may damage the cable.

You’ll use our app to set up and control your Sonos system. If you don’t have the Sonos app, download it from your app store. See Controls and lights.

Line-in
Connect an external source like a phono preamp (your turntable may have a built-in phone preamp), or other audio device. Learn more.

Change from stereo to mono
Amp plays audio in stereo by default. You can change the sound settings for the room associated with the Amp so that it plays in two mono channels when playing music. Learn more.

Specifications

Audio

Amplifier
Class-D digital amplifier
Amplifier power
125W/Ch into 8 ohms
Speaker Connections
Banana plugs (2)
Line-In Sources Supported
Audio device with analog RCA output or optical output (optical adapter required). TV device with HDMI ARC or optical output (optical adapter required).
Subwoofer Output
Auto-detecting RCA type, adjustable crossover

Networking

Wireless Connectivity
Using Sonos S2: Connects to WiFi network with any 802.11 b/g/n, 2.4 GHz broadcast-capable router.
Using Sonos S1: Connects to WiFi network with any 802.11b/g 2.4 GHz broadcast-capable router. 802.11n only network configurations are not supported—you can either change the router settings to 802.11b/g/n or connect a Sonos product to your router.
Ethernet Ports
Dual Ethernet ports can connect Amp to a wired home network and allow for connection of additional Sonos players.

General

System Requirements
Passive speakers with speaker wire, broadband internet, and Sonos app.
Power Supply
Auto-switching 100-240V, 50-60 Hz AC universal input.
Controls
Touch interface with volume up/down, previous/next song and play/pause.
Status indicator
Light indicates Amp status.
Dimensions (H x W x D)
2.52 x 8.54 x 8.54 in. (64 x 217 x 217 mm)
Weight
4.6 lbs. (2.1 kg)
Operating Temperature
32°F to 104° F (0° C to 40° C)
Storage Temperature
-4°F to 122° F (-20° C to 50° C)

Important Safety Information

Read these instructions.
Keep these instructions.
Heed all warnings.
Follow all instructions.
Do not use this apparatus near water.
Clean only with dry soft cloth. Household cleaners or solvents can damage the finish on your Sonos components.
Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus that produce heat.
Protect the power cable from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
Refer all servicing to Sonos qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cable or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
The Mains plug should be readily available to disconnect the equipment.
Warning: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.
Do not expose apparatus to dripping or splashing and do not place objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on the apparatus.