Sonos streaming music systems are now fully wireless with a new update

Sonos is finally cutting the cord. A software update (version 5.1) made available today for the multiroom streaming speaker system will allow customers to connect directly to a Wi-Fi network. That will all but eliminate the major caveat that has dogged Sonos since its debut: the fact that the “wireless hi-fi system” required at least one wired connection to a home router. That issue largely ends today. Going forward, Sonos speakers can be completely wireless (save, of course, the power cable) so long as they’re within range of the home’s Wi-Fi router. The only remaining exception: Sonos setups using the Playbar soundbar in 3.1 or 5.1 configurations will still require a wired connection to guarantee airtight synchronization between the main and surround speakers. While the Wi-Fi compatibility makes good on a pledge the company made back in April, a Sonos representative told CNET that the company has been working on the solution for “about 2 years” and that Sonos has done interoperability testing on “every router we can find.” That said, Sonos is advising that existing customers who are happy with their setup “shouldn’t change a thing” — in other words, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.