Why is Sonos so expensive?????

[Frank Harvey]

Thanks Andy.

I've not been able to use Napster for a week, and it's killing me!! It's like having Sky+ for a year and then suddenly have it taken away!

I usually go straight on after watching a film and search for a few tracks - watched Snatch tonight and there's a track near the end I wanted to find, but can't!!

 

[kinda]

I've had the Sonos going on a year, and considered a number of optionsbefore getting it, but the clinchers for me in choosing it were:-

Sound quality and format support - Very good, espefcially with external DAC, and supports FLAC plus many other formats.

No server - Would work with a plain NAS. I don't want to be keeping a server on or booting it to listen to music.

Don't have to turn TV on - That was my issue with the XBox XBMC solution I was replacing

Remote with Display - When not using a TV you need something close to you to select songs. It's no good trying to view a small LCD on the player itself 15 feet away.

iPod Touch App - Not a big Apple fan, but having a remote that can double as a portable music player, internet browser, and so on is good. Plus the controller app gets constantly updated for free.

Ability to expand - Easy to add more zones, with synchronised playback and so on later

Other benefits are the internet radio, ability to line in a source and have it played on the network, and it's pretty easy to use and stylish.

I don't think there's really anything else, at least for reasonable money, that offers all this. And if you already have a NAS and maybe an iPod Touch / iPhone it makes it an even more obvious choice.

 

[Anonymous]

So, Sonos is really good if you own an Apple product and need 32 zones. Otherwise, a Squeezebox to connect to a NAS or a Samsung Tab (or similar) with external speakers, etc?

 

[The_Lhc]

So, Sonos is really good if you own an Apple product

There's no requirement for any Apple product to use Sonos, don't know where you'd get that idea from, I own no Apple products and my Sonos is still excellent.

and need 32 zones.

Somewhat facetious I think, Sonos does multi-room better than anything else, whether that's 2 zones or more.

Otherwise, a Squeezebox to connect to a NAS or a Samsung Tab (or similar) with external speakers, etc?

Yeah, if you just need one zone and your storage device can run the required Squeezebox software. EDIT: That sounds more negative than it was supposed to, if the above two conditions apply I'd probably recommend a Squeezebox Touch, not least because they'll handle 24-bit files (I think), which Sonos won't.

 

[kinda]

Yeah, there are loads of Sonos clients. Their own controller, an Android device (free app), Apple iPod Touch / iPhone / iPad (free app), or just a Windows PC.

I think if you just need to play files into an amp, then there are loads of options, and some may be cheaper, especially if you don't mind using your own wireless network bandwidth or having a proper server running rather than just a NAS.

If you want easy to use proper multi-room potential, and other services like internet radio and Last FM, then it's a great system. The lack of HD audio is the only issue, but I'm sure Sonos will move things on in that direction soon.

I only currently use Sonos in one room, and wondered about the outlay, but I've never looked back. I'm sure at one point I'll make use of the multi-room as well!

 

[Anonymous]

I looked at a squeezebox system initially. One of the disadvantages I felt SB had was everything going through the router. We have poor wifi in some parts of the house. The Sonos mesh has meant we do not have any problems (so far). The Touch remote can be a bit hit and miss upstairs but we have the cr200 or iPad in the bedroom.

One thing that has not been mentioned but I think is important is the feel and build quality of the products. To me they feel nice, solid and well put together. It helps with the value for money thing.

The fact that on the remote you can view the album in full screen is something my little laddo loves. He thinks the full screen image of the Phineas and Ferb album cover is the bees 'nees. I'm not too sure especially at 6:20 on a Tuesday morning.

 

[Anonymous]

It sounds like the original poster has already come to the correct decision and went for the Sonos.

I would just like to reasure him on his decision. I had a SB Duet for about 18 months and choose it over the Sonos for exactly the same reason - cost.

This was a mistake, in my opinion if you want faultless multi-room music that just works you need to spend a bit more. The frustration caused by the many unpredictable and ilogical SB glitches just isn't worth the cost saving.

In my opinion the SB (can only comment on the Duet) is fundamentaly flawed and is incapable of doing what it says on the tin.

The Sonos on the other hand is perfectly reliable. As an added bonus you can use the Zone Players to extend your network, ie. ZP120 connected to router in office, ZP90 connected to XBOX in livingroom.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Sonos is a great product, but I think it should be the dealers asking why it's so expensive. Sonos are in danger of suddenly finding themselves with no market if they continue the way they are. There's no incentive for the dealer to stock the product as there's no money in it for them, and more and more products nowadays support internet radio, Napster and Spotify. Plus, they don't support HD audio, and have no plans to upgrade them.

 

[The_Lhc]

Plus, they don't support HD audio, and have no plans to upgrade them.

No plans that they're telling anyone about at least. They also didn't tell anyone about the smaller version of the S5 that people have been asking for but according to FCC leaks that'll be with us before the end of the year.

 

[michael hoy]

Just purchased the following Sonos devices:

BR100 connected to Router

ZP90 connected to Pioneer SC-LX72

S5 for Bedroom

S5 for Dinning room

WD 100 for iPod Touch

So simple to set up and sounds very good and the Sonos app for the iPod Touch works very smoothly.

 

[Overdose]

Couldn't be bothered to read the entire thread, so this may have already been covered.

It is overpriced for the collection of parts that it is, but it has no real competitor and gets on with its job without fuss and bother. Squeezebox, arguably is similar, but does not integrate well with all networked systems.

 

[emptage]

I have a considerable amount of digital music held on my computer which I want to stream to one other room in the house to enable me to play it on my HI Fi system. I will not be streaming it to any other room. I am just about to buy a ZP90 and a soundbridge for a total of £300. Is there any other system I should seriously consider. I also plan to re rip all my cd's to a much higher format, probably flac, to take advantage of the Hi FI system. Comments please

 

[Lee H]

I love my Sonos. One of the main features for me is the expandability (is that even a word?!?) of the system. Right now I have 3 zones, but that could become however many I need in the future and I'm sure I won't be hitting the maximum zone limit unless the lottery comes in (and even then it'll be a struggle)

Whilst you're not streaming to any other room right now, it's good to know you have a system that will at some point in the future. Plus, you're also getting access to internet radio, Last FM, Spotify, Napster and more.

There are other options (Airplay for example) and much of the choice depends on your file format, what system you use (PC/Mac) and so on.

 

[Frank Harvey]

The upcoming Denon DNP720 will be worth a look (September), which will be about £429. Also, the Marantz NA7004 at £549.

The Sonos Zoneplayers generally need an offboard DAC for them to be of good enough quality for a high quality hi-fi system, so once you've added that cost, the two above will be worth checking out.

 

[Lee H]

David, intersting comment about the DAC. I run mine via digi co-ax in to the AVR (1911), do you still think a DAC would improve matters?

 

[Frank Harvey]

It's then down to how good the DAC is in the 1911, which I'm sure will be a decent improvement on Sonos' own inbuilt one! If you were looking at something like a Rega DAC, then I'd say yes. An Arcam rDAC should improve it as well, but if I was adding a DAC to a system, I don't see any point unless it's a sizeable improvement.

 

[Lee H]

At nearly £500 wouldn't I be better using a dedeicated stereo amp?

Sorry for crashing the (old) thread and asking potentially dumb questions.

 

[Frank Harvey]

You could do, but for a good system, you want to avoid the internal DACs of the Sonos, which you'd still be using if you bought a normal, stereo amplifier. It's sort of 'lesser of two evils' - a Sonos box through a dedicated 2 channel hi-fi amplifier or a Sonos box through a high quality DAC into an AV receiver. Pro's and cons.

It really is down to how good you want music to sound.

 

[emptage]

Thanks for the comments. Apologies for this but what is an 'offboard DAC' ? and why do i need it ?

 

[BenLaw]

Sonos is a great product, but I think it should be the dealers asking why it's so expensive. Sonos are in danger of suddenly finding themselves with no market if they continue the way they are. There's no incentive for the dealer to stock the product as there's no money in it for them.

The upcoming Denon DNP720 will be worth a look (September), which will be about £429. Also, the Marantz NA7004 at £549.

The Sonos Zoneplayers generally need an offboard DAC for them to be of good enough quality for a high quality hi-fi system, so once you've added that cost, the two above will be worth checking out.

I take it the dealer mark up on the RRP is better with the alternative products you are suggesting? Clearly it will be if an additional component is also purchased.

FWIW I agree with BigBoss' last post.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Yes Ben, the mark up on the products I've suggested are higher than that of Sonos - but then, that's not really very hard since there is virtually no mark up on Sonos anyway, as I've already mentioned.

As for whether a Sonos box would need a DAC is a personal choice. As I said, it all depends on how good the individual wants their streamed music to sound. I use a ZP90 through an LX83 and it sounds great, and immsure many Sonos users will be more than pleased with their Sonos box running digitally into their AV receiver. I'm sure the inbuilt DAC in the Marantz 7004 will outperform that of any of e Sonos boxes.

I think I've said this before Ben, but if you see any of my posts, please ignore them, as you only seem to be interested in trying to catch me out, however tenuous the links. It's just tedious.

 

[bigboss]

I have a considerable amount of digital music held on my computer which I want to stream to one other room in the house to enable me to play it on my HI Fi system. I will not be streaming it to any other room. I am just about to buy a ZP90 and a soundbridge for a total of £300. Is there any other system I should seriously consider. I also plan to re rip all my cd's to a much higher format, probably flac, to take advantage of the Hi FI system. Comments please

FLAC is a good option.

Check the formats supported by Sonos:

 

[BenLaw]

I think I've said this before Ben, but if you see any of my posts, please ignore them, as you only seem to be interested in trying to catch me out, however tenuous the links. It's just tedious.

Don't tell me what to do, ta. I'll post on what I like, when I like, within the house rules, just like anyone else on the forum.

I was observing that there was a possibility that your views were swayed (whether subconsciously or consciously) by commercial considerations over and above those that are pertinent to the poster asking the questions. This is perhaps demonstrated by the fact that you are proposing a product which hasn't even been released yet, over the Sonos. As it happens, BB and I disagree with your approach. Others can make up their own mind about my observation, I'm sure some will agree and some will disagree.

 

[bigboss]

It's the assumption that Sonos's onboard DAC (Digital to Analogue Converter) may not be as good as a dedicated DAC. I don't feel the need for an offboard DAC with my Sonos just as yet. I'm quite happy with the performance.

Get the Sonos first without an external DAC. If you're happy with the sound, don't worry about it. If you want better sound quality, then you can invest in a DAC at a later stage.

 

[Frank Harvey]

I didn't tell, I asked. Another sign of your negativity towards me. I know why, even if no one else does.

The poster asked for alternatives to the Sonos, so I gave him two. I gave the Denon option as it's pretty much going to be the cheapest alternative to the Sonos,and it'll stream 24/96.