I own a bose speaker (cinemate) but was thinking of switching to sonos (soundbar) for the tv as well as a couple play1 speakers for other rooms. Being able to use the airplay technology around the house in multiple rooms sounds interesting. Interested to hear anyone's experience with these speakers. Thanks!
i hear the soundbar/play setup at SXSW last year (in the Sonos "house.") thought it sounded pretty good. if you're not specifically looking for a soundbar, but are interested in networked audio generally, you might check out the new Bluesound products. similar conceptually, but by the teams from NAD & PSB, it'll also play hi-res audio, something Sonos can't do. http://www.bluesound.com/
I have them installed throughout my house in the ceilings with my surround sound. I absolutely love it. I just hit the Sono's app on my phone, got to Pandora or Spotify, or just play my playlist. It sounds fantastic, it's perfect when I'm cooking and it's nice to listen to ambient while I'm sleeping. Huge fan.
Thanks everyone. I'll look into the blue sound. Does it play through airplay as well? It looks a little bulky. I'm thinking twice about the soundbar now because my bose speakers are smaller thus more versatile as far as positioning. I'm sure the soundbar sounds excellent but I fear there won't be much space on the entertainment center because I have the xbox kinect in front of my tv as already. I may just get the sonos connect set up for $300 to enable my speakers for airplay. Actually, I have Apple TV connected to my bose so music can play via airplay but I'd like to integrate the bose into the sonos ecosystem.
I didn't know sonos had ceiling speakers by the way? I have the wires setup for speakers when I bought the house but have to figure out the wiring.
They don't. I think he probably connected it (Sonos) to his home receiver/ceiling speakers, which lets you play music through them.
Yep, connected to the tuner and use wireless for the Sono's. We had the speakers put in the ceilings of our den and bedroom when the home was being built.
what's your use case for airplay? both Sonos and BLuesound will read your iTunes database, and Bluesound will look for network shares generally, so airplay isn't really necessary. for tablet/iDevice streaming, you can use Bluetooth w/ the bluesound system (requires a cheap dongle). not sure about Sonos support for BT.
Nice! Anything from NAD and Paul Barton not only has to sound good but also is designed to be affordable.
Sonos will play lossless at least. I only use the Play3 speakers as auxiliaries around the house and I have not noticed a difference streaming lossless vs AAC. Not like when I am running them through my real speakers. NAD + PSB sounds pretty good (albeit more expensive) but at this point it should also be pointed out that Sonos has a proven track record and is constantly expanding partnerships and the like.
Sorry I'm a noob when it comes to sound systems but I'm not sure what you're asking here. I've owned bluetooth speakers but find that airplay is easier to use IMHO plus I don't have to keep my bluetooth on in my iphone or ipad. Also are you saying sonos will play itunes without airplay?
Sonos will stream music from your iTunes collection, as well as music from your phone using the Sonos app. There are tracks that cannot be played via the app due to DRM. I've got the Playbar and subwoofer in my living room and couldn't be happier. The Playbar by itself is ok...but add the subwoofer into the mix and it's a really great setup.
Cool! Thanks for the input! Was debating whether to put (2) Play:3s or just one sound bar for a little bit. What is a DRM by the way?
I have the Sonos Soundbar in my living room and it is amazing. For music / tv / movies / gaming it has way exceeded my expectations.
Digital Rights Management. If any of your purchased tracks have DRM, the Sonos app may not stream them via the app. Most tracks nowadays are sold DRM-free...but I still have quite a few that aren't.
