Sonos zones
Author
Discussion

Blue62

Original Poster:

10,310 posts

176 months

Monday 3rd July 2017
quotequote all
Anyone know if there's a limit to how many zones I can have in my house? I'd like to have it throughout 4 bedrooms and probably 3 zones on ground floor but wondered if there's a limit

thebraketester

15,560 posts

162 months

Monday 3rd July 2017
quotequote all
Did you google it? ;-)

megaphone

11,491 posts

275 months

Monday 3rd July 2017
quotequote all
7 zones will be fine, I've done systems with 10 zones. IIRC the max is 32 components, inc amps, speakers, player bar etc.

Are you using centrally located Connect Amps?

Edited by megaphone on Monday 3rd July 08:46

Blue62

Original Poster:

10,310 posts

176 months

Monday 3rd July 2017
quotequote all
Not sure of the exact config yet, it's on a new build I'm starting in the autumn, so any advice appreciated

megaphone

11,491 posts

275 months

Monday 3rd July 2017
quotequote all
Ideally you need a central hub, where all your speaker wires, ethernet cables, telephone, broadband etc terminates. Cupboard under the stairs, loft space or similar. Each Sonos zone will need a Connect Amp, you then install ceiling speakers or similar. Or you use local Sonos speakers.

You should also think about TV cabling, Sky, any home automation. Depends how far you want to go, but in a new build you should put in as much cabling as you may ever need.

VEX

5,259 posts

270 months

Monday 3rd July 2017
quotequote all
I have 9 zones here all on the Sonos Mesh with no problem.

I have a client with nearly 30 zones and that can be a bit of an issue on the wifi, so we switched it off and wired it onto the ethernet network. Completely rock solid, no issues at all.

V.

LLCool_K

65 posts

113 months

Monday 3rd July 2017
quotequote all
The 32 'zones' limit is correct and quoted by Sonos.

This limit, however is more to do with usability of the system. It will run more, however it will become very laggy. E.g Party Mode (group all) when one has 32 zones, takes about 60 seconds to complete, in my experience.

Edited by LLCool_K on Monday 3rd July 11:58

paulrockliffe

16,395 posts

251 months

Monday 3rd July 2017
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Surely most peoples Sonos limit is financial! :-)

What's a 30 thingy install cost, £10k?

megaphone

11,491 posts

275 months

Monday 3rd July 2017
quotequote all
As a side note. I had issues with a 'laggy' system. 6 connect amps and two bridges all daisy chained in/out on ethernet. When I spoke to Sonos, they recommended max 3 devices daisy chained by ethernet. I installed a small switch and it fixed the issue.

Edited by megaphone on Monday 3rd July 17:11

Podie

46,649 posts

299 months

Monday 3rd July 2017
quotequote all
Never occurred to me there might be a limit... and having just counted we have 7, and not had an issue yet.

Probably time I bought some more, eh VEX? hehe

VEX

5,259 posts

270 months

Monday 3rd July 2017
quotequote all
Probably Mr Podie!

What can I convince you you must have this time?


talkssense

1,423 posts

226 months

Tuesday 4th July 2017
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Blue62 said:
Not sure of the exact config yet, it's on a new build I'm starting in the autumn, so any advice appreciated
Any advice appreciated? Don't use Sonos. Speak to an AV installer and look at the other options available

VEX

5,259 posts

270 months

Tuesday 4th July 2017
quotequote all
Talksense is talking sense (for once?)

But as an AV Installer, we may still recommend Sonos for its usability. Yes there are others out there, yes some are better, yes some of more cost effective (I hate the word cheapers) but there is nothing that can beat Sonos for its interface and usability.

But yes, please talk to an AV / Smart Home / Home Tech Pro (as some want to call us) first, there are a number of us on here who can work with you.

V.

Podie

46,649 posts

299 months

Tuesday 4th July 2017
quotequote all
VEX said:
Probably Mr Podie!

What can I convince you you must have this time?
Might be ceiling speakers for the kitchen actually...

VEX

5,259 posts

270 months

Tuesday 4th July 2017
quotequote all
Even better, I can make money on those!

Podie

46,649 posts

299 months

Tuesday 4th July 2017
quotequote all
VEX said:
Even better, I can make money on those!
hehe

Text or email better?

LLCool_K

65 posts

113 months

Tuesday 4th July 2017
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B L U E S O U N D!!

Bushman1

200 posts

148 months

Tuesday 4th July 2017
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I was planning on making a similar thread a few days ago since I'm planning on an multi zone ceiling speaker set up but after reading other threads on here I knew how it would generally go and that's always against Sonos, similar to apple threads.

But I've never actually read any proper alternatives that are Sonos killers. Is it just price that ranks Sonos so low.

I know having speakers dangling of walls will give better sound, cheaper etc but some people would pay for aesthetics so what are the options.

Blue62

Original Poster:

10,310 posts

176 months

Wednesday 5th July 2017
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies, interesting to hear talk of alternatives, I have had a Sonos system in my present home since 2007 and it has performed well, it's a 3 zone set up which is what prompted the question and as i have some kit already (2 bridges and two amps) it makes sense to continue. I will engage a home automation company to do the install as I'm putting in a cinema system, security and automated window blinds, but the build won't be starting until the autumn so for now I am just looking at speaker locations and cabling.

VEX

5,259 posts

270 months

Wednesday 5th July 2017
quotequote all
Where in the Midlands are Bluey?

I many be able to help or at least recommend someone.

Don't think there is anyone that does what we do based in the midlands, but happy to be proved wrong.

Doing the job isn't the problem it is how you are supported afterwards that is more the issue for me.

V.