The All-New Echo (2nd Generation), Echo Plus, and Echo Spot from Amazon each have an audio output, which makes them easy to directly connect to some Sonos speakers and components. This post clearly explains how to set this up and get it running.
Sonos recently announced an official wireless integration with the Amazon Echo. This is great news, because it enables you to tell Alexa to play music on your Sonos speakers. However, the integration does not make your Sonos the default speakers that Alexa uses every time she speaks. If this is what you want, you should follow the instructions I provide in this post.
If you want to enable the wireless Sonos integration with the Amazon Echo, I have a dedicated post that explains how to get it running.
The smaller Amazon Echo Dot also features an audio output, so it can be directly connected to Sonos as well. I have a dedicated post that explains how to use the Dot with Sonos, which you can find here.
This post has two parts with instructions for different Sonos products:
- If you have a PLAY:5, Connect, Connect:Amp, or a ZonePlayer, your instructions start below.
- If you have the PLAY:1, PLAY:3, Playbar, or Playbase, you can skip ahead to that section here.
How to use Amazon Echo with Sonos PLAY:5, Connect, Connect:Amp and ZonePlayer
Good news! It’s easy to use the Sonos PLAY:5, Connect, Connect:Amp, and ZonePlayer with an Amazon Echo. You just need the right kind of audio cable. This is the one you need:
- PLAY:5 = Stereo mini-plug male to male, here’s a link to the exact one.
- Connect, Connect:Amp, and ZonePlayer = Stereo mini-plug male to dual RCA male, here’s a link to the exact one.
Now you need to know where to plug in that cable.
On the PLAY:5, you plug it in here:
On the Connect, you plug it in here:
On the Connect:Amp, you plug it in here:
On the ZonePlayer, you plug it in here:
After you plug in that cable, connect the other end to the audio output on your new Amazon Echo. Then, launch the Sonos app on your mobile device, hit the hamburger menu in the top left corner, and select “Line-In.” Now you can start talking to Alexa and hear her respond through your Sonos.
I strongly recommend turning on the “Autoplay” feature in the Sonos app. This way, you won’t have to select “Line-In” every time you want to talk to Alexa. I’ve written clear instructions for how to set this up in my 5 important tips for using the Amazon Echo Dot with Sonos post. That post is about the Echo Dot, but all of the tips apply to your Echo device as well.
How to use Amazon Echo with PLAY:1, PLAY:3, Playbar, and Playbase
I hate being the bearer of bad news, but… there’s no easy way to connect the PLAY:1, PLAY:3, Playbar, or Playbase to an Amazon Echo, because these models don’t have an analog audio input.
If you’re comfortable with advanced computer stuff, you can control these Sonos units with Alexa using this solution from Github. However, I haven’t tried it out. But, it looks difficult.
Another website out there suggests using a mobile app called Yonomi. I tried it, but it wasn’t a good experience. The app didn’t work reliably, and worse, it’s not the full Alexa experience. The whole point of the Echo is to have open conversations with a computer, but this app can only run pre-determined “routines.” Try it if you’re curious, but ultimately I think it’s ill-advised.
The best way to go is to purchase another Sonos device that has the required audio input. I know this isn’t what you wanted to hear — but older Sonos units will work perfectly for this, and they can be easily purchased on Ebay.
The cheapest option is to get a used ZonePlayer 90. They sell for around $225 to $280. You plug the audio output of your new Echo device into the ZonePlayer with a stereo mini plug to stereo RCA cable, like this one (the RCA side plugs into the ZonePlayer). You then create a “group” that includes the ZonePlayer and your other Sonos unit. When you talk to your Echo, her voice will come out of your Sonos speaker.
Another option is to get a used Sonos PLAY:5. It’s easy to connect any of the Echo devices (excluding the original 2014 model) to a PLAY:5. The first generation of the PLAY:5 will work perfectly. It can easily be purchased on Ebay for around $280 USD. Or, you could get a new one. They sound amazing (I own one).
Hey, was this helpful?
If my blog post helped you out, you can help me back by simply using the links below before you make a purchase on Amazon, even if you’re just buying a $10 book that teaches you how to dance with cats. 🐈 Thanks!
Purchase links:
All-New Echo (2nd Generation) – Amazon USA, Amazon.uk, Amazon.de
Echo Plus – Amazon USA, Amazon.uk, Amazon.de
Echo Spot – Amazon USA
Amazon Echo Dot – Amazon USA, Amazon.uk, Amazon.de, there are some interesting bundles available at B&H Photo
Cable required to connect to PLAY:5 – Amazon USA, Amazon.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr
Sonos Play:5 – Amazon USA, Amazon.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr
Used Sonos Play:5 – eBay USA
Sonos Connect – Amazon USA, Amazon.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr
Sonos Connect:Amp – Amazon USA, Amazon.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr
Also, check out my 5 important tips for using the Amazon Echo Dot with Sonos post. It’s about the Echo Dot, but it applies to the new Amazon Echoes, too.
So my Sonos Play 5 sits on a kitchen counter wireless, my wifi in the house is great. My Amazon Echo Show gen 2 sits about 10 foot away. I have the skill enabled and if i say “Alexa, play Chris Brown on “Kitchen” it will start to play the music to the Sonos. But how do i make all the feeback from the Alexa go to the Sonos Play:5 without using a cable, is that even possible?
If the Echo Show had a headphone output you could plug it into the line input of your Play 5, but, the Echo Show doesn’t have a headphone output, so this isn’t an option. You could put an Echo Dot on top of your Play 5 and plug it into the line input. I explain how to set that up in this post – https://www.sam-mallery.com/2016/08/how-to-use-the-amazon-echo-dot-with-sonos/ But if your Echo Show is nearby, the Dot and the Show will likely conflict a bit when you talk to Alexa. But, the Dot on top of the Play 5 is a great way to hear everything Alexa says through your Sonos speaker.