Concord Carpenter

Sonos Wireless Sound System

By Robert Robillard on Tool and Product Reviews, Weekend warrior

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Music Everywhere Concept

How Sonos Make Music Listening Better?

Wireless technology, such as Sonos, allows you to stream audio from a range of devices to all types of speakers, in multiple rooms, simultaneously using a wireless connection.   Sonos gives users complete control over their music and the ability to listen to all of their music, no matter where that music is stored.

Additionally, people are finding that they listen to more genres and older “forgotten” music, more music options than they’ve ever experienced before.  The addition of a streaming music services gives our client’s a better and broader music experience.

Sonos also lets you listen to any of your computer or storage devices, and additionally allows you to easily customize playlists with Internet based music subscriptions such as:

• Internet radio
• Spotify
• Pandora
• Napster
• Deezer
• Last.fm.

Sonos Video Review

What People Are Saying?

Rob, an architect and client of mine, has Sonos running his entire house and connected to pre-existing wired speakers in all but two areas. He uses his office desktop and iTunes as his music library.

He is using the following Sonos gear:

• Whole House-Connect-Amp for each zone (5 zones, 1 Pre-Amp connected to surround sound receiver)
• Pool House-1 Pre-Amp connected to an amp for wired rock speakers
• Play 3 in Pool House. Typically group pool & pool house. Listen to different music in tool room.
• Play 1 in wood shop

We did a lot of work on Rob’s pool house, it’s timber framed, and was difficult to hard wire, so instead we had the electrician locate outlets in inconspicuous areas for the Connect-Amp & Play 3 speaker.

Sonos Play-1 Wireless Speaker

Rob’s family is into music and everyone listens to different music at the same time.  He loves that he can stream the internet for music, has access to more Internet radio, and can usually find any song he can think of to listen to in a matter of seconds. He finds that he is listening to way more music than he normally would with Sonos and his subscription to Spotify.

Rob feels that the best part of Sonos is being able to change volume individually for each zone. Adding to “queue”, “playing next”, playing music from your own device.

For example:

• His wife likes to hear the news in the morning so she accesses the Line-In source and gets Satellite TV audio in the bathroom for the TV that is on in the bedroom.
• His girls listen to the music they like in their bedrooms.
• When entertaining Rob will turn on multiple zones.
• His Family Room has a TV with surround sound and the TV remote has a Sonos source so that it can play the Sonos (pre-amp) through the surround sound speakers.

Connect-Amp

What Else Are People Are Saying?

Brian, a executive in the high tech industry, installed a Sonos bridge, 3 Amps and 1 Play bar in his newly constructed home. For his music library he utilizes his iTunes account, Rhapsody and Pandora.

According to Brian, “installation and functionality could not have been any easier, it took less than 10 Minutes to unpack and set up. Adding an additional room after the fact and the sound bar was also very easy. I no longer have any stereo equipment in the house, it’s without a doubt the best feature of Sonos.”

Brian dedicated an old iPad as a main controller to the system but all family members have the Sonos App on their other devices. “The iPad stays on our kitchen counter and everyone in the family uses it. We have music in 4 rooms plus the patio. I love the fact I do not have to look at music controls on the wall, the entire wireless aspect is awesome.”

“I was thrilled to get rid of six large audio boxes and I now use an iPad and the Sonos App as my new entertainment system. “

When I asked Brian how has Sonos changed the way he and his family listen to music he said, “Its music literally in every room of our house. The ability to choose and play background music when guests come over, and allow the kids control of their own music in their bedrooms is amazing.”

Brian describes his Sonos experience as an exploration. “My music listening has gone from listening the same old stuff to an exciting exploration across multiple genres.  With music subscriptions and ability to access different genres through the Sonos App, its super easy to listen to long forgot favorite songs from twenty years ago. “

Brian jokingly referenced the holiday music playing in his house while using Sonos and subscription-based channels. “With the holidays coming, my wife wants all holiday music playing.

I no longer have to go and look for the same old Christmas CDs and fire up the CD player and hope they’re not scratched.   The department store music loop is gone!   Now I have a huge holiday music queue and listen to clear, crisp music.”