Sonos & iPort xPRESS

[PixelpeepS3]

Hi all,

does anyone have any direct experience of the iPort xPRESS remote controller for Sonos - been looking for a physical solution to control the rooms where we have ceiling speakers and the sonos:connects

on paper this thing seems ideal (apart from the price tag) but wondered what 'normal' people think of them. I have come to take generic online product reviews with a pinch of salt lately due to bots/backhanders etc; i just don't trust them.



i already have an echo dot in every room but it's not always ideal to have to say "alexa, turn the volume down in the kitchen", especially when you're working from home and the phone is ringing lol.

Product link - https://www.sonos.com/en-gb/shop/xpress-audio-keyp...

thoughts and opinions appreciated.

[Zoon]

£99 for what's basically a hue dimmer.

[knk]

The cheapest android phone with the sonos app on it would do the job better.

[PixelpeepS3]

knk said:

The cheapest android phone with the sonos app on it would do the job better.

No, it wouldn't.

1) you couldn't make it look pretty wall mounted without significant decoration and chasing walls.
2) you couldn't get the battery to last 6 months
3) you'd need the screen on all the time otherwise you'd lose the 'one button' convenience.
4) i'm sure it would randomly freeze / crash
5) although IoT has malware vulnerabilities, it'd have to be targeted specifically where as android is a slut for all things virus like.
6) it would require monthly software upgrades - i use the sonos app on my work android and personal iOS devices - both regularly lose features due to them not being the most up to date and this would also require the main OS to be kept up to date - being 'the cheapest' android phone, it wouldn't be too long before it didn't support the latest OS and would need replacing, adding to cost and new decoration in order to sink it in the wall again..

you pay a premium for the convenience, all i want to know is does it operate as advertised ?

Edited by PixelpeepS3 on Thursday 20th June 12:41

[Zoon]

It may be worth keeping an eye on the price of this when released, does the same thing

https://www.pocket-lint.com/speakers/news/sonos/14...

[J..]

I’ve got one for use with Kitchen ceiling speakers and connect amp. Works well, but takes a couple of seconds to reconnect when you first make a click (it goes back into standby after a while). Favourites toggle button is handy too.

Having said that I just use Alexa 99% of time: “Alexa volume 4 in kitchen”, “Alexa play radio x in kitchen” etc. Much easier

[chasingracecars]

I supplied one for a client that doesn’t use a smart phone. She does have an iPad but tends to leave it in the living room. I supplied this exact unit for in the kitchen to play 3 favourites and give her simple volume and skip commands. It’s magnetic so could go on the fridge door.

Expensive but worth it.

[PixelpeepS3]

J.. said:

I’ve got one for use with Kitchen ceiling speakers and connect amp. Works well, but takes a couple of seconds to reconnect when you first make a click (it goes back into standby after a while). Favourites toggle button is handy too.

Having said that I just use Alexa 99% of time: “Alexa volume 4 in kitchen”, “Alexa play radio x in kitchen” etc. Much easier

When its being woken from sleep by pressing a button does it remember what button you pushed and carry out the command once it's reconnected?

Or is it, push to wake, then push required command once its woken up?

chasingracecars said:

I supplied one for a client that doesn’t use a smart phone. She does have an iPad but tends to leave it in the living room. I supplied this exact unit for in the kitchen to play 3 favourites and give her simple volume and skip commands. It’s magnetic so could go on the fridge door.

Expensive but worth it.

thank you - good feedback.. just need an answer to the above and i think we're ready to rock!

[chasingracecars]

I think you need to wake it then press the command but not sure. I should be back over at the client this week so will check.

[PixelpeepS3]

chasingracecars said:

I think you need to wake it then press the command but not sure. I should be back over at the client this week so will check.

thank you, i'd appreciate it.