Everything you need to know about the difference between the Sonos system and the S1 and S2
When it comes to the Sonos app, it’s a bit complicated to say the least. The Sonos S2 app was previously considered a “new” Sonos app, but its update arrived in mid-2020 and may have been using it for years. As the Sonos S2 app was released in 2020, the original Sonos app was rebranded as a Sonos S1 controller.
However, everything that happened before the latest redesigned Sonos app that arrived in May 2024 and caused quite a bit of confusion caused more confusion than the first S2 did four years ago. Really, Sonos should have called a redesigned app from the Sonos S3 from 2024, but that wasn’t the case.
The easiest way to describe the Sonos S2 is to have the latest apps from Sonos and the latest system running by the latest Sonos speakers. What it means for you and your Sonos system depends on the speakers you have in your home and the compatibility of the S2 system and apps.
Read everything you need to know about updating your Sonos App S2 and S1 and multi-room speaker system.
Why did Sonos change?
In early 2020, Sonos announced that it would be halting updates to Legacy Products. This list included the original zone player, first-generation Connect and Connect: AMP, The First Generation Play: 5, CR200, and Sonos Bridge.
Given that some of these devices date back to the early 2000s (although some sold until 2015), it’s no surprise that Sonos had to cut the cord at one point. Hardware becomes a point where it can’t keep up with software that is expected to be processed seamlessly, and that’s what happened with the following products:
Incompatible Sonos S1 hardware:
- Sonos Play: 5 (Gen 1)
- All Zone Players
- CR200 Controller
- Sonos Connect (Gen 1)
- Sonos Connect: amp (gen 1)
- Sonos Bridge
What is the Sonos S2?
The Sonos S2 was not only the name of the Sonos app as we know, but it was also the new OS (via firmware update) when it first launched for non-Legacy Sonos speakers in 2020. When the S2 system first launched, the app was pretty stylish and came with smooth new software features for upgraders, such as preset groups that can be used for speakers and events at certain times. Even after 4 years, it’s one of our favorite Sonos tips.
The biggest deal of the day was that the Sonos S2 enabled high-resolution audio technology for music and home theaters. The first sign of that was Sonos Arc’s Dolby Atmos skill, followed by Amazon Music Ultra HD in collaboration with Sonos.
Fast forward to 2024, while Sonos Arc Ultra has made great strides on the sound front, the Sonos app is in disarray. It looks quite different from when the S2 app first launched and moved to one home screen, but many of the features that were initially taken away as part of the redesign have returned. There are separate features for tips and tricks in the new Sonos app.
Meanwhile, the Sonos S1 is basically a Sonos before 2020. Even if you have all S2 compatible products, you can choose not to upgrade. As always, you can continue to use the Sonos speaker. The system will receive bug fixes and security patches, but will not get S2 merchandise. However, new Sonos speakers released after May 2020 are not compatible with the S1 system. Therefore, if you have purchased new speakers or Sonos speakers in the past four years, you will need to download and set up the S2 app.
Some Sonos speakers compatible with the S1 app must be downgraded before they can be added to the S1 system. The Sonos S1 Controller app lets you know if you need to downgrade when trying and adding a device you have configured.
As far as Google Assistant and Alexa are concerned, Sonos said: “We are working with our partners to work with our music and audio services with the oldest products to limit the power of memory and processing.“
Sonos S2 compatible devices:
- Playback: 1
- Play: 3
- Play: 5 (Gen 2)
- Five
- 1 (all generations)
- Move
- Move 2
- Playbase
- Playbar
- beam
- Beam 2
- arc
- Arc Sl
- Ark Ultra
- ERA 100
- ERA 300
- Walking around
- ROAM SL
- Roaming 2
- Ray
- Connect (Gen 2)
- Connection: amp (gen 2)
- Amplifier
- port
- Boost
- Sub (all generations)
- Submini
- IKEA Symphonic (all models)
Which generation of Sonos speakers do you have?
If the generation is confusing what they play, if there are five Generations playing, you won’t know if Sonos Connect is the first or second generation, etc. Log in to your Sonos account and check online anytime.
If your device is compatible, it will be displayed as a tick of “Latest Products”.
Can I use Sonos S1 and S2 at the same time?
Yes, no. Certainly you can use both at the same time. However, even if speakers from the S1 group are compatible with S2, you cannot group speakers into the S2 group.
That’s the part that sparked the most criticism of Sonos when the Legacy first unveiled its split legacy in 2020, but it probably has less criticism than the company has gotten due to the recent redesigned app.
If your Sonos system configures any of these legacy devices, and if it’s a bundle of the latest and largest Sonos speakers, you’ll have to throw away the old speakers or blame the new speakers on the S1 experience.
How do I get the Sonos S2 app?
Both the Sonos S2 and Sonos S1 apps are live on Google Play and the Apple App Store. There are also desktop variations for Mac and PC users.
To update to S2, you need to not only update the app as normal, but also download an entirely new one. Now you can see that the S2 app doesn’t actually say S2 in the icon, but it’s downloading a new one based on the description and the app’s new tan color.
The “old” Sonos app remains black and is clearly labelled “S1”.
Simply download the app and follow the steps to update your system. Once you’re done, you can delete the old Sonos app. Jumping to S2 quickly became useless.
How do I upgrade my Sonos speakers?
If necessary, you can upgrade your old Sonos kit using a 30% credit trade-in program. The good news is that Sonos has removed the controversial “bricking” recycling program.
You don’t even need to send out old speakers. It’s actually functional. If you want to continue using it with your S1 setup, give it to a friend on eBay/sell it.
