When you first take a look at it, the Sonos Port may seem just like a smart black box. However, the device helps you be able to send audio directly from all of your Sonos systems as well as take audio and send it to other Sonos devices.
There is no debate that Sonos is one of the top players when it comes to audio units.
You will enjoy exceptional audio from this system, and the price is not that expensive. So, you won’t be surprised to know that over 80 percent of casual audiophiles like to go with Sonos devices.
Still, there can be many reasons why you may want to consider an alternative to the Sonos Port.
For this purpose, we will be listing some of the most common alternatives to Sonos Port that you can go for. So, here are all of them listed down below:
Sonos Ports Alternative
- Bluesound
If you enjoyed the quality of audio coming out of your Sonos Port, you are bound to have a great time with Bluesound.
Their devices are all aimed at giving an excellent audio experience. Whether you prefer getting a multi-room audio system or want unbelievably good audio, then this is a great substitute for you.
Especially if you want a great app to go with your audio system, the BluOS app makes all of your tasks seem like a breeze. In fact, it’s one of the best options that you can possibly go for if you often see yourself hearing hi-res music.
Not to mention how their huge lineup of devices can be a great alternative to all of your Sonos devices.
- Audio Pro
For those of you who love to have a multi-room setup in your house, the Audio Pro should be one of your first choices.
They offer superb quality on every single one of their devices, making them an excellent option to replace the Sonos Pro.
What’s best about going with this option is that it can be pretty handy for those who are on a limited budget.
While not exactly the best bang for the buck, you will still be getting a fantastic audio experience out of the money that you are paying.
Especially if you decide to put the Audio Pro against its other counterparts that are priced the same, you will be glad that you went with this option instead.
Though it is worth mentioning that even with the exceptional audio quality, you will still be compromising on some of the features.
- Yamaha WXC-50
The pricing here is pretty similar, and you will be able to stick to the same design for both the Yamaha and Sonos unit. However, the extended compatibility brought forward by Yamaha makes it much better for most smart homes.
Even though you will be paying the same amount of money, the audio depth and sample rate are much better in Yamaha.
Moreover, you will get built-in Bluetooth compatibility with the Yamaha device. So, keep that in mind if you’re not sold on the Sonos system.
Along with that, you will enjoy optical input and a compatible subwoofer output. So, the modification of the audio system is much easier when you’re sticking with Yamaha.
On the other hand, you’ll be pretty much restricted by the missing ports on the Sonos devices.
- Raspberry Pi Solutions
These solutions are the cheapest on the market and are more oriented toward owners that are not too sold on spending hundreds of dollars on new audio systems.
However, there is a bit of a learning curve to using the Raspberry Pi solutions. You will have to get proficient with the programming side of things.
Luckily, there is a ton of online support available for all users, and they will guide you through any and all fixes. You just have to get started and then seek help accordingly.
Most experts are active on the community forums every day of the week.
Setting up your first audio system will be tough. However, you can’t get better control than Raspberry Pi, even when going with the most amazing brands.
So, if you put in the time, going with Raspberry Pi might just be the ideal option for your smart home.
It all comes down to the time you’re willing to commit to this upgrade. If you got a couple of hours each weekend, then spending it on developing your audio system is not a bad idea.
Hopefully, you won’t have to go through much hassle to make the best use of this device.
- Cambridge CXN
When you’re talking about amazing design and aesthetics, the Cambridge CXN might just be the best option here.
It is much better than Sonos and can be compared closely with the Yamaha WXC unit. However, the controls are pretty limited when sticking with this brand.
You will have to let go of some smart features and integration with some music services. However, this brand will help you with better purchase security and an extensive warranty. Moreover, the dealer support is phenomenal.
There have not been any complaints when it comes to the customer care service brought forward by this brand. So, if you’re looking for an old-school unit with better aesthetics, Cambridge is the brand for you.
- Audiolab 6000A
Audiolab 6000A is almost two times as expensive as the Sonos unit and any other alternative mentioned here.
However, if you’re looking for peak performance and can’t afford to compromise on quality, then Audiolab is for you.
There might not be a lot of customers with this brand because it only features premium devices. However, the response from these devices and the overall audio quality is out of this world.
So, you won’t have to worry about upgrading the audio system for the next ten years.
All you need to do at the moment is to set aside around 1200 bucks for this piece.
From there, the setup is pretty simple, and you can reach out to the dealer at any time to get help setting up the system. Hopefully, you will have an amazing device with this machine.
- Google Chromecast Speakers
Google also offers a wide range of smart speakers as well as similar devices for multi-room audio experiences.
While these are more focused on providing smart features, you can still expect a great deal of enjoyment from whatever you want to listen to.
Another great thing about using the Google Chromecast speakers is that you won’t need to go for a specific brand.
To be more specific, you can easily choose any compatible device to go with your multi-room Chromecast audio setup.
All you need is to make sure that these devices connect to the same network, after which you should be able to stream all of them together.
- Amazon Echo
A good counterpart to the Google Chromecast speakers that can be a great substitute for Sonos Port is the Amazon Echo lineup.
Whether you get the Echo dots or the other Bluetooth speakers, all these should help deliver a comforting experience for a multi-room setup.
Not to mention the fact of how cheap going for an Amazon Echo setup can be compared to a Sonos setup. Even if you enjoy big speakers, you can easily go for the Amazon Echo Studio.
Also, as these devices support the use of Spotify, Amazon Prime, and various other streaming services, it makes going for this option all the more exciting.
The Bottom Line:
If you are looking for a good alternative to the Sonos Port, there are plenty of options available on the market.
However, if you wish to learn only the best substitutes that you can choose for your money, you should definitely have a look at the list mentioned above. Doing so should help you get a better idea of what you should go for.
Sonos might be a popular brand, but it is not the best. There are tons of other options, like Yamaha and Audiolab, that will serve you better in the long run.
But in the end, it all comes down to your budget. If you’re not planning on spending much money, then Raspberry Pi is for you.
However, if you’re still confused and don’t know which device to add to your smart system, then seeking help from the dealer will serve you perfectly.
You can explain your requirements, and he will point you in the right direction.
So, instead of wasting hours of your time trying to find a decent alternative, try to get help from the dealer.
He will be more than happy to help guide you through all the options that fit your budget. Just make sure you’re not using any shady websites or off-brand dealers for your purchase.
That way, you won’t have to worry about any purchase security or warranty issues, even if you do run into issues with the smart unit.