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Sonos is a leading American audio technology company that is best known for pioneering wireless multi-room audio systems, which make it easy for listeners to stream music and other content throughout their homes. The company continues to innovate, creating wireless speakers, home theatre systems, headphones, architectural components, and integrated home audio solutions that revolutionise how people listen and connect to sound.

High-resolution audio — or hi-res audio, for short — is a term you come across a lot when comparing different speakers or audio formats. As you’ve likely guessed, it indicates a high level of audio quality. But high relative to 

 The answer is not simply in the eye (or ear) of the beholder.

Let’s start with some points of comparison. High-resolution audio sounds better than MP3-quality audio. It even sounds better than standard CD quality audio, which was once considered sufficient to capture every aspect of sound perceivable to the human ear. We now know that many people can perceive differences in quality beyond what a CD is capable of reproducing, which brings us to a working definition of high-resolution audio.

Put simply, if a digital audio track manages to 

surpass the quality of a standard CD track

, it qualifies as hi-res audio. ‘Quality’ may seem like a subjective term, but we can evaluate the quality of an audio track using two objective measurements — bit depth (expressed in ‘bits’) and sample rate (expressed in kilohertz, or ‘kHz’).

High-resolution audio is generally defined as audio that captures more of the original track’s subtle nuances and details than is possible with standard CD quality. In practical terms, this means a more immersive listening experience, with greater detail and clarity. In technical terms, it means 

 — higher than a standard CD’s quality of 16 bits and 44.1 kHz.

Those may just sound like numbers to you. But it’s important to understand bit depth and sample rate if you’re interested in enjoying the best possible listening experience.

Bit depth and sample rate: The key components of audio quality

When we talk about audio quality, we’re really talking about how fully and accurately an audio track captures the live sound of a recording. The better the quality, the more you feel like you’re actually in the room listening to a song performed live.

, sound engineers generally want to capture as much dynamic range and frequency response as possible. 

 is the difference between the quietest and loudest sound a recording can produce. 

 measures how well an audio track can produce frequencies from the lowest bass to the highest treble.

Each of these qualities corresponds to a specific measurement: bit depth and sample rate, respectively.

 describes how many tiny pieces of information (i.e. ‘bits’) make up a single snapshot of a soundwave. The higher the bit depth, the more dynamic range the sound has — in other words, the more you can hear the loudest and quietest sounds.

 describes how many snapshots (i.e. ‘samples’) are taken from the original soundwave. The higher the sample rate, the more the track captures the details of the original recording. Higher sample rates also capture and reproduce higher frequencies of sound.

As noted above, hi-res audio files typically feature a 24-bit bit depth and a sample rate of 48 kHz or higher. Both measurements are significantly higher than standard CD quality, which features a 16-bit bit depth and a sample rate of 44.1 kHz.

The below graphic visualises how a 24-bit recording actually captures a wider dynamic range of sounds. You might compare it to using a bigger net when fishing to catch more fish. We’ll get to that in a moment.

Depiction of how 16-bit captures the full range of loudness, while 24-bit captures more than the full range.

What audio file types support hi-res audio?

If hi-res audio is so great, why haven’t we been listening to it forever? 

The answer comes down to technology. More specifically, it comes down to what different audio file types can support — and how big they must be to fit all that audio data.

One of the major differences between audio file types relates to a process called compression. This process takes the original audio waveform of a recording and shrinks it down to a smaller size that’s easier to transfer and store.

Compression can be split into two general types:

 loses some of the data contained in the original audio recording, which may result in a perceivable loss of audio quality.

 retains all of the audio information from the original recording, while still managing to shrink the file size. This is the type of compression associated with hi-res audio.

Some audio file types are uncompressed, and these also retain every aspect of the original recording. The downside is that these file sizes can be huge! So, historically, there’s been a real trade-off between audio quality and storage/convenience. This is beginning to change with the evolution of new file formats that support lossless compression.

To better visualise this, let’s trace the path of how a song recorded in hi-res (24-bit, 48 kHz) makes its way to the listener in the form of an audio file:

Illustration depicting the evolution of a song, from the studio to mastering (24-bit and 16-bit) and compression (lossy and lossless), through streaming.

As you can see, the original recording is typically split into two versions for distribution: an uncompressed raw audio format, and a standard CD format. Data from the uncompressed format can then be used to create lossless file formats like FLAC and ALAC, as well as lossy formats like MP3 and AAC.

Another thing you may have noticed from the above diagram is that both hi-res and CD quality are labelled ‘lossless’. Audio encoded in the CD format is indeed considered lossless because it represents a precise and accurate snapshot of the analogue waveform. Though it may not have the same dynamic range or frequency response of a live performance, a CD doesn’t compress the data in a way that distorts or loses information from the original recording.

, the salient point is that hi-res audio isn’t simply about whether data is lost in compression. It refers specifically to audio that offers higher bitrates and sampling rates than what standard CD quality can achieve. So, a lossless audio track 

The short answer is yes. But not everyone can really tell the difference.

Remember, standard CD quality (16-bit, 44.1 kHz) was once thought to include the full range of frequencies humans can hear. It’s since been shown that some people can actually hear frequencies beyond what CD quality is capable of reproducing. For these people, hi-res audio will almost certainly sound better. But for people whose hearing is damaged or not as good as it once was, it may sound no different from a CD or even an MP3.

If you’re wondering whether you can hear the difference, 

 is a good starting place. For the most accurate results, be sure to listen to it through a pair of quality headphones like 

, or through a system that’s capable of 

More streaming services are beginning to offer lossless or hi-res audio options. Amazon Music, for example, now has many songs available in Ultra High Definition, which they define as “better than CD quality audio (up to 24 bits, 192 kHz).” Apple Music’s ALAC file format is also capable of delivering up to 24-bit/192 kHz hi-res audio, though you’ll have to switch it on in your settings.

A true hi-res audio experience requires not just a particular streaming service or file type, but also equipment that’s capable of accurately reproducing the depth and detail of original recordings.

You can actually stream lossless audio over Bluetooth with 

 headphones — and it’s sure to sound incredible. But for the most accurate hi-res playback experience, you’ll need to connect to a WiFi-enabled speaker, or use Sonos Ace’s included 3.5 mm cable to plug your headphones into an audio source.

It’s not just music that benefits from hi-res audio. A Sonos 

 brings hi-res sound quality to your favourite films and TV shows. A 

 such as Arc Ultra not only supports hi-res audio, but beams sound around the entire room for a more immersive experience.

As the capabilities of streaming and file types continue to expand, Sonos is keeping pace with products capable of doing justice to hi-res audio. You can see which streaming services support hi-res playback (such as Apple Music and Amazon Music) in our support article 

 feature several premium options capable of hi-res playback, including 

 offer a first-class high-res audio experience, thanks in part to 

 and their ability to create an immersive, multi-dimensional soundstages that redefine the possibilities of 

. And our premium over-ear Sonos Ace headphones plug in with a 3.5 mm for a hi-res experience that’s all your own. (Sonos Ace can also achieve lossless quality via Bluetooth or a USB-C connection.)

If you’re interested in upgrading your home audio setup to hi-res, get in touch with a Sonos expert by 

Couple lounging on a sofa with a pair of white Era 300 speakers behind them

The Beginner’s Guide to High-Resolution (Hi-Res) Audio

When shopping for a speaker or soundbar, you might encounter some words that sound more comical than technical. A tweeter? A woofer? What do birds and dogs have to do with producing a well-balanced sound experience?

As it turns out, these names are quite helpful in describing the function and sounds produced by the different components within a typical speaker enclosure. A tweeter is indeed like a bird, in the sense that it is small and designed to produce high-frequency sounds. Compare this to a woofer, which is bigger and produces deeper sound frequencies in the range of, say, a barking dog.

In this guide, we’ll focus on tweeters and the crisp, high end of the sonic range. These small but mighty pieces of hardware can fill a room with dazzling vocals, lead instruments, and other frequencies stretching towards the uppermost limits of audible sound.

In simplest terms, a tweeter is the part of a speaker responsible for producing higher-pitched sounds. Tweeters are specially designed to reproduce the higher frequencies of an electrical audio signal — and the higher the frequency, the higher the pitch you hear in your music.

Though different types of tweeters can be tuned to produce narrower ranges of audio frequencies, tweeters as a group typically produce frequencies within the range of 

. Hertz refers to the number of vibrations that occur in one second, and faster vibration speeds correspond to higher-frequency sounds. High-pitched vocals, crashing cymbals, and guitar solos are examples of sounds that fall within the lower end of a tweeter’s range (2,000 Hz). The higher end of the range (20,000 Hz) is associated with sounds that are barely even audible to humans, like dog whistles.

Tweeters are almost always the smallest speakers in an audio setup. Their small size is an important quality, as it correlates with the types of sounds they can produce accurately. Why? Because to produce these high-frequency noises, a speaker must be able to vibrate at rapid speeds. This is an easier job for smaller speakers like tweeters, which have a smaller surface area, lower mass, and other physical characteristics that allow the tweeter to move back and forth more freely. This back-and-forth vibration is essentially what produces sound, and faster vibrations translate to higher-pitched sounds.

Though you may have been unaware of their existence until just a moment ago, tweeters play an important role in most speaker setups. They’re built into the enclosures of many 

, where they’re responsible for reproducing the mid- and high-frequency sounds that cut through the audio mix — think vocals, lead instruments, and stirring string arrangements. In a home theatre speaker, tweeters handle many of the audio frequencies associated with 

Just as birds often sing in chorus, tweeters often work together to reproduce a particularly rich composition of higher frequencies. A speaker enclosure may house multiple tweeters, each of which serves a different role. Sometimes, the role a tweeter plays in a speaker configuration will determine its shape. A classical dome-shaped tweeter can produce a wide- and well-balanced range of sounds, while a directional horn-shaped tweeter can fire sounds into specific parts of a room to bring 

White Arc Ultra wall-mounted underneath a television

Person putting a record on a turntable, placed next to a white Era 300

How many tweeters should I look for in a speaker?

There’s no “magic number” of tweeters that translates to 

. The number of tweeters in a speaker depends on the type of speaker, its shape, and its intended use.

 includes four tweeters that work together to produce high and mid-range frequencies. A forward-firing dome-shaped tweeter creates a round and smooth centre image, while two side-firing tweeters create stereo separation. A fourth, horn-shaped tweeter is tilted upward to fire sound off the ceiling while playing 

 — adding the extra dimension of height.

Other speakers can achieve a similarly impressive performance with a different configuration. A cluster of seven tweeters in 

, for example, projects high frequencies towards the listener, the sides of the room, and ceiling for a beyond-immersive home theatre experience.

In any case, keep in mind that the number of tweeters isn’t the only factor to consider. Other factors — like the shape and size of the tweeter and how it’s angled relative to the speaker’s other components — also play a role.

Of course, a speaker setup should be able to reproduce sound evenly across a wide band of audio frequencies — not just the mids and highs. For the spectrum of frequencies below 2,000 Hz, tweeters won’t cut it. Such frequencies require larger components designed to handle lower speeds of vibration.

Speakers that handle the broad middle range of audio frequencies (typically between 20 Hz and 2,000 Hz) are called 

. Woofers are generally at least several inches larger than tweeters, and their bigger size corresponds with deeper and heavier sounds.

Unlike tweeters, woofers often require a large-ish external housing. This has to do with the nature of producing lower frequency sounds, which requires moving a larger volume of air back and forth. Without more space to displace air efficiently, the soundwaves a woofer produces can be compressed and distorted.

 comprises both tweeters and woofers, which work in a synchronised fashion to reproduce sound as clearly and as accurately as possible. Reproducing sounds on the lowest end of the audible frequency spectrum — around 20 Hz to 120 Hz — typically requires a third type of speaker known as a 

 are often housed in separate enclosures better suited to limiting distortion and enhancing the depth and richness of bass sounds.

Experience higher highs and lower lows with Sonos

A Sonos sound system can faithfully reproduce sounds across the entire band of human hearing — from the booming low end of an explosion to the crisp pop of a snare drum. 

 speakers feature precision-tuned speaker configurations that seamlessly blend high, mid, and low frequencies into a unified sound experience. Woofers such as 

 bring bold bass to your home theatre setup in a size that won’t crowd out your other components. If you have any questions or need help selecting a speaker, get in touch with a Sonos expert by 

Person lounging while listening to a black Five &amp; Sub

What Are Speaker Tweeters (And What Do They Do?)

No one will ever accuse a subwoofer of being too shy. Designed to handle the lowest frequencies of audio in films and music, these loudspeakers literally make their presence felt with every bass-filled rumble and roar. Even so, few subwoofers have ever packed a punch in such style as the latest upgrade to the Sonos home theatre experience: Sub 4.

If you’re chasing a more cinematic sound experience that does real justice to the rumbles and roars sitting at the lowest end of the audio mix, our newest subwoofer is the fastest way to get there. It has everything fans loved about its best-selling predecessor, 

 — with a few subtle updates. Most notably, Sub 4 better complements our current portfolio’s blend of peak performance and attractive design, thanks to its improved processing power and a matte finish that it now shares with the other speakers in our lineup.

Fans of Sonos subwoofers will appreciate that Sub 4 still delivers bass you can feel in your entire body. What’s more, it’s as easy as ever to set up and use, with the option to stand it upright or lay it on its side depending on your desired aesthetic configuration.

Sub 4 features a more powerful CPU than the previous generation. This allows it to communicate efficiently and effectively with the other components in your 

 — and, ultimately, to deliver an incredible sense of depth and dimension across the lowest frequency sounds in an audio mix.

Of course, we built Sub 4 with not only power but also longevity in mind. Rest assured that it will be capable of receiving the latest software updates and features from Sonos for years to come.

At first glance, the visual updates to Sub 4 may appear subtle. The biggest update is an all-new matte finish available in both black and white. This stands in contrast to the high-gloss finish of the previous generation, which was unique in the Sonos lineup and may have disrupted the aesthetic continuity of a full speaker setup. In any case, you’ll likely find Sub 4 to be a slightly more understated addition to your home theatre system.

Black Five placed on a table with a black Sub 4 placed on the floor next to it

As noted above, Sub 4 combines the best of the old and new. Some things made sense to carry over from Sub Gen 3. Industry-leading bass? Tick. Iconic design? Tick. Perhaps the most relevant continuation is the overall acoustic architecture, which is part of what allows for Sub 4’s backwards compatibility with previous subwoofer generations.

But Sub 4 isn’t only interested in looking backwards. On the contrary, its considerably upgraded processing power and evolving design puts a firm focus on the future. If you’re interested in comparing our latest subwoofer generation with previous iterations, check out our 

 for a more detailed breakdown of tech specs.

Experience bass like never before with Sub 4

Is there such a thing as a surround sound system without a premium subwoofer to handle the pulse-pounding bass frequencies? Technically, yes, but nothing can add oomph to your 

 quite like Sub 4. If you’re interested in adding Sub 4 to your home theatre setup, get in touch with a Sonos expert by 

White Sub 4 placed on the floor underneath a wall-mounted white Arc Ultra

Introducing Sub 4 - Our Latest Subwoofer

If you’re ready to create a pitch-perfect vibe for your business, 

 can help you get there — and sooner than you might think. A Sonos Pro subscription comes with everything your business needs to sound great, even if your existing sound system isn’t outfitted with Sonos wireless speakers.

You can make virtually any sound system Sonos-compatible in just a few steps. If you don’t have Sonos wireless speakers, or if your system mixes and matches Sonos speakers with wired audio equipment, you’ll need to add 

 to connect all of your components. Once you’re set up, you can easily expand your sound system by adding new Sonos hardware.

Does Sonos Pro work with a non-Sonos sound system?

Sonos Pro requires a Sonos-compatible system to work, but this is easier to achieve than you might think. It certainly does 

 require replacing all of your existing speakers and audio equipment with Sonos hardware. All you’ll need is a system that can be connected with the Sonos app.

There are a few ways to make your sound system Sonos-compatible.

 to the Sonos app directly over WiFi. If you have multiple Sonos speakers or components, you can create a system by grouping them all together in the app.

You can also connect a non-Sonos amplifier or receiver to the Sonos app via 

, a device that allows you to seamlessly incorporate wired speakers into your Sonos system. For business owners who want to get started with Sonos Pro right away but lack existing Sonos hardware, this is an easy and cost-effective option.

Is Port the only Sonos device I need to set up Sonos Pro?

In most cases, yes. Port connects directly to the wired amplifier or receiver that powers your existing sound system. Once you’ve connected Port, you can create a new Sonos system over WiFi and — boom — you’re ready to get started with Sonos Pro.

One caveat: Port cannot power audio equipment on its own. This shouldn’t be a problem if you’re connecting Port to your existing sound system, which should already include a 

 or receiver. But if you’re creating a system and only have 

, such as in-wall or in-ceiling speakers, you’ll need 

Amp basically works the same way as Port, but, as an amplifier, it can power your audio equipment.

Black One on a shelf above a coffee machine

Person using a tablet to play music on a black Five

How to make your existing sound system compatible with Sonos Pro

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll assume that you already have existing speakers and hardware that fit your retail situation. If you don’t, you can get in touch with a Sonos expert by 

. We can help you select the wireless speakers and hardware you need to 

set up a Sonos system in your retail store

1. Connect Sonos Port to your existing audio equipment

Port is the easiest way to connect your hardwired audio components to a Sonos system. If you need help with installation, you can 

If you have multiple business locations, you’ll need a separate Port for each business location. This allows you to connect your local speakers to Port via a wired connection. Then, once you’re 

 all of your locations from a single dashboard.

Alternatively, you can create a Sonos system with a wireless speaker such as 

. These options will sound great on their own or paired with other Sonos speakers, but they won’t connect to your existing hardware.

You’re now ready to get started with Sonos Pro. We designed Sonos Pro to scale with your business. With 

 to choose from, you can focus on improving your customer experience and boosting productivity or fine-tuning your brand across a wide range of locations.

 ($35/month per location) includes everything you need to get started, from 

 by independent artists to priority support whenever you need it. Other features include scheduled and automated playlists, volume limits, admin and access control, and the ability to curate your own approved music library.

 ($70/month per location) takes the brand experience to the next level. It includes everything you get with Essential, plus hundreds of stations with commercially licensed music by the top artists you know and love.

 and get started with Sonos Pro. Once you’re connected, you’ll be ready to stream and manage the music at all of your business locations from a single dashboard.

3. Add Sonos wireless speakers to your system over time

Now that you’re set up with Sonos Pro, you can add new Sonos speakers to your system as your business grows and needs evolve. It’s easy to add new Sonos hardware to your system via the 

 In fact, it’s the same way you initially set up Port — simply go to the 

This flexibility may prove especially useful as you expand your business to new stores or locations. With our 

, you can pick out Sonos products that fit the specific layout and requirements of your new locations.

Person preparing food below a white, wall-mounted One

Sonos Pro is a sound solution that scales with your business

If you’ve been unsure of whether you have the components necessary to get started with Sonos Pro, we hope we’ve set your mind at ease. With just one additional device, you can make your system Sonos-compatible and elevate your business’s sound experience today.

But our support doesn’t stop with setting up your Sonos Pro subscription. On top of music and controls that deliver a 

 across all of your locations, you’ll get access to priority support that can help you ensure best-in-class experience that will keep your customers coming back for more.

 to get started. If you’re not sure which plan is best, your business might benefit from a more custom Sonos Pro solution. 

Submit your information via our online form

, and a Sonos expert will get in touch to guide you through the process.

*Sonos Pro is only available in certain territories.

Two people using the Sonos app on a tablet to play music on a wall mounted black Five

Music for Business: How To Upgrade Any Speaker Into a Sonos System for Sonos Pro

Rich, immersive audio is often associated with indoor sound systems, but a premium listening experience doesn’t have to be confined by the walls of your home. Thanks to outdoor speakers, you can expand the footprint of your sound system to cover your back garden, patio, or poolside hangout. These speakers are designed to withstand the elements and fill your outdoor spaces with music from morning to night, all year round.

If the phrase “outdoor speakers” sounds a bit broad and imprecise, well, it is. There are various subcategories of outdoor speakers, which distinguish between different capabilities and scenarios. For example, 

 are designed to be installed directly onto an external surface, such as a wood beam or stone wall bordering your back garden or patio. Other types of outdoor speakers include landscape speakers, which blend into your yard’s natural scenery, and 

, which you can take to the farthest reaches of your garden or to places far beyond.

In this guide, we’ll focus on surface-mount 

. But we’ll also touch on portable and architectural options from Sonos to give you a better sense of how you can fill all that fresh air with sound.

If you’re set on extending your home sound system beyond the interiors of your home, outdoor speakers can be a worthwhile investment.

 just leave your patio door open and blast the volume from your living room setup, but that won’t get you anywhere close to a full, detailed sound experience. And, yes, you 

 try to mount indoor speakers on your patio, but those speakers aren’t designed to withstand the elements, so you’d be playing with fire (or water or wind, more likely).

The Beginner’s Guide to High-Resolution (Hi-Res) Audio

What Are Speaker Tweeters (And What Do They Do?)

Introducing Sub 4 - Our Latest Subwoofer

Music for Business: How To Upgrade Any Speaker Into a Sonos System for Sonos Pro

The Beginner’s Guide to Outdoor Speakers

The Beginner’s Guide to Cleaning Headphones

What Is the Bluetooth Range for Speakers and Headphones?

Beginner's Guide to Audio File Types (And Which to Use)

What Is Lossless Audio — And How To Stream It at Home

Update on the Sonos app from Patrick

What Is a Speaker Amplifier (And Do You Need One)?

How to Hear Dialogue Better When Watching TV Shows and Films

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