Sonos has begun rolling out Sonos 27, a major system update that brings artificial intelligence tools and enhanced flexibility to its speaker lineup. Available now on iPhone, Android, and compatible Sonos speakers, the update introduces Model Context Protocol (MCP) support, enabling AI services like ChatGPT and Claude to interact directly with the audio system.
With Sonos 27, users can control playback, group speakers, adjust volume, move audio between rooms, and activate features like Night Sound and Speech Enhancement—all through natural language commands via ChatGPT or Claude. This eliminates the need to open the Sonos app for routine tasks.
Beyond AI, the update adds significant new hardware functionality. Portable Sonos speakers can now serve as rear surround speakers when paired with the Arc Ultra soundbar. The Sonos Ace Ultra headphones also gain the ability to seamlessly transfer audio between the headphones and compatible speakers.
Sonos is also developing Sonos Voice, a forthcoming voice assistant. Looking ahead to 2027, the company plans to introduce Custom Agents, which would let users build personalized AI agents using their preferred model and voice.
One of the standout features is the dynamic role adjustment for portable speakers. For instance, two portable Play speakers can act as rear channels for a home theater setup during a movie, then revert to standard portable mode when moved. Sonos’ positioning technology automatically detects their placement and adjusts their function accordingly.
The overarching theme of Sonos 27 is flexibility. A single speaker can now serve multiple roles throughout the day—supporting a home theater at night and functioning as a regular portable speaker later. Combined with AI-driven voice control, the update streamlines the user experience and adapts to how people actually use their homes.