Why the difference? Perhaps it’s because the Port is capable of handling higher-resolution audio than the Connect.

But for whatever reason, it’s so heavy-handed on the Port that I was ready to give up on the new component. This processing is nearly transparent on the Connect. Sonos says its older hardware doesn’t have enough processor power or memory to run the S2 OS, so any Sonos system that includes a mix of older and new components must be bifurcated and the two groups controlled separately (you’ll find more details in this story). ) The situation grows even more stressful if you have any combination of newer and legacy (pre-2013) Sonos hardware: The latter includes the aged Connect:Amp/ZP120 and the first-gen Play:5 speaker. (Note: Second-gen Connects-i.e., Connects manufactured after 2015-are S2 compatible. Now that Sonos has launched its S2 operating system, Sonos Connect (Gen 1) owners must make a crucial decision: Replace every first-generation Connect with a Port-at $449 a pop-or forgo upgrading to S2. That product has been succeeded by the topic of this review, the Sonos Port. The ZP90 was later relaunched as the Sonos Connect. And for customers who want streaming music delivered to their own favorite amp or receiver and higher-end speakers, the company launched an add-on, tuner-like component: the Sonos ZonePlayer 80 in early 2006, which was succeeded by the ZonePlayer 90 in 2008. Sonos covers all the bases: The audio component maker builds a range of powered speakers and soundbars to stream music from every source, local or on the web, but it also offers a stand-alone tuner/amp if you want to use higher-end passive loudspeakers.

Sonos port