Review of Sonos Home Audio System

2010-08-11T14:02:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my review of the Sonos home audio system. I have been obsessed with music ever since I was a little child, and things have never changed. This past year my husband and I have moved into a beautiful new four-bedroom home. The home has all of the amenities that we could possibly have wanted. It has a two-car garage, hot tub, walk-in closets, gourmet kitchen, central air, and many more great assets. However, what it didn’t have was a home audio system.

Being the music nut that I am, I have always dreamed that my home would have a stereo system throughout. That way, I can go about my daily activities without the hassle of headphones or dragging an MP3 player throughout my house. As a stay at home mom, and part time web developer, having a quality home stereo system is an absolute necessity for me. So this is why I began my journey researching all available home audio systems, and ended my search with a Sonos music system.

Upon beginning my quest for the ultimate home audio system, there were a few necessary criterions that I had in mind…

*Easy Setup

*iTunes Compatibility

*High Audio Quality

*Uninterrupted Music Streaming

*Fully Customizable

*Compatible with iPhone

Sonos promised to deliver in all of these areas. However, I made sure to do my homework first. Sonos has been receiving several positive reviews from multiple media sources and user-based review sites. From my research on Amazon, Sonos received five stars from the 56 out of 67 reviews on Amazon.com. Now that’s quite a few satisfied customers!

I can personally attest for the high quality and functionality of the Sonos home audio system. This system delivers, bottom line. I have yet to have a single issue with the four-speaker system that I have set up in my home, and it’s been about six months since I’ve purchased the Sonos music system. Sonos provides seamless integration of my favorite music throughout my entire home without any of the hassle that comes with other systems.

Benefits of a Sonos Music Player

*Set up your Play 5 or Play 3 to stream music from Internet radio stations such as Pandora or Napster
*Play every song on your PC or Mac
*Use thousands of FREE Internet radio stations
*Use different songs or radio stations for each individual room
*Control your Play 5 or Play 3 from your iPhone, Sonos Controller, PC, or Mac
*Use the ZonePlayer90 to stream music from audio equipment that you already own!
*All music is played wirelessly, no hassle with wires or cords.
*International radio coverage to get news, sports, and music from all over the world
*Easy out-of-box setup!
*Compatible with many different types of audio files
*”Favorite” lists for songs or radio stations
*Easy to move ZonePlayers to different rooms or locations
*Can listen to the same song in multiple rooms, perfectly synchronized!

Sonos Products

Sonos Play 5: The main benefit of this speaker is that you can plug it in anywhere! It has a 5-driver speaker system, which is powered by 5 digital amplifiers. It also includes 2 tweeters, 2 mid-range drivers, and 1 subwoofer. These speakers come in your choice of black or white.

If you want to have music in another room, just add another Play 5 to it! You don’t have to add any additional wires. If you want to move music into another room in the house, simply unplug the speaker, pick it up with the built-in handle, and plug it in elsewhere. You can also connect the Play 5 directly to your iPod or CD player, and listen on all of the ZonePlayers throughout your house.

You have the benefit of controlling your ZonePlayers/Play 5/ Play 3 through your iPhone or iPod touch that turn into wonderful controllers with the Sonos App (Free at App Store). If you don’t have either of these devices, not to worry. Sonos gives you the ability to control your music system through your Mac or PC, and also offers the option of the Sonos Controller 200.

The Play 5 is wonderful for those of us that hate clutter in our homes. There are no wires needed to hook up these speakers, because all of the music streams to the speakers wirelessly! The setup for the Play 5 is incredibly easy, all that it requires is a simple plug into the wall. You do require a high-speed internet connection as well as a wireless router.

Sonos also provides free automatic software updates so that you will always keep up to date with the newest features and music services. This is wonderful for us busy moms out there! No worry about software updates! Just press a button, and it’s done.

Price: $399.00

Click here to see a demo of the Play 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG1_L_214G0

Sonos Play 3: This player is smaller than the Play 5, which is great for those of you who don't want speakers sitting out in the middle of your living room. It is sleek, and can be tucked away in the corner, but still has the great blow-out music playing capabilities of the Play 5. You can also lay it horizontal or vertical.It has a 3 driver HiFi speaker system.

Price: $299.00

Click here to see a demo of the Play 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1C6dKSQGSU

ZonePlayer120 (ZP120): This product has a built in state-of-the-art digital amplifier to deliver high quality audio to any room. It also operates very silently, and you can optimize sound in each room by using the room specific treble, balance, and loundness controls. This is a perfect option if you already have a nice pair of speakers that you use, because you can just connect the ZP120 to your favorite pair of speakers, and soon you will be streaming music wirelessly!

Setup for this ZonePlayer is easy, all you need to have is an internet connection to a wireless router in your home. The ZP120 also has a two-port Ethernet switch to bring standard Internet connectivity to your DVR, PC, game console, and more. My favorite thing about this product is that it has front-panel volume controls so when the music needs to be turned down and I don’t have my iPhone around, I can have quick access to volume and mute controls.

Price: $499.00

ZonePlayer90 (ZP90): This is a Sonos option that lets you play music all over your house with audio devices that you already own such as a stereo system or a home theater receiver. You connect the ZP90 to any amplified audio device in any room, and it becomes part of the wireless Sonos music system. The great thing about this device is that when I connect the ZonePlayer90 to my home theater receiver via analog outputs, I have full volume control without a remote just by turning the knob on my theater system! With using these and getting the SonosNet 2.0 wirless mesh network technology, I have no problem getting wireless signals throughout my entire house.

Price: $349.00

Sonos Controller 200 (CR200): This controller gives you wireless access to all of your music and rooms, just by touching it. It works wirelessly all over the house! It also comes with a charging cradle so that you don’t ever have to worry about the controller dying on you. The controller also has a long battery life. Everything found on this controller is designed to make choosing your rooms and playing your music fast and easy. It has mute, volume, and zones buttons as shortcuts, because those will be buttons you use the most. This controller responds instantly when you pick it up or touch the screen. This controller is great so that you don’t have to turn on your computer every time you want a change a song. Most of the time, I use my iPhone to change songs, but I bought a Sonos Controller 200 for my husband and the kids to use since they don’t have iPhones, and definetly aren’t very computer savvy. The Sonos Controller is great for them because it’s very simple to use! It may seem a little pricy for a controller, but for how great it works I’m surprised it is not priced higher.

Price: $349.00

Sonos Controller App for iPhone: If you already have an iPhone or an iPod touch, this may be one of your best options. There is a FREE Sonos app for iPhone or iPod at the App store, which will turn your Apple device into a Sonos Controller that works throughout your home. It is so easy! All you have to do is pick the room you want, scroll to pick a song, and hit play. You can also now use your iPad as a Sonos controller.

Price: FREE

Sonos Controller for PC or Macintosh: This software is included with your purchase of the Sonos music system; one CD comes with each speaker that you buy. You simply insert the CD-Rom into your computer, and upload the software. It lets you control all of your music and rooms straight fro your computer. You can have multiple computers that contain this software; therefore you can have multiple Sonos controllers for free!

Price: FREE

ZoneBridge: This product is for homes that do not have Ethernet wiring or the wireless router is in a room where you do not want music to be playing. You can connect the ZoneBridge to your router to instantly activate SonosNet 2.0. This will allow you to have all of the speakers in your home work wirelessly. I did not yet state this, but in order for all of the ZonePlayers to work, at least ONE of them must be plugged directly to your wireless router, OR you can have this ZoneBridge connected to your wireless router to create the SonosNet. So, as you can see, if you don’t want music playing in the same room as your wireless router, you can purchase the ZoneBridge to create the Sonos wireless network, instead of having to hook up a speaker to your wireless network.

The ZoneBridge is also great because it expands the wireless range of your Sonos music system. We have a pool house out back, and our wireless signal can reach our ZonePlayers out there. The ZoneBridge is also extremely easy to set up because all you have to do is press a button. The ZoneBridge also contains a two-port Ethernet switch which can bring internet connectivity to your game consoles, DVR’s, and more.

Price: $49.00

Sonos Audio File Compatibility and Internet Radio Station Compatibility
*The Sonos music system is compatible with multiple online music services, including (but not limited to): Napster, iheartradio, Last.fm, Pandora, Rhapsody, SIRIUS, and Wolfgang vault.
*Can play music directly from your iPod or CD Player
*You can store your music library (up to 65,000 songs) on up to 16 computers and Network Attached Storage devices on your home wireless network, and Sonos will wirelessly stream all of the music throughout your entire house.
*Sonos is compatible with the following audio file formats: MP3, iTunes, Apple Lossless, AIFF (uncompressed), WMA (compressed), Ogg Vorbis, Flac (lossless), AAC (MPEG4), Audible (format 4), and WAV (uncompressed).
*If you have music that you want to listen to that is on a CD player or friend’s iPod, and is not included in your personal music library, you can connect it to the back of the ZonePlayer through the analog line-in jack!
*Sonos is compatible with download services that provide DRM-free tracks. It works with Amazon MP3, AudibleClassical.com, eMusic, iheartradio (free service!), iTunes, Last.fm (free service!), LiveDownloads.com, Napster (has a free 30-day trial) Pandora (free service!), Rhapsody (offers a free 30-day trial), SIRIUS Internet Radio (offers free 30-day trial), WalMart, Wolfgang’s Vault (has free 30-day trial), and Zune Marketplace. Free internet radio includes (but is not limited to): NPR, KCRW, and BBC Radio.

Sonos Review Pros and Cons
Pros:
*Very easy setup
*No hassle with cords and wires
*Beautiful sound quality
*Ability to play entire music library
*iTunes compatible
*Access to thousands of free Internet radio stations.
*The ZP90 and ZP120 allow the use of audio equipment you already own to work with your Sonos music system.
*”Favorite” lists for songs or radio stations
*Easy to move ZonePlayers/Play 3/Play 5 to different rooms or locations
*Can listen to the same song in multiple rooms, perfectly synchronized!

Cons:

*With the Sonos Bundles, you have to buy a ZonePlayer or ZoneBridge separately to connect to your wireless router.
*If you don’t have an iPod or iPhone, you have may have to buy a Sonos Controller 200 separately (also if you do not have a PC or Mac).

My Personal Favorite Features of the Sonos Audio System

My absolute favorite thing about the Sonos music system is the fact that I can use my iPhone as a controller. I am an iPhone fanatic, and bought the first iPhone when it came out in 2007. It is so nice to be able to use it not only as a phone, and iPod, but now to control my Sonos music system. The Sonos music system has absolutely beautiful sound quality, and I couldn’t have asked for more in a multi-room music system. I love my Sonos, and I think you will too!

Setting Up Your Sonos
As I have said multiple times, set-up of the Sonos music system is a sinch. I am not the savviest person when it comes to technology, which is why I am thankful that the Sonos set-up is so simple. All you have to have is your ZonePlayers/Play 3/ Play 5, a wireless router, and a high-speed internet connection. Then, follow these simple steps:

*First: Connect your Play 3, Play 5, OR ZonePlayer to your wireless router.

*Second: You can add more ZonePlayers wirelessly, to any room in the house.

*Third: You are done, just control all of your music wirelessly either through the Sonos Controller 200, your iPhone or iPod touch, or your computer.

Sonos Customer Service

Sonos has wonderful customer service and support. At www.sonos.com/support, you will find FAQ’s about the Sonos music system, forums to get tips from other Sonos owners, downloads to get the latest versions of Mac or PC desktop controller software, and documentation that includes manuals, setup guides, data sheets, and other important documents. You can also find information about shipping, returns, repairs, as well as learn more about their money back guarantee. They also have contact support so that you may connect with Sonos technical support experts. If that’s not enough, they also have a live support chat room to speak with their Technical Support Engineers.

Return Policy and Warranty Information

Sonos’ Return Policy: Products purchased directly from Sonos or from an authorized Sonos dealer may be returned under two different circumstances. First, if it is within 1 year of the date of the original shipment for a defect, or, second, within thirty days of the original shipment for any reason.

Warrranty Information: The Sonos limited warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship in every Sonos product you purchase during the applicable warranty period, subject to certain exceptions. Sonos' warranty period is one year from the date we ship the applicable Sonos product to you, as determined by the date on the packing slip or invoice. The warranty period is not extended if we repair or replace a warranted product. Sonos may change the availability of limited warranties, at our discretion, but any changes we make will not be applied retroactively. For more detailed information related to the limited warranty, please refer to the license agreement in the supporting documentation that came with your product.

Please note that they do not provide warranty coverage for:

Problems that result from external causes such as accident, abuse or misuse
Usage that is not in accordance with Sonos' product instructions
Products that are used outside of North America (i.e. U.S. and Canada)
Products with missing or altered serial numbers
Products which have had their housings opened or otherwise tampered with
Problems caused by using third party accessories, parts, or components

Sonos does not warrant that its products will operate without interruption or will be error-free, or that all errors may be corrected. Sonos' sole liability, and your sole remedy, for breach of the limited warranty will be repair or replacement of the applicable product, or, if neither of the foregoing are resonably available, a refund of the amount you paid, less amounts attributal to your prior use.

Except as expressly set forth in the license agreement, Sonos makes no warranties, whether express, implied, statutory or otherwise, with respect to its products. Sonos and its suppliers hereby specifically disclaim all other express, statutory and implied warranties and conditions, including the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement and the implied condition of satisfactory quality. Except as expressly stated in the license agreement, products are supplied on an "as is" basis without warranty. You assume all responsibilities for selection of a product to achieve your intended results, and for the installation and use of the product. Some jurisdictions do not allow a limitation on implied warranties, and so the foregoing disclaimer may not apply to you. In any event, any implied warranties that may exist under the laws of your jurisdiction are limited to the one (1) year period set forth in the limited warranty.

Conclusion

Overall, the Sonos Multi-Room Audio System is a truly amazing product. I am so glad that I found a music system that I can use to play different types of music in any room at any time. I used to have a speaker system that had wires everywhere and I hated the clutter around my house. Now that I have the Sonos system, I can stream music wirelessly to any room in my home. I love that I never have to listen to the same song twice because I can listen to every song in my iTunes library, as well as thousands of songs from Internet radio stations. I absolutely love my Sonos music system, and I am sure that you will, too!

Visit: http://www.sonos.com

Listen Out Loud: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiszMkg6_jc

Play iTunes, Pandora, Internet Radio & More - All Over Your House with the Sonos S5 Wireless Music System.

Save Big with Sonos Promotional Codes, Coupon Codes and More

2010-07-16T12:56:00.000-07:00

These are the Sonos Promotional Codes Currently Available...

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This page's sole purpose is to provide the best deals on all Sonos products. Here you will find the best deals on all Sonos products that are available by using Sonos Promotional Codes and Sonos Coupon Codes. This page will be updated regularly, so be sure to bookmark it, and check back whenever you are about to make a purchase from Sonos.com.

Sonos is one of the leading companies on the internet for wireless home audio systems that can sync with iTunes. Their high quality audio technology combined with their iTunes compatibility has really set them apart in this industry. All of this convenience and quality for a reasonable price especially when you throw in a Sonos promotional code.

Don't miss out on these great opportunities currently available by getting your system for a fraction less. At the moment there is a great promotional code that provides you with free shipping on your entire order. Just copy and past the promo code before checking out and the free shipping discount will be automatically applied to your order.

These Sonos Promotional Codes worked for me when I bought my Sonos system. The Sonos music system lets you stream music wirelessly throughout your entire home at the touch of a button. You can even control your system through your iPhone, and the entire system is iTunes compatible. I couldn't have asked for more in a home audio system, and these coupon codes let you get it for cheaper! This page will always have the latest updates on all of the Sonos Promotional Codes and Sonos Coupon Codes available.

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Sonos vs Squeezebox

2010-06-15T17:43:00.000-07:00

Sonos or Squeezebox?

If you are looking to purchase a wireless home audio system, you may be wondering whether the Sonos home audio system is better, or the Logitech Squeezebox. The Sonos is much more expensive than the Squeezebox, but it has a better quality and more modern appeal. The Logitech Squeezebox is pictured above, and the Sonos S5 ZonePlayer is pictured to the right.

Best Feautures of the Logitech Squeezebox:

Fairly inexpensive
Great support for podcasts
Free music services
Superb online integrator for multiple music service accounts
Stream music live from internet radio stations

Best Features of Sonos:

You can choose to play up to 65,000 songs from your music library on your Mac or PC
Listen to thousands of internet radio stations
Play a different song in each room
Apple compatible/Use your iPhone or iPod Touch as a remote
ZonePlayer S5 has a 5-driver speaker system that is individually powered by 5 dedicated digital amplifiers and includes 2 tweeters, 2 mid-range drivers and 1 subwoofer for high-quality sound that rivals much larger, more complicated audio equipment
Won't mess with the bandwidth of your home wireless system

The Bad Side of Squeezebox:

Not compatible with iTunes purchases
Only works well with streaming internet radio, rather than those who want to play music straight from their Mac or PC
Multiroom configurations may put a bandwidth strain on your wireless home network
Only works well with a small number of rooms

The Bad Side of Sonos:

Needs at least one wired internet connection to your home network
More expensive than competitors

So What Should You Get?

As you can see, there are pro's and con's with each music system. While the Squeezebox is more affordable, the Sonos has many more great features and simply looks better. What has been said about these two products is that if you are a person who wants to use the wireless home audio system mostly for streaming internet radio, then go with the Squeezebox.
However, if you want to listen to music from your iTunes library, or media library from your computer, as well as streaming internet radio, and you have multiple rooms you want to stream music to, then the Sonos is probably the right choice for you.