Why is Sonos so expensive?????

[bigboss]

Granted it's a very good product, but it's ridiculously overpriced! Suppose I want music from my PC to play on my home cinema system, I'll have to buy a ZoneBridge worth £79 & a ZonePlayer 90 worth £248!!! And if I want it to play in the garden, I'll need Sonos S5 worth £349!!!!

My PS3 does the job & currently, PS3 slim is available for only £229. It also does a lot more things than just being a media streamer.

Sonos is a total rip off at the moment!

All I want is, to use the spare 2 channels of my Yamaha receiver to play music in the garden wirelessly. My PS3 will get the music from my PC, & I can then play them in my garden. Any cheaper options???

 

[Frank Harvey]

If you want wireless speakers in the garden, you'd need active ones, so you wouldn't be utilising the Yamaha's extra amplification - so you'd end up buying something at a similar price point to the S5 anyway. To use the Yamaha's spare 2 channels, the garden speakers would have to be wired.

Personally, I'd recommend hardwiring to your router, which would do away with the cost of the ZoneBridge - at least you're guaranteed a failsafe connection there. All you need is the ZP90 for your home cinema system, which is what I'm doing at the moment and it sounds great (hardwired to router).

For the amount of use mine's getting, and the access you have to music you don't own, it's a bit of a bargain really

 

[Andy H]

I agree it is expensive but then I do believe it is also the best/most useful piece of equipment I have ever bought.

So in that case it was worth every penny.

I cannot imagine going back to changing cd's again, it's just so convenient.

 

[Frank Harvey]

For me, it's not really the convenience factor, it's more about the access to the vast amounts of new music

 

[Andy H]

FrankHarveyHiFi:
it's more about the access to the vast amounts of new music

True didn't think about that, I have learned of a few artists that I like that i had never heard of.

 

[Frank Harvey]

As well as finding new music, I've also found out that some of the different 'bands' I'm into are actually the same people.....

 

[bigboss]

Thanks for all your replies! If Sonos was only a 1 box unit costing £250, it's alright, but I'll need a ZonePlayer 90, a ZoneBridge (my router is in another room) & a Sonos S5 or Sonos ZonePlayer 120 with speakers.

They're vastly overpriced. The ZP90 should cost around £100 at the most, ZP 120 should cost around £120 - 150, the S5 around £150 & the ZoneBridge should cost no more than £40 - 50. That's what they're worth.

I can possibly get away without buying the ZP90, as my PS3 can stream music from my PC to the home cinema system. So the minimum I will need to get music to the garden is a ZoneBridge & a Sonos S5, am I right?

 

[Frank Harvey]

But to put a mini system in another room, something like a DM37, would cost about £300/350, so an S5 that can link to the rest of your system is worth the extra £0/50. And it's easily transported to a different room, unlike a complete mini system.

Different products will have a different value to different people

 

[The_Lhc]

bigboss:Thanks for all your replies! If Sonos was only a 1 box unit costing £250, it's alright, but I'll need a ZonePlayer 90, a ZoneBridge (my router is in another room) & a Sonos S5 or Sonos ZonePlayer 120 with speakers.

They're vastly overpriced. The ZP90 should cost around £100 at the most, ZP 120 should cost around £120 - 150, the S5 around £150 & the ZoneBridge should cost no more than £40 - 50. That's what they're worth.

Sorry but that's just nonsense, even Squeezebox isn't that cheap and Squeezebox isn't anything like as expandable as Sonos is. Part of what you're paying for is the mesh network technology built into the Zoneplayers, which is what makes it able to support up to 32 zones (you'll struggle to get more than 4 squeezeboxes working together). now, if you don't want or need that because you're only using one zone then yes it'll appear to be expensive but in that case I'd say Sonos isn't the right product for you.

So the minimum I will need to get music to the garden is a ZoneBridge & a Sonos S5, am I right?

Correct, assuming you're using an iPhone/Touch to control it with. So those two items will set you back about £420 I think.

 

[bigboss]

the_lhc:

Sorry but that's just nonsense, even Squeezebox isn't that cheap and Squeezebox isn't anything like as expandable as Sonos is. Part of what you're paying for is the mesh network technology built into the Zoneplayers, which is what makes it able to support up to 32 zones (you'll struggle to get more than 4 squeezeboxes working together). now, if you don't want or need that because you're only using one zone then yes it'll appear to be expensive but in that case I'd say Sonos isn't the right product for you.

So the minimum I will need to get music to the garden is a ZoneBridge & a Sonos S5, am I right?

Correct, assuming you're using an iPhone/Touch to control it with. So those two items will set you back about £420 I think.

Thanks for pointint me towards the Logitech Squeezebox! The Sonos mesh network technology that supports upto 32 zones is a bit of an overkill for me. I'll never use so many zones. So why should I pay for a feature I'm never going to use? All I need is a wireless system that streams music from my PC to wherever I am.

The Logitech Squeezebox Boom seems to fit the bill perfectly. The Sonos S5, despite costing £349, will still require a ZoneBridge (another £79) to connect to the wireless network. The Squeezebox Boom costs only £149 & does not require anything else. It directly will connect to my wireless network. Now that's what I call sensible pricing.

Now, will the Squeezebox play music from my NAS drive?

 

[The_Lhc]

bigboss:the_lhc:Sorry but that's just nonsense, even Squeezebox isn't that cheap and Squeezebox isn't anything like as expandable as Sonos is. Part of what you're paying for is the mesh network technology built into the Zoneplayers, which is what makes it able to support up to 32 zones (you'll struggle to get more than 4 squeezeboxes working together). now, if you don't want or need that because you're only using one zone then yes it'll appear to be expensive but in that case I'd say Sonos isn't the right product for you.

So the minimum I will need to get music to the garden is a ZoneBridge & a Sonos S5, am I right?

Correct, assuming you're using an iPhone/Touch to control it with. So those two items will set you back about £420 I think.

Thanks for pointint me towards the Logitech Squeezebox! The Sonos mesh network technology that supports upto 32 zones is a bit of an overkill for me. I'll never use so many zones. So why should I pay for a feature I'm never going to use?

Exactly.

All I need is a wireless system that streams music from my PC to wherever I am.

The Logitech Squeezebox Boom seems to fit the bill perfectly. The Sonos S5, despite costing £349, will still require a ZoneBridge (another £79) to connect to the wireless network. The Squeezebox Boom costs only £149 & does not require anything else. It directly will connect to my wireless network. Now that's what I call sensible pricing.

Well, perhaps but I'd be willing to bet the Boom doesn't sound as good as the S5.

Now, will the Squeezebox play music from my NAS drive?

Ah, the Squeezebox does require server side software to be running, without knowing what NAS it is I couldn't tell you if you can install SqueezeCentre on it or not, check Logitech's support pages, they should have instructions for various NAS's I think.

This is another advantage of Sonos, it'll work with any network share, the "server-y bit" (it's too early to think of a better phrase!) is also built in to the Zoneplayers (which presumably is something else you're paying for...).

 

[bigboss]

the_lhc:

Well, perhaps but I'd be willing to bet the Boom doesn't sound as good as the S5.

Now, will the Squeezebox play music from my NAS drive?

Ah, the Squeezebox does require server side software to be running, without knowing what NAS it is I couldn't tell you if you can install SqueezeCentre on it or not, check Logitech's support pages, they should have instructions for various NAS's I think.

I'll try to get a demo of the Logitech Squeezebox Boom from somewhere. I've heard the Sonos S5. The Squeezebox boom has a sub out. I don't think the Sonos S5 has that.

Mine is a Buffalo Linkstation............Logitech website mentions that it supports NAS drives.

 

[Frank Harvey]

bigboss:Thanks for pointint me towards the Logitech Squeezebox! The Sonos mesh network technology that supports upto 32 zones is a bit of an overkill for me. I'll never use so many zones. I use a ZP90 to run into my system - that's the only zone I'll ever have.

 

[bigboss]

FrankHarveyHiFi:

bigboss:Thanks for pointint me towards the Logitech Squeezebox! The Sonos mesh network technology that supports upto 32 zones is a bit of an overkill for me. I'll never use so many zones. I use a ZP90 to run into my system - that's the only zone I'll ever have.

If you wanted it for only 1 zone, why did you go for Sonos? Was it the convenience?

 

[Frank Harvey]

You can access your music from your PC (not that I do that), but you have access to thousands of internet radio stations covering all genres, Napster, which gives access to the majority of music out there (some restrictions depending on the record company), band and track/album information as well as any tour details bands are currently undertaking.

I just got sick of buying a CD based on one track, only to find the rest are pap! At least with Napster I can check out the album first, and if it's really good then I may buy it - the other advantage is that you can listen to it for a few months to see if it keeps your interest, rather than just interest you initially and then not touch it again.

Personally I think it's a bargain for what I now have access to, and there's always the option of going multi-zone later on.

 

[The_Lhc]

bigboss:the_lhc:Well, perhaps but I'd be willing to bet the Boom doesn't sound as good as the S5.

Now, will the Squeezebox play music from my NAS drive?

Ah, the Squeezebox does require server side software to be running, without knowing what NAS it is I couldn't tell you if you can install SqueezeCentre on it or not, check Logitech's support pages, they should have instructions for various NAS's I think.

I'll try to get a demo of the Logitech Squeezebox Boom from somewhere. I've heard the Sonos S5. The Squeezebox boom has a sub out. I don't think the Sonos S5 has that.

No, I don't think it has either, you'll be dragging a sub into the garden as well then?

Mine is a Buffalo Linkstation............Logitech website mentions that it supports NAS drives.

I think they can run squeezecentre, it might even come pre-installed, if you're lucky, if not it can be installed afterwards but is a bit of a git, apparently.

 

[manicm]

For what it is, I don't think it's that expensive. It's a very tempting device esp. connected to an outboard DAC.

And you don't even have to buy the controller - they supply a free remote app for the iPod touch/iPhone.

 

[bigboss]

the_lhc:

No, I don't think it has either, you'll be dragging a sub into the garden as well then?

Why not? It will sound amazing, wouldn't it

, although I won't be popular with my neighbours!

It's not for the garden. I can keep a sub in my bedroom & use it there...........garden is not the only place I'll listen to music.

 

[bigboss]

manicm:

For what it is, I don't think it's that expensive. It's a very tempting device esp. connected to an outboard DAC.

And you don't even have to buy the controller - they supply a free remote app for the iPod touch/iPhone.

Hmm....you have a point there. The controller will be free as I have an ipod touch.

The thing that goes with the Logitech is that my initial investment will be small, as compared to a Sonos. I can always buy the remote later.

But in the long term.............probably a Sonos is a better investment.......... decisions decisions!!!!

 

[Anonymous]

bigboss:Hmm....you have a point there. The controller will be free as I have an ipod touch.

The thing that goes with the Logitech is that my initial investment will be small, as compared to a Sonos. I can always buy the remote later.

But in the long term.............probably a Sonos is a better investment.......... decisions decisions!!!!

I can relate to your indecision and procrastinating here bigboss. I am finally about to receive my S5 on Monday, then a few days later I'll have my NAS up and running. Will be reporting back later on. I have about 300+ CDs to rip first.. For me, despite the slightly higher initial investment on the hardware, the Sonos is the superior and less "troublesome" than the Squeezebox. I'll also be using my iPhone as the controller.

 

[bigboss]

Ok, took the plunge & bought the Sonos S5 for £314.10 & ZoneBridge for £71.10.............total £385.20 (see my post in the 'Hot Deals' section)! Not bad, eh!!

 

[amcluesent]

>Sonos is a total rip off at the moment!<

Sonos is more expensive that Squeezebox because

1) Their players are more complex=expensive, Squeezebox uses Squeezebox Server for all the smart stuff

2) Sonos charge a noob premium, such as the mesh network, for peeps who struggle with networks/PCs

 

[Frank Harvey]

With Napster, Last FM, Deezer (and hopefully Spotify soon), who needs PC's? I only use Napster, Last FM and the internet radio stations which give me most of the music I need. If I want to listen to any music I own seriously, I'll play it on CD or vinyl - no need for troublesome PC's!

I can understand the pro PC brigade criticising Sonos, that's to be expected, but there are many people out there who do not want to integrate their PC with their hi-fi system, myself included. I'm a self confessed hater of PC's, how they work, how to set them up etc etc. I find them a pain in the rear - the Sonos is simple - plug in, and away you go.

To state it's a rip off is a little much - personally I think it's great vaslue for money when you think of the amount of material you have access to, AND when you take into account the amount of zones you can add on. And don't forget you don't even need to buy a remote - just use your iPhone or iPod Touch. Bargain.

Until you actually own Sonos, or have a good play about with it, you don't really appreciate what you get for your money.

 

[bigboss]

Just finished reading the excellent write-up comparing Sonos & Logitech in the latest WHF issue

I'm glad I went for the Sonos.......although I still think it's expensive & will come down in price when competition intensifies.

Due to the weather, deliveries have been delayed.........hopefully should get my S5 on Monday!

ZoneBridge not in stock currently, should hopefully get it by the end of the week.

 

[Andy H]

FrankHarveyHiFi:

Until you actually own Sonos, or have a good play about with it, you don't really appreciate what you get for your money.

Totally agree, I couldn't do without mine.