Sonos ZonePlayer ZP80 turns up

Looks like Sonos is well underway whipping up new versions of their in-home wireless audio distribution system; their new ZP80 turned up in the FCC archives, and seems to have similar functionality as their current ZonePlayer ZP100 system, but with a greatly reduced size and some rearranged ins and outs. (Kinda cute, don't you think?) We're lacking hard specs on this guy, but we do know for sure it's got dual Ethernet jacks, RCA audio in and out, and TOSLINK and coax outputs, and, of course, 2.4GHz wireless support for Sonosnet. Could an updated version of their "full-size" ZonePlayer be far behind? Something tells us we'll find out in early January.

[JTB @ Dec 24th 2005 5:04PM]

me bets they are feeling the heat of an improved mac mini...

[Jacquesass @ Dec 24th 2005 5:20PM]

Actually, it seems to be a product that fans have been asking for since the original release - a ZonePlayer without the built-in amplifier. That would explain why it's so much smaller...

[JJC @ Dec 24th 2005 5:30PM]

Looks like this one doesn't have a built in amplifier (no speaker wire hookins). Which is great as many users have asked for a stripped down version since they use their existing receiver with the Sonos. (and the digital outputs are great too)

[mike @ Dec 24th 2005 5:54PM]

What are the chances that we will see a price drop on these?

[EJ @ Dec 24th 2005 6:06PM]

Maybe the bigger Sonos will get video support?

*crosses fingers*

[elykkyle @ Dec 24th 2005 6:09PM]

sweet. finally what the consumers have been asking for. a zone player with out an amp, and digital out.



woohoo!!!

[vormkrijger @ Dec 24th 2005 6:19PM]

dam damn damn

just got 3 zoneplayers ggrrrr

[StammesOpfer @ Dec 24th 2005 7:11PM]

Finally what we have been waiting for they released the charging dock now the ZP without amp last thing we need is a box that will bridge normal ethernet to Sonosnet with out having to have a ZP next to our computer where we already have access to all our music

[benhc911 @ Dec 24th 2005 7:40PM]

Please add another "l" to tells please :P

"Something tels us we'll..."

[me @ Dec 24th 2005 7:45PM]

Ryan, you mispelled tells in the last sentence.

[Christopher Kalanderopoulos @ Dec 24th 2005 8:55PM]

I seriously think if Apple is to buy out a company, they need to buy out Sonos. I mean, they've got the design down, and integration wouldn't be a huge task. It seems like a no-brainer to me. Just redesign the products with an iPod connector (or better yet, dock built-in) and add the usual Apple interface and sexy styling and SonosNet becomes the AppleTree.

[pete @ Dec 24th 2005 9:42PM]

it kind of looks like a mac mini... there are some cool possibilities here

[Bababouey @ Dec 24th 2005 9:47PM]

This is not a replacement for the old zone player, it is a line-level zone player. No speaker posts on this. Just for connecting to other amplifiers. Also used for extending the range of a network. New software version shipping too. Great new features like hiding zones and setting fixed line level outputs......

[lebroz @ Dec 25th 2005 12:30AM]

wow all the times checking out this site, my first post



happy hanukkah , merry christmas & happy holidays 2 all



this site kicks a$$

[ThomD @ Dec 25th 2005 9:51AM]

#7 I hope you got some punctuation for Christmas. Couldn't understand a word you said.



#5 - no video. That isn't what Sonos is. They've been pretty clear that they are a very focused product with an emphasis on doing one thing right.



#6 30 day return policy.





Finally, woo hoo. I need one of these for my garage.



Merry Christmas everyone.

[Gary J @ Dec 25th 2005 2:21PM]

Still does not beat the coolness of a SqueezeBox.

[Jacob @ Dec 25th 2005 4:56PM]

I'm totally in love with Sonos, and yes I had owned a SqueezeBox. Can't wait to meet these guys at CES and see if anything is new in the pipeline.



I highly recommend Sonos, and their support staff is extremly helpful.



Check out what my dog did to my controller :(



Check out what my dog did to my controller :(

[Jacob @ Dec 25th 2005 4:58PM]

I'm totally in love with Sonos, and yes I had owned a SqueezeBox. Can't wait to meet these guys at CES and see if anything is new in the pipeline.



I highly recommend Sonos, and their support staff is extremly helpful.



Check out what my dog did to my controller, all my fault :(



Sonos Controller vs Puppy

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jacobstrix/71380575/
I'm totally in love with Sonos, and yes I had owned a SqueezeBox. Can't wait to meet these guys at CES and see if anything is new in the pipeline.



I highly recommend Sonos, and their support staff is extremly helpful.



Check out what my dog did to my controller, all my fault :(



Sonos Controller vs Puppy

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jacobstrix/71380575/

[Invicta Digital World @ Dec 26th 2005 7:24AM]

# 16--Still does not beat coolness of SqueezeBox? Are you serious? I am sure you don't own Sonos, this is a revolutionary product, it changes the way you listen to music. I have just had it at home with my family over the holiday period and guess what? the television is redundant and .....my 2 girls are not complaining which quite strange considering the viewing habits pre-Sonos. Get your hands on Sonos and you will know what I am talking about. By the way it seems again the guys at Sonos have listened to their customers. Cheers

[Carlton Bale @ Dec 26th 2005 10:05PM]

SqueezeBox is cool because of all of the third-party plug-ins, but the Sonos and that incredible remote have it beat hands down. I compared the Sonos to the Roku and now have a Sonos system in my house. Definitely worth the extra $ over anything comparable.

[Iain Shaw @ Dec 27th 2005 4:34AM]

HeHeHe

Credit Cards at the ready....We sell Sonos and this is just about perfect.

[SonoFan @ Dec 28th 2005 2:42AM]

funny thing those Sonos people .. they have deleted any ref to this post in thier forums .. communist china should buy out sonos.

[sattley @ Dec 28th 2005 1:48PM]

But when is Sonos going to stop the proprietary system and join a UPnP crowd for interop? Please please please go with your strength in UI and design, but make the guts talk to all sorts of servers.

[blockage @ Dec 31st 2005 7:44AM]

Ok so you plug this baby into an amp, right? So what's to point of the volume control? Transport controls would be so much better.

[Chocomonsters @ Jan 2nd 2006 9:20PM]

Unlike few of you above, I am moving away from Sonos to Squeezebox.



I couldn't bear to buy ugly Squeezebox 2 before and bought Sonos, mainly for its remote control and UI. After having Sonos for awhile, I realized its limitation of not having digital out. Sonos (ZP100) is great for simple house audio for ceiling speakers but its internal DAC wasnt cut out for Hi-Fi system.



Enters Squeezebox 3 which shed previous version's alarm clock look. Its remote still its weakest link but Squeezebox 3 finally has coolness to match its audio capability. I am happy with its digital output (I did upgrade its power supply) and its Hi-Fi capability with external DAC on my Hi-Fi system.



I have consider alternative for remote control as I still love my Sonos' LCD remote. I have finally found my ultimate package with Nokia 770 internet tablet.



Nokia 770 has beautiful 800x480 screen and 802.11 b/g connection. I use it to control Squeezebox 3s. It also costs less than Sonos remote and has other functions (many more to come with add-on given its Linux platform).



I now have beautiful remote and UI in Nokia 770 and Hi-Fi capability in Squeezebox 3. I still use my Sonos system in bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom where I can use its internal amp.



If you have Sonos now, this ampless ZP80 with digital output maybe enough to stick with Sonos.



If you are looking into new system, I suggest Sqeezebox 3 with Nokia 770 as remote. This will costs less and better.

[Chocomonsters @ Jan 2nd 2006 9:28PM]

Unlike few of you above, I am moving away from Sonos to Squeezebox.



I couldn't bear to buy ugly Squeezebox 2 before and bought Sonos, mainly for its remote control and UI. After having Sonos for awhile, I realized its limitation of not having digital out. Sonos (ZP100) is great for simple house audio for ceiling speakers but its internal DAC wasnt cut out for Hi-Fi system.



Enters Squeezebox 3 which shed previous version's alarm clock look. Its remote still its weakest link but Squeezebox 3 finally has coolness to match its audio capability. I am happy with its digital output (I did upgrade its power supply) and its Hi-Fi capability with external DAC on my Hi-Fi system.



I have consider alternative for remote control as I still love my Sonos' LCD remote. I have finally found my ultimate package with Nokia 770 internet tablet.



Nokia 770 has beautiful 800x480 screen and 802.11 b/g connection. I use it to control Squeezebox 3s. It also costs less than Sonos remote and has other functions (many more to come with add-on given its Linux platform).



I now have beautiful remote and UI in Nokia 770 and Hi-Fi capability in Squeezebox 3. I still use my Sonos system in bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom where I can use its internal amp.



If you have Sonos now, this ampless ZP80 with digital output maybe enough to stick with Sonos.



If you are looking into new system, I suggest Sqeezebox 3 with Nokia 770 as remote. This will costs less and better.

[grant bourne @ Jan 4th 2006 5:12AM]

I am glad there are a load of positive comments on the new up and coming Sonos products. This new product is what a lot of people have asked for from Sonos, at last there is a electronics company that are willing to listern to the consumer and its chain of dealers.



well done Sonos!



And a happy new year to all!!!