Sonos audio - a must for the digital home?

[Bob Crabtree]

Sonos reckons that no music lover's digital home is complete without the company's Digital Music System. What it doesn't say, though, is that you’ll need to be sharing your digital home with one or more other music lovers to really appreciate it and be holding regular parties if you want to make an attempt to justify the expense.

But, recognising that not everyone can afford its kit, Sonos has just come up with a lower-cost ZonePlayer. The ZP80, £269 (inc VAT) doesn’t include the amplifier of its more costly big brother (the £379 ZP100), so you don’t have to pay extra for an amp that you might not need - Sonos says that a large number of potential customers will already have pretty decent amps anyway.

The beauty of the Sonos solution is that connecting one of the units to your PC, Mac or Network Attached Storage box lets you take advantage of the music stored there. The box also gives access to internet radio - it comes loaded with 190 internet-radio station presets.

Find out more in this HEXUS.headline and let us know your thoughts on this and other around-the-home systems.

[herulach]

can you control it without the zapper? and it seems to loose out a lot by requiring a box sat next to your pc. Maybe a software app, or a cheaper one with no playback facilities would be a good idea.

As it stands though, id still go for squeezeboxes.

[DR]

You don't need it by your PC - but your router, or infact you run a long cable....

[herulach]

ah, i misunderstood the pictures on the site then, so one on its own would be useable? but at least the first needs to be wired?

[DR]

One of them needs to be wired, I believe for DHCP - if/when I get one I can tell you

[Bob Crabtree]

David,

I've assumed that the controller is a must - is that the case, do you know?

Bob

[DR]

I am pretty sure you have to have it - I need to get the PC application to see the control suite

[jaffacake]

Hi I'm a newbie here, just came across your Sonos article and thought I would respond.

Sonos has 4 control methods:

1) The wireless controller pictured above
2) A software controller for PC - This is free of charge
3) A software controller for MAC - This is free of charge
4) Any UPNP controller - UPNP is an open interface and some sonos owners have written their own control apps to interface with home automation systems etc.

I've owned Sonos about 9mths now and just added 2 extra zones with the launch of the ZP80 bringing me to a total of 5 with 2 handheld controllers and 2 PC controllers. When I move house in a few weeks this will go up to quite a few more.

[jaffacake]

This review provides some great info, although some features have been added/updated since.

http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/article1620.html

[Nick England]

Hi, does anybody know if you buy Sonos in the USA if it will work in the UK? I presume that you have to buy a new power cable (& transformer?).
thanks