Sonos end of life?

[sjg]

One of the things I really like about Sonos is how even the old hardware (CR100 excepted) have been kept going and still work as well today as they did on release.

Had an email today about their "Trade Up" program - I have an old ZP100 that I bought secondhand years ago. https://www.sonos.com/en-gb/tradeup

They're offering it for any Connnect / Connect:Amp (or the earlier variants - ZP80, 90, 100, 120) and the first gen Play:5. Take up the offer and they brick your device ("recycle mode") so no-one can use it any more.

I'm guessing this is the carrot (of a 30% discount) before the stick of cutting off software updates - from the FAQ: Once a product stops being sold, it is guaranteed to receive software updates for five years. We have a track record of supporting products for much longer, but these products lack certain capabilities and enhancements due to the limitations of the computer hardware.

I get the supportability thing, and I've had more than enough value out of my cheap ZP100, and to be fair it was last sold over a decade ago. Not wild about paying £420 after discount for a new Sonos Amp to replace it though.

[sjg]

bristolracer said:

I think they have lost their edge now, everyone is doing multiroom systems, the dominance of Alexa and Google as control platforms make Sonos look overpriced for a product than can be blown away by cheaper,more versatile competiton in most segments.

Multiroom voice control is the current thing, what else does Sonos bring to the party that nobody else has?

"Alexa, pause" to the Sonos One in my home office when the phone rings is about the extent of voice control that I can be bothered with. App or windows controller is fine the rest of the time.

I like the speakers, I like how it works, just mildly disappointed that my old unit may be getting cut adrift soon when it seems to still work great.

If they're still fetching £150+ on ebay I might just do that and pick up a pair of the IKEA Sonos speakers to replace it.

[sjg]

You used to need a Sonos Bridge or Boost for the special Sonos wifi mesh network, but they did away with that as a requirement years ago.

You can still use one to do that, or if you use a wired connection on one speaker it'll create a mesh network for the others to connect to. For most people though they just sit on their regular home wifi network.

[sjg]

PushedDover said:

Slight off topic, but I suspect the 'Sonos knowledge' is here all the same.

I have now a surplus Sony soundbar / sub.
It can take input via HDMI or Optical.

Is there anyway to craft it in to a SONOS network of speakers around the house - without silly money obviously.
I am thinking of putting it in my office, but if £150+ to make it worl, I may as well just get a Play:1

Look for an old ZP80 or ZP90 on ebay, they have an optical out. But you're still looking at £60-80, and they're on the legacy list that will drop off support in a few months.

Ikea Symfonisk Sonos speakers are actually pretty good, are £100 new and will be supported for ages.