Audio T Verdict
Sonos Five remains the speaker in the range for listeners who put conventional music performance ahead of voice assistants, Bluetooth and spatial-audio tricks. Its six-driver acoustic system is considerably more substantial than the smaller Sonos room speakers, producing the scale, bass weight and effortless room-filling presentation required for serious everyday listening.
Its built-in 3.5mm input is just as important. Unlike Era 100 and Era 300, there is no USB-C adapter required to connect a turntable, CD player or another analogue source. Add a suitable phono stage where necessary and Five provides one of the simplest routes for bringing vinyl into the Sonos multi-room ecosystem.
One Five works surprisingly well on its own, especially when used horizontally for a wide stereo presentation, but a matching pair takes things much further. Two Fives can become a substantial dedicated stereo system, with the option of adding a Sonos Sub if even greater low-frequency scale is wanted. If conventional music is the priority rather than Dolby Atmos Music, Five still makes a very strong case for itself.
Sonos Five High-Fidelity Wireless Speaker
Sonos Five is a powerful mains-powered wireless speaker designed for high-quality music playback, physical audio sources and Sonos multi-room systems.
Six Class-D digital amplifiers drive three tweeters and three midwoofers within a sealed acoustic cabinet, creating substantial bass extension, a broad soundstage and enough output for larger listening spaces.
WiFi, Apple AirPlay 2 and the Sonos app provide network streaming, while the built-in 3.5mm analogue input makes it easy to connect a turntable, CD player or other traditional music source without needing a separate Sonos adapter.
- High-fidelity Sonos wireless speaker
- Six Class-D digital amplifiers
- Three tweeters
- One centre tweeter
- Two angled tweeters
- Three midwoofers
- Sealed acoustic architecture
- Wide stereo presentation from one speaker
- Horizontal or vertical orientation
- Automatic orientation-dependent audio processing
- Stereo pair capability
- Built-in 3.5mm analogue line input
- Turntable connectivity with suitable phono amplification
- CD player connectivity
- Cassette and tuner connectivity
- 16-bit / 44.1kHz line-in conversion
- Sonos multi-room line-in distribution
- Trueplay room tuning
- Compatible iOS device required for Trueplay
- Adjustable bass, treble and loudness
- 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi
- 10/100 Ethernet
- Apple AirPlay 2
- Sonos app control
- Capacitive touch controls
- Compatible with Sonos Sub Mini
- Compatible with compatible Sonos Sub models
- Can be used as a matching surround pair in compatible Sonos home cinema systems
- Humidity resistant
- Black and White finishes
- No Bluetooth audio
- No built-in microphone
- No integrated voice assistant
Sonos' Music-Focused Wireless Speaker
Where Era 300 is designed around spatial audio and Era 100 concentrates on compact versatility, Five follows a more traditional route.
Its priority is producing a large, full-range music presentation from a relatively compact all-in-one speaker without requiring a separate amplifier, streamer or conventional loudspeaker pair.
That makes it particularly appealing for larger kitchens, living rooms, dining rooms, studios and other spaces where music quality matters but a complete component hi-fi system is not practical.
Six Class-D Amplifiers
Six Class-D digital amplifiers are individually tuned to Five's acoustic architecture.
Each amplifier works with the speaker's driver array and digital processing, allowing Sonos to optimise the system as a complete package rather than relying on the user to match a separate amplifier and loudspeakers.
Three Tweeters
Five uses three tweeters for high-frequency reproduction.
The arrangement consists of a central tweeter supported by two additional angled tweeters that help extend the presentation beyond the physical width of the cabinet.
Centre Tweeter
The centre tweeter helps anchor vocals and other central information within the soundstage.
This is especially useful when Five is being used as a single horizontal speaker, where a stable centre image helps prevent the wide presentation from becoming vague.
Two Angled Tweeters
The two outer tweeters are angled away from the centre of the cabinet.
Their wider dispersion helps a single Five create a broader presentation than a conventional mono wireless speaker.
Three Midwoofers
Three dedicated midwoofers reproduce the core midrange and low-frequency content.
The relatively large driver area is one reason Five can produce substantially greater bass weight and room-filling scale than smaller Sonos speakers.
Sealed Acoustic Architecture
Five uses a sealed cabinet rather than a conventional bass reflex port.
This allows Sonos to control the movement of the drivers and low-frequency system electronically while avoiding the airflow noise and port interaction associated with a vented enclosure.
Strong Bass Without a Separate Subwoofer
Five is designed to operate as a full-range music speaker in its own right.
Its three midwoofers provide substantial low-frequency output, so adding a Sonos Sub is an option rather than a requirement.
For many normal music installations, starting with Five alone or a pair of Fives is the sensible route before deciding whether dedicated sub-bass is necessary.
Start With Five on Its Own
Five already has considerably more bass capability than Sonos' smaller room speakers. Listen to it in your room first before assuming that a Sub is essential.
Horizontal Orientation
Place a single Sonos Five horizontally and the speaker automatically produces a wide stereo presentation.
The internal processing separates left and right information across its driver array, making horizontal placement Sonos' recommended orientation when one Five is being used on its own.
Vertical Orientation
When Five is positioned vertically, its processing changes to mono reproduction.
This makes vertical positioning particularly useful when two Fives are being used as a dedicated stereo pair, with one speaker assigned to the left channel and the other to the right.
Orientation Is Detected Automatically
Five automatically adapts its acoustic processing according to whether the speaker is positioned horizontally or vertically.
The capacitive touch controls also adapt so their operation remains intuitive in either orientation.
Horizontal
- Recommended for a single Five
- Wide stereo output from one speaker
- Broad room-filling presentation
- Touch controls adapt automatically
Vertical
- Outputs mono when used singly
- Excellent orientation for stereo pairs
- Smaller horizontal footprint
- Touch controls adapt automatically
Make Sure the Rubber Feet Are Supported
Five incorporates rubber feet for both supported orientations.
Whichever position is chosen, make sure all of the appropriate feet are fully supported by a stable flat surface rather than allowing part of the cabinet to overhang an edge.
Create a Sonos Five Stereo Pair
Two Sonos Five speakers can be paired through the Sonos app to operate as dedicated left and right channels.
This creates a much more conventional stereo system than a single all-in-one wireless speaker, with greater physical separation between the channels and a considerably larger soundstage.
Why Two Fives Are So Effective
A single Five has to create both channels from one cabinet.
With a stereo pair, each speaker concentrates on one channel, allowing the listening position to sit between two physically separated sources.
Vocals can occupy a more convincing central image while instruments extend across the space between and beyond the speakers.
Vertical Stereo Pair
Sonos describes vertically positioned Fives as providing a more focused stereo listening experience.
Vertical placement is often the natural option when the pair is positioned either side of a listening position because each cabinet takes up less shelf or stand width.
Horizontal Stereo Pair
Two horizontally positioned Fives create an especially broad and expansive presentation.
This can work well in larger rooms where there is enough furniture or stand space to accommodate the wider cabinet orientation.
Keep a Pair in the Same Orientation
For stereo or surround use, keep both Fives positioned consistently. Matching left and right placement gives the system and Trueplay a much more symmetrical starting point.
Built-In 3.5mm Line-In
One of Five's biggest practical advantages is its built-in analogue input.
Unlike Era 100 and Era 300, which require a separately sold USB-C Line-In Adapter, Five accepts a conventional 3.5mm stereo audio cable directly.
This makes it especially convenient for customers who regularly use physical music sources.
Connect a Turntable
Five can connect directly to the line-level output of a suitable turntable or phono stage.
You will normally need an RCA-to-3.5mm stereo cable between the turntable or phono-stage output and Five's rear line input.
Does a Turntable Need a Phono Stage?
Usually, yes.
A conventional moving magnet or moving coil cartridge produces a signal far below normal line level and requires phono equalisation.
If the turntable already contains a built-in phono preamplifier, switch it to its line-level output where required and connect it to Five.
If it does not, use a suitable external phono stage between the turntable and Five.
Five Does Not Contain a Phono Stage
The 3.5mm connection is a standard line input. A conventional turntable cartridge cannot be connected directly unless the turntable provides its own built-in phono amplification.
A Simple Sonos Vinyl System
One Five can create an extremely compact vinyl system:
- Turntable
- Built-in or external phono stage
- RCA-to-3.5mm audio cable
- Sonos Five
No separate network streamer, integrated amplifier or conventional pair of passive speakers is required.
Share Vinyl Around the House
The analogue source connected to Five is not limited to that one speaker.
Once line-in is active, the Sonos system can distribute the incoming audio to compatible speakers and rooms elsewhere around the home.
A turntable connected in the living room can therefore play through Sonos products in a kitchen, dining room or other grouped zone.
One Turntable Can Feed Several Sonos Rooms
The record player only needs to enter Sonos through one line-in product. Compatible rooms can then receive that source over the network.
Connect a CD Player
A CD player with conventional RCA analogue outputs can connect using a stereo RCA-to-3.5mm cable.
Once connected, the CD player appears as a line-in source within Sonos and can be heard through Five or other compatible grouped rooms.
Connect a Cassette Deck
Cassette decks with suitable analogue line outputs can be connected in the same way.
This gives older physical music formats an easy route into an otherwise completely wireless multi-room system.
Connect a Tuner
An FM, DAB or other tuner with analogue output can also be connected to Five.
This is useful if you prefer a particular traditional radio tuner while still wanting its output available throughout Sonos.
Connect a Computer
A computer with a suitable analogue audio output can connect to Five using the appropriate 3.5mm cable.
For normal network music playback, however, WiFi streaming is usually the cleaner and more flexible option.
16-bit / 44.1kHz Line-In
Sonos standard line-in connections convert analogue audio at 16-bit / 44.1kHz.
Once converted, the signal can be processed and distributed through the Sonos network.
Line-In Autoplay
Line-In Autoplay can be configured so a selected Sonos room automatically starts reproducing the connected source when an audio signal is detected.
This is particularly convenient with a regularly used turntable or CD player because it reduces the need to manually choose Line-In in the app every time.
Name Your Source
The Sonos line-in settings allow the source to be given a recognisable name.
Examples include:
- Turntable
- CD Player
- Cassette Deck
- Tuner
- Computer
Adjustable Source Level
Different analogue devices can have very different output voltages.
The Sonos app therefore provides line-in Source Level adjustment so the connected source can be matched more appropriately to the rest of the system.
Line-In Delay and Multi-Room Playback
Analogue line-in is converted, buffered and distributed digitally through Sonos.
This allows the system to keep several rooms synchronised but means the analogue input is principally intended for music rather than direct television sound.
Don't Use Five Line-In as Your Main TV Connection
For television audio, use a Sonos product designed specifically for low-latency home cinema operation, such as Arc Ultra, Beam (Gen 2) or Sonos Amp.
WiFi Music Streaming
For everyday listening, Five is fundamentally a network speaker.
Once added to the Sonos system, supported music services, radio, podcasts and other sources can stream directly to the speaker over the home network.
2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi
The current Sonos specification supports compatible 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless networks.
This is broader than some older Five specifications that mention only 2.4GHz connectivity.
WiFi Standards
Sonos currently specifies Five for compatible 802.11a/b/g/n network operation, including 5GHz 802.11a/n support.
Five does not use the newer WiFi 6 radio found in products such as Era 100 and Era 300.
WPA3 Support
Current Sonos network support also includes WPA3 security for Five when the speaker is operating on the latest Sonos platform.
10/100 Ethernet
A physical 10/100 Ethernet socket provides an alternative to WiFi.
This can be useful where wireless coverage is poor, the speaker sits near an existing network point or a permanently wired connection is preferred.
Apple AirPlay 2
Five supports Apple AirPlay 2 from compatible Apple devices.
Audio can therefore be sent directly from an iPhone, iPad or Mac without needing to locate the same content separately within the Sonos app.
No Bluetooth Audio
Sonos Five does not provide Bluetooth music streaming.
Its wireless playback is based around WiFi, Sonos services and Apple AirPlay 2.
If direct Bluetooth playback is important, the newer Era 100 and Era 300 both include Bluetooth 5.3.
Five Is a Network Speaker, Not a Bluetooth Speaker
WiFi provides the full Sonos multi-room experience and does not tie music playback continuously to the Bluetooth range of a phone. For quick guest Bluetooth connections, however, Era 100 or Era 300 is the more flexible option.
Trueplay Room Tuning
Trueplay measures the way walls, furniture and other surfaces affect the sound of Five in the room.
The system then applies acoustic adjustment to the speaker's EQ.
This is particularly useful with Five because its substantial low-frequency output can interact strongly with nearby walls and corners.
Trueplay Requires a Compatible iOS Device
Five does not contain the microphone array required for the Quick Trueplay system available on newer Era speakers.
Trueplay tuning therefore uses the microphone in a compatible iPhone or iPad.
An iOS device is required for the tuning process, although it is not required for everyday playback after the calibration has been stored.
No Android Trueplay Tuning for Sonos Five
Five requires a compatible iOS device for Trueplay. Android devices can control the speaker normally through the Sonos app but cannot perform the microphone-based Five Trueplay measurement.
Run Trueplay After Final Placement
If Five is moved from one room to another, changed from horizontal to vertical placement or converted from a single speaker into a stereo pair, run Trueplay again.
The room and speaker configuration have changed, so the previous correction is no longer based on the current setup.
Leave Space Behind Five
Sonos recommends leaving approximately 50mm / 2 inches behind Five when it is positioned beside a wall or on a shelf.
This provides some physical clearance around the cabinet and helps avoid pressing the speaker tightly against the room boundary.
Avoid Wireless Interference
Try not to position Five directly beside equipment such as wireless routers, cordless phones or other devices generating strong radio-frequency activity.
Likewise, some dense surfaces and materials can affect wireless performance, making speaker position relevant to both sound and network reliability.
Humidity Resistant
Five's sealed construction is humidity resistant, allowing it to be used in suitably positioned bathrooms and other humid indoor environments.
Humidity Resistant Is Not Waterproof
Five should not be exposed directly to water, splashes or outdoor weather. It remains a mains-powered indoor speaker.
No Built-In Microphones
Five does not include a far-field microphone array.
For customers who actively prefer a Sonos music speaker without always-available onboard voice microphones, this may be an advantage rather than a limitation.
No Integrated Voice Assistant
Because there is no microphone system, Five does not provide the direct Sonos Voice Control or Amazon Alexa operation found on microphone-equipped Era models.
Normal control remains available through the Sonos app, AirPlay 2 and the speaker's capacitive controls.
Capacitive Touch Controls
The top control surface provides direct access to common functions without opening the Sonos app.
You can:
- Play and pause
- Increase volume
- Decrease volume
- Skip forwards
- Return to the previous track
- Group Five with compatible Sonos rooms
Controls Adapt to Orientation
The volume-control relationship changes automatically when Five is turned vertically, helping the touch interface remain logical whichever way the cabinet is positioned.
Add Sonos Sub Mini
Sonos Sub Mini is officially compatible with Five.
It provides a compact route to extending the lowest frequencies while allowing Five to concentrate more of its available output above the crossover point.
Add Sonos Sub 4
For larger rooms and more ambitious systems, Sonos Sub 4 provides greater bass scale and output.
A pair of Fives with a full-size Sonos Sub can form a very substantial wireless music system without requiring conventional separates or speaker cable between amplifier and loudspeakers.
Do You Need a Sub With Five?
Not necessarily.
Five already contains three midwoofers and is designed to produce substantial low-frequency output independently.
A Sub becomes more attractive if you listen at higher levels, have a larger room, enjoy bass-heavy music or simply want greater extension and scale.
Five as Rear Surround Speakers
A matching pair of Fives can also be used as rear surround speakers within compatible Sonos home cinema systems.
This is an unusually substantial surround solution and may make particular sense if you already own a pair of Fives.
For most customers buying new rear speakers specifically for current Dolby Atmos cinema, Era 300 may provide a more purpose-designed spatial-audio route.
Surround Mode Changes Five's Functions
When Sonos speakers are bonded as dedicated surrounds, they become part of the home cinema room rather than remaining independent music rooms.
Features disabled on surround speakers include:
- Independent AirPlay operation
- Line-in
- Independent subwoofer output
Your Turntable Input Is Disabled in Surround Mode
If you use Five's 3.5mm line input for vinyl or another analogue source, be aware that line-in becomes unavailable while the speaker is configured as a dedicated home cinema surround.
Five or Era 300?
These are the two Sonos speakers most likely to be compared by customers wanting more serious music reproduction, but they take distinctly different approaches.
Sonos Five
- Traditional high-fidelity music focus
- Six Class-D amplifiers
- Three tweeters
- Three midwoofers
- Sealed acoustic cabinet
- Built-in 3.5mm line-in
- No adapter required for analogue sources
- Horizontal or vertical placement
- No Bluetooth
- No built-in voice microphones
Sonos Era 300
- Spatial-audio music focus
- Dolby Atmos Music
- Upward and side-firing drivers
- Bluetooth 5.3
- WiFi 6
- USB-C line-in via optional adapter
- Voice control
- Quick Trueplay on iOS and Android
- Premium Dolby Atmos surround option
- More multidirectional presentation
The Sonos Era 300 is the more modern and flexible design if Dolby Atmos Music, Bluetooth or spatial home cinema is important. Five remains the more straightforward choice where powerful conventional music playback and a built-in analogue input are the priorities.
Five or Era 100?
Era 100 is substantially smaller and easier to position.
It adds Bluetooth, voice control and newer Trueplay options, but Five offers a much larger six-driver acoustic system and significantly more physical scale.
Era 100
- Compact room speaker
- Three Class-D amplifiers
- Two tweeters
- One midwoofer
- Bluetooth 5.3
- WiFi 6
- Voice control
- Optional USB-C line-in adapter
Five
- Larger high-output music speaker
- Six Class-D amplifiers
- Three tweeters
- Three midwoofers
- Built-in 3.5mm line-in
- Much greater cabinet volume
- No Bluetooth
- No voice microphones
Five Versus a Traditional Hi-Fi System
Five does not attempt to replace every benefit of a conventional amplifier and passive loudspeaker system.
Traditional separates provide far more freedom to change amplifiers, speakers, DACs and other individual components over time.
Five instead concentrates the streamer, DAC, amplification, digital processing and loudspeakers into one integrated enclosure.
Why Choose Five Over Separates?
Five makes most sense where you value:
- Minimal equipment
- Simple installation
- No loudspeaker cable
- Sonos multi-room integration
- Built-in streaming
- Easy turntable or CD connection
- Trueplay room optimisation
- A compact visual footprint
Why Choose Conventional Hi-Fi Instead?
A traditional amplifier and speaker system may be preferable if you want:
- Greater component upgrade flexibility
- A wider choice of loudspeaker designs
- Multiple analogue and digital inputs
- Specialist phono stages
- Dedicated external DACs
- Traditional passive speaker placement
Audio T can demonstrate both approaches so the choice can be based on the way you actually listen rather than specifications alone.
Dimensions
Sonos Five measures:
- Height: 203mm
- Width: 364mm
- Depth: 154mm
- Weight: 6.3kg
The same cabinet can be operated horizontally or vertically according to the system and available space.
Black or White
Five is available in Black and White with matching matte finishes.
The White version uses a matching light grille rather than the contrasting grille used on some older Sonos products.
Internal Power Supply
The universal internal power supply operates from 100–240V AC at 50/60Hz.
There is no external power brick to hide behind the furniture.
Quad-Core Processor
Five uses a quad-core 1.3GHz processor for its network operation, signal processing, streaming and room-correction functions.
Current Sonos App Required
Five requires the current generation of the Sonos app and is not compatible with the legacy Sonos S1 Controller platform.
This distinguishes the current Five from the older Play:5 (Gen 2), which has different software compatibility.
Sonos Five Is Not an S1 Product
If you have an older Sonos installation still running entirely on the S1 Controller platform, check system compatibility before adding Five. The current Five requires the latest Sonos platform.
Five Versus Play:5
The current Sonos Five followed the second-generation Play:5 and retains the same broad concept of a powerful six-driver wireless music speaker.
Five should nevertheless be treated as its own current product rather than assuming every specification, accessory or software rule from older Play:5 generations applies.
Placement Advice
For a single Five, horizontal positioning is the recommended starting point.
Place the speaker on a strong, stable surface capable of comfortably supporting its 6.3kg weight.
Leave approximately 50mm behind it when positioned near a wall, and avoid locations immediately beside strong wireless interference where possible.
Give Five a Solid Surface
Its substantial bass output can excite lightweight furniture.
If a cabinet, shelf or table rattles when Five plays, the problem may be the furniture rather than the speaker itself.
A more substantial support can provide a better physical foundation.
Wall and Floor Mounting Options
Third-party purpose-built accessories are available for Five, including compatible Flexson floor stands and wall mounts.
These can be especially useful for stereo pairs or surround systems where existing furniture does not provide appropriate positioning.
What Comes in the Box?
- Sonos Five
- 2m mains power cable
- Quickstart Guide
- Legal and warranty information
The auxiliary cable required for line-in is sold separately.
Recommended Sonos Five Setup Routine
- Choose a strong, stable position for Five.
- For one speaker, begin with horizontal orientation.
- Leave approximately 50mm behind the cabinet when positioned close to a wall.
- Connect Five to mains power.
- Open the current Sonos app on a compatible iOS or Android device.
- Add Five to a new or existing Sonos system.
- Name the room and add your preferred streaming services.
- Connect Ethernet if a wired network connection is preferred.
- If using AirPlay 2, confirm the Apple device is on the same network.
- If using a turntable, confirm that the source provides a proper line-level output.
- Connect analogue equipment to the 3.5mm line input with a suitable cable.
- Name and configure the line-in source in the Sonos app.
- Set Line-In Autoplay if desired.
- Run Trueplay with a compatible iOS device once the speaker is in its final position.
- Adjust bass, treble and loudness if required.
- If adding a second Five, create a dedicated stereo pair and re-run Trueplay.
- Add Sub Mini or another compatible Sonos Sub if greater low-frequency extension is wanted.
- Re-run Trueplay after significant placement or system changes.
Key Features
- Sonos Five
- High-fidelity wireless speaker
- Six Class-D amplifiers
- Six-driver acoustic system
- Three tweeters
- One centre tweeter
- Two angled tweeters
- Three midwoofers
- Sealed acoustic architecture
- Horizontal orientation
- Vertical orientation
- Automatic orientation processing
- Single-speaker stereo playback
- Stereo pair capability
- Built-in 3.5mm analogue line-in
- No Line-In Adapter required
- Turntable connectivity
- Phono-stage connectivity
- CD player connectivity
- Cassette connectivity
- Tuner connectivity
- 16-bit / 44.1kHz line-in conversion
- Line-In Autoplay
- Sonos multi-room line-in
- WiFi streaming
- 2.4GHz WiFi
- 5GHz WiFi
- 802.11a/b/g/n
- WPA3 support
- 10/100 Ethernet
- Apple AirPlay 2
- Sonos multi-room audio
- Trueplay room tuning
- Compatible iOS device required for Trueplay
- Adjustable bass
- Adjustable treble
- Loudness control
- Capacitive touch controls
- No Bluetooth audio
- No built-in microphone
- No integrated voice assistant
- Sub Mini compatible
- Compatible Sonos Sub support
- Surround-pair capability
- Humidity resistant
- Current Sonos app required
- No Sonos S1 compatibility
- Quad-core processor
- 1.3GHz processor speed
- 203mm height
- 364mm width
- 154mm depth
- 6.3kg weight
- Black finish
- White finish
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sonos Five still current?
Yes. Five remains part of the current Sonos wireless speaker range.
Is Sonos Five the most powerful Sonos music speaker?
Sonos currently positions Five as its most powerful conventional wireless speaker for high-fidelity music playback.
How many amplifiers does Sonos Five have?
Six Class-D digital amplifiers.
How many drivers does Five have?
Six: three tweeters and three midwoofers.
How many tweeters are fitted?
Three.
What do the angled tweeters do?
The two angled tweeters help extend the soundstage beyond the physical width of the cabinet.
How many woofers are fitted?
Sonos specifies three midwoofers.
Is Sonos Five ported?
No. Five uses a sealed acoustic architecture.
Can I use one Sonos Five on its own?
Yes. A single horizontal Five produces a wide stereo presentation.
Should one Five be horizontal or vertical?
Sonos recommends horizontal orientation when using a single speaker because it produces stereo output.
What happens if Five is vertical?
Its processing changes to mono reproduction.
Can Five detect its orientation?
Yes. The audio processing and touch-control behaviour adapt according to the supported orientation.
Can two Fives be stereo paired?
Yes. One becomes the dedicated left channel and the other the right.
Should stereo Fives be vertical?
They can be used vertically or horizontally. Sonos describes vertical placement as more focused and horizontal pairing as especially expansive.
Do both speakers need to be in the same orientation?
Matching orientation is the sensible approach for consistent stereo or surround operation.
Does Five have an analogue input?
Yes. A 3.5mm stereo line input is built directly into the speaker.
Do I need the Sonos Line-In Adapter?
No. Unlike Era 100 and Era 300, Five already includes a standard 3.5mm analogue input.
Can I connect a turntable?
Yes, providing the turntable has a built-in phono stage or is connected through an external phono preamplifier.
Does Five have a built-in phono stage?
No.
What cable do I need for a turntable?
Most turntables or phono stages with RCA outputs require a stereo RCA-to-3.5mm cable.
Can I connect a CD player?
Yes. Use a suitable cable from the CD player's analogue output to Five's 3.5mm input.
Can I connect a cassette deck?
Yes, provided it offers a suitable line-level output.
Can I share the turntable with other Sonos rooms?
Yes. A line-in source connected to Five can be distributed to compatible Sonos rooms over the network.
What resolution is the line input?
Sonos specifies standard line-in conversion at 16-bit / 44.1kHz.
Does Five support Line-In Autoplay?
Yes.
Can I rename the analogue source?
Yes. The Sonos line-in settings allow a Source Name to be chosen.
Can I adjust the input level?
Yes. Source Level can be adjusted within the Sonos app.
Can Five be used for TV through the line input?
It is not the recommended route. Sonos line-in includes buffering for network audio distribution, so a purpose-designed Sonos soundbar or Amp is more appropriate for television sound.
Does Sonos Five have Bluetooth?
No.
How do I stream wirelessly to Five?
Use the Sonos app, supported network music services or Apple AirPlay 2 over WiFi.
Does Five support AirPlay 2?
Yes.
Does Five connect to 5GHz WiFi?
Yes. Current Sonos documentation lists Five among products supporting compatible 5GHz 802.11a/n networks.
Does Five support 2.4GHz WiFi?
Yes.
Is Five a WiFi 6 speaker?
No. WiFi 6 is found on newer models such as Era 100 and Era 300.
Does Five support WPA3?
Yes, when operating on the current Sonos platform.
Does Five have Ethernet?
Yes. A 10/100 Ethernet port is provided.
Does Five support Trueplay?
Yes.
Can I run Five Trueplay on Android?
No. Five requires a compatible iOS device for Trueplay tuning.
Why does Five need an iPhone or iPad for Trueplay?
Five does not contain the onboard microphone array used for Quick Trueplay on newer Era products, so the microphone in a compatible iOS device performs the measurement.
Do I need an iPhone after Trueplay is finished?
No. The compatible iOS device is required for the tuning process rather than normal everyday playback.
Should I re-run Trueplay after moving Five?
Yes. Sonos recommends retuning after changing the speaker's location or configuration.
Does Five have a microphone?
No built-in far-field microphone array is specified.
Does Five have Alexa?
No integrated voice assistant is provided directly by Five.
Does Five have Sonos Voice Control?
No. It has no built-in microphone system for direct voice commands.
Can I add Sub Mini?
Yes. Sonos officially lists Five as compatible with Sub Mini.
Can I add Sub 4?
Yes, in a compatible current Sonos configuration.
Do I need a Sub?
No. Five already provides substantial bass from its three midwoofers. A Sub is an optional upgrade for deeper low-frequency extension and greater scale.
Can Fives be used as rear surround speakers?
A matching pair can be used as surrounds within compatible Sonos home cinema configurations.
Can I still use the 3.5mm input when Five is a rear surround?
No. Sonos disables line-in on products configured as dedicated surround speakers.
Can I use AirPlay directly to a Five being used as a surround?
Independent AirPlay operation is disabled while a speaker is bonded as a dedicated surround.
Is Era 300 better than Five?
They have different priorities. Era 300 is designed for Dolby Atmos Music and spatial audio, while Five concentrates on powerful conventional stereo music and includes a built-in 3.5mm analogue input.
Does Five support Dolby Atmos Music?
Five is not designed as a standalone Dolby Atmos Music speaker. Era 300 is the Sonos model specifically built around spatial music playback.
Is Five better than Era 100?
Five is considerably larger and more powerful. Era 100 is smaller and adds Bluetooth, voice control, WiFi 6 and newer Trueplay options.
How much space should I leave behind Five?
Sonos recommends approximately 50mm or two inches when positioned next to a wall or on a shelf.
Is Five waterproof?
No.
Is Five humidity resistant?
Yes. Sonos includes Five among its humidity-resistant indoor speakers.
Can I use Five outside?
Five is a mains-powered indoor speaker and should not be left outdoors or exposed directly to rain.
How big is Sonos Five?
203mm high, 364mm wide and 154mm deep in its conventional horizontal specification.
How much does Sonos Five weigh?
The current Sonos specification gives a weight of 6.3kg.
What colours are available?
Black and White.
Does Five work with the Sonos S1 Controller?
No. The current Sonos Five requires the latest generation of the Sonos app.
Is Sonos Five the same as Play:5?
No. Five followed the Play:5 line and shares a similar six-driver concept, but it is a separate current-generation product with different software compatibility.
What comes in the box?
Sonos Five, a 2m power cable, Quickstart Guide and legal/warranty information.
Related Sonos Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy Sonos Five From Audio T?
Five can be a very simple one-box wireless speaker, but it can also become a surprisingly capable stereo, vinyl or multi-room system. The right approach depends on the room and on whether you mainly stream music, use physical sources or plan to add a second Five and Sub later.
Audio T can demonstrate Five on its own and as part of a wider Sonos system, help you compare it with Era 100 and Era 300, and advise on turntables, phono stages, analogue cables, Trueplay, stereo pairing and subwoofer matching.
- In-store Sonos demonstrations
- Sonos Five demonstrations
- Single speaker versus stereo pair comparisons
- Five versus Era 300 comparisons
- Five versus Era 100 comparisons
- Turntable integration advice
- Phono-stage matching
- CD player integration
- Line-in setup guidance
- Trueplay setup advice
- Speaker positioning guidance
- Horizontal versus vertical placement advice
- Sub Mini demonstrations
- Sub 4 demonstrations
- Sonos multi-room planning
- Network and Ethernet advice
- Home cinema surround guidance
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store to hear Sonos Five, compare it with other Sonos speakers or build a complete wireless music system around streaming, vinyl and your favourite physical sources.