Whole-home audio in 2025: Sonos vs. built-in systems

Whole-home audio has split into two camps. Sonos (and now similar platforms from Bluesound and others) own the wireless/app-first ecosystem. Built-in systems — Control4, Savant, and traditional Russound-style amp + in-ceiling speaker setups — own the "invisible, integrated, forever" space. Both are valid. Here's how to decide.

Where Sonos wins

• Retrofit-friendly. No wires to run. Move in, plug in, play.
• Per-room flexibility. Add a speaker to the office next year? Drop it in.
• Best-in-class app. Sonos app is the gold standard.
• Price of entry. A 4-room Sonos system runs $2,000–$4,000. A built-in 4-zone starts around $8,000 installed.
• Streaming-native. Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, Amazon — all baked in.

Where built-in wins

• Acoustic performance at scale. A properly-installed pair of in-ceiling speakers per room driven by a quality amp outperforms Sonos One / Era speakers for the same room, every time.
• Outdoor sound. Covering a pool deck and pergola with even SPL is nearly impossible with battery Sonos. Built-in landscape speakers do this effortlessly.
• Invisible. In-ceiling and in-wall speakers disappear into the home. Sonos speakers are boxes you see.
• Integration. Tied into Control4/Savant scenes — "Movie" mutes the hallway and lowers the kitchen.
• Longevity. In-ceiling speakers last 20+ years. The amp swaps out as tech evolves. Sonos devices are obsolete when the software sunsets them.

The hybrid approach (what we actually recommend most often)

Most of our high-end custom home installs end up being hybrid — built-in in-ceiling speakers in the main living zones (kitchen, great room, primary suite, patio, pool) driven by a zoned amp, with Sonos Port or Ports streaming into that amp. Client gets the Sonos app they love, plus the invisible premium sound of a built-in system. Best of both worlds.

Typical budget ranges in North DFW

• Sonos-only, 5–8 rooms: $5,000–$12,000
• Built-in 4-zone (kitchen/great room/primary/patio): $10,000–$18,000 installed
• Full-home built-in (8–12 zones with landscape audio): $25,000–$60,000 installed
• Hybrid (Sonos + built-in zones): $15,000–$35,000 installed

If you're building new, wire for built-in — even if you're leaning Sonos today. Wiring during framing costs next to nothing compared to retrofitting later.