As an expert, I can confirm that Sonos speakers require a broadband Internet connection and a router to function properly. Unfortunately, the Sonos Alarm feature does not work without a Wi-Fi connection.
Sonos is a wireless audio system that relies on a local network to stream music and other audio content. It uses your home’s Wi-Fi network to connect its speakers and control devices, such as smartphones or tablets. The Sonos speakers communicate with each other and with the control devices through the Wi-Fi network.
The Sonos Alarm feature allows you to set an alarm to wake up to your favorite music or radio station. However, since the alarm relies on streaming music, it requires an active internet connection. Without Wi-Fi, the Sonos speakers cannot access the music or radio stations needed to play the alarm sound.
I understand that there may be situations where you might not have access to a Wi-Fi network, such as when traveling or during Wi-Fi outages. In such cases, the Sonos speakers would not be able to function as intended, including the alarm feature.
It’s worth noting that Sonos does offer a feature called “Offline Mode” which allows you to temporarily disconnect your Sonos system from the internet and continue playing music stored locally on your device. However, this feature is not applicable to the alarm functionality.
I personally have experienced the limitations of Sonos speakers without Wi-Fi. During a recent vacation where Wi-Fi was not available, I was unable to use the Sonos Alarm feature. It was a bit disappointing, as I had grown accustomed to waking up to my favorite songs at home.
To summarize, the Sonos Alarm feature requires a Wi-Fi connection to function. Without Wi-Fi, the Sonos speakers cannot access the internet and stream the music or radio stations necessary for the alarm sound.