Automation is no longer limited to controlling lighting, climate or blinds. Today, the smart building experience also includes the way we enjoy sound.
With native integration between Sonos and Zennio’s KNX system, audio becomes part of the building automation ecosystem. Music playback can be controlled from the same touchscreens used to manage the rest of the installation, providing users with a more intuitive, convenient and unified experience.
Sonos: A Leading Name in Multiroom Audio
Sonos is one of the best-known wireless audio systems on the market. Its technology allows music to be played in different rooms, speakers to be grouped, and numerous streaming services to be accessed, delivering high-quality sound in homes, hotels, restaurants and commercial spaces.
Thanks to its integration with Zennio, many everyday functions can be managed directly through KNX without constantly switching back to the Sonos app.
A Sonos/KNX Gateway Within the Zennio Ecosystem
The integration acts as a gateway between the two systems. Zennio communicates with Sonos devices and makes control and status objects available on the KNX bus. Up to four independent instances can be configured, each associated with a Sonos zone.
Audio control is natively incorporated into the Zennio ecosystem, allowing music to be managed through Z70 v2, Z50 and Z100 touchscreens, RemoteBOX and ZennIoT, as well as the Zennio Remote App. Lighting, climate control, blinds, scenes and sound can therefore be managed as part of a single user experience.
Controlling Sonos from Zennio Touchscreens
In addition to its integration with the KNX bus, Sonos can be controlled directly from Zennio touchscreens using advanced multimedia controls alongside the other functions of the home or building.
From a single interface, users can:
- Play, pause, or skip to the previous or next track.
- Adjust the volume and turn mute on or off.
- Enable shuffle and repeat modes.
- View the track title, artist and playback information, including album artwork when available.
- Select favourites and playlists previously saved in Sonos.
- Select zones and control playback in existing Sonos groups.
The integration also supports leading music streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music, among others.
Audio as Part of KNX Automation
The real value of this integration goes beyond controlling music from a touchscreen: it makes audio another element of building automation.
Because it is integrated through KNX objects, Sonos can be included in scenes and automations alongside the other devices in the installation.
For example, it is possible to:
- Activate a welcome scene that turns on ambient lighting and starts a playlist.
- Pause music when a “Good Night” scene is activated, while the lights turn off and the blinds close.
- Start background music in a meeting room before a presentation.
- Adapt music playback to the room or time of day.
The possibilities are virtually limitless, enabling much more personalised experiences in homes, hotels and commercial buildings.
Sonos Speakers Can Also Play Building Notifications
The gateway can trigger sounds through Sonos speakers using KNX communication objects. Alongside predefined doorbell, alarm, call and wake-up sounds, custom audio files can be uploaded through the web-based configuration tool.
These notifications can be sent to all Sonos groups or to a specific instance. For example, a doorbell can be heard through the speakers in a home, while a notification can be played only in a particular zone. Sonos therefore does more than play music: it can also communicate events from the building itself.
A Truly Unified Experience
Beyond the available functions, the integration has been designed to deliver a seamless experience.
Automatic zone and group identification, immediate system response and the ability to control audio through the same interface used for the rest of the installation remove the need to switch between applications, simplifying everyday interaction with the smart building.
A Solution for a Wide Range of Projects
The integration of Sonos and Zennio is particularly valuable in projects where user experience plays a central role:
- Single-family homes.
- Luxury residences.
- Hotels.
- Restaurants.
- Offices.
- Meeting rooms.
- Wellness spaces.
In all these settings, sound is no longer a standalone solution: it becomes part of the building’s operation, benefiting both end users and integrators.
A New Way to Experience Audio
Native Sonos integration with Zennio demonstrates how automation can extend far beyond conventional building controls.
With Zennio, Sonos offers convenient visual control through Z70 v2, Z50, Z100 and Zennio Remote, alongside full integration into the KNX bus through RemoteBOX and ZennIoT. Music can therefore respond to push buttons, sensors, schedules and scenes, becoming part of a much more comprehensive automation experience.
