Music is a powerful tool for any business looking to craft an engaging environment that attracts and retains customers. But when the dinner rush starts, or dozens of guests are waiting to check in, you want your staff doing what they do best: providing the best possible experience for your customers, not fiddling around with the music.

Enter Sonos: One of the most well-known speaker manufacturers in the business, they built a name for themselves by making affordable audio equipment that just works. Sonos has transformed millions of living rooms into home cinemas and discotheques, all with an architecture that makes it simple to spread the music around the entire house.

But how does Sonos fare in a commercial setting? Many of our own customers use Sonos speakers in their business. We speak with customers daily about their audio needs, often helping them pick the perfect speakers even before they become Soundtrack customers.

Let's dive into how well Sonos performs for our business customers.

Why Sonos is good for business use

Sonos has a strong reputation in the consumer market for delivering high-quality audio solutions that are affordable, user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing. If you're looking to install a business sound system that won't break the bank, then Sonos could be a good fit.

Here's an in-depth look at why Sonos stands out as a great option for many businesses.

Sonos has high-quality sound

Crisp, high-quality audio is crucial for creating the perfect atmosphere in any business setting. While Sonos doesn't necessarily appeal to audiophiles looking for a top-tier sound system, it does a fine job of filling multiple rooms with high-quality mid-range audio in particular. In a business setting, Sonos speakers deliver clear and balanced audio so the music enhances the customer experience.

Sonos integrates with music streaming apps

Part of the appeal of Sonos is how seamlessly it integrates with streaming services and personal music libraries. But playing music in your business isn't as simple as pressing the play button on your Sonos speaker: Music licensing regulations require that you have the proper licensing in place first. Integrating a licensed music service like Soundtrack with the Sonos speakers in your business means you get easy access to an industry-leading music catalog.

The Sonos aesthetic

The design of Sonos products is another advantage. Sonos speakers are sleek and aesthetically pleasing, which allows them to blend seamlessly with any décor. The design appeal makes Sonos an attractive choice for any business that wants a stylish look while playing high-quality audio.

While not everyone likes the Sonos style, the Sonos product range is wide enough that just about any business can find a speaker model that suits its interior design. Whether you prefer sleek minimalism or something more decorative, Sonos has options that fit your business aesthetic.

Sonos speakers are affordable

The initial cost of setting up a Sonos system can be much lower than conventional commercial installations, particularly for a smaller business with fewer hardware needs.

The main costs for setting up a Sonos system include:

• Speakers: Individual Sonos speakers range in price from US$179 to US$549. Power, quality and quantity determine how large the investment will be.

• Brackets: If you want to mount your speakers on the wall or ceiling, you'll need to pay for that hardware.

• Installation: If your team isn't comfortable setting up or mounting the system, you'll have to factor in labor costs.

Sonos is not necessarily the right choice for every business, but a smaller business that needs to set up only a handful of speakers might prefer this over a commercial installation.

Why Sonos may not be good for business use

While Sonos speakers offer plenty of advantages for business users, there are some potential challenges to keep in mind.

Sonos relies on Wi-Fi

Sonos systems need a stable Wi-Fi network to work properly. If your business has weak network coverage, this could impact system performance, and you may need to invest in network infrastructure to ensure continuous music playback. Upgrades worth considering include replacing routers, improving signal strength and implementing network management solutions.

Some business users report that Sonos fails to cache music in the event of a connectivity issue. Rather than streaming music seamlessly until the internet connection restores, the music just stops — which won't impress your customers. Businesses located in older buildings or on congested Wi-Fi networks should take this into account.

Connectivity issues with Sonos

Some Soundtrack users report issues connecting to Sonos, including occasional drops. For example, the Sonos app indicates that it's already connected when it isn't, or the system disappears from the interface and users can't re-add it. Users report that this happens after updating the Sonos iOS app and the issue isn't specific to Soundtrack users.

Other users report difficulties controlling audio from a central location. In these cases, the user must be physically in the location to control volume or change other audio settings. This can be an obstacle for a business with multiple locations or zones.

Sonos can struggle at scale

Although Sonos systems were designed with scalability and flexibility in mind, they weren't originally made for business use. This means that using Sonos speakers in a large commercial environment is not always ideal.

It's easy for a small shop or café to add a few Sonos speakers here and there as their business grows. But some Soundtrack customers who require a comprehensive audio setup in a large retail environment have run into limitations.

One challenge is achieving uniform sound coverage in large or irregularly shaped spaces. For larger commercial users, professional installation and calibration are key to getting a balanced sound. Proper speaker placement and configuration are important for any business aiming for optimal coverage in a large space.

Compatibility with Sonos can be a problem

While Sonos integrates with many popular business streaming services, not all are supported. As a result, some specialized commercial audio needs may fall by the wayside. So be sure that Sonos is compatible with your existing systems — like building management systems and digital signage — before opting for their hardware.

Some Soundtrack users face issues when trying to control our service with Sonos. Made-for-business features like messaging, scheduling and user roles sometimes trigger error messages in the Sonos apps. Users have also reported errors while playing a playlist in order (not on shuffle) or while trying to play different playlists simultaneously in different zones.

How Sonos compares to other business audio systems

While investigating audio systems for a business, it's worth comparing Sonos speakers to other types of commercial audio setups.

Here's a look at how Sonos stacks up against some of the options.

Sonos vs. public address systems

Public address (PA) systems are quite common in large commercial spaces like malls, airports and stadiums. PA systems are built to maximize sound coverage and are typically more complex to install and manage.

While PA systems offer robust sound coverage, they lack the flexibility that Sonos speakers bring to a business. A PA system often requires professional installation and maintenance, which can be costly over time, and may not allow for seamless integration with mobile devices like phones and tablets.

Sonos vs. custom AV solutions

A custom AV installation provides a tailored solution that meets all your business needs. These systems can incorporate a wide range of audiovisual components, offering the right solution for large venues or spaces with a unique layout. If sound quality is your top priority, then a custom AV install is usually the best choice.

Building your own custom AV installation is significantly more expensive and time-consuming than setting up a Sonos system, however. Maintenance and support for a bespoke setup will also exceed that of a system using only Sonos speakers.

Sonos vs. other wireless audio systems

Sonos may be one of the biggest names in wireless business sound systems, but it's not the only one. Bose and WiiM are just two of the many other manufacturers vying for space in your business. When comparing these options with Sonos, key considerations include sound quality, ease of use, scalability and integration capabilities.

Sonos speakers are popular because of their seamless user experience and robust ecosystem, especially for businesses. However, other wireless audio systems may offer features or prices that are more suitable for your business's needs.

Practical applications for Sonos in a business setting

Music has a profound impact on businesses of all types. Playing music in a retail store can drive sales at peak hours, while music in a hotel can help guests feel immersed in their experience. Sonos speakers integrate easily into retail businesses to provide high-quality audio that complements a store's ambiance. Retailers can use Soundtrack alongside Sonos for intuitive playlist curation that aligns the music with the store's branding.

So, what's an example of what that sounds like? Fast-fashion retailers often play trendier music during peak hours to energize customers, while high-end boutiques might use more elegant music that reflects the luxury brands they offer. Restaurants often use upbeat music in the same way during the lunch rush, to keep the positive energy flowing, then turn the tempo down somewhat at dinnertime, to encourage guests to relax. With the right music choices, an office, too, can become a better workplace for staff, which can boost both mood and productivity.

In each of these cases, the music's tempo subtly prompts those who hear it to alter their behavior. Sonos speakers are known for being easy to control, which means that any business can set the music to fit the mood at any time.

The bottom line

Sonos is a compelling option for any business looking to enhance its audio environment with a good-quality, easy-to-manage speaker system. The advantages of Sonos make it a strong contender in the small business audio market, capable of creating a distinctive and inviting atmosphere in a variety of commercial settings.

While Sonos offers many benefits, it's worth considering every factor that goes into finding the right system for your business, including setup costs, scalability, network infrastructure, compatibility, sound coverage and play controls. If Sonos works for your business, try it out with a business music streaming service like Soundtrack.