Anyone have a Sonos system?

5,506 Views | 31 Replies | Last: 10 yr ago by notheranymore
Ag_07
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Not sure if this belongs in here but figured it was the best place to get serious responses.

Looking at adding one of these and was interested in some firsthand feedback. The main feature for me is that you're able to play different music throughout the house. I may even end up adding a speaker outside on the patio.

Are the speakers completely wireless or do they have to be plugged in for power? Overall Pros, cons, recommendations?
BigNastyNate
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I have 3, added them as whole home audio solution when we built our house a couple years ago.

Love the system. I hard wired my speakers but only bra cause I had the house pre wired and wanted the speakers hidden.

I guess the con would be some consider needing an additional connect per zone somewhat expensive and the entire system is driven by wifi. If your out of range you can't control the system.

I have a zone in my kitchen, master bath and patio, all the speakers in each zone are powdered by the connect amp.

I wanted a system that was clean looking and easy to use, which this is. I removed the wall controls the builder had initially installed so the only controls I have are on my I phone, iPad, etc... I didn't want volume control pads on the walls.

If I did it all over again I'd go this route for sure.
Caliber
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Speakers are plugged in for power. I've been looking at putting in a sonos system too. As mentioned, the biggest issue is wifi connectivity, but that can be remedied in numerous ways.

Each speaker requires power.

Denon Heos (Sonos Competitor) has a similar system that has the capability of running a Heos 1 off of a battery pack base for portability. In my research, I like the overall functionality of the Sonos system better, but the Heos does an edge in the looks department, at least for me. Sonos has the ability to play a lot more sources.
Caliber
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quote:
I guess the con would be some consider needing an additional connect per zone somewhat expensive and the entire system is driven by wifi. If your out of range you can't control the system.


You don't need Sonos Connect anymore for most room installs. Speakers are completely stand alone now with the exception of putting in a 3.1 or 5.1 theater system. You can run the playbar by itself though.

You would only need a connect with poor wifi coverage or an overloaded wifi system for the most part (or if you are driving non-sonos speakers). A few other cases where it might help, but if you have a good router, there is no need.
ftworthag02
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we've had sonos for several years and have been pleased. We have a connect amp running our outdoor speakers and then the connect running through our yamaha theater system. We use to have a bridge until a storm knocked it out and then I found out that its not needed anymore unless you have wifi coverage issues.
Ag_07
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Can you get wall mounts for these speakers? Looking online I didn't see any. I saw stands but didn't see wall mounts
BigNastyNate
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Bridge is used to extend wifi coverage.

Connect is the actual Sonos system... Not sure if the new speakers have the connect software built in but historically you needed a connect as the 'brain' and then speakers to pickup the signal from the connect.

I use non-Sonos hard wired speakers which is why I use connect amp, it powers the speakers.
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Caliber
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If you are a verizon wireless customer, You can use smart rewards to get 20% on a few of the sonos offerings.
notheranymore
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WHOA
chap
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Have had Sonos for several years now. We love it and it is playing in our house every day. Like has been said, it has so many source options. We have our music library on a NAS, but we listen to Pandora a lot. With an update awhile back you can listen to any music on any device that is controlling it, which was a great change. I've even used it to listen to Dave South a time or two while I was doing other things in the house during Aggie baseball games.

I am curious though, what is the issue with WiFi that some of you say is a drawback or something that needs to be dealt with.

07bluebonnet
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We've had our Sonos system for a couple of years and love it. We use it everyday. My only complaint is that Suddenlink wifi cuts out for a second or two randomly most days so it's irritating to have the music cut in and out, but otherwise I love having music throughout our entire home and it makes movie watching so much better with the subwoofer and surround sound.
Geo78
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I have Sonos at my home and lake house. Family loves both systems.
I even run a speaker to my boat house (300 feet from wi-fi router) and can still control with my cell phone.

Expensive, but good sound. Two years and no problems.
PetrolAg
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We have it and love it. The coolest aspect to me is being able to link multiple devices to one playlist. When we have friends over we just all start adding music from our individual devices and sonos just rolls with it. They just have to have the app. It's pretty neat
Comeby!
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Had it since 2009. Highly recommend.
Geo78
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Periodically SONOS has a sale, where they offer a "two room starter set", which is two PLAY:1 speakers for $349 (usually $199 each).

I just received an email to that effect:

http://www.sonos.com/shop/2-room-starter-set?utm_source=greenfriday-c&utm_medium=email&utm_content=cta-US&utm_campaign=q1promo16

Order direct 1-800-680-2345


I saw Best Buy is running the same two speaker set for $349 also.
SquareOne07
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What do y'all do for permanent outdoor solutions? The amp seems mighty pricy to be basically just buying the technology (speaker has to be added on top of it)
Comeby!
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quote:
What do y'all do for permanent outdoor solutions? The amp seems mighty pricy to be basically just buying the technology (speaker has to be added on top of it)
I buy one of these and stick it in the attic.
http://smile.amazon.com/Lepai-LP-2020A-Tripath-Class-T-Amplifier/dp/B0049P6OTI/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1449523161
Geo78
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For outdoors I have a "Connect" hooked up to an old receiver/amp (both inside) and weather-proof speakers outside.
BigNastyNate
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Connect = Buying technology

Connect Amp adds like $100 or $200 but gets you technology plus amp to power wired speakers. If you are using Sonos speakers there is no need for amp as they are wireless.
SquareOne07
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quote:
Connect = Buying technology

Connect Amp adds like $100 or $200 but gets you technology plus amp to power wired speakers. If you are using Sonos speakers there is no need for amp as they are wireless.


Forgive my ignorance, but what's really the difference between the "connect" and the "connect:amp"?
SquareOne07
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Sorry about the emoticon above...wasn't intended!
BigNastyNate
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Connect is that software part of Sonos, it connects to your wifi and is operated via your smart device. A lot of people like Sonos because you can use wireless speakers with the connect to avoid having to run wires from the connect to the speakers. When using this setup, the speakers must be plugged in to a power source, really just plugged into the wall.

The connect amp is just the software with an amplifier built in. Wires run from the connect amp to the speakers in order to power the speakers, thus the speakers don't need to be plugged into any other power source, like a wall plug. I use this setup because I had my house pre wired when it was built so I could flush mount all the speakers and so I didn't have to use the Sonos brand wireless speakers.

Short answer, it's the Sonia software plus power supply for hard wired speakers.
AggieLaw2010
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quote:
The 1 s can be wall mounted but the 3 and 5 are shelf mounted.

I have a 1 and a 3 and love it. I am going to add an amp for outdoor and garage set up.

Overall the system is extremely easy to use, sounds great and does everything you would imagine for sound. They don't go on sale but if you look out this time of year you will find amazon or others running a gift card promotion.


I have a question related to wall mounting my Play 1s (love Sonos, BTW). They need to be plugged in for power, so how can I run the power cord behind the wall? And where do I plug it in from there? Interested in surround sound for my living room, but don't know how to hide the wires on the back two speakers. Thanks.
Diggity
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Connect is that software part of Sonos, it connects to your wifi and is operated via your smart device. A lot of people like Sonos because you can use wireless speakers with the connect to avoid having to run wires from the connect to the speakers. When using this setup, the speakers must be plugged in to a power source, really just plugged into the wall.
With the Connect, you need an external amp to power the speakers. I have my connect set up in my living room with the my AV Receiver, but it also powers the outside speakers through the second zone.

With the Connect Amp, you won't need a receiver or other source of amplification.
Comeby!
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Just get the amp I posted about. It's about $25, much cheaper than the buying the amplified Sonos.
Diggity
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cool idea. How much power can you get out of that thing? I can power 4 pairs of speakers through my Connect Amp with pretty decent performance.

I would also be a little worried about losing the DAC audio benefit of the Sonos but I'm not sure if I would even be able to tell.
AggieLaw2010
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quote:
quote:
The 1 s can be wall mounted but the 3 and 5 are shelf mounted.

I have a 1 and a 3 and love it. I am going to add an amp for outdoor and garage set up.

Overall the system is extremely easy to use, sounds great and does everything you would imagine for sound. They don't go on sale but if you look out this time of year you will find amazon or others running a gift card promotion.


I have a question related to wall mounting my Play 1s (love Sonos, BTW). They need to be plugged in for power, so how can I run the power cord behind the wall? And where do I plug it in from there? Interested in surround sound for my living room, but don't know how to hide the wires on the back two speakers. Thanks.


Anyone?
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Comeby!
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I actually set up my Sonos unit in the attic and ran the speaker cables to my ceiling speakers.

In your case you can install another wall outlet right behind where you plan on wall mounting. I did this for a bathroom TV where the outlet was about 3' below where i wanted it. Or you can run a electric cable from your attic, drill through your header and fish down to your location. Complicated IMO and not worth the visual appeal of having a 'wall mounted' sonos receiver.
ChoppinDs40
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Two options:
1) install power outlets where you intend to mount the 1s.
2) run extension cords from existing power and drop where you intend to mount the 1s.

Power can be hard to add if you're on an exterior wall and have no attic access or if you have to go across studs. If you have attic access above, I'd just add power out of site and feed the power up through the attic, will look cleaner than a power outlet.

One thing to consider if you're planning on using this as part of a surround sound tv setup. SONOS was not designed (stupid on their part) to work that well with tv and movies. There is no pass through hdmi and all tv sound must be passed through your tv. This will downgrade your sound processing significantly if you have a nice AV receiver. The soundbar 5.1 system cannot process Dolby or DTS. Even if it could, 99% of tvs do not pass-through Dolby or DTS.

While I have a play3 in my living room and a play1 for outside, I still love SONOS for music only (don't get me started on their AWFUL Spotify app interface).

Just some food for thought. If you want SONOS AND a good tv/movie experience, get a traditional 5.1 system (you can get a Bose for the price of a SONOS setup) and use the CONNECT to link it to SONOS.
notheranymore
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I got my husband the Sonos Soundbar for Christmas. We love it. I don't love that anyone who puts the app on their phone can control the volume (for example, our 13 y/o son).
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