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Sonos is a leading American audio technology company that is best known for pioneering wireless multiroom audio systems, which make it easy for listeners to stream music and other content throughout their homes. The company continues to innovate, creating wireless speakers, home theater systems, headphones, architectural components, and integrated home audio solutions that revolutionize how people listen and connect to sound.

If you’ve never given much thought to the individual components that make up your speakers, you may be confused when you hear the term “speaker driver”. And you may be even more confused when you hear that the speaker driver — not the speaker itself — is what reproduces the sound waves you hear when you listen to music. The “speaker” is the name we use as shorthand for the entire system, which includes not only speaker drivers, but also the circuits that send sounds to the right places, the box that houses everything, and so on.

So, if a speaker driver isn’t a speaker, what is it exactly?

Speaker drivers are the components that actually vibrate to create sound waves — think of them as the engine of your speaker system. Most speakers contain multiple drivers of different sizes, with the largest ones (subwoofers) handling the low bass sounds and the smallest ones (tweeters) taking care of the higher-pitched frequencies

Why do these drivers come in so many different sizes? And how many drivers are “enough” for a 

? To answer these questions, we should start with why drivers exist in the first place.

The purpose of a speaker driver is to convert the electrical signals produced by your amplifier, headphones, or other music player into physical sound waves that can reach your ear. Without speaker drivers, there would be no sound coming out of your speaker — and no purpose for your sound system to exist at all.

 can seem hopelessly complex, speaker drivers produce sound through a simple series of cause-and-effect. When an electrical signal flows from your music player into the driver, it creates a magnetic field. This magnetic field causes the speaker driver to vibrate back and forth. This back-and-forth vibration creates the sound waves that reach your ears.

In a sense, a speaker driver is a kind of sonic translator. Without it, your music would simply be a series of electrical signals that don’t 

like anything. The driver’s job is first to interpret those signals, then to reproduce them as sound waves. It has several specialized components that work together to make this reproduction possible.

It may seem overly technical, but knowing the individual components of a speaker driver can help you visualize how it works. The main parts of a speaker driver include:

, a coiled wire that receives the electrical signal from the music player.

, which creates the magnetic forces that power the driver’s movement.

, a large cone or dome that moves back and forth to create sound waves.

, which surrounds the driver and keeps the voice coil and diaphragm in the correct positions for producing sound.

Hand using touch controls on a white Era 100

Person lounging on a chair listening to Sonos Five with Sonos Sub 4

High- and low-pitched sounds are different because they are produced by sound waves of different lengths and frequencies. Unfortunately, there's no single driver that can produce the full range of sound waves without distortion, as a driver's shape and physical properties make it more or less capable of reproducing specific frequency ranges, such as low or high sounds.

Different types of speaker drivers exist to handle different sounds, with their capabilities determined mainly by their shape and size. Smaller, lighter drivers can vibrate quickly to reproduce high-frequency sounds, while larger drivers are needed for low frequencies. The names of these different driver types helpfully correspond to the types of sounds they make:

 are small, usually dome-shaped drivers that reproduce high-frequency sounds (like birds chirping) by vibrating rapidly. Their shape allows them to spread these frequencies evenly across a room, though specialized designs like directional horns can create different spatial effects.

Midrange drivers are cone-shaped speakers that bridge the gap between low and high frequencies. Though they can't handle extreme frequencies, they're considered crucial because they reproduce the sounds humans are most sensitive to, including human voices and instruments like the guitar and piano.

Woofers are the biggest speaker drivers in an audio system. If you crave 

 is your ticket to paradise. These subwoofers often come in their own, separate enclosures, which are roomy enough to properly support and enhance the (physically very long) bass sound waves that a woofer emits.

As a general rule, the more drivers in a speaker, the more capable it is of faithfully producing sounds across a wide range of frequencies. Additional drivers can also contribute to a 

, as different drivers may be positioned to fire sound in different directions, thereby filling the room with immersive sound.

 has all the drivers you need. It features two angled tweeters to create a crisp and accurate high frequency response and 

, and one midwoofer to handle playback of mid-range vocal frequencies and deep bass.

If a truly immersive spatial audio experience is what you’re after, 

 may be a better option. This premium speaker’s design leaves room for four tweeters to cover high and mid-range frequencies — including a forward-firing mid tweeter, two side-firing mid tweeters, and an upward-firing tweeter to reflect sound off the ceiling and produce a 

. It also has two angled woofers for balanced low-end output.

You can combine Era 300 with a standalone subwoofer like 

 and a soundbar that features even more drivers, all of which contribute to the overall sense of clarity and immersion. In the case of a premium soundbar like 

 — with its seven tweeters, six midwoofers, and four-motor, dual-membrane woofer — a high number of drivers firing sound in different directions enables innovative spatial audio technologies such as 

Speaker drivers come in all sizes and a number of different shapes that help - produce sounds across a wide range of frequencies.

A single speaker may house just one driver if it’s part of a multi-speaker system with various specialized components. More versatile speakers, like Era 100 and Era 300, will likely feature several drivers that work together to reproduce and blend different aspects of a song’s sonic profile.

Just remember: Drivers aren’t only responsible for the range of frequencies a speaker can produce, but also for the immersive quality of 

. If you’re interested in a speaker that brings you deeper into your music, get in touch with a Sonos expert by 

What is a Speaker Driver?

When setting up a sound system, whether it’s for a home cinema, music system, or gaming rig, you might come across terms like “impedance” and “ohms.” Understanding these is important when it comes to pairing 

 and amplifiers, ensuring that all the parts of your system work together harmoniously.

Speaker impedance, measured in ohms (Ω), determines how much electrical current a speaker draws from an 

. To visualize this, let’s use a classic water analogy:

Imagine electrical current as water flowing through a garden hose, and your audio system is your garden. Think of impedance as the nozzle on the hose, which controls how much water (current) flows through.

: Just like a hose with an open nozzle lets more water pass through with ease, a speaker with low impedance draws more electrical current from the amplifier. This allows the amplifier to send more power to the speaker. However, like a hose with a fully open valve could flood your garden, a low-impedance speaker can put extra strain on an amplifier that’s not designed to handle the load.

 Just like a nozzle restricts water flow, a high-impedance speaker draws less current from the amplifier. This can reduce strain on the amp, making it easier to drive. However, like some plants in your garden need more water than others, a high-impedance speaker may require an amplifier that can provide higher voltage to reach the same volume.

Understanding impedance isn’t just a theoretical exercise — it’s key to making sure your sound system components work perfectly together.

active (sometimes called powered) and passive

. Active speakers have built-in amps and manage impedance internally, perfect for hassle-free setups. Most Sonos speakers, including 

, in the form of a standalone amp or an AV receiver (sometimes called AVR), to function. Understanding how impedance works with passive speakers is crucial in determining which amplifier is best to drive them. For Sonos users, this comes into play when integrating passive speakers like our 

How does speaker impedance relate to sound quality?

Speaker impedance isn’t a reflection of a speaker’s quality, but it plays a role in sound quality by determining how efficiently that speaker can draw current from an amplifier. Low impedance allows more current to flow, potentially delivering louder sound, but it can strain the amplifier at high volumes. Speakers with higher impedance may produce less volume at a given power setting but place less strain on the amplifier.

Person sitting on a chair listening to music on Sonos Five and Sub 4

Is higher or lower speaker impedance better?

A higher speaker impedance isn’t inherently better or worse than a lower speaker impedance, but high and low speaker impedance impact your audio system differently:

High-impedance speakers draw less current, reducing the risk of system overload. They're perfect for long-lasting, safe operation in continuous use environments. However, higher-impedance speakers need higher voltage to achieve the same power output as lower-impedance speakers. If the amplifier doesn’t provide enough voltage, the speaker may not reach its full potential volume.

Low-impedance speakers draw more current, which can allow for greater power delivery if the amplifier is capable. This makes them well-suited for immersive movie and music experiences. But because they draw more current, they could potentially strain amplifiers that aren’t designed to handle the increased current and increase the risk of overheating, especially at higher volumes.

Each type has benefits and challenges, so your choice should depend on your specific audio needs and the capabilities of your equipment.

When does speaker impedance actually matter?

Speaker impedance comes into play when you are connecting components—you don’t need to worry about having a certain speaker impedance for a particular room or for a particular type of content. Speaker impedance matters when you are matching passive speakers and amps, which is usually most relevant in setups like 

. It ensures all your audio components work together smoothly, without issues like volume differences and sound quality loss.

When setting up a home theater, for example, making sure that all speakers have compatible impedance will help you experience more balanced surround sound. With multiple speakers in different rooms, you’ll hear uniform sound no matter where you are in the house.

With Sonos powered speakers and soundbars, you don’t have to worry about matching impedance manually. Setting up a 

 is simple — just link Sonos devices across rooms using the Sonos app to enjoy great sound, everywhere.

Matching your amplifier to speaker impedance

Think of speaker impedance as a sort of dance between your speakers and 

. When they’re perfectly in sync, your music sounds clear and powerful.

Every speaker and amplifier has an impedance rating, measured in ohms. (These ratings are displayed on the back panel and can be found in the manual; common values are 8 ohms and 4 ohms.) If a speaker’s impedance is too low for its amplifier, the system might strain. If the impedance is too high, the speaker might sound weak because the amplifier may not be able to provide enough voltage to reach full volume.

For Sonos users, pairing the right amplifier with passive speakers is straightforward when using the 

. Providing 125 watts per channel at 8 ohms, Amp effortlessly powers our passive speakers, including 

 models, which all provide a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. It’s also versatile enough to power passive speakers of all types, from floor-standing to bookshelf speakers.

Sonos Amp enhances your setup with its “Optimize Sonos Speakers” feature. This smart function detects the specific type of Sonos speakers connected and automatically adjusts sound tuning, enhancing clarity and bass response for a superior listening experience. This intelligent system not only ensures optimal audio performance but also incorporates a limiter for added protection, allowing you to safely and reliably power up to three pairs of Sonos Architectural speakers without manual adjustments.

Need some assistance getting your Sonos equipment up and running? Find an installer near you and take the first step toward designing your dream audio system.

Whether you opt for our all-in-one active speakers or passive systems, Sonos makes setup a breeze. Our

 come ready to play high-quality sound on their own, no AV receiver required. For passive setups, 

 integrate beautifully with your home’s aesthetic, both indoors and out, and are perfectly powered by the 

Understanding speaker impedance doesn’t just help you set up your system; it empowers you to get the most out of your listening by making informed choices about your audio equipment. Whether you’re outfitting a cozy den or a sprawling residence, Sonos brings all your spaces to life with sound.

The Beginner's Guide to Speaker Impedance and Ohms

It’s easy to take the technology that powers our wireless speakers for granted. But it wasn’t so long ago that wired speakers were the norm, and listening to music meant being tethered to a specific room in your home. Now that wireless technologies like Bluetooth and WiFi have transformed how we listen to audio, it’s worth digging deeper to learn how these different connection methods work.

This isn’t just about satisfying your curiosity about devices you probably use every day. Understanding how different wireless speakers work can help you choose the best speaker for your needs and listening habits. It can also reveal why certain speakers perform better in different environments and use cases.

Speakers of all types work by converting electrical energy into sound waves through 

In this guide, we'll start with a general review of speaker functionality before zeroing in on the two technologies behind most of the wireless speakers you'll encounter: Bluetooth and WiFi. While it may seem complex, the basic process can be broken down into five simple steps:

First, an audio-playing device (like a phone or 

) transmits an electrical audio signal to the speaker.

This electrical signal travels through a voice coil — a coil of wire positioned inside a magnetic field created by a fixed magnet inside the speaker.

When electricity flows through the voice coil, it creates a magnetic field that interacts with the fixed magnet’s field. This interaction causes the voice coil to move back and forth rapidly.

As it moves, the voice coil vibrates the speaker’s diaphragm. The diaphragm is a lightweight speaker component that’s usually cone- or dome-shaped, which allows it to displace air and create pressure waves as it vibrates.

These pressure waves travel from the speaker to our ears, and we hear them as music (or as our favorite podcast).

These basic mechanics are the same in every type of speaker, from the ancient wired speakers in your parents’ setup to the wireless WiFi and Bluetooth speakers of today. But other aspects of speaker technology have evolved and improved over time. For example, modern speakers often use 

 to process audio signals from digital sources — which simply wasn’t necessary before the advent of 

It’s also worth mentioning that, when we talk about a speaker today, we’re often talking about a speaker enclosure that contains 

 designed to produce specific frequencies of sound. 

, for example, is powered by 14 Sonos-engineered speakers, including 

 that create crisp high frequencies and a woofer to deliver 

People enjoying a meal outdoors with a white Move 2

A Bluetooth speaker produces soundwaves just like any other speaker. The key difference is in how the audio signal gets from the source device (like a phone or laptop) to the speaker itself.

Bluetooth technology creates a wireless connection between a source device and a speaker using short-range radio waves. For a device to connect with a speaker over Bluetooth, both devices must be Bluetooth-compatible. When you enable Bluetooth on both devices and switch on “pairing” mode, they can use radio waves to discover each other (you may need to enter a PIN or code to establish a secure connection).

Once paired, the source device transmits audio data wirelessly to the speaker. This process uses codecs — algorithms that compress and decompress audio data for wireless transmission — to send the audio information more efficiently. The speaker receives these compressed signals and converts them back into analog audio signals. From here, a Bluetooth speaker works like any other speaker, creating sound waves that ultimately reach your ears as music.

Because Bluetooth uses a one-to-one connection over radio waves, it doesn’t require an internet connection. This makes Bluetooth especially convenient for 

Bluetooth speakers can generally deliver high-quality sound, though the compression process may slightly degrade the quality of certain audio files.

Another type of wireless speaker, WiFi speakers transmit audio signals over a wireless internet network — like the one you have in your home, office, or secret mountain lair.

Unlike Bluetooth speakers, which create a direct device-to-speaker connection, WiFi speakers connect to an existing WiFi network. This provides a more stable connection with broader bandwidth, allowing them to stream 

 without codec limitations. To connect, both the device and speaker must be on the same WiFi network.

WiFi speakers do especially well in multi-speaker setups, and they’re an ideal choice if you’re building a 

, wireless speakers connected to the same network are positioned at the front, rear, and sides of the listening position. Some speakers and premium soundbars, like 

 to deliver multiple audio channels from the same speaker enclosure. This means that you can achieve an immersive 

 listening experience with fewer speakers than you might expect.

With a solid WiFi connection, most WiFi speakers can stream high-quality audio via music services like Apple Music or Amazon Music HD without sacrificing sound quality. Their multi-speaker compatibility gives them an advantage over Bluetooth for comprehensive audio systems. Conveniently, some 

 support both technologies, so you aren’t forced to choose.

There’s no getting around this one: Wireless speakers must be charged or connected to a power source.

Fully charged portable speakers typically have a battery life ranging from a few hours to up to 24 hours, depending on the size of the speaker and battery. For example, Move 2 can last up to 24 hours, while the super-portable 

 gets you around 10 hours of non-stop playback.

When it comes to wireless speakers used in the home, the distinction between 

 is important to note. An active speaker, also known as a powered speaker, contains a built-in amplifier and thus does not require an external amp as a source of power. A passive speaker, on the other hand, must be connected to an amplifier, which in turn must be plugged into an electric source.

If your speaker plugs directly into an electric source, it’s probably an active speaker. Most Sonos speakers are active, though our 

Sonos makes it easy to listen to high-quality audio wherever you are, regardless of whether you’re connecting via Bluetooth or WiFi. Now that you know the difference between these two technologies, you can choose the speaker (or multi-speaker setup) that suits you best.

For more on the relative pros and cons of each technology, check out our guide to the 

key differences between Bluetooth and WiFi speakers

Person lying down while holding a black Roam 2

How do Wireless and Bluetooth Speakers Work?

Sometimes, watching TV calls for a more private listening experience. Maybe there's construction noise outside that only Active Noise Cancellation can drown out, or maybe your viewing partner has fallen asleep and you don't want to disturb them. In these moments, switching your TV audio to headphones lets you watch what you want in peace — and in total immersion.

 can sound every bit as rich as a traditional audio setup. And even if you already have a surround-sound system at home, there are plenty of reasons to periodically swap audio from your TV speakers to your headphones. In this guide, we'll explain how to connect headphones to your TV. There are a few ways to do it, but some of the most obvious options (using Bluetooth or a traditional audio jack, for example) may not be the best or even the simplest.

Can you use Bluetooth headphones to connect to your TV?

Most modern televisions are Bluetooth-compatible. You should be able to use your Bluetooth headphones with your TV if you own at least a mid-range model dating back to 2015 or later.

Each television model has its own configuration instructions, so if you’ve kept the user manual around, look in there for the specifics. If not, don’t worry — the same general walkthrough applies to most TVs. To connect headphones to your TV via Bluetooth:

Enable “pairing mode” on your Bluetooth headphones

. You can usually do this by pressing and holding the power button, or by pressing a dedicated pairing button.

Navigate to your TV’s “Settings” menu. 

When you’ve found the menu, look for a key phrase like “Bluetooth”, “Sound”, or “Connected Devices” and click on it to open up the Bluetooth device settings.

Enable Bluetooth on your TV (if it isn't already on).

 If you’ve never used Bluetooth with your TV before, you must enable it. You can usually do this via a toggle on-off switch.

Look for an option like "Add Device" or "Pair New Device".

 When you click on this option, your device should show up in the list if it’s in “pairing mode”. Simply click on your device, and wait for pairing to complete.

Even if you can connect your headphones to your TV via Bluetooth, better options may be available. While Bluetooth has a lot going for it, it shines best when WiFi isn't readily available. And since WiFi isn't usually a problem in most homes, a 

 typically offers higher bandwidth, better sound quality, and a more extensive 

 in case you need to move around while keeping one eye on the TV.

White Sonos Ace tile on light gray background

Two people sitting on a couch watching sports on TV with Arc Ultra and one person wearing Sonos Ace Headphones

Can you use an audio jack to connect headphones to your TV?

The 3.5mm audio jack (also known as a headphone jack or aux port) has been the traditional way to connect headphones to TVs since the 1980s. While many newer TV models have eliminated this port in favor of wireless solutions, you can still find adapters for digital optical output or RCA ports if needed.

Though a wired connection offers some advantages—no charging, zero latency, and freedom from wireless interference—it comes with serious limitations. The cable length restricts your movement, and a standard 3.5mm connection may not support 

. For most people, a WiFi-powered headphone connection is a superior alternative to the wired audio jack of yore.

, the best and simplest way to connect your headphones to your TV audio is via the 

This WiFi-powered connection offers the best of all worlds: immersive surround sound quality, the range and portability of a wireless connection, and a simple and easy setup.

Setting up TV Audio Swap for the first time

 and connect it to your iOS or Android device. You must also enable WiFi on your Sonos home theater speaker in order for it to work with TV Audio Swap. Once that’s done, follow these steps:

Navigate to the “Settings” menu in the Sonos app and select your Sonos Ace in the “Headphones” section.

Under “Home Theater”, select “+ Add TV Audio Swap”.

Select the speaker you’d like to use, then follow the instructions to complete the setup.

Once you’ve set up TV Audio Swap, it’s easy to switch your audio source from your TV to Sonos Ace:

Make sure your TV is on and that your TV audio is playing through your home theater speaker.

Swap TV audio by long-pressing the “Content Key” on the right ear cup of Sonos Ace. You can also swap audio directly from the Sonos app by using the “Swap” button on Sonos Ace’s info screen.

When to swap audio to Sonos Ace for a better listening experience

What is a Speaker Driver?

The Beginner's Guide to Speaker Impedance and Ohms

How do Wireless and Bluetooth Speakers Work?

How to Connect Headphones to Your TV

What is Equalization (EQ) for Music and Audio?

The Beginner’s Guide to In-Wall Speakers

The Beginner’s Guide to In-Ceiling Speakers

Why Buy Refurbished Sonos Products

Speakers vs. Soundbars: Which Is Best for You?

WiFi vs. Bluetooth Speakers: Key Differences Explained

Sonos Pro and Era 100 Pro: An Integrated Sound Solution for Commercial Spaces

What Are Height Channels for Speakers and Home Theater?

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