Sonos/wifi + bathroom?

Author
Discussion

HotJambalaya

Original Poster:

2,023 posts

179 months

Tuesday 17th January 2017
quotequote all
I was just looking at a full home Loxone system, and when I broke it down, I decided the only bit I really couldn't do without was the audio side of things.

A friend has Sonos 1 all over his house and absolutely loves it, the simplicity appeals to me greatly, but I'm just wondering what to do about bathroom speakers, operating off the same system?

I'm not particularly good at AV stuff, just like the end result! the sound doesnt have to be amazing since it will mainly be for background music, hence the Sonos, I looked at the Naim system but the individual speakers are too much. I guess the other option are the bose sound touch 10 speakers.

Zoon

6,654 posts

120 months

Tuesday 17th January 2017
quotequote all
HotJambalaya said:
I was just looking at a full home Loxone system, and when I broke it down, I decided the only bit I really couldn't do without was the audio side of things.

A friend has Sonos 1 all over his house and absolutely loves it, the simplicity appeals to me greatly, but I'm just wondering what to do about bathroom speakers, operating off the same system?

I'm not particularly good at AV stuff, just like the end result! the sound doesnt have to be amazing since it will mainly be for background music, hence the Sonos, I looked at the Naim system but the individual speakers are too much. I guess the other option are the bose sound touch 10 speakers.
Just get a sonos amp and connect it to some bathroom ceiling speakers.

Timbo_S2

531 posts

262 months

Tuesday 17th January 2017
quotequote all
Zoon said:
Just get a sonos amp and connect it to some bathroom ceiling speakers.
This.

HotJambalaya

Original Poster:

2,023 posts

179 months

Tuesday 17th January 2017
quotequote all
Actually decided to phone sonos, and have a couple of different solutions:

1) hardwire play 1 into each bathroom, since apparently they're built for high humidity environments and shouldnt be a problem whatsoever.

2) Sonos Connect Amp, with bathroom speakers. Negatives would be both bathrooms would essentially be 1 room, so the same music on both bathrooms, at the same volume. The only way to turn one off would be via balance

3) Sonos Connect (without Amp) connecting to a third party multiroom receiver, which then distributes to each bathroom. Still doesn't let me select which bathroom via the sonos app, and would have to use the receiver to change bathroom distribution, but potentially better sound quality in each bathroom.


I'm also looking at putting a TV in the master bathroom, and had hoped to run the tv sound via the same speaker (not through sonos, just directly) but its looking tricky. Would a multi room receiver help with this?

NorthDave

2,355 posts

231 months

Tuesday 17th January 2017
quotequote all
HotJambalaya said:
Actually decided to phone sonos, and have a couple of different solutions:

1) hardwire play 1 into each bathroom, since apparently they're built for high humidity environments and shouldnt be a problem whatsoever.

2) Sonos Connect Amp, with bathroom speakers. Negatives would be both bathrooms would essentially be 1 room, so the same music on both bathrooms, at the same volume. The only way to turn one off would be via balance

3) Sonos Connect (without Amp) connecting to a third party multiroom receiver, which then distributes to each bathroom. Still doesn't let me select which bathroom via the sonos app, and would have to use the receiver to change bathroom distribution, but potentially better sound quality in each bathroom.


I'm also looking at putting a TV in the master bathroom, and had hoped to run the tv sound via the same speaker (not through sonos, just directly) but its looking tricky. Would a multi room receiver help with this?
You also have a fourth option - although it costs more - install a connect amp and speakers for each bathroom so you have independent control. Essentially number 2 for each bathroom.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

223 months

Tuesday 17th January 2017
quotequote all
Just buy a couple of the old ZP100 amps off eBay and some ceiling speakers. Job done.

HotJambalaya

Original Poster:

2,023 posts

179 months

Tuesday 17th January 2017
quotequote all
NorthDave said:
You also have a fourth option - although it costs more - install a connect amp and speakers for each bathroom so you have independent control. Essentially number 2 for each bathroom.
Ah yeah, forgot that bit! Not sure thats worth it, though it is quite a neat solution

chasingracecars

1,696 posts

96 months

Tuesday 17th January 2017
quotequote all
Do consider how you are going to control Sonos in the bathroom as wet fingers never work on a phone or tablet.

I have just installed a wall mount volume control in the bathroom of one of my clients inline between the sonos amp and the speakers. This at least allows them to regulate the volume.

Later this year Sonos will be controllable via Amazons Alexa so that should solve the problem though.

I would personally just stick a Play1 in there, £160 Job done, as opposed to...

Connect Amp £400
Speaker Cable £30
Speakers £50
Installation Time (Priceless)
Waterproof Volume Control £30

Total £510 Per Bathroom!


HotJambalaya

Original Poster:

2,023 posts

179 months

Tuesday 17th January 2017
quotequote all
Yeah, I am leaning that way.

I guess it will have to be wired in with a spur outside the bathroom

Basil Brush

5,061 posts

262 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
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You could look at the Denon Heos. The one is water resistant and there are updated models coming with Alexa built in, rather than just controllable by.

anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
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HotJambalaya said:
NorthDave said:
You also have a fourth option - although it costs more - install a connect amp and speakers for each bathroom so you have independent control. Essentially number 2 for each bathroom.
Ah yeah, forgot that bit! Not sure thats worth it, though it is quite a neat solution
We have just been through this exact problem.

I looked at running Play 1s on wall brackets, but ruled it out for a few reasons:
- you need a 13A power supply, which can't be in the bathroom. Therefore you need the power supply outside the bathroom.
- you need two for stereo so the initial attraction of Play 1s being cheap goes.
- if you have them on wall brackets they are likely to be mounted too high to use the volume or play/pause buttons on them.
- even Play 1s are quite big.
- you can't ceiling mount them.

Instead we went for second hand ZP100 amps plus speakers. One amp per bathroom, powering a pair of speakers in each bathroom. We have ceiling mounted speakers in one and wall mounted in the other (both Anthony Gallo A'Diva Tis; looked at Monitor Audios too).

You still need to chase some cables - the speaker cables - from the amps to the speakers. But the amps can be anywhere. So we have one bathroom on top of the other, and both amps in the room next to the upper bathroom, under a bed out of sight.

The easiest way to use the bathroom zones is to group them to the bedroom that they are closest to. This works especially well in the mornings, when the grouped zones all come on at the same time using the alarm feature.

weeboot

1,063 posts

98 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
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Greg66 said:
- you need two for stereo so the initial attraction of Play 1s being cheap goes.
Do you really need stereo in the bathroom?

anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
quotequote all
weeboot said:
Greg66 said:
- you need two for stereo so the initial attraction of Play 1s being cheap goes.
Do you really need stereo in the bathroom?
That's not a serious question, right? wink