The Best Multiroom Wireless Speakers for Beginners

What is an open multiroom system vs. a closed one?

We try not to use these terms because, honestly, they confuse most people more than they help. In essence, a closed multiroom system uses all devices from one ecosystem, using the manufacturer’s native app to set up and control the system. An open system may have devices from all different manufacturers and brands, but they are all unified via one third-party protocol (i.e., AirPlay) used for control and operation. An open system allows more flexibility for the customer but conversely requires more complex troubleshooting if something isn’t working.

Can my other audio equipment connect to my Sonos or Denon system?

It depends. Natively, no, you won’t be able to plug in and play the way you can within those closed systems. But you can purchase your brand of choice’s compatible amp. One of the functions of the amp is to connect traditional wired or bookshelf speakers to your multiroom Sonos setup.

What is an AV receiver, and do I need one?

Before you could do it all with apps and WiFi, you needed to route all your audio equipment through one central controller unit. That’s the audio-video receiver. AV receivers aren’t a necessary purchase if you are using HEOS or Sonos for streaming, but the modern Denon receivers do support HEOS.