http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/ Engadget Comments for Sonos ZonePlayer S5 all-in-one wireless speaker lowers cost of entry (video!) 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/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/
I see them everywhere! Are people really that stupid in thinking that the iPod is that superior?]]>Oct 13th 2009 6:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/Oct 13th 2009 6:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/Oct 13th 2009 6:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/Oct 13th 2009 6:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/Oct 13th 2009 7:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/
You can use your iStuff to control it via the Sonos app or plug the iThing into an aux jack on the Zoneplayers and distribute the misic throughout your house. However, it will not charge or allow you to control the music like the other "docks" allow you to.

Btw, This is going on my Christmas wishlist.]]>Oct 13th 2009 7:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/Oct 13th 2009 7:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/
If you don't know who Sonos is, you have no business spouting your opinion about in-home digital audio anyway.]]>Oct 13th 2009 10:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/

Not very Hi-Fi, tho...]]>Oct 13th 2009 6:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/no thank you]]>Oct 13th 2009 6:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/
]]>Oct 13th 2009 6:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/The squeezebox seems to to do the same for a fraction of the cost.
That said, I yet need to hear both devices side-by-side.]]>Oct 13th 2009 6:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/Oct 13th 2009 7:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/Oct 13th 2009 7:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/Oct 13th 2009 8:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/Yeah yeah, I know, itunes only, but it works beautifully, seamlessly, discreetly, and my phone is a great remote for browsing 20,000+ songs.]]>Oct 13th 2009 8:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/Oct 13th 2009 2:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/So, I'm much happier. Clearer? If you like, I could say 'I can't see myself as being as happy with this as I am with my...', but I'm sure that's not your point, because that would just be pedantic and a bit silly.]]>Oct 13th 2009 3:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=844&product=18749&WT.cg_n=Campaigns&WT.mc_id=23176

I have four receivers playing from my mac. Real plug and play.]]>Oct 13th 2009 8:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/Oct 13th 2009 9:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/Oct 13th 2009 9:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/Oct 13th 2009 9:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/
Also I tried Airport Express/Itunes/Iphone but you can't get an Airport Express with integrated amplifier, it only plays the same song across the different zones and it doesn't come with all the radio and music service options that Sonos has. Also, the main reason for not pursuing it further is that it forced me to keep iTunes running. If you love iTunes, it's a different story, but I'm partial to J River Media Center so I find it bad enough that I have to use iTunes because it's the only way I can sync an Iphone, let alone keeping the PC on at all times just for iTunes' sake.

About the S5: what I hope is that it is somewhat waterproof (as is ther CR100 controller). That way it's an ideal device for a bathroom, kitchen or the poolside. I'd buy one or two S5's instantly if they can stand a bit of moist. The ZP90 is great in a dedicated stereo/HT environment, the ZP120 in places that don't have other audio sources (study, bedroom). The S5 seems intended for spaces that are used less regularly or for shorter periods, or for environments with acoustics that make them less ideal for standard stereo speaker setups.]]>Oct 13th 2009 10:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/Oct 13th 2009 2:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/Oct 13th 2009 11:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/
I have Sonos and it is the best audio purchase I have ever made. I can have any type of music, from anywhere in the world, at anytime. Plus I can use Napster/Rhapsody/Last.FM/Pandora/my own music library all through a touchscreen remote. For the people that say you can do it cheaper elsewhere...run down to your local Best Buy and play with it for a minute. There is no doubt you will be walking out the store with this unit in hand. It's like goign from dial-up to broadband. Once you have broadband you'll never go back. Same with Sonos.

As for the unit on topic...I'm definitely getting one for the bedroom and maybe the kitchen.]]>Oct 13th 2009 11:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/Oct 13th 2009 11:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/
I did this research 4+ years ago when I bought my Sonos system and not much has changed since then. Prior to me buying Sonos, I researched all the solutions that were available at the time and there really hasn't been much movement in this space. In fact, the field has gotten a little smaller with companies like D-Link pulling out of the the Digital Receiver market.

Here is my opinion of the 2 best solutions out there.

Sonos - Since this is the post I'm replying to.

Pro's: Absolutely flawless execution. 4 years of ownership and I have yet to experience a single glitch. Countless firmware updates of the controller and Zoneplayers and never once did it disrupt the experience. Wireless mesh technology ensures you have a continuous wireless network throughout your house. This is very different than any other solution because the further you get from your wireless access point, the more problematic your installation becomes. The ZonePlayer's (ZP) even have wireless switches built in so if you are in an older house and don't have an ethernet connection in every room, you can plug your computer directly into the ZP.

Content Integration - You can use a standard NAS containing your music library to distribute music wherever you have a ZP. There is NO client/server software required to share your music collection. You do not have to leave a machine running in order to access your music library. If you don't have a music library, you can use just about any music service to find and play music over your ZP. Napster, Rhapsody, LastFM, Pandora, etc. I indexed my entire music catalog (approx 150GB at the time) in about 10 minutes. Syncing zones is flawless with no delays at all between any zones.

Set-up - You plug in a power cable, you connect speakers or amplifier (depending on ZP) and at least one ZP must be connected to the Internet or you can use the bridge. Set up time for me was less than 5 minutes.

Simplicity - So simple anyone can pick it up and use it. No joke, my 20 month old can turn on music by herself. Why my wife lets her play with my $400 Sonos controller is a better question.

Cons: Price, price, price and no functionality besides audio.

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Squeezebox Duet - This is the closest thing in my opinion to the Sonos.

Pros: Price, Open source with lots of community development and support.

Content Integration - again closest thing to Sonos with many music providers such as Pandora, Last.fm, Amazon, etc. Sharing your music library is trickier than Sonos. You cannot use a standalone NAS. If you want to use a standalone NAS, you must upgrade the firmware (limited supported NAS drives) to run "Squeeze Server." Otherwise, you need to install Squeeze Server on a PC/Mac in order to index your collection. Not sure if this is still a true statement, but syncing zones was previously very buggy with many delays and/or dropouts.

Set-up - You have to have some computing skills to set up the Squeeze Server software. While it is probably easy enough for most to do, it does require some basic computing knowledge. If you want to install Squeeze Server on a NAS device, you need to be very familiar with Linux operating systems.

Simplicity - with a 2 way wifi remote, it would be easy to navigate your music collection/subscriptions.

Cons: Must be somewhat to very technical to reap the full benefits of the system. No real amplified solution. While Boom and Radio are standalone units, you can't install a single device and integrate with in-wall/in-ceiling speakers like you can with the ZP120. No mesh network. Relies on your wireless access point to connect the various zones.

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Here are a few others worth mentioning but I will not get into the specifics of each one.

Roku Soundbridge
Olive Audio
Soundblaster Wireless Music


]]>Oct 13th 2009 10:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/Oct 13th 2009 1:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/Oct 13th 2009 1:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/Oct 13th 2009 8:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/Oct 14th 2009 10:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/Oct 14th 2009 10:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/13/sonos-zoneplayer-s5-all-in-one-wireless-speaker-lowers-cost-of-entry/Oct 20th 2009 3:17PM