http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/ Engadget Comments for The Engadget Interview: John MacFarlane, CEO of Sonos, Inc. http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/Dec 19th 2005 12:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/Ho ho ho :D]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/Dec 19th 2005 12:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/
---Todd, the Sonos system user interface on the hand held Controller, includes an Internet Radio menu, provided with a pre-set list of high quality Internet Radio streams of various genres.

You may also customize your Internet Radio listening experience by adding your own favorite stations to the "Favorites" menu by entering the source URL.

Sonos supports MP3 Internet Radio streams and is working to support other streaming formats.

John S.
Sonos Technical Support]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/
First, they've put the display where it belongs: on the remote. Not on a computer. Not on a tiny display that you're squinting at from across the room, and not on a TV (why do I need a TV to play my music !?).

Second, they've realized that for any decent-sized library, you need good navigation controls. The (potentially patent-infringing) scrollwheel is, of course, fantastic for this. Typing in the name of an artist as if you're writing a txt-message is not.

Third, it (supposedly) handles multiple rooms playing music from multiple sources. Some systems handle multiple rooms well, but require a designated "library" computer. Some support multiple library computers, but can't play in multiple rooms. This does both.

Fourth, they're basing this on higher-speed 802.11g.

Finally, though obviously inspired by the Apple/Bose aesthetic, it's pretty nice looking. I wouldn't be ashamed to have one sitting in my living room.

So what's not to like?

First, it doesn't handle iTMS music. And probably nothing but Apple gear ever will. That's unfortunate, but it isn't really the fault of Sonos.

Second, they need to support a lossless format like FLAC and/or Apple Lossless.

Third, I don't get their price point. A single player and a remote will run you $900, which is way more the "consumer-level" offerrings like the SqueezeBox and the SoundBridge. Perhaps they're going after the Bose demographic? Personally, I'd rather have control over my amplification, but I can see how their setup is simpler (and the auto-detection of connected components is slick).

I'd say that if this were a bit less (say $300 for each component), I'd snap a system up, but in reality, I'll probably at least wait to see what comes out of MacWorld.

But none-the-less, these guys deserve kudos for bringing out a way cool product.]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/2. The Mac software is pretty minimal compared to the PC stuff. Typical, but unfortunate.
]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/
It seems like a waste to spend $500 on an amplified ZonePlayer for a room that already has a decent receiver/amplifier and more speakers than the ZonePlayer would know what to do with! And customers won't want to add a non-Sonosnet solution into the mix just to get their digital music to this room.

From the interview and their web site I get the impression that Sonos is a user-centered company so they probably already came to this realization. My guess is they'll have an amp-less version in the near future.]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/
It's too bad about the price though. For a student like me it's way too high.]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/- Doesn't Sonos have a company blog?
- Will this be available in Europe?
- Can you have several Sonos Controllers? If not, it's a bit limited to singles with big houses.

I agree with some of the precedent comments, it's a bit expensive for the functionnality.
]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/
Specifically, will is be available in Europe and is it possible to use two controllers in one system? For example, i can imagine the situation where one person is in the den and another person is in the garage, each with their own ZonePlayer listening to their own tunes. But if they want to change song or something then they will both need a controller. Is this possible?]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/
- No optical out.

Otherwise it looks dope.]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/
The more i read about this system the more i like it.]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/Dec 19th 2005 12:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/Dec 19th 2005 12:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/
http://www.pulsepipe.com]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/
Great questions:

a) Multiple Controllers. The Sonos Digital Music System supports up to 32 controllers in simultaneous use. All controllers show the state of the system in real-time.

b) Europe - we will commence European distribution in March of 2005.

c) Mac OSX Support. We will provide Mac and PC software which aids the setup process. PC users will also get a full blown desktop controller. In the early part of '05 Sonos will release a Mac Controller which will have feature parity with the PC controller.

d) Lossless Music formats. Support for a lossless format will be added in an upcoming software release. Trigger an update from any controller and the entire system is updated.


Feel free to ask more questions here or visit us @ http://www.sonos.com (800-680-2345).

Thanks, Chris.
--
Sonos Technical Support
]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/
Great questions:

a) Multiple Controllers. The Sonos Digital Music System supports up to 32 controllers in simultaneous use. All controllers show the state of the system in real-time.

b) Europe - we will commence European distribution in March of 2005.

c) Mac OSX Support. We will provide Mac and PC software which aids the setup process. PC users will also get a full blown desktop controller. In the early part of '05 Sonos will release a Mac Controller which will have feature parity with the PC controller.

d) Lossless Music formats. Support for a lossless format will be added in an upcoming software release. Trigger an update from any controller and the entire system is updated.


Feel free to ask more questions here or visit us @ http://www.sonos.com (800-680-2345).

Thanks, Chris.
--
Sonos Technical Support
]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/
I second other posts about cost and compatability with existing sound systems.

In my apartment we have two stereos. My partner and I would love to connect our computer to them. We tried AirPort Express but the lack of a remote is a big problem.

I would gladly over the $150 to have a Sonos controller. We don't want to use our computer as a remote control anymore. The Sonos controller's design is beautiful---the scroll-wheel and the color screen! Definitely the best controller I've seen.

Are there any plans for making the Sonos controller available to work without a Zone Player? We all have digital music on our computers. Many of us interested in the controller already have home theatre systems and don't want redundant equipment.

Sell us the controller seperate, as an independent unit. your product to control our computers or something and then when we're hooked or interested, we'll add more ZonePlayers.

Thanks,
Bryan]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/I'm behind Sonos for creating the best .mp3 player (soon to be) on the market and plan on buying an "Introductory Bundle" when it's released. Where I feel it's falling short however is:

- 30,000 track limit ceiling (an iPod photo scales to more than that based on 128kb and 1 minute tracks, as opposed to the 15,000 they promote when using 128kb and 4 minute tracks... it's not the track length, focus on the fact that an iPod can index more tracks with it's firmware and this is supposed to replace your home stereo system)

- No ID3 "Relative Volume Adjustment" support (if your tracks aren't relatively at equal volume, Sonos doesn't natively support the ID3 spec which was created to help the situation)

Again, they're doing a great job (from everything I've read), but the above two items are certainly something to be addressed. Volume more than capacity for the moment, as I do not potentially want to have to manually adjust the volume between each song.]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/
Re: Bryan's request for a standalone controller.

Sonos has no plans to get into the generic remote control business. Our Controller relies on a great deal of smart software running in each ZonePlayer to make it work the way it does. Given it only works with Sonos equipment the UI design has been optimized for its function - and hence delivers the user experience Art is looking forward to...

re: Art's questions:

30,000 track limit: We had to set the v1.0 spec somewhere. It landed @ 30,000 tracks. For the past three months we've been feature locked for our v1.0 release. The goal is to provide as rock solid a product at ship as humanly possible. Product Management are now working on the v1+ feature set - this is on the table for discussion.

ID3 "Relative Volume Adjustment": This feature did not make the v1.0 cut. It is also under consideration for the v1+ release.

I can assure you our engineers are eager to work on the fun features - we've been hammering them for months on reliability!

Chris.]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/I hear ya... there needs to be scope when a v1.0 spec is created. And it's good Sonos stuck to it in order to get its product out at a pace better late than never.

The 30,000 track limit isn't really a problem initially (since the iPod has already proven this plateau can technically be surpassed whenever Sonos sets its mind to it); honestly I was pretty amazed however that "Relative Volume Adjustment" wasn't in the v1.0 spec. I mean... this is a major oversight out of the gate. If volumes vary greatly amongst albums, boy will it not be fun to have to manually adjust volume on playlists. "Relative Volume Adjustment" has been an ID3 frame since 1999.

Again, I'm going to buy your product (it's been on order since July), but words phrases like "It is also under consideration for the v1+ release" make me cringe. Why would this not be a no-brainer for the first update? "Consideration?" C'mon now... tell us it's a definite, as it would make the experience of listening much smoother and acceptable.

See ya!]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/Dec 19th 2005 12:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/13/the-engadget-interview-john-macfarlane-ceo-of-sonos-inc/
1) There does not seem to be any way to route the audio from the desktop controller that runs on my PC to my computer speakers - i.e. you need to have one of your ZonePlayers in the same room as your "host" computer.

2) The color display on the controller is great but it would nice to see some options to change the colors, change the skins, customize the layout, etc.

3) I'd like to have the ability to pull up more meta data about the song: Year, addtional Comments, etc.

4) I agree with earlier comments that there should be a cheaper "amp-less" zone player that you could plug into an existing stereo system.

5) On the Music Library I'd like to see some support for subscribing to PodCasts.

Overall this thing works as advertised. I'm convinced that this is how everyone will be listening to music in the house a few years from now.]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM