Are you too bored with the Sonos products? Do you want to shift your focus to other brands and give them a try?
Though Sonos app is treated the best amongst all companies providing music room music experience, Sonos still has fair competition.
Further reading: What is Sonos? Here’s Everything You Need to Know About the Wireless Sound System
What is Sonos Amp?
Sonos Amp is a wireless music streamer by Sonos. You can use your smart speakers or turntable and connect to this streamer over Wi-Fi. To play nonstop songs over Wi-Fi, you can use this streamer to stream music from your favorite music apps like Apple Music, Spotify, or Tidal.
A wireless music streamer allows you to enjoy music over the internet without using any stored device like a CD or DVD. It provides streaming music online that can be listened to through your space with the help of smart speakers.
It has many connectivity features like HDMI Arc, optical output, RCA output, subwoofer output that helps you connect it with your speakers, TV, or subwoofer.
Further reading: Sonos Amp Vs Receiver: Which Is Better?
6 Best Sonos Amp Alternatives
Yes, Sonos Amp is not the only wireless streamer in the market. Many alternatives may not outcast Sonos app experience but are at par with Sonos amp.
Bluesound Node
- Connect to any existing stereo amplifier, AV...
- HDMI eARC connectivity, digital, optical and...
- HDMI eARC connectivity, digital, optical and...
- Connect with the BluVoice skill in the Alexa...
- Top panel touch controls with presets. IR...
Bluesound Node is the closest competitor of the Sonos Amp. Bluesound provides everything, and much more than a Sonos Amp can it is priced relatively at the same pricing as Sonos.
Moreover, within Bluesound, you get not one but two options for a wireless streamer. The Bluesound Node (2021) and the Bluesound Node 2i (which is a predecessor).
Where Sonos amp is priced at around $800, Bluesound Node is priced a few dollars below it. The latest Bluesound music streamer Node is a hi-resolution music streamer that doesn’t disappoint with sound quality.
Apart from this, it has many connectivity features like HDMI eARC, digital and analog outputs, subwoofer outputs, wired and wireless headphone jack, and more. It supports Airplay 2, and the streamer can be controlled through its app BluOS. It also works with the Alexa app. Through the BluVoice skill available on the Alexa app.
Cambridge Audio CXN V2
- ✓ STUNNING SOUND QUALITY - The convenience...
- ✓ ADVANCED UNSAMPLING FOR CLEANER AUDIO –...
- ✓ MUSIC ANY WAY YOU WANT IT – With the...
- ✓ POWER TO TRANSFORM YOUR DIGITAL...
- ✓ WIRED OR WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY - Via...
Cambridge is another wireless music streamer to go for if you’re looking for a Sonos amp alternative. It is priced a bit higher than Sonos Amp but doesn’t disappoint with the performance.
The best part is it has a digital display in front that helps you control it easily. Like most other wireless streamers, it is also controlled with the help of its app, StreamMagic app available both for iOS and Android users.
The sound quality is great. Also, the connectivity features allow you to use a USB, coaxial, and even TOSLINK cable. For wireless connections, it is fully compatible with Apple Airplay 2, Chromecast, Spotify, Tidal, and Qobuz.
Cambridge has over 50 years of experience in manufacturing audio products. It has a sleek design with greyish tones that makes it a decent-looking streamer. To connect it to Wi-Fi requires a separate USB dongle.
Audio Engine B-Fi
- MULTIROOM SMART HOME AUDIO DEVICE: Put your...
- INCREDIBLE 24 BIT SOUND: Breath new life into...
- MULTIROOM SMART HOME LISTENING: Easily add...
- STREAM YOUR MUSIC, YOUR WAY: Whether playing...
- 3 YEAR WARRANTY: Stellar US based customer...
Audio Engine B-Fi is best when it comes to affordability. Priced within $200, this minimalistic wireless streamer is a bang on the solid and simple streamer to stream your favorite music.
To stream music through Audio Engine, all you need is to connect the streamer to your amp or DAC via optical or analog out cable.
Now, download its app i.e., Audio Engine Control, on your mobile device to connect it to the internet. That’s it. Open the app, log in to your favorite streaming channel/app, and you can easily stream music wirelessly.
It comes with a 3-year warranty and is also compatible with Airplay. It is simple to use without any influx of many features. It can support Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Tidal, Qobuz, Napster, Spotify, and TuneIn, among the music streaming apps.
Andover Audio Songbird
- 2.4Ghz Wifi or Ethernet Internet Connection
- Analog and Digital Outputs and Inputs
- Bluetooth Reciever
- App Controlled from Your Smartphone
- Multiroom Capable
The direct competitor of the above music streamer is this wireless streamer by Andover. Audio songbird is also affordably priced at just $129. It stays a bit ahead of Audio Engine due to some of its advanced features.
This complete wireless streamer has a good clear and crisp sound quality as it streams at 24bit/192kHz as against B-Fi, which streams at 16bit/44.1kHz. Similarly, it also works with the help of its app, Songbird.
However, the app may disappoint a bit and isn’t as flawless as AudioEngine. However, it surely does have a better and high-resolution sound quality.
Xiaomi Mi Box S
The cheapest and more affordable of all, Xiaomi Mi Box S is the most minimalist wireless. For those with a budget, this plug-and-play streamer provides the best music streaming experience.
Though not a wireless streamer, it can stream music using an HDMI connector and a USB out port. It is an Android streamer that also gives access to over 3000 channels. It also has a built-in Chromecast, Google Assistant and works with the help of a remote.
Amazon Echo Link Amp
- Upgrade your speakers with a built-in 60W x...
- Voice control music selection and playback...
- Connect Echo Link Amp to speakers and group...
- Supports hi-fidelity audio from streaming...
- Multiple digital and analog inputs and...
This can be a great alternative to Sonos Amp. A lot more affordable than Sonos Amp, Amazon Echo Link Amp is a close Sonos competitor that allows streaming HiFi music from a popular music streaming apps over Wi-Fi/Bluetooth to the speakers.
The only downside is Amazon Echo Link Amp only works with Echo smart speakers. If you have an Echo ecosystem at home, this can help each of them stay connected together and enjoy multi-room music together. It works with the Alexa app. It supports many popular music streaming services like Amazon Music, Tidal, Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, Deezer, etc.
Further reading: What Are The Best Tablet For Sonos Controller?
Conclusion
These were some of the affordable and good wireless music streamers that are great Sonos amp alternatives. The above-mentioned streamers are either priced very closely around the Sonos Amp or much cheaper than it. All of these can act as the best alternative for Sonos Amp.
If you have no budget constraints, there are many other music streamers to go for, like Naim, Audio Lab, NAD Masters, and many others. However, these streamers are overpriced and cost a ton. The best alternative to Sonos Amp is Bluesound’s wireless streamers Node and Node 2i.
