The leaked Sonos streaming box can be a big hit for custom home theaters if it adds 2 key lacks features from the current line-up

On February 7, 2025By Littum

The big features of Sonos’ upcoming streaming box are leaked and they actually sound pretty damn good. The most important elements are that it will have multiple HDMI review gates and will act as an HDMI -Switch that it will have a comprehensive selection of streaming services in a total interface and that it will be able to send wireless audio to Sonos -The high speakers in the home theater configurations that do not at all involve a sound bar (or may still include one but also wireless).

The disadvantages are that the software is developed by an ad-tech company (and Sonos has a rocky reputation around software in the last year) and that it is expected to cost $ 200- $ 400, which is a lot if you look at a living room -Setup as you then need to add all these speakers and probably stand for the speakers and all that jazz.

But there is a very interesting potential use case where the price of the price really disappears and the new speaker system could come to its own even more: custom home theater installations.

Not everyone is aware that Sonos is actually a significant name in the world of speakers in the wall and i-ceiling speakers. These are not wireless, unfortunately, but they are designed to work seamlessly with the Sonos amplifier, who knows exactly how to drive them to Peak Output, and can run six speakers (three pairs) per day. AMP box. Previously, their use to the home theater has been limited to Sono’s regular amplifier settings: They can only act as stereo -tv front speakers or rear TV speakers when paired with a sound bar.

But if the new streaming box enables more flexible speaker configurations and can work with Sonos’ in-wall speakers connected to multiple Sonos amplifiers, things may become interesting.

Sonos AMPS rear connections

The Sonos amplifier could be a secret weapon for the streaming box.

Imagine one of the best projectors (which probably doesn’t have its own streaming technology built -in) connected to a Sonos streaming box that wirelessly sends out sound to two Sonos AMPS. One drives four speakers in the ceiling and a pair of front to the left and right in the wall speakers; The other drives a few pages in wall speakers and a few rear. Hopefully the streaming box could also wirelessly connect to a pair (at least!) Of Sonos Sub at the same time. That would be pretty Dolby Atmos setup.

Is this better than connecting an AV receiver to a mass-wall speakers? Maybe not, but the installation can be easier if you only need to run the cabling of a shorter distance to a nearby box, rather than all the way to where your AV receiver is.

And you have the ease of use of Sonos’ Trueplay tuning that works excellently to get all the calibrated to your room.

To be clear, it’s all speculation on my part – the original leaks about the ability to use speakers for wireless home theater said Sonos still assesses exactly what options to include and we don’t know which configurations will be available. But if Sonos makes Sonos AMP part of the system, the Sonos streaming box could be popular for installations where the price is far less sensitive than most setups of the living room.

But what about DTS?

However, there is something else that may have home theater enthusiasts from this entire project, and that is Sonos’ ongoing rejection of the DTS sound format. The only real competitor to Dolby (sorry Eclipsa Audio, call me when you are supported by some actual movies!) Is a big thing for home theater enthusiasts because it is the chosen format for so many 4K blu rays, and it is now also Viewed on Disney Plus Streaming Service.

If you have gone to the effort to app Oppenheimer Soundtrack in something less than full power, maximum-impact DTS-HD? No, of course not, you’re not a barbarian.

My Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar Review would have scored it higher if it supported DTS; When it is so common among the competition, it is so frustrating that it is missing. And it lacks from that sound bar cares me that it doesn’t come to the streamer either.

I’m worried that the Sonos streaming box could end up falling in a valley between the two different sets of people who may love it: users of the living room can be postponed by the price; Home theater users may be exposed by the lack of DTS support.

Fortunately, everything we know so far is based on leaks. Maybe the price will be an apartment purchase in the end, maybe it supports DTS and any wireless configuration known by humanity, maybe it’s a total dud. I hope Sonos will at least realize its potential for custom installations.