Sonos Questions

[Jimbo.Automates]

This has nothing to do with UDI, but I know there are many Sonos users on here that may be able to answer my question.

Currently at our little lake house with not so reliable internet we download music on our Android phones in YouTube Music and stream using Bluetooth, which works ok with the limitations of bluetooth.   I'd much prefer to use Chromecast, but that doesn't allow local streaming, it uses the Internet.

So my question is, with Sonos, can you downlaod the music to an app like YouTube Music and use their streaming to speakers and soundbars using the local network without an Internet connection.  I've tried to find a definitive answer and have not been successful.

Thanks,
Jim

[lilyoyo1]

6 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

This has nothing to do with UDI, but I know there are many Sonos users on here that may be able to answer my question.

Currently at our little lake house with not so reliable internet we download music on our Android phones in YouTube Music and stream using Bluetooth, which works ok with the limitations of bluetooth.   I'd much prefer to use Chromecast, but that doesn't allow local streaming, it uses the Internet.

So my question is, with Sonos, can you downlaod the music to an app like YouTube Music and use their streaming to speakers and soundbars using the local network without an Internet connection.  I've tried to find a definitive answer and have not been successful.

Thanks,
Jim

I would think you need an internet connection to use youtube music with sonos. I dont use youtube music so I cant say what it would take however.

I know sonos can stream music thats on stored directly on your phone (I do this quite often). As long as there is a wifi connection, I dont see why that wouldnt work. I'll shut my internet down tomorrow and see what happens

[Bumbershoot]

In the Apple world, YouTube Music can stream local music using Airplay to Sonos, as can Pandora, Apple Music and others.  Works great. I haven’t tried it without an internet connection, but that would be an odd limitation to have given that the music is local.

[Jimbo.Automates]

Thanks guys, yes YouTube Music allows downloading all music locally and stream from the device, but sadly Chromecast doesn't support streaming from local. I'd use a different music app but to painful to start all over again marking all favorites and creating play lists... It's been impossible to get an answer on this from Google or Sonos. Most people don't care if it uses the internet, until your internet sucks or goes down.

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk

[stillwater]

Yes Apple Airplay  works with the Sonos Ports and some other Sonos devices.    Airplay over wifi (no internet connection needed) is higher fidelity than bluetooth.    But there are cheaper alternatives than Sonos to do this, especially if you have a receiver/amplifier with a optical (Toslink) input.    Belkin makes a "SoundForm Connect Audio Adapter with AirPlay 2" that will allow you to stream from an iOS or MacOS device.   This is $80 on Amazon and B&H Photo.  People complain that the analog output is sort of low level.  I can't attest to the quality of the DAC built in and thus the analog sound quality, but the digital out should be CD quality if the file on the phone is.  There are also some Yamaha, Onkyo, and Denon receivers (maybe Sony also) with Airplay or Airplay 2 built in.  

[stillwater]

I should clarify that with Sonos you only need one device in your sonos system that is Airplay enabled.  Then any other Sonos devices on the network will be able to play that material, even if the receiving device is muted.   For a small Lake cabin you may not be looking for multi-room sound.  

 

[Jimbo.Automates]

Thanks @stillwater but I won't be switching to iPhone  I have a decent Bluetooth receiver connected to my Amp optical which works ok now, and may just invest in a better one and forget about it, but since I wanted to move from Amp and speakers just a soundbar with atmos I figured Sonos would give other advantages.  I wish Chromecast had a local option like Airplay, but chromecast does other cool things that airplay can't... It's a little bigger than a cabin, so will have multiple devices.  Just wish someone at Sonos would answer my question.

[Bob Gratton]

Yes, you can stream to all Sonos units on your LAN from you phone, iOS or Android. See link for Android:

https://support.sonos.com/s/article/3198?language=en_US

A "not so reliable internet" is fine, but you need somewhat of an internet connection for registration, updates, ect.

You do need a reliable LAN/Wifi.

Also, with Sonos there is always the option of playing from a NAS or "always on" PC. This is going to be under "music library" in the Sonos app.

[Jimbo.Automates]

Yes, you can stream to all Sonos units on your LAN from you phone, iOS or Android. See link for Android:
https://support.sonos.com/s/article/3198?language=en_US
A "not so reliable internet" is fine, but you need somewhat of an internet connection for registration, updates, ect.
You do need a reliable LAN/Wifi.
Also, with Sonos there is always the option of playing from a NAS or "always on" PC. This is going to be under "music library" in the Sonos app.

Thanks, but that's for playing local music files, I knew that would work. I stopped buying music a few years ago and just use streaming services, currently YouTube music which allows you to download music locally but can only be played with the app.

I guess I'll just have to buy one and try it, then return if it doesn't work.

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk

[Bob Gratton]

Ho, I missed that part.

What you want to do should work since Sonos now allows direct control from a few music service apps. I have personally done it from the Spotify and Amazon Music apps. It is possible with other music services as well, but I've seen contradicting information about this feature with Youtube Music.

There is the possibility that an internet connection is required for this feature to work tho, I can't confirm that part.

As you said, best is to try it and see.