Sonos is upping the ante with a new amp designed for larger spaces and homes. For years, the standard Sonos Amp has been the go-to solution for powering passive speakers within the Sonos ecosystem. However, for larger homes requiring complex, multi-room setups, installers often had to stack multiple units, creating cable clutter and heat management issues. Sonos is now addressing this professional segment directly with the launch of the Amp Multi, an eight-channel streaming amplifier designed specifically for rack-mounted, custom installations.
The Amp Multi is effectively four Sonos Amps consolidated into a single chassis, but with significant engineering upgrades. It features eight amplified outputs, each capable of delivering 125 watts at 8 ohms. This power is distributed across four configurable zones, allowing a single unit to drive audio in four distinct rooms simultaneously. For even larger spaces, the architecture allows each output to handle up to three Sonos Architectural speakers, meaning one Amp Multi can theoretically power up to 24 individual speakers.
Under the hood, Sonos has moved to a Gallium Nitride (GaN) power architecture. This choice is critical for a rack-mounted device, as GaN technology is significantly more efficient than traditional silicon, generating less heat. This efficiency has allowed Sonos to make the Amp Multi completely fanless. By using convection cooling, the unit operates silently and avoids the long-term reliability issues associated with mechanical fans and dust buildup.
Flexibility is a key focus of the new hardware. The “Multi” in the name refers not just to zones but to signal routing. Any output can be assigned to any zone, giving installers the freedom to adapt the system to changing floor plans without rewiring. Connectivity options are robust, featuring dual Ethernet ports, Wi-Fi 6 support for reliable wireless streaming, and multiple analog inputs (RCA and USB-C) to integrate third-party audio sources like turntables.
On the software side, the Amp Multi introduces ProTune, a new suite of manual equalization tools. Unlike the standard consumer-facing EQ, ProTune offers granular control with a 10-band parametric equalizer, gain adjustment, and delay offset for each output. This allows precise calibration to account for room acoustics and speaker placement. For those using Sonos Architectural speakers, the “Optimize” feature automatically applies digital signal processing (DSP) profiles tuned specifically for those models.
Physically, the device is built for the rack. It occupies a 1.5U height but comes with a dedicated 2U rack mount that provides built-in spacing for airflow and cable management. The flat-back design and recessed connectors are practical touches intended to keep installation tidy.
Pricing & Availability
The Sonos Amp Multi will be available in “the coming months” exclusively through authorized Sonos installation partners and professional dealers.
