What else would I gain from moving to SONOS?

[davek_964]

I joined Amazon Prime a month ago, and am surprised how much I use the music streaming - mostly at the gym / work and if I really like an album I do buy it. However, there is some stuff that is "OK" for a few listens but I've not really been convinced - and since I don't buy it, I can't listen to it on my home hi-fi. I've just noticed via another thread that Sonos supports Prime music - so now I'm wondering if it's worth me making a change.

My existing hi-fi is reasonably high end. I use an SB+ (think Squeezebox but with separate power supply and upgraded DAC) to stream from a NAS (files ripped as FLAC) which feeds a Chord QBD76 DAC. This makes it's way to a Chord preamp, onto a Chord power amp and out to some Kef 201.2 speakers. Surround sound is taken care of by a Sony amp, but still using the Chords for the stereo front and some decent centre / rear / sub.

So - if I understand correctly, I could simply replace the SB+ with a SONOS Connect? Then I could still pipe to my DAC but also stream from Prime if I wished to? And I assume the SONOS is remote control via IR?

Currently I only use the hi-fi in the lounge (or, with the volume turned up - the entire house!) and in the bedroom I rely on phone + BT speaker. I guess if I went SONOS, I could replace the stuff in the bedroom with a SONOS speaker like a Play 5.

I've never really looked into Sonos before, although I know it's popular. Is there anything else about it which is a big plus?

There are a few negatives about going this route, not least the problem with updating my remote to support the Sonos. But I'm tempted!

ETA : My NAS (Synology DS214 play) has a Media server that works as squeezecenter - I assume it would also support Sonos?

Edited by davek_964 on Tuesday 9th February 13:39

[kingston12]

The big advantage of Sonos is multi-room support, so you can have as many of your zones playing the same (or different) music at the same time. It works really well with Spotify, but I have not tried Prime Music.

The app is a pleasure to use and the support is excellent.

[greygoose]

Unless your bedroom is huge you may be better off with a couple of Play 1s rather than a 5. I recently bought some sonos speakers and it is really easy to use from phone or tablet throughout the house.

[gizlaroc]

For me it is about the App really.

I simply search for what I want and it shows all the results, could be in my library, on Spotify, on Tidal, on Soundcloud etc. etc.

Means I have pretty much whatever I want there to listen to when I want it.

The only thing I wish they would do is bring out a smaller Connect (think Airport express) at a better price point. I think long term it would get more people to buy into the Sonos ecosystem.

A small Connect that has a 3.5mm jack that does analogue or optical for £129 would get people who are considering Sonos to bite.

[kingston12]

gizlaroc said:

A small Connect that has a 3.5mm jack that does analogue or optical for £129 would get people who are considering Sonos to bite.

It would be 5ghz support for music that would bring me back (in fact I wouldn't have sold it all in the first place!)

I loved Sonos and especially the app, but I do think Chromecast Audio is already a reasonable alternative. If they can build an app that is as good as the Sonos app (and let's face it, Google SHOULD be able to manage that!) then it is difficult to see a way ahead for Sonos at their current prices.

The device that you are talking about would mean them cutting the cost of the Connect by over 50% and it would still be over 4 times more expensive then the Chromecast Audio. That might be enough whilst Sonos is protected by better software, but after that?

[davek_964]

gizlaroc said:

For me it is about the App really.

I simply search for what I want and it shows all the results, could be in my library, on Spotify, on Tidal, on Soundcloud etc. etc.

Means I have pretty much whatever I want there to listen to when I want it.

The only thing I wish they would do is bring out a smaller Connect (think Airport express) at a better price point. I think long term it would get more people to buy into the Sonos ecosystem.

A small Connect that has a 3.5mm jack that does analogue or optical for £129 would get people who are considering Sonos to bite.

Ironically, it's the App / controller side of it which is making me hesitate. Currently, I use a Philips TS9600 to control everything in the lounge, and I need to find out whether that is a practical solution to Sonos. Although I'm sure a tablet app would be "better", I don't like the fact that I'd be doing half the control on my remote (e.g. switching sources etc) and half on a tablet (choosing the music) - it's a bit like going back to multiple remotes.

I think there is a Sonos app for the 9600, but since Philips stopped making them several years back, it's probably quite out of date. In the old days, I would have happily written my own but I am quite sure I'm way too lazy for that these days!

[bristolracer]

Not sure how this would work with Amazon but this is also a far cheaper alternative to sonos
https://gramofon.com

[davek_964]

I didn't think the Sonos solution looked that expensive - the bit I'd need is only a few hundred pounds.

Unfortunately, I've now discovered that the Sonos module for my remote is not likely to be much use which is a pretty big negative. I guess I could start controlling my SB+ with my tablet and see how I get on with that before deciding whether to switch to Sonos or not.

Perhaps I am reaching the point where I need to consider replacing my now defunct remote control solution, but that is unlikely to be a trival (or inexpensive) exercise.

[pete]

Note that Amazon Prime Music doesn't work with Sonos in the UK; it is in beta in the US only. We get plain Amazon Music Library, which is a digital copy of anything you've bought from Amazon stored in the cloud.

Pete

[Watchman]

davek_964 said:

Perhaps I am reaching the point where I need to consider replacing my now defunct remote control solution, but that is unlikely to be a trival (or inexpensive) exercise.

I've noticed more and more products are moving towards phone or tablet control. Not trying to sound trendy but perhaps there's an app out there you could use?

[talkssense]

Control4 will allow you to control Sonos, TV, Amps, sources, heating etc etc from a "proper" remote and from a phone/tablet.

You can even retrofit wireless lighting switches which will allow eg a double tap to start radio 4 as soon as you walk into a room.

Not cheap but does an awful lot, and the new controllers released in the last couple of weeks have made it much more affordable.

[davek_964]

Watchman said:

I've noticed more and more products are moving towards phone or tablet control. Not trying to sound trendy but perhaps there's an app out there you could use?

talkssense said:

Control4 will allow you to control Sonos, TV, Amps, sources, heating etc etc from a "proper" remote and from a phone/tablet.

You can even retrofit wireless lighting switches which will allow eg a double tap to start radio 4 as soon as you walk into a room.

Not cheap but does an awful lot, and the new controllers released in the last couple of weeks have made it much more affordable.

I think the tablet solution is probably the way I need to go. Some of the regular TSU9600 users have gone the way of CommandFusion, which is my most likely solution I think - it has the advantage that it looks like it has similar h/w solutions to the Philips (i.e. a box with IR / RS232 outputs etc), and it also supports JavaScript which is where the real power of the TSU9600 comes from. There seem to be a few distributors in the UK, so I think I need to go and see one and discuss prices - at least I could get it all working while my existing setup is still in place, which is likely to take several months.

I'll look into Control4 too - thanks.

Thanks also to the post telling me I wouldn't get Prime music in the UK anyway with Sonos! Guess that means I won't be switching to Sonos yet - however, I do think it might be time to start properly investigating the remote control solution. It definitely qualifies as a new cool toy - albeit one that I'm not sure I have the time or patience to setup these days!

[ASK1974]

davek_964 said:

Ironically, it's the App / controller side of it which is making me hesitate. Currently, I use a Philips TS9600 to control everything in the lounge, and I need to find out whether that is a practical solution to Sonos. Although I'm sure a tablet app would be "better", I don't like the fact that I'd be doing half the control on my remote (e.g. switching sources etc) and half on a tablet (choosing the music) - it's a bit like going back to multiple remotes.

Nothing wrong with multiple remotes as long as they are activity based rather than function based. User interface has gone full circle and an integrated, two device solution is arguably the most practical today - to be clear this is not two devices being 'required' to control one system, it's two devices being employed for their specific ease of use; one for TV and one for Music. Reason? A touch screen interface cannot compete with a tactile, push button remote for TV, conversely a push button is rubbish for browsing music libraries. The 9600 was an effective 'middle ground' back when iOS & Android didn't exist but times have changed. You can still buy similar products from a range of brands but they tend to be £££ and I'll still argue they are a compromise.

Most established control brands (Control4, Crestron, Savant, RTI, URC) provide the ability to unify system control so you can use either device as you wish, they keep the two in sync so they track system status; i.e pick up iPad and use it, put it down and the remote reflects exactly where you are. My favourite, and the one I use, is Control4. With the new EA1 entertainment bundle offering an excellent remote, App control and room processor for just £440 ex VAT it's very good value. The 9600 & RFX was about £1,100 ex VAT from memory - just no comparison...

However even though I can control Sonos through my C4 app I would never choose to use anything other than the Sonos App, it's still much, much better. However Control4 can track Sonos play status and automate source switching, so when I hit play on Sonos Control4 wakes my system, sets the input (and volume) without me having to go near a Control4 interface. If I want to watch telly I can open the Control4 app or pick up the Control4 remote, either device will pause Sonos and automate everything else. In practice I always chose the £140 remote as it's just easier and faster.

At ISE I was introduced to a new, very pretty and very expensive smart home system, all controlled though iOS. All very good and the user interface on their app was lovely, but after about ten minutes of looking down to see which button I'm pressing then looking up to see where I am in the Sky menu I'd be ready to throw my iPad out the window... Just can't recommend such a solution to anyone if I can't live with it myself.

[F18RSC]

davek_964 said:

I think the tablet solution is probably the way I need to go. Some of the regular TSU9600 users have gone the way of CommandFusion, which is my most likely solution I think - it has the advantage that it looks like it has similar h/w solutions to the Philips (i.e. a box with IR / RS232 outputs etc), and it also supports JavaScript which is where the real power of the TSU9600 comes from. There seem to be a few distributors in the UK, so I think I need to go and see one and discuss prices - at least I could get it all working while my existing setup is still in place, which is likely to take several months.

I'll look into Control4 too - thanks.

Thanks also to the post telling me I wouldn't get Prime music in the UK anyway with Sonos! Guess that means I won't be switching to Sonos yet - however, I do think it might be time to start properly investigating the remote control solution. It definitely qualifies as a new cool toy - albeit one that I'm not sure I have the time or patience to setup these days!

Control4 is very good for total room control at a low cost. Crestron have recently brought out a simpler remote that is more like the C4 remote however Crestron are still too expensive for the average home. There is no one really that makes a total home control with a really good remote other than these two.

That said, I use my Remote to select pre determined streams ie. Radio Channels on the Sonos. If I am playing music then I resort to the iPad in the corner to control sonos directly. Control4 has meant that meant that I can build shortcuts on to the remote to send TV audio to the kitchen for example. Turn the lights to a set mode depending on watch you are watching/listening to.

[TheFungle]

I recently bought a Play 5 for the living in room in lieu of a 'proper' Hi-Fi and I'm very happy with the result.

It can fill the room when required and does an impressive job of not just sounding like a small box in the corner.

It's a very easy speaker to listen to and is encouraging me to listen to all my old favourites, always a good sign in my book.

Very happy with the app although I do wish it was possible to stream direct from Apple Music rather than having to use the Sonos app.

Overall very pleased and I'm already looking at adding another few goes throughout the house.