Sonos ZoneBridge 100 gets price, release date

Sonos' ZoneBridge 100, which managed to surface on the FCC's website just days ago, now has a price and release date. According to Automated Home, the BR100 "will be available from October 24th and will have a retail price in the UK of £69" (it'll be $99 here in the US). Furthermore, the box will reportedly enable Sonos users to "extend the range of their Sonos system without having to sacrifice a proper ZonePlayer," or it could be used "in between two zones that are too far apart to link currently." Check out another picture after the jump.

[Singh @ Oct 9th 2007 9:20AM]

I would prefer the Belkin Network USB Hub with this or any other Wireless. This is a nice one though. But u guys should get one of these Belkin Network USB Hub http://www.gadget9.com/2007/09/21/belkin-ships-network-usb-hub/

[Anoonymous @ Oct 9th 2007 9:25AM]

Except the Belkin is incompatible with Sonos.

[TrentD @ Oct 9th 2007 10:39AM]

So are you selling something, or do you just not know what you're talking about?

The Sonos is not a wireless router. It's a whole house music system, and this piece is a component of the mesh network hardware.

[Noah Oliphant @ Oct 18th 2007 10:57PM]

Awesome! This is what I've been waiting for. Great job Sonos. One question: Since you have to have one unit plugged into your wired network somewhere, could the zonebridge serve this purpose? This way you could stick one with your network gear and not have to sacrifice one of your music zones just to get the system online.

N

[DorianGray @ Oct 9th 2007 10:09AM]

I wish my house was big enough to need a bridge for my Sonos....

[TrentD @ Oct 9th 2007 10:47AM]

I think the main benefit of this is that you don't have to have a Zoneplayer by your computer or hard drive that serves the Sonos. I know, personally, that I would rather just listen to my computer speakers than waste a Zoneplayer that could go elsewhere in the house.

This can either extend the mesh network, or be the interface point for where your music is stored. Previously you had to use a Zoneplayer in that capacity.

[TrentD @ Oct 9th 2007 10:49AM]

I think the main benefit of this is that you don't have to have a Zoneplayer by your computer or hard drive that serves the Sonos. I know, personally, that I would rather just listen to my computer speakers than waste a Zoneplayer that could go elsewhere in the house.

This can either extend the mesh network, or be the interface point for where your music is stored. Previously you had to use a Zoneplayer in that capacity.

[TrentD @ Oct 9th 2007 10:50AM]

I think the main benefit of this is that you don't have to have a Zoneplayer by your computer or hard drive that serves the Sonos. I know, personally, that I would rather just listen to my computer speakers than waste a Zoneplayer that could go elsewhere in the house.

This can either extend the mesh network, or be the interface point for where your music is stored. Previously you had to use a Zoneplayer in that capacity.

[TrentD @ Oct 9th 2007 10:53AM]

Sorry about the duplicate posts, guys! I reported my own so they'll be deleted!

[Brad @ Oct 9th 2007 10:46AM]

For those that don't know, Sonos uses a proprietary mesh network: it can't just hop on to your existing 802.11g router. That's part of what makes it so easy to set up, but it also means that, without making your own bridge (as some have done), you need to have at least one player hardwired to an ethernet connection. Same goes for if you have a really big house, and need to relay the signal through it.

Until now, many have had to pay $350 for a player just to serve that function. This gets you by for much less.

[dan @ Oct 9th 2007 11:42AM]

This is EXCELLENT news for Sonos users like me. I have two zones, but up until now I've had to tie one of these zones to my computer.

Sure, it's possible to connect the first Zone Player to your computer via a wireless ethernet bridge, but my experience of that was less than satisfactory, and didn't cost much less than the $99 they're going to charge for this.

[John @ Oct 9th 2007 12:30PM]

I wonder if there is a way to hack this box with an external antenna so it can direct the signal to the furthest part of my yard?

I'm thinking yagi type so I am not limited to 100 ft.

I've been wanting to add a Sonos zone to my kids' swingset/playhouse but it is a little further out in the yard than could be accomplished with the mesh network.

Can't wait to try hacking one!

[fatal @ Oct 11th 2007 4:04PM]

so what is the Ethernet connection used for...to connect to your music folder stored on your network right?

[WestSacSam @ Oct 12th 2007 12:48AM]

The internet connection is used to access music services like Rhapsody, Pandora and Internet Radio sites. Hopefully, Slacker will also be added to the SONOS integration too.