Sonos S5 ZonePlayer

I just purchased the s5 with a zone bridge and the CR200. The combination is absolutely amazing. Installation was easy and operation is intuitive. There is plenty out there on how these things work, so I won't go into details on that. But I do have two observations to share:

1) In addition to the s5, I also picked up a NAS drive so that I could stream my 5000+ track mp3 library. After all, streaming my collection with a touch screen remote was one of the main reason I looked at Sonos in the first place. But, after setting Sonos up I decided to give Napster a try. The Napster/Sonos combination gives you access to 8 million tracks on demand. For example, Napster has over 60 Bob Dylan albums, which is pretty much his whole discography. If you want to sample the latest (obscure) music, Napster also has most of the albums Pitchfork reviewed this week--pretty neat.

So, despite my deep investment in my personal mp3 collection, it only took me a couple of minutes to realize that it was completely obsolete. Deciding between $5/month for a 8 million track library vs. a $200 NAS for my 5000 track library was a no-brainier. The NAS got packed up and sent back; my mp3s are now strictly for iPod use.

2) As an NPR fan, the other great feature I didn't realize Sonos included is the ability to search and play archived NPR shows. From the Splendid Table to Fresh Air, it is all there on demand--awesome.

I say "Amen Brother" to the preceeding reviews. I would like to add my two cents worth. One of the great features that was not mentioned is the "Line In" capability. This feature allows one to connect an external source of analog voice or music to the "Line In" and that audio to can be streamed to any or all combinations of zone players. I am a ham radio operator and have replaced my computer sound system with the Sonos. I can sit in front of my radios and listen to the hams chatting and pipe the audio all over the house while I am doing my chores...or if I decide, I can just lull around anywhere and listen to music...it's wonderful! Another point I might bring up is the wireless adapter does have a limited range and has to be connected directly to the router. One can get around this obstacle by using a Linksys PLE200 (or similar manufacturer) A/C interface and use the house A/C wiring to carry the digitial information directly from the router. Using this device, I could center my sonos wireless adapter in the house for best coverage. Also, if a player is still out of range, one can plug in another A/C adapter and plug the Sonos directly into the A/C adapter via an Ethernet cable as the S5 zone player can function equally well connected to the router system or operating wirelessly.

Also, one more tip: When you set up the wireless zone players, set them up close to your computer so you don't have to run all over the house pushing the two buttons to put them on line; put them on line near your computer. Unplug them, put them in their place and they will come up automatically as they were programmed originally.

Yes, it is pricey, but it's a keeper!!!

SONOS IN GENERAL

I purchased 6 Sonos zones several months ago. Sonos has been flawless, and an absolute joy. I've got instant, automatically-updated, access to all of my iTunes Tracks, Artists, Playlists etc. They've got the best implementation of Pandora and Rhapsody I've seen. I subscribe to both of those, and it's such a pleasure to hear them throughout the house and Patio, controlled by my iPhone, and with full broadband quality sound. You can actually have a queue with a mix of iTunes tracks and Rhapsody tracks.

The ease and flexibility is equally impressive. Each zone can play any independent music choice, or be instantly grouped (synchronized) with any number of other zones. Even when zones are synchronized, it's a snap to control the volume of the entire group or any individual zone within the group. Any or all of those zones can be beautifully controlled (from wherever you are) by a single iphone or ipod touch or by any number iphones or ipods.

It's all flawless with an intuitive consistent interface, and my iPhone with its Sonos controller app is always right there in my pocket, ready to go.

Setup for all of the Sonos zones has been a snap, and the system has been a total joy from day one.


SONOS S5

Sounds every bit as good as (or better than) my Bose Sound Dock. Looks great. Sets up in seconds, and moves easily between rooms when needed. Can be really cranked up in volume without distortion. Perfect.

If you already have an iphone or an ipod touch, there are several advantages in buying a single S5 rather than a Bose SoundDock or other docking speaker.

1) Control From Your Seat: It's an absolute pleasure to have complete control over what you're listening to right where you are, keeping the ipod or iphone in your hand or pocket. You don't have to stand up to choose any other track, playlist, artist or radio station, or to see what's playing etc. And because your iphone is only the controller (you're streaming from your desktop computer hard disk, rather than from your iphone) you're not using up valuable iphone battery life or suffering mediocre sound quality, as you would likely be from an iphone/ipod based bluetooth streaming system.

2) Internet Radio: Listen to Pandora, Rhapsody, last.fm, or thousands of internet radio stations.

3) Upgradability: Add another (or multiple additional) zone(s) at any time in the future and you're set with a multi zone system.

(I should point out that there are, of course, some benefits in going with a single Docking Speaker instead:
1) Cost Savings:
2) Can be used just as easily away from the home.)

Final Verdict: I really do love my S5 and my entire Sonos system.

I have debated buying the Sonos system for several months mostly due to price and also in part wondering if it could truly live up to the claims and reviews. I am fairly technical and am usually an early adopter, although have at times, been disappointed with other purchases not working quite as well as advertised. I am thrilled with all aspects of my Sonos purchase and cannot believe how easy it was to set up and the sound quality. I received it about an hour ago, and in minutes, had the Zone Bridge connected to my router (since the router is kept hidden in a closet out of sight) and then the S5 ZonePlayer set up in my living room. I can now stream my iTunes Library from a Time Capsule (NAS) and listen to streaming music from Pandora, Last.fm, Sirius and more. Plus, as a transplanted Minnesotan in New York, I can save my favorite local stations from MN and listen to them here as if I were at home. The music is flawless, crystal clear and I would never know it is from the internet- no stutters, gaps or delay. This is one product that has surpassed my expectations completely. The only downside I can see will be now wanting to buy another S5 for my bedroom.

Works exactly as promised, but I wish it was equipped with a rechargable battery like the Bose iPod player. But then, we Sonos owners have been begging for a boom box for years. It does sound better than promised though, so I'll give it all five stars.