Networked speakers that play in sync across rooms · Wi-Fi and Bluetooth links, network requirements, grouping and stereo pairs, drivers and class-D amplifiers, room tuning, battery portables and IP rating, broadcast audio
A wireless multi-room audio speaker system is a set of powered speakers, each with its own amplifiers, drivers, processor and radio, that join a home or building network so the same or different audio can be played in two or more rooms in sync and controlled from one app. Ask three things first: what network and streaming protocols the speakers must use, how many speakers and rooms the system must hold and how they will be grouped or paired, and which units must run on battery or outdoors.
Networked powered speakers sold as a multi-room system: hub or main speakers, satellite and portable units, and the wireless and control features that link them. Passive speakers with separate amplifiers, wired distributed-audio installations, soundbars sold alone, and headphones are outside this page except where compared.
CNFX editorial research · Sources checked October 11, 2026 · 4 sources
Sonos's system requirements allow up to 32 products in one system and need an iOS or Android device for set-up, a high-speed wired internet connection, and the app and every product on the same subnet. All its products connect to routers or access points supporting 802.11b/g on 2.4 GHz with WPA1 or WPA2 Personal security. It lists as unsupported: satellite, hotspot or LTE internet, guest networks or captive-portal logins, wireless range extenders, routers that only provide 5 GHz, Ethernet over power, and VPNs that block local resources; it recommends a mesh router to extend coverage and, in wired set-ups, wiring to the primary mesh node. [1]
Its Era 100 speaker connects to 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax routers on 2.4 or 5 GHz and is Wi-Fi 6 compatible, streams from any Bluetooth device over Bluetooth 5.3, works with AirPlay 2 from Apple devices on iOS 11.4 or later, and takes line-in audio or wired Ethernet through USB-C adapters sold separately. Two identical speakers can be paired in one room as a stereo pair. [2]
Bluetooth's Auracast broadcast audio, described by the Bluetooth SIG as a new Bluetooth capability, sends audio from a single transmitter to an unlimited number of receivers without pairing, which suits shared listening in public venues and assistive listening rather than synchronised home zones. [4]
Give the supplier the network (router make, bands, mesh or extenders, VLANs and subnets), the number of rooms and speakers, grouping and stereo or surround pairing needed, streaming protocols and services required (Wi-Fi app, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, line-in), control app and voice assistant, and any public-venue or broadcast use.
02
Set the speakers for each room
The Era 100 is a mains-powered bookshelf speaker with three class-D amplifiers, two angled tweeters and one midwoofer, a far-field microphone array with a hardware mic switch, app-adjustable bass, treble and loudness, room-tuning software (Trueplay) that measures the room and adjusts EQ, a quad-core 1.9 GHz processor, a 100–240 V 50/60 Hz internal supply, and a size of 182.5 × 120 × 130.5 mm at 2.02 kg. [2]
The Move 2 portable has the same amplifier and driver complement, an IP56 rating against dust and high-pressure water jets, a removable and replaceable 3,100 mAh lithium-ion battery giving up to 24 hours of continuous playback, a charging base, Bluetooth grouping of two or more of its portable speakers away from Wi-Fi, and a size of 241 mm high by 160 mm wide at 3 kg. [3]
Editorial note: the reviewed product pages do not state output power, frequency response or signal-to-noise ratio; ask the supplier for measured figures and the test conditions if those values are needed for comparison.
For each room, state the room size and use, mains or battery, indoor or outdoor and IP rating, mounting, colour and finish, and whether the speaker must also serve as a stereo pair, surround or subwoofer partner.
One transmitter to unlimited receivers, no pairing. [4]
LE Audio support.
04
Drivers, class-D amplifiers, radios, processor, microphones, battery and power supply
The Era 100 pairs three class-D amplifiers with two angled tweeters and one midwoofer, and the Move 2 keeps the same complement but adds a removable 3,100 mAh battery. [2][3]
Output, frequency response, system size, battery, IP rating and size per unit for a speaker order
Four audio figures a buyer may want — output power, frequency response, signal-to-noise ratio and operating temperature — are not on the reviewed product pages, so ask for measured values with their test conditions.
Field
What it means and published values
Ask the supplier for
Total audio output power
Not stated on the reviewed pages.
Rated power and test method.
Frequency response range
Not stated on the reviewed pages.
Response with tolerance.
Wireless transmission range
Not stated; network rules apply (2.4 GHz support, no extenders). [1]
1 company lists this product among what they make. Company figures are quoted from each
company's own website; every card states where the relationship came from.
Dongguan Edifier Technology Co.,Ltd.
Manufacturing site to be confirmed for the order
Its website lists the ES300 tabletop wireless speaker, which can be grouped into a multi-room system.
Explore company information and manufacturing capabilities, then discuss the scope of your project with a relevant supplier.
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Compiled and source-reviewed by the CNFX editorial team.
Each manufacturer above links to the page on that company's own website where the product is listed, with the date we checked it. How we source and review
· Page last updated 13 October 2026
Buyer questions
How many speakers can one multi-room system hold?
Sonos documents up to 32 products in a single system. [1]
Will a multi-room speaker work on a 5 GHz-only router or a range extender?
Sonos lists 5 GHz-only routers and wireless range extenders as unsupported and recommends a mesh router instead. [1]
How long does a portable multi-room speaker run on battery?
One portable lists a 3,100 mAh battery giving up to 24 hours of continuous playback. [3]
Is Auracast the same as multi-room audio?
Auracast broadcasts one stream from a transmitter to unlimited receivers without pairing; it targets shared and assistive listening. [4]
Sources and what still needs a direct check
Sources checked 2026-10-11. The Sonos pages describe one maker's speakers and network requirements; the Bluetooth SIG page describes a broadcast capability. Values for your order must come from the supplier offered.
