Sonos Amp power dissipation measurements

This article is intended for professional installers who need to estimate how much waste heat is generated by a Sonos Amp. This will help with the proper design of thermal management solutions for Sonos installs.

Industry standard uses pink noise with a 12 dB crest factor as the audio stimulus for testing power and heat dissipation. The data below can be used to calculate the thermal loads that Amp will contribute to an install. Note that 1/8 power is typical of most listening levels. 1/3 power is very loud. Full power is included for cases where extreme use is expected.


Power dissipated as waste heat

115 VAC

240 VAC

Condition

Load

LineCurrent (Amp)

W

BTU

kcal/hr

Line Current (Amp)

W

BTU

kcal/hr

Idle

n/a

0.15

5.9

20.1

5.07

0.23

5.9

20.1

5.07

1/8 Power
pink noise

16 Ohms

0.20

15

52

13

0.27

14

49

12

8 Ohms

0.21

16

56

14

0.28

16

54

14

4 Ohms

0.22

18

62

16

0.30

19

64

16

3 Ohms

0.27

20

67

17

0.31

21

72

18

1/3 Power
pink noise

16 Ohms

0.22

17

59

15

0.29

18

61

15

8 Ohms

0.27

21

70

18

0.31

20

69

17

4 Ohms

0.30

24

82

21

0.38

26

89

22

3 Ohms

0.41

26

90

23

0.41

34

116

29

Full Power
pink noise

16 Ohms

0.30

22

74

19

0.34

21

70

18

8 Ohms

0.46

28

97

24

0.41

28

95

24

4 Ohms

0.80

37

126

32

0.60

43

147

37

3 Ohms

1.01

52

178

45

0.65

56

192

48




Additional information

Idle power measurement is taken with no music playing, Ethernet connected, and HDMI disconnected.
Power test: Pink Noise crest factor 12dB, digital source. WiFi on, Ethernet disconnected, HDMI disconnected, both channels driven

With WiFi off, subtract 1W
With Ethernet Active add 0.5W
With HDMI active, add 0.5W


Sonos Architectural by Sonance

When using the Sonos Architectural by Sonance passive speakers you can use the following assumptions about the load on the amplifier regardless of model type (In-Ceiling, In-Wall, Outdoor):

  • One pair = 8 Ohms
  • Two pair = 4 Ohms
  • Three pair = 3 Ohms

Still need help?

Our technicians can help over the phone or with a live chat. You can also ask questions and find answers with other Sonos owners in our Sonos Community.