Sonos Play 5 - good home speaker

[RhysH]

Hi All;

Looking for some advise, toying with idea of getting a Sonos Play 5 (I have not wireless or home speakers at the moment other than stand along Alexa). I want a good speaker for the kitchen that has smart abilities ie Alexa.

Whats everyone thoughts on Play 5, and what alternatives are there which you would recommend?

[Road2Ruin]

Hi,

The play 5 is an excellent speaker. However, unless you kitchen is massive, it is very overkill. My kitchen is about 6.5m x 5.5m and a play 3 is more than adequate. We used to have a play one in our old kitchen and that was good too.

R"R

[J8 SVG]

I have a disliking for sonos due to them forcing to use their useless app so I've gone Denon HEOS and I't great - can connect an Alexa if you wish but it's easier and quicker to just select the speaker from the spotify app

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HEOS-Wireless-Speaker-Blu...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HEOS-HS2-Wireless-Speaker...

[SaulGoodman]

Agree with the idea that a Play 3 is probably best. We have a big open plan kitchen and dining room and it sounds great. App is fine - I have the radio, Deezer or Amazon music and it's no problem. Works fine with Alexa too.

[pdavison]

Just for balance, I have two Play 5’s and a sub in my open plan kitchen / family room and it sounds great. Good for parties but also for casual listening as well!

[HughiusMaximus]

I'll throw a curveball...

I think the play 3 is a bit of a waste of time.

If you have a large room or want to play very loud then get a play 5... everything else stick with a play 1.

I dont think the play 3 is worth the extra money over the play 1

[RhysH]

Thanks guys, its not a massive kitchen. However wanted something that has really quality at times and can go loud when the wife and kids are out! lol.

As I got the standard Alexa stand along speaker in the kitchen, when listen I just feel like I want something with good all round quality. Intereting to note on other speakers too!


Was also thinking possible Bose Home 300?

[TheGuru]

The 5 is excellent, but is very loud. The 3 is a waste of time. And the 1 is surprisingly good

[greygoose]

We have two Play 1s in our kitchen, which isn’t huge and they give a good sound, Sonos is good for building up speakers through the home as you can just add them on even if you are not that technologically advanced. Their service is excellent if you have any problems, our Playbase broke and they sent a new one out to replace it within a couple of days.

[Belle427]

I don’t find the play 5 too loud but it’s a very impressive bit of kit when cranked up on quality music files.

[arfur]

TheGuru said:

The 5 is excellent, but is very loud. The 3 is a waste of time. And the 1 is surprisingly good

I have a few Play-1s around the house, a Play-5 in the kitchen (5mx5m) and a couple of Play-3s set up as a pair.

Have to agree that the Play-3 is poor, the low volume performance is terrible, easily bettered by the Play-1s

I also have an Alexa Show (the 10 inch one) and that has surprisingly good sound.

The Alexa show controls all the speakers without problem and saves you having to use the App

hth

arf

[mikeiow]

HughiusMaximus said:

I'll throw a curveball...

I think the play 3 is a bit of a waste of time.

If you have a large room or want to play very loud then get a play 5... everything else stick with a play 1.

I dont think the play 3 is worth the extra money over the play 1

And yet another who was very underwhelmed hearing the Play3.

We have a 5 in our 4m x 10m sunroom....fills it VERY well.
We have 2 x Play1 in our L-shaped 6m x 6m kitchen which is again more than adequate.
Even a single Play1 is never cranked up in our bedroom or my study where they live!

[OldFiver]

Similar.

I thought of the 3 originally, but after hearing the 5, bought instead for the fairly large / heigh ceiling kitchen.

I also have some paired 1's in the lounge and single 1's in the bedrooms.
Itching to buy a Sonos Soundbar to add to the lounge spread, but just can't get myself over the buy in cost when I already have a Sony Soundbar / Woofer.....

[matjk]

I think the play3 sounds a lot better than a single 1, it can produce stereo (ok it’s a small separation but still) I find the 3 perfect for the bedroom and kitchen . Incidentally the 3 has been discontinued for some time , I got mine used for less than £130 each off Facebook and Gumtree.
I have a pair of 5s and a sub and beam in the living room and that sounds amazing for music.
You don’t have to use the sonos app , I use Spotify and use their app as I like the GUI better.
Also I’m not sure the play5 supports Alexa , it has a mic but I remember it’s not used , so check if you go that route

[RhysH]

Thanks for advice all, might look into a bit more wether actually go down two play 1 route rather than 1 Play 5.....

May also wait a month and see if any offers come out in the inevitable Black Friday sales.

[Eatpies99]

I have the Play 5 in our kitchen. Don't find it too loud but perhaps I'm going deaf.

[Autopilot]

J8 SVG said:

I have a disliking for sonos due to them forcing to use their useless app so I've gone Denon HEOS and I't great - can connect an Alexa if you wish but it's easier and quicker to just select the speaker from the spotify app

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HEOS-Wireless-Speaker-Blu...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HEOS-HS2-Wireless-Speaker...

I actually quite like the Sonos App but that might just be because I've used it for a long time and gotten used to it. Incidentally, you can use the Spotify app to tell it which devices to play on.

OP - I've never heard a Play 3, but I have a Play 5 in the kitchen which is pretty good. Before I moved house I used to have a long kitchen with an extension on the back and I used to use a Stereo Pair of Play 1's. That was surprisingly good.

[Composer62]

I'd also recommend trying out a pair of Play 1's.

Quality is surprisingly good for such a small speaker. Stereo separation also much better than a single Play 5 - placement dependent of course.

[DoctorX]

We’ve got a Sone One in the kitchen, great bit of kit and Alexa/Siri etc integration is great. I imagine a pair would be fabulous. Not sure if it sounds any better than a Play 1.