10 Best Multi Room Audio System 2025 in the United States

The Sonos Amp is a versatile amplifier designed to power various entertainment setups, making it a strong contender for a multi-room audio system. It supports a wide range of audio sources, including turntables, stereos, wired speakers, and streaming services, which makes it adaptable to different listening preferences. The ability to connect outdoor speakers extends its usability to backyard setups, enhancing its expandability.

With its compatibility with televisions and smartphones and support for music streaming, eARC, and built-in Wi-Fi, the Sonos Amp offers extensive connectivity options. Multi-room synchronization is one of its strengths, allowing users to enjoy synchronized audio across multiple rooms seamlessly. The Amp also supports additional Sonos One surrounds for an immersive home theater experience, showcasing its expandability and ease of use.

Its design is both practical and aesthetic, featuring a rack-mountable and wall-mountable build with a heatsink for optimized airflow and heat management. However, its performance relies heavily on a reliable Wi-Fi network, and some users may find the setup process a bit complex if they're not very tech-savvy. Additionally, while the Amp provides brilliant sound quality with direct digital input, which eliminates analog conversion, it may be considered pricey compared to other amplifiers. The Sonos Amp is well-suited for individuals wanting a high-quality, flexible, and aesthetically pleasing multi-room audio system, provided they are comfortable with its price and setup requirements.

The Sonos Era 100 is a strong choice if you're looking for a compact, versatile multi-room audio speaker. It delivers notably clear and detailed sound thanks to its advanced dual-tweeter setup and a larger midwoofer, offering good stereo separation and richer bass for its size. Connecting the speaker to your home network is straightforward with WiFi, and it also supports Bluetooth for quick pairing with devices. You have multiple ways to play music, including streaming services, an auxiliary input for things like a turntable, and even USB connectivity.

Its Alexa voice control and the Sonos app make it easy to use and manage, including the Trueplay tuning feature that adjusts sound settings based on the room’s acoustics, helping the speaker sound its best anywhere you place it. The design is sleek and modern, fitting neatly on shelves or counters without taking much space, though it is not water-resistant, so it’s best kept indoors. Multi-room functionality is well supported, allowing you to easily expand your setup by adding more Sonos speakers for synchronized sound across different rooms.

A potential downside is the speaker’s maximum output power of 10 watts, which might be modest for very large or noisy rooms. Also, it has only one microphone, which could limit voice recognition in louder environments. The Sonos Era 100 suits anyone wanting high-quality sound in a flexible, easy-to-use speaker that can grow into a whole-home system, especially in smaller to medium-sized spaces.

The JBL Bar 500 is a robust multi-room audio system that promises an immersive audio experience with its 5.1-channel soundbar, Dolby Atmos, and MultiBeam Surround Sound technology. With 590 watts of power, it delivers powerful and clear sound, making it ideal for home theater setups. The 10-inch wireless subwoofer provides deep, precise bass, enhancing both movies and music. PureVoice Dialogue Enhancement ensures clear dialogue, even during intense scenes, which is a great feature for movie enthusiasts. Connectivity is a strong point, with built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music, and Chromecast, allowing access to over 300 streaming services and easy integration with smart devices.

Automatic software updates via Wi-Fi ensure the system remains current with the latest features. The system's compatibility with a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops, adds to its versatility. However, the JBL Bar 500 does come with some drawbacks. It lacks water resistance, limiting its use to indoor settings. The absence of extra surround speakers might be a downside for those seeking a traditional surround sound experience. Additionally, while the product is designed for ease of use with a remote and app control, some users might find initial setup and integration with smart home systems slightly challenging.

The design is sleek and modern, fitting well with most home decors, and it includes the necessary components for wall mounting. The JBL Bar 500 is a powerful and versatile multi-room audio system suitable for users who seek high-quality, immersive sound for home entertainment and are comfortable with modern connectivity options.