Sonos announces new bundle, Pandora integration

While Sonos hasn't yet found it fit to upgrade their line of home audio streaming devices, they do have a new bundle at that $1,000 pricepoint: now, instead of two ZP80s and a controller, you take home a controller, one ZP80, and its bigger brother, the ZP100. But more interesting still, as of today Sonos is adding Pandora integration for $4 per month, meaning you can get music nerds' favorite recommendation-based customized internet radio streamed directly to your audio system -- album art and all -- for $36 a year (after upgrading to v2.2, available tonight). Not bad if you're a Pandora fan with a Sonos; check out the integration in our mini-gallery.

Gallery: Sonos announces new bundle, Pandora integration

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[ScOObyDoo @ May 22nd 2007 10:34PM]

Sweet. Can't wait to try it out in the morning. So far this is the best $800 I've ever spent on digital audio kit.

[ark_v2 @ May 22nd 2007 10:59PM]

Hmmm, another pandora device. I've used pandora for a long time and love it. I've been thinking of streaming it to my devices. This might be an option, but it's still pricey.

[David @ May 22nd 2007 11:19PM]

Awesome.. that is if the internet radio equality act passes...

[Kevin Farley @ May 22nd 2007 11:06PM]

Too bad Pandora has booted us Canadians from the service, guess I don't need it.

[mikebob @ May 22nd 2007 11:28PM]

Awesome, I can't wait to try this out! I originally bought Sonos because it was a cool system even a year ago, and its gotten fantastically better every software update!

[Joel @ May 22nd 2007 11:36PM]

Not many products I have purchased have exceeded my expectations. I bought a Sonos bumdle about a year and a half ago and have since purchased two more zone players. It really is the best game in town. I had to make a choice though... go Sonos and give my itunes store tracks because they do not support the DRM. Well after I cracked the DRM from the tracks I already have purchased I have not bought a single track from itunes. Back to CDs for me for me, encoded Losslessly and stream throughout my whole freaking house (and backyard.) My favorite thing is plugging my record player up to one of the units and streaming lovely, rich vinyl across my crib.

I am a walking Sonos Ad, I know... but I have never actually bought anything that did not have some problem and this product has NONE. When I bought the product I though how these guys were the closest thing to Apple to have come along. Now I actually think they are MORE user friendly bc the updates keep coming with no new hardware requirements.

[Victor Atehortua @ May 22nd 2007 11:52PM]

I have been considering this device for my future apt, by that time I will also find another device, in PR and from what I have read and seen this seems like a really nice device. Lets see what they come out with next.

[drtekger @ May 22nd 2007 11:51PM]

nice gadget!

[borkborkbork @ May 23rd 2007 12:12AM]

This is kick-ass news. I love using Pandora.com to get new music recommendations. I would definitely pay to have access to it via my Sonos system.

Sonos is definitely one of the best consumer electronics device I have ever purchased. I'd rank it right up there with TiVo.

[Jason @ May 23rd 2007 1:54AM]

I've been using Sonos for 6 months, and Pandora for 1 year +. With my configuration, I can listed to Pandora throughout the house already my using the line in function. What so new? The ability to change tracks from the controller? After you listen to Sonos for long enough, you can pretty much "thumb down" your library until it consists of music that you enjoy. Interesting, but I don't think I will go for this one. I also wanted to note that any computer audio is capable of streaming through this method including Sirius through Dish Network.

[gfhfghhg @ May 23rd 2007 3:00AM]

I don't quite understand this. Does anyone really use Pandora? I tried it several times and all its recommendations were crap. And due to the skipping limit you can't try as long as it would (hopefully) take until it knows enough about your taste to send good songs.

In short, Pandora seems to be totally useless to me.

And even if it weren't I would not buy expensive equipment for use with it; who knows how long Pandora will even continue to exist...

[Joel @ May 23rd 2007 3:23AM]

Wow... what a way to rain on the parade, Negative Nelly.

Say nay all you want, the equipment is worth every penny and the addition to this service is a nice way to add a customized internet radio stream. If you spend enough time with Pandora telling it what you like, it listens.

[fdgdfdfg @ May 23rd 2007 4:04AM]

Hmm, you seem to be identical to "dan" on this thread: http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/02/sonos-zp100-system-reviewed/comments/1454761/

Changed your name to make you appear several people? Are you a Sonos sales agent?

[ScOObyDoo @ May 23rd 2007 8:23AM]

The update just became available.

Works perfectly, the Pandora interface is very well implemented. Thanks Sonos!

[s todd @ May 23rd 2007 8:40AM]

"music nerds' favorite recommendation-based customized internet radio" -- for those nerds who haven't head of last.fm, that is. for mac based sonos users who want to stream audio from arbitrary apps, including for example, the last.fm player, real or even itunes, check out nicecast.

[Ryan @ May 23rd 2007 11:55AM]

Yet another feature from Sonos to envy. I keep teling myself I'll have to break down and get a Sonos set up at home, but I've yet to convince myself to shell out the big bucks.

I'm getting closer though...

[Jeffrey @ May 23rd 2007 12:49PM]

Sonos may not have updated their hardware since its launch, but they've added new hardware like the ZP80 and desk cradle - More importantly, Sonos updates their software better than any other company out there. I've never owned a product that was better taken care of from the software side. The software team at Sonos is fantastic, the firmware in their devices was top notch when I bought it a few years ago and the fact that they keep adding new features that people request in their forums is the reason I've kept buying their products.

[Bobart @ May 23rd 2007 12:54PM]

Nice to see they've finally caught up with Slim Devices on this.

I really started enjoying Pandora when I purchased a Squeezebox and was able to listen to it on my stereo, and I imagine many Sonos owners will feel the same way.

[Mauronic @ May 23rd 2007 3:02PM]

What!? Rhapsody just raised their prices and I fell for the 1 year discount plan. Damn. I may have to cancel.