Sonos In-Wall Speakers: An In-Depth Review

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Are you tired of cluttered speaker setups and tangled cables in your home theater? If so, now may be the time to consider in-wall speakers. 

Welcome to our comprehensive Sonos In-Wall speakers review, where we’ll explore these powerful speakers designed to blend seamlessly into your walls. Read on to discover if the Sonos In-Wall speakers are the right choice for your audio oasis.

Price

If you’re like most people, price is one of your top considerations when shopping for speakers. Currently listed on sale at Amazon for about $450 for a pair, the Sonos In-Wall speakers certainly aren’t the cheapest option on the market. But if that price doesn’t scare you off, these speakers do have some great features and specs to make them a contender among other in-wall speakers.

Product specifications and features

Let’s jump into the technical aspects of the Sonos In-Wall speakers. Don’t worry if you’re not an expert in speakers—we’ll explain the significance of each feature and how it affects your listening experience.

Dimensions and design

The Sonos In-Wall speakers measure 14.3 x 7.8 x 3.7 inches, which isn’t far off from most other rectangular in-wall speakers on the market. These come with a white paintable grille, so you’re able to customize their appearance to match your room’s color scheme. The rectangular design fits smoothly into most standard wall cavities, and the built-in mounting brackets ensure a secure installation.

Speaker configuration

These are 2-way speakers with a 6.5-inch woofer and a 1-inch tweeter (related: 2-Way vs 3-Way Speakers Demystified). The woofer handles low and midrange frequencies, while the tweeter handles high frequencies. This setup guarantees a well-balanced and immersive audio experience.

Frequency response

The Sonos In-Wall speakers have a frequency response of 45Hz to 20kHz, which covers a wide range of sound—from deep bass to crystal-clear treble. Generally, the wider the frequency response range, the better. And response from these Sonos speakers definitely helps ensure you’ll enjoy accurate and detailed audio, whether you’re watching a movie, listening to music, or entertaining guests.

Sensitivity and impedance

These speakers have a sensitivity of 89 dB and an impedance of 8 ohms, so they’ll be compatible with most home audio receivers or amplifiers. Sensitivity measures how efficiently a speaker converts power into sound, while impedance refers to the resistance a speaker offers to an electrical current. Higher sensitivity and lower impedance typically result in better audio performance.

Power handling

The Sonos In-Wall speakers have a power handling capacity of 25 to 130 watts per channel. This means they can handle a wide range of power inputs, ensuring compatibility with various audio systems and providing ample volume for most settings.

Key features

• Seamless Sonos integration: As part of the Sonos ecosystem, these in-wall speakers easily connect with other Sonos devices and the Sonos Amp for advanced customization and control.
• Trueplay tuning: The speakers offer Trueplay tuning, adjusting the sound to the unique acoustics of your room for optimal audio performance.
• Paintable grilles: The included paintable grilles allow you to customize the speakers’ appearance, so they blend seamlessly with your room’s decor.
• Easy installation: The Sonos In-Wall speakers come with a comprehensive installation manual and a cutout template, simplifying the setup process.

Sound quality

Now onto what is likely (or should be) your top priority when looking for speakers: sound quality. The Sonos In-Wall speakers excel in this area, providing a rich, dynamic, and well-balanced audio experience that rivals traditional floor-standing models.

The custom-designed drivers ensure excellent clarity and detail across a wide range of frequencies. The powerful bass performance adds depth and impact to your favorite movies and music, while the tweeters ensure that high-frequency sounds like vocals and instruments are reproduced with remarkable precision.

Listeners will also appreciate the wide and immersive soundstage created by these in-wall speakers. When combined with other Sonos speakers in a surround sound setup, you can expect a really immersive audio experience that elevates your music and movies.

Installation and set-up

Before you can enjoy the outstanding sound quality of the Sonos In-Wall speakers, you’ll need to install and set them up correctly. The installation process is relatively straightforward, especially if you have some DIY skills. You’ll need to cut a hole in your wall, secure the speaker using the provided brackets, and connect the speaker wires to a Sonos Amp. 

Here’s are the steps to installing these speakers:

1. Choose a location for installing your speakers and mark the dimensions of the speaker cutout on your wall using the included template.
2. Use a drywall saw or utility knife to cut the hole for the speaker, following the marked dimensions.
3. Run the speaker wires from your Sonos Amp to the speaker location. Make sure to use high-quality, in-wall rated speaker cables to ensure the best audio performance.
4. Strip the ends of the speaker wires and connect them to the speaker terminals on the back of the speaker, making sure you’re matching the right polarity at the connections (+ to + and – to -).
5. Insert the speaker into the wall cutout and secure it using the pre-construction brackets provided.
6. Attach the paintable grille and adjust it to align with your room’s decor.

Tips for optimal speaker placement

Arranging your speakers in the right way can make a massive difference in how they end up sounding. With that in mind, here are a few suggestions to help you optimise the placement of your Sonos In-Wall speakers:

• Position the speakers about one-third of the way up the wall or at ear level. This will ensure that the sound is directed towards your primary listening position.
• If you’re installing multiple speakers for stereo sound, be sure to place them at an equal distance from your main listening position to create a balanced soundstage.
• Keep the speakers away from room corners or large, reflective surfaces to minimize sound reflections and improve audio quality.
• If you’re using your Sonos In-Wall speakers as part of a surround sound setup, make sure to follow the recommended speaker placement guidelines for your specific configuration.

Comparison with competing in-wall speakers

Now let’s see how the Sonos In-Wall speakers stack up against some of their competitors:

Polk Audio RC85i

The Polk Audio RC85i speakers are less expensive than the Sonos In-Wall speakers, making them a more budget-friendly option. While they offer a good overall sound quality, they lack the seamless Sonos ecosystem integration and Trueplay tuning found in the Sonos model. 

However, if you’re on a tighter budget and still want quality in-wall speakers, the Polk Audio RC85i might be a suitable option (related: Polk Audio RC85i Speakers: A Complete Review).

Klipsch R-5502-W II

The Klipsch R-5502-W II speakers are priced slightly lower than the Sonos In-Wall speakers. They deliver exceptional sound quality, featuring cerametallic woofers and Tractrix Horn technology for crystal-clear high frequencies and detailed bass and midrange performance. 

However, they don’t offer the seamless Sonos ecosystem integration, which might be a deal-breaker if you’ve already invested in Sonos products (related: Klipsch R-5502-W II Review: In-Wall Master Audio).

Yamaha NS-IW280CWH

The Yamaha NS-IW280CWH speakers are more affordable than the Sonos In-Wall speakers and have a unique swivel tweeter design for customizable sound dispersion. 

While their sound quality is decent, they fall a bit behind the Sonos speakers in terms of clarity and bass performance. They’re still a solid option if you’re a budget-conscious buyer who prioritizes adjustability (related: Yamaha NS-IW280CWH Review: Value for Sound).

Real-world user experience

User reviews and experiences with the Sonos In-Wall speakers are generally positive. Many users praise their exceptional sound quality, noting that they provide a clean, detailed, and immersive audio experience. The seamless integration with the Sonos ecosystem is also a major selling point for many customers, allowing for a clutter-free home theater setup and easy multi-room audio.

Some users mention the need for a dedicated Sonos Amp to power the speakers, which adds to the overall cost. However, integration with an amplifier is a common requirement for most in-wall speakers.

There are a few users who experienced difficulties with installation, especially those who were new to in-wall speaker installation. But most users found the process relatively simple and straightforward, with the included template and brackets making it easier.

Pros and cons of the Sonos In-Wall Speakers

Let’s round out this review of the Sonos In-Wall Speakers with a quick overview of their pros and cons:

Pros:

• High-quality sound: With custom-designed drivers, the Sonos In-Wall speakers will give you excellent sound quality across a wide range of frequencies, and therefore, a rich and immersive listening experience.
• Seamless integration: As part of the Sonos ecosystem, these speakers integrate easily with other Sonos devices and the Sonos Amp for advanced customization and control.
• Trueplay tuning: Sonos In-Wall speakers offer Trueplay tuning, which adjusts the sound to the unique acoustics of your room for optimal audio performance.

Cons:

• Higher price: The Sonos In-Wall speakers come with a higher price tag compared to some competing models.
• Requires Sonos Amp: Although you’ll need an amp for any 2-way speakers, and most in-wall speakers are 2-way speakers, these Sonos speakers require a Sonos Amp for power and control. So you don’t have the same level of flexibility in choosing an amp, in addition to the added overall cost of potentially needing to buy a new amp from this brand..

The bottom line: Are Sonos In-Wall Speakers ideal for you?

The Sonos In-Wall speakers are ideal for those who value exceptional sound quality, seamless integration with the Sonos ecosystem, and the ability to customize their audio experience through Trueplay tuning. If you’re already a Sonos user or looking to create an immersive home theater setup, these speakers are a great choice.

However, if you’re on a tighter budget or don’t need the advanced customization offered by the Sonos ecosystem, you might consider alternatives like the Polk Audio RC85i or Klipsch R-5502-W II in-wall speakers, which still offer great sound quality at a lower price point.