New OS from Sonos will enable HiRes Audio and will power the next generation of products and experiences according to a recent Twitter post by the company. Most Sonos products will be compatible with the new S2 Operating System however some of its oldest products (previously referred to as ‘legacy’ products) will not support the advances of S2 due to their memory and processing power. If you own any of these products, you can continue to use your system as you do today.
S2 compatible products
Play:1
Play:3
Play:5 (Gen 2)
Playbase
Playbar
Connect (Gen 2)
Connect:Amp (Gen 2)
One (Gen 1)
One (Gen 2)
One SL
Beam
Amp
Port
Boost
Symfonisk
Move
Sub (Gen 1)
Sub (Gen 2)
Not S2 compatible
Zone Players
CR200
Bridge
Connect (Gen 1)
Connect:Amp (Gen 1)
Play:5 (Gen 1)
If you have products that are incompatible with S2 and would like to keep your system as is, you can. The app you are now using will be renamed the Sonos S1 Controller, and it will continue working with your existing products, music services, and voice services. When prompted to update in the app, simply confirm that you would like to continue with your current experience. If all of your products are compatible with S2, however, Sonos recommend you update so you can enjoy the new software features.
If you continue to use the S1 Controller app, you can continue listening with your system as you do today. Your system will receive bug fixes and security patches, but it will not receive any of the new software features found in S2. Products released after May 2020 will not be compatible with the S1 Controller app.
If you have products that are not compatible with the S2 app, you can upgrade through the Sonos Trade Up program and save 30% on new compatible products. Following criticism of their intention to ‘brick’ any traded in device the company has removed this ‘feature’ and any legacy kit will continue to function should you decide to ‘trade up’.
Should you have both S1 and S2 compatible devices in your home system you can run them separately in what Sonos describe as a ‘split system’. Products in one system will not be able to group with products in the other system but you will still be able to use the S1 products independently of the S2 devices.
