Best possible speakers for a Sonos system

[admin_exported]

Hi,

I'm trying to get the most detail I can from my Sonos system. I currently have a pair of Tannoy Custom F1s connected to the amplified unit but am looking to upgrade.

I am a realist and I know streaming from Napster will always be a bit fuzzy. But for lossless tracks what is the best possible speaker I could justify matching to this system to bring out all of the sound?

Is the S5 the best bet?

Thanks

Jon

 

[The_Lhc]

jozza82:I'm trying to get the most detail I can from my Sonos system. I currently have a pair of Tannoy Custom F1s connected to the amplified unit but am looking to upgrade.

I am a realist and I know streaming from Napster will always be a bit fuzzy. But for lossless tracks what is the best possible speaker I could justify matching to this system to bring out all of the sound?

Is the S5 the best bet?

Errr, the S5 is a self-contained unit, it's basically a ZP120 (which you must already have) with speakers built-in, you couldn't use one as the speakers for a ZP120 and indeed there'd be no point.

As to which speakers are best for the ZP120, I really couldn't say, I've only heard a very limited selection.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks the the response. Sorry - wasnt clear. If I went for the S5 I would just get it as a standalone and probably set up another zone with the exsiting 120.

 

[Anonymous]

Depends on your intentions. The amp in ZP120 is OK, but it's not suited to bigger, pricier speakers: your Customs are about right.

If you're chasing a really substantial upgrade, better to use the Sonos as a source component for a hi-fi system. Connect it via analogue into a stereo amp in the case of a ZP120, or link a ZP90 via digital into a DAC/amp or digital-ready amplifier. With a better amp in place, you'd have a wider choice over both size and quality of loudspeakers.

 

[gregvet]

Although the ZP100 had pre outs, the ZP120 does not, and so cannot be connected to an external amp. You have to use a ZP90 for that now.

I listened to all sorts when I was looking at speakers for my ZP120, and ended up with Leema Zeros (RRP £650). To be honest the ZP120 doesn't do them justice, but it works and sounds great at low to medium volumes. I will in the longer term move over to a ZP90, DAC and stereo amp though to get the best from them. All depends how much you are willing to spend, but I thought that the ZP120 also worked really well with Monitor Audio RX1 or RX2 and Rega RS1 at cheaper price points.

Best bet is to take your ZP120 to a couple of shops that have Sonos, link it to their systems and to a selection of their speakers and have a play. They should be quite happy for you to do this (they were for me and it seemed like it was a common thing to do ). Then you can decide for yourself what works best.

Let us know how you get on!

 

[Anonymous]

gregvet:

Although the ZP100 had pre outs, the ZP120 does not, and so cannot be connected to an external amp. You have to use a ZP90 for that now.

Quite right. Apologies, I've got both ZP100 and ZP120 in my system (plus a ZP90 and an S5) and I got myself mixed up. Good spot.

 

[Frank Harvey]

I've found in a few demos that KEF's UniQ based speakers tend to deal quite well with compressed music, and at our open day last year we used a pair of KEF Q10's with the ZP120, and I was quite surprised how well they performed on it. Well worth an audition.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the replies.

I ended up going for an S5 in the bedroom and have put the ZP120 in the loft attached to a monitor audio C164 T2 ceiling speaker in the bathroom.

S5 gave a great demo in the shop compared something like the Tannoy F1s and Monitor Audio BR1s hooked up to a ZP120 - a lot more bass and drive!

I'll likely now upgrade the speakers hooked up to my amp using some of your recommendations and advice so thanks again

Jon