We'll cut to the chase, the?Sonos?music system is one of the best music systems we've experienced here at Pocket-lint, not just because it sounds good, but because it is so damn easy to setup and use. The trouble is, for most, it's an expensive system to get into with the standard bundle costing ?800 in the UK and $999 in the US.?All that has changed however with the introduction of the Sonos S5 ZonePlayer. But does it work? Will it offer you a cheap way into the world of Sonos?

If you haven't heard about Sonos in the past the best way to describe it is that it's a music system that allows you to connect up to 42 zones, allowing you to play music throughout your house from a central music collection - stored on a computer or a NAS drive connected to your network.

You can choose to play the same song by grouping all those zones or different music in every room, so, for example, you could listen to Def Leopard in the kitchen while the kids listen to Disney favourites in their room. If that wasn't enough to whet your appetite, the system also lets you stream around 25,000 internet radio stations from around the world, as well as letting you connect to music services like Pandora in the US and Deezer in the UK.

Back to the S5 ZonePlayer and although you only get the one zone, it is a considerably cheaper option to get you started (?349/$399).

Designed around the impression of a single speaker, the unit actually has a 5-driver speaker system, including two tweeters, two mid-range drivers and a built-in subwoofer.

Coming in white and silver, like other elements in the Sonos range, the silver speaker grill "is" the front of the unit and the only controls to be found are the volume up and down and mute button on the top.

Thin enough to easily sit on a kitchen window ledge or lounge sideboard, you will require a power socket and if you aren't opting for the optional ZoneBridge (?80/$99) to get you connected, you'll need an Ethernet port close by.

Around the back there is a line-in so you can connect an iPod or CD player to be shared on the system along with a headphone socket.?In our tests we weren't too impressed with the performance of the headphone socket - we got plenty of static and hiss coming through even when we weren't playing songs, and judging by other comments on the Internet we aren't alone. Still you're unlikely to use it anyway.

If there are only volume and mute controls, how do you control it? It's all down to the accompanying software for Mac or PC and for iPod touch and iPhone owners - which comes in the form of a free app.?The software is incredibly easy to use. For listening to your own music, throw that collection into a folder and then tell the Sonos to scan that folder. You can set automatic scans on a daily basis to keep up-to-date with new music additions, management of playlists, favourite radio stations and music services.

The system will support Last.fm, Napster, Pandora, Rhapsody and SIRIUS in the US and Last.fm, Napster, Classical.com and Deezer in the UK. Unfortunately due to the way that Spotify works, you can't get the service here.?Other gems with the software is the ability to set an alarm so you can be woken with your favourite tracks or you even to tweet what you are listening to.

If you've already got a Sonos system, connecting the S5 requires you to press two buttons (it really is that simple) and because the system is setup and remembers the connection, you can drag this around the house (as long as there is a plug) quickly and easily (roll on the summer).

For newbies, and this is clearly where this speaker system is aimed at, set-up is slightly longer - you have to install some software on your computer, but the walkthrough is so basic that we would be surprised if you had trouble.

Back to the S5 and the sound quality is good. It's not Bowers and Wilkin's Zeppelin good, but then the Zeppelin doesn't come with all the connectivity options. That said, it's no slouch, producing a good, if not slightly bassy sound (it can be changed via an on-screen equaliser) that is sure to fill most rooms in your house - especially the kitchen, bedroom or bathroom.

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Verdict:

Where the Sonos S5 ZonePlayer appeals to us is not only in the price, but the ease in which it allows you to get into the system. If you've got a iPod touch or iPhone, the app doubles as the controller and the ability to add more zones throughout your house is so simple you'll want to do it within a couple of weeks.

If you are in the market for an iPod speaker this will likely be better than anything you can get on the market in terms of options. You'll also get to keep your iPod touch or iPhone in your pocket as it's not needed in the dock (there is no docking station).

The system also makes music more accessible. Sonos says that people who own a system listen to music at least twice as much as they did before. As an owner of a BU250 system with two zones already, I would have to agree. Since owning it, my family listens to a lot more music in different parts of the house, sometimes the same, sometimes different.

Where the Sonos S5 succeeds is in its simplicity. It takes all the faff out of listening to music. Combine that with the music services and you are on to a real winner.

Tags: Audio Sonos Networking Sonos Zoneplayer S5

Sonos S5 ZonePlayer speaker system originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:27:58 +0000

We make no qualms about Sonos here at Pocket-lint. We think it's an excellent system that allows you to listen to your music from a single source in multiple locations around the house. It's expensive, yes, but then the experience is such a nice one that works first time (over the various different models we've tested over the years) that we really can vouch for the fact that even your Grandma should be able to do it.

Adding a new ZoneBridge as they are called, is as simple as pressing a button and as long as you are sensible in your locating of the devices, i.e., not at opposite ends of the house with nothing in-between, the wireless Mesh network that it creates is effective in delivering you music wherever you are.

So why are we reviewing it again if we've already reviewed numerous iterations of the same device before? After all the main elements of the 250 Bundle haven't really changed. You get two Sonos ZonePlayers - the ZP120 and the ZP90. The ZP120 comes with a 55W per channel built-in amplifier so all you have to do is add speakers. The ZP90 is a smaller box-like unit that connects to an amp you already have. It's a simple way to connect it into your home cinema system for example.

Of course you can add more and more of this units till the cows come home: 42 is the limit at the moment, which means you've got to have a fairly big house before you run out of options.

No, the reason that we've chosen to review the 250 Bundle is the inclusion of a new remote control - the Sonos Controller 200.

Moving with the times, Sonos has ditched the click wheel interface that aped the original Apple iPod to one that now imitates the Apple iPod touch. What that means is you get a full touchscreen remote control that looks like an iPod touch that's just eaten too much, way too much.

You can of course get a Sonos App for the iPhone and the iPod touch, so why bother with the dedicated remote? Well purely for that reason. The reason it is considerably thicker is because it has a battery that can last over a week and a dedication to performing the tasks at hand rather than being asked to play games or make phone calls. The result is a remote control that works on the Mesh network so you don't need line of sight, as well as giving you full functionality over your system wherever you are.

As for the interface, it's virtually identical to the iPod touch offering, after all why wouldn't it be? There are dedicated hardware buttons for quick access back to the home menu, volume and muting. A press of the home button zips you to the Zone selection page where you can select the Zones you want the music to be played in. Once selected you can control, at the press of a finger, whether or not to access your music library, radio, line-in or services like Last.fm, Napster, Pandora Radio or Rhapsody. The list of online music services does change depending on where in the world you are (it's a licensing thing) but you are given options in all cases. Spotify fans will be disappointed though, there isn't any support currently (it's an API thing).

Press a couple of buttons and you're streaming your music to that location, be it the bedroom or the living room. Names can be assigned to any Zone you create, and all can be managed via the remote quickly. There is even a pop-up keyboard for text input and searching. You can of course choose to link Zones or choose to listen to different music in different Zones from the same music source.

Music can be queued, played straightaway or played next with the option to view and manage the queue at any point.? On the Internet radio front you can search for stations around the globe and create favourite presets. A clock allows the system to be turned into an alarm clock and yes you can have it so the kids bedroom Zone goes off at a set time.

Imagine this is a really easy-to-use iPhone app, but with a ?800/$1000 piece of equipment at the back end doing all the work and you get the picture. It really is simple and functional.

Away from the controller everything can be organised via the accompanying PC or Mac software and unlike most streaming systems where the software is an after thought, Sonos continue to create a very clever solution here too. Scanning your music collection really is just a couple of clicks. Awesome.

Verdict:

Okay so we've heaped more than enough praise on the Sonos Bundle and accompanying controller. There must be something wrong? Well there are two gripes, both of which are us clutching at straws to be honest.

The first is that we found the remote control was constantly firing into action, almost to say hello. It didn't make anything happen, but on a coffee table or desk out of the corner of your eye its something you notice and therefore becomes annoying.

Then there is the other gripe. You don't actually need it - the controller that is. If ever there was a device that was a pure luxury element this is it. The iPhone or iPod touch app will do what you need to do and if you aren't bothered about freedom then you can do it all via the PC or Mac.

Of course we don't all have an iPod touch or iPhone and the longer battery and faster processor do make a difference, but if your already stretching yourself to afford the system then you could cut out the controller and survive on the cheap getting yourself a games console (yes the iPod touch we are talking to you) at the same time.

That said, if you are about to pay out almost ?700 for the basic system, chances are adding in the controller at another ?121 isn't going to be an issue, in which case it will be ?121 well spent.

Related links:

• Pictures - Sonos CR200 remote control

Tags: Audio Connected Hi-Fi systems Networking Remote controls Sonos Sonos Controller CR200 Sonos Bundle 250 with Sonos Controller CR200

Sonos Bundle 250 with Sonos Controller CR200 originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:00:00 +0100