Configuring Sonos for AirPlay

While the Sonos devices do not have AirPlay built into them just yet, there is a work-around you can use to get your Sonos devices working with AirPlay. What you'll need is an AirPort Express device and a Sonos zone player with an audio in port.

First, take your AirPort Express and plug it in. A hard reset might be in order if you've used this device previously. Now, connect the AirPort Express to your Sonos zone player via Ethernet. Next, connect an audio cable between the AirPort Express' audio out to the Sonos device's audio in.

Next, you'll need to start up AirPort Utility on your computer. Find and select your AirPort Express device. You may have to change your wireless network to connect to the AirPort Express. Rename your AirPort Express Sonos. Choose a password and hit Continue.

Now, select "I want AirPort Express to join my current network." Hit continue, but on the next page you'll need to select "I want to disable the wireless network on this AirPort Express and connect it to my computer or network using Ethernet." Click Continue, then Update.

From the Sonos Controller software, select Zones, then ZonePlayer Settings. Select the player that you've hooked up to your AirPort Express and hit Settings. Now, click Line-In and change the source settings to read AirPlay Device. You can now change what zone will play content and the starting volume of that device.

Now, when you press the AirPlay button from iTunes or from your iPad or iPhone, you'll have the option to push music to Sonos. The beauty of this is that you can push content to any Sonos device on the network, not just the one that you physically connected your AirPort Express to.