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Do You Need AirPlay to Stream Music in iTunes to a Sonos System?

Al Griffin  |  May 28, 2015

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Q I want a great-sounding home theater system (preferably wireless) that won’t break the bank. I’m interested in the Sonos system (PLAYBAR, PLAY:1 rear speakers, and SUB). The only downside is that Sonos doesn’t support AirPlay—a deal-breaker for me since much of my music is on Apple devices (MacBook, iPad, and iPhone). Someone told me I don’t really need AirPlay to play my iTunes library through Sonos. Is that true?—Paul Fox

A Yes. The files in your iTunes library (and other shared music folders on your network-connected computers or NAS drive) can be read by the Sonos controller app, which is capable of importing iTunes playlists as well. As long as your iPad or iPhone is wirelessly connected to the same network, you can also tap wireless iTunes playback to stream audio from those devices to your Sonos system (requires iOS 6 or later). One caveat: the audio tracks streamed using wireless iTunes playback must be in MP3 or AAC format; AIFF and lossless formats are not supported.

As for AirPlay, if you prefer to use that protocol to stream music from your Apple devices to a Sonos speaker, you’ll have to pony up for yet another Apple gadget: an Airport Express ($99). The Airport Express is a Wi-Fi base station that’s capable of streaming music via AirPlay and conveying it via its analog stereo/optical digital output to a compatible speaker such as the Playbar. It also lets you stream iTunes Match tracks from an iCloud account—something you can’t otherwise do when using basic wireless iTunes playback to stream audio from your iDevices.

COMMENTS
BadCommand's picture
Submitted by BadCommand on May 28, 2015 - 7:01pm

Apple Lossless is supported natively- I'm listening to it right now. Not sure about AIFF, but with ALAC, there is no need for AIFF.

As for the streaming side- keep your eye on Apple's WWDC in June. As we know Apple bought Beats, which is supported on Sonos. Apple intends on rolling out a new service with combined functionality of Beats and iTunes Radio. And though in the past Apple hasn't cross platformed, word has it that they are coming out with a Android client for the new service, so I wouldn't at all be surprised to see the new streaming service supported on Sonos as well.

AllenL's picture
Submitted by AllenL on May 28, 2015 - 7:03pm

Since Sonos does not support AIFF and lossless formats, are there companies out there that offer the same kind of iTunes integration, but do support lossless formats? All of my music is stored in Apple Lossless.

AllenL's picture
Submitted by AllenL on May 28, 2015 - 7:11pm

You answered my question before I even asked it. I here this is what good marriages are like. For the sake of having options, are there other companies with the same iTunes integration. Would be great to have an Ethernet connected option.

BadCommand's picture
Submitted by BadCommand on May 28, 2015 - 8:36pm

ATM Apple hasn't integrated natively with any 3rd party company. However, it appears if the reliable rumor is correct, Apple is feeling the heat of streaming services on download sales so is looking to expand beyond the direct Apple ecosystem.

I can't really speak for Sonos competitors as I honestly don't have experience with them. I will say Sonos is doing a excellent job of meeting most all of my needs. One of them being the diversity of supported streaming services. I started with Sonos primarily looking for streaming augmentation to my 2500 ripped albums, and now the streaming is dominating my listening. To that end I've found services I was sure were going to be my favorites are being outshined by newer more innovative services- so that diversity Sonos offers has been a godsend. I'll be interested to see how this new Apple offering pans out- may warrant adding another service.

As far as ethernet goes, while Sonos does offer ethernet connectivity in all it's full range speakers and amps, I've found that the need for wired connectivity, even with lossless audio, isn't necessary at all. I've been running wireless for years without any loss or dropout at all. Even in the most complex settings with the Sonos Boost now available, you should be good to go. Hope that helps.

Hake0015's picture
Submitted by Hake0015 on May 31, 2015 - 6:10am

Never had a problem playing AIFF on my Sonos. I have been re ripping CDs to that format for a month now.

Al Griffin's picture
Submitted by Al Griffin on May 31, 2015 - 8:07am
But not for wireless iTunes playback. In that use case, you are limited to MP3/AAC.
solometallic's picture
Submitted by solometallic on June 1, 2015 - 7:39pm

I don't have a SONOS but it reads like this may be a limitation in their software/App?
I do play AIFF with my iTunes and to any AirPlay device in the house via WiFi and Wired (e.g., AppleTV, Airport Express, Pioneer, Harmon/Kardon, Sony, Philips, Microsoft, iHome... )

Mr. Griffin, I've been wondering...
With the Apps, AirPlay Licensing and Hardware available from many OEM venders one would think this stuff would be common knowledge but it appears that it isn't. I was thinking that the versatility of sending audio to multiple devices at the same time, the ability to send video and audio to separate devices and the multiple scenarios for doing theses tasks would be a great article for a Sound and Vision.

May we have more from Sound and Vision on this?

mtymous1's picture
Submitted by mtymous1 on July 12, 2015 - 4:37pm

Unless you've already made the investment in Sonos, I don't think trying to make two proprietary ecosystems (Sonos and Apple) work with each other is the best approach. Right off the bat, you'd be locking yourself in to those technologies. Over time, you'd escalate the total cost on incremental devices for one of the ecosystems, in order to overcome the shortcomings caused by the other ecosystem, and probably still feel not-fully-satisfied. Al Griffin's response reaffirms this: "As for AirPlay, if you prefer to use that protocol to stream music from your Apple devices to a Sonos speaker, you’ll have to pony up for yet another Apple gadget: an Airport Express ($99)."

My advice is to utilize DLNA, and ensure whatever home theater equipment you decide to purchase supports it. There is lots of searchable information, but perhaps it's best to start here: http://www.dlna.org/. I'd also be happy to respond to any questions you may have, or at least point you in the right direction.

(FWIW, I've been using DLNA to stream all sorts of content to/from various devices, and across platforms for nearly 10 years. PS3 got me first tinkering with DLNA.)

Even if you already have Sonos, you can push a compatible DLNA stream to a Sonos device and it will be rendered and played. There are plenty of DLNA-related threads on ask.sonos.com.

Let me know what you decide!

mtymous1's picture
Submitted by mtymous1 on July 18, 2015 - 9:58pm

...so if your Macbook has enough processing power to run VortexBox as a virtual machine, you could also go that route.

More info here:

http://vortexbox.org/about

http://vortexbox.org/forum/vortexbox/general/271-sonos-compatibility

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