Multi-room audio (Sonos?)...talk to me
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm currently considering a multi-room audio setup for a flat I have. Ideally I would want the ability to play a catalogue of around 200gb of music in three rooms (lounge, bedroom, kitchen) and possibly a bathroom too (so this portion would need to be bathroom-friendly).
I've had a Sonos system recommended to me by a friend, although admittedly a friend who doesn't actually have one! I've read a few reviews online and Sonos seems to get the nod too, and I notice I could control a Sonos setup with my iPhone and iPad which is a bonus.
Am I looking at the right sort of thing here? What equipment would do the job for me? Can I take the music from a separate HDD or does it need to come from a 'live' computer?
I'm not too worried about budget but admittedly I'm unsure of what I need, so I may be foolish in thinking that £1500-£2000 will be about right!?
Any help, advice or recommendations would be gratefully appreciated.
Cheers,
EYW
I'm currently considering a multi-room audio setup for a flat I have. Ideally I would want the ability to play a catalogue of around 200gb of music in three rooms (lounge, bedroom, kitchen) and possibly a bathroom too (so this portion would need to be bathroom-friendly).
I've had a Sonos system recommended to me by a friend, although admittedly a friend who doesn't actually have one! I've read a few reviews online and Sonos seems to get the nod too, and I notice I could control a Sonos setup with my iPhone and iPad which is a bonus.
Am I looking at the right sort of thing here? What equipment would do the job for me? Can I take the music from a separate HDD or does it need to come from a 'live' computer?
I'm not too worried about budget but admittedly I'm unsure of what I need, so I may be foolish in thinking that £1500-£2000 will be about right!?
Any help, advice or recommendations would be gratefully appreciated.
Cheers,
EYW
The Sonos is very good, very easy to use. Not sure about the music store it can probably be a PC or a NAS. Expensive though.
Also check out Logitech Squeezebox, very similar product. The music is stored on PC or NAS again and it's best to run the server app on one of those.
Both products can be controlled via an ipad/phone/touch or dedicated controllers.
Both products have a range of receivers (stand alone ghetto-blaster style and boxes that connect to a stereo system).Sound quality is dependant on the quality of your music files (mp3, bit rate, lossless codec etc) and the amp and speakers you pair with it.
I have a SB Touch in the lounge connected to my AV amp, a SB Radio in the kitchen and a receiver in the office wired to my studio monitors. Files are held on a media server 150gb of FLAC (about 6000 songs). I control either on the device interface, using my universal remote, itouch or a web interface. Different tracks will play on each individual player or I can synch in any combo. I've probably spend £500-600 on the hardware (excluding amps and speakers).
Don't know if any range has a waterproof version.
Also check out Logitech Squeezebox, very similar product. The music is stored on PC or NAS again and it's best to run the server app on one of those.
Both products can be controlled via an ipad/phone/touch or dedicated controllers.
Both products have a range of receivers (stand alone ghetto-blaster style and boxes that connect to a stereo system).Sound quality is dependant on the quality of your music files (mp3, bit rate, lossless codec etc) and the amp and speakers you pair with it.
I have a SB Touch in the lounge connected to my AV amp, a SB Radio in the kitchen and a receiver in the office wired to my studio monitors. Files are held on a media server 150gb of FLAC (about 6000 songs). I control either on the device interface, using my universal remote, itouch or a web interface. Different tracks will play on each individual player or I can synch in any combo. I've probably spend £500-600 on the hardware (excluding amps and speakers).
Don't know if any range has a waterproof version.
The only bad thing i have found with the sonos is that there dosent seem to be a Random button, you have to either play an Artist, Album or put together a playlist.
Sonos do different types of zone player so it can be used with existing speakers or an existing amp setup or of course you could buy speakers to go with it. As for control you can buy a dedicated controller (or several if you wish) or you can download an iphone app or just use the software that comes with it and control if from your PC.
Sonos do different types of zone player so it can be used with existing speakers or an existing amp setup or of course you could buy speakers to go with it. As for control you can buy a dedicated controller (or several if you wish) or you can download an iphone app or just use the software that comes with it and control if from your PC.
You should certainly attempt to try both systems. Not tried the Logitech system but it's well thought of. I've tried Sonos (this would be my choice) and the interface is amazing, Sonos doesn't require a computer running and can just link to a USB HDD or NAS. IIRC Logitech needs either a computer running or a NAS running a built in Squeezebox server.
I do like the idea of the new iPad Sonos app though
I do like the idea of the new iPad Sonos app though
MagicalTrevor said:
You should certainly attempt to try both systems. Not tried the Logitech system but it's well thought of. I've tried Sonos (this would be my choice) and the interface is amazing, Sonos doesn't require a computer running and can just link to a USB HDD or NAS. IIRC Logitech needs either a computer running or a NAS running a built in Squeezebox server.
I do like the idea of the new iPad Sonos app though
The Sqeezebox Touch has a built in version of Squeezebox Server and can be connected to a USB hard disk. As stated above it can also be connected to either a PC or NAS running Squeezebox Server (Netgear ReadyNAS's come with this pre installed).I do like the idea of the new iPad Sonos app though
The Squeezebox Touch has also been receiving rave reviews in the hifi press (HiFi Choice and Stereophile), in particular for it's sound quality.
Edited by Mr_Yogi on Thursday 30th September 21:17
I've had a Sonos system for 5 years now, and it is very impressive, but not cheap!!
We have 6 of the original Zoneplayers, one connected to the PC in our study and 5 others in different rooms around the house.
We have 3 Sonos controllers, plus the Sonos software on our iPhones.
My wife has the system set up so it comes on in the morning as an alarm with the internet radio playing.
Happy to answer any questions if i can help, but obviously since the initial launch they have brought out a variety of zoneplayers etc, and I'm not familiar with the new choices.
Sidicks
We have 6 of the original Zoneplayers, one connected to the PC in our study and 5 others in different rooms around the house.
We have 3 Sonos controllers, plus the Sonos software on our iPhones.
My wife has the system set up so it comes on in the morning as an alarm with the internet radio playing.
Happy to answer any questions if i can help, but obviously since the initial launch they have brought out a variety of zoneplayers etc, and I'm not familiar with the new choices.
Sidicks
Sonos comes in 3 flavours, ZP90 which requires amp and speakers, ZP120 which has an internal amp and only needs speakers and the S5 which is an all in one box including speakers (latest software update allows 2 S5s to be used as a wireless amped stereo pair for a single room as well).
The control interface is excellent and having an iTouch or iPhone thing will save having to buy a controller.
Only downside is the inabilitiy to play albums (with the tracks in the correct order) in random play.
One issue to be aware of is that atleast one Sonos unit has to be hardwired to the router to generate the Sonos Mesh wireless network. If this isn't practical then Sonos do provide the Zone Bridge which generates the signal at the router end, or you could use a homeplug system.
Firmware updates are frequent (the latest brings in Spotify to join Napster) and the support forums are excellent.
The control interface is excellent and having an iTouch or iPhone thing will save having to buy a controller.
Only downside is the inabilitiy to play albums (with the tracks in the correct order) in random play.
One issue to be aware of is that atleast one Sonos unit has to be hardwired to the router to generate the Sonos Mesh wireless network. If this isn't practical then Sonos do provide the Zone Bridge which generates the signal at the router end, or you could use a homeplug system.
Firmware updates are frequent (the latest brings in Spotify to join Napster) and the support forums are excellent.
ukwill said:
Just buy the Sonos & a NAS and you'll be more than happy. It will transform the way you listen to music at home.
As ukwill says!I bought the BU250 pack three weeks ago and it's fantastic. So easy to use. The Napster integration is great too.
edit..
I run a 2tb Netgear ReadyNas with all my music ripped in lossless format. TBH though i've really just been playing all the new stuff on Napster.
Edited by ticmon on Friday 1st October 17:59
I have Sonos in all the rooms in the house and it's excellent. music collection on a NAS, radio from anywhere in the world, just about any song you can think of streamed straight in. they've just added spottily which streams at 320 for a tenner a month and the new new iPad software is superb, I doubt i'll even use the cr200 controllers anymore.
it can be expensive if you have the loom fitted throughout the house but you can also get the stand alone stuff.
I'd say go for it, it's great fun when you have company round.
it can be expensive if you have the loom fitted throughout the house but you can also get the stand alone stuff.
I'd say go for it, it's great fun when you have company round.
Just be warned, I heard today that the BU250 bundles are being discontinued.
Not many left at the distributors at the moment, I am sure the retailers will not be far behind.
V.
PS Some other exiting product news as well, but not sure if I can release it yet. I'll have a sniff around see what else I can say.
Not many left at the distributors at the moment, I am sure the retailers will not be far behind.
V.
PS Some other exiting product news as well, but not sure if I can release it yet. I'll have a sniff around see what else I can say.
Ok, had a poke around on the web and it seems quite widespread.
Sonos iPod Dock announced.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/23/sonos-wireless-...
Also I believe the iPad app launch / up date was launched last night, a college in the industry says it look pretty cool.
V.
Sonos iPod Dock announced.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/23/sonos-wireless-...
Also I believe the iPad app launch / up date was launched last night, a college in the industry says it look pretty cool.
V.
The Sonos systems are great, really recommend them.
I nearly bought one then decided on Squeezebox Duets instead, and love them. The only thing with the squeezebox ones is that they either need a PC running the server software or a NAS that's capable of running it (which is what I have, but it takes a fair bit of setting it up yourself).
I nearly bought one then decided on Squeezebox Duets instead, and love them. The only thing with the squeezebox ones is that they either need a PC running the server software or a NAS that's capable of running it (which is what I have, but it takes a fair bit of setting it up yourself).
VEX said:
Just be warned, I heard today that the BU250 bundles are being discontinued.
Not many left at the distributors at the moment, I am sure the retailers will not be far behind.
V.
PS Some other exiting product news as well, but not sure if I can release it yet. I'll have a sniff around see what else I can say.
hi there,Not many left at the distributors at the moment, I am sure the retailers will not be far behind.
V.
PS Some other exiting product news as well, but not sure if I can release it yet. I'll have a sniff around see what else I can say.
whiled stab in the dark, are you a beater tester? If so be cerful about what you say.
headcase said:
The only bad thing i have found with the sonos is that there dosent seem to be a Random button, you have to either play an Artist, Album or put together a playlist.
Sonos do different types of zone player so it can be used with existing speakers or an existing amp setup or of course you could buy speakers to go with it. As for control you can buy a dedicated controller (or several if you wish) or you can download an iphone app or just use the software that comes with it and control if from your PC.
hi there you can play through all the options you listed randomly. simple select the icon that look like two arrows crossed over. Sonos do different types of zone player so it can be used with existing speakers or an existing amp setup or of course you could buy speakers to go with it. As for control you can buy a dedicated controller (or several if you wish) or you can download an iphone app or just use the software that comes with it and control if from your PC.
ceebmoj said:
VEX said:
Just be warned, I heard today that the BU250 bundles are being discontinued.
Not many left at the distributors at the moment, I am sure the retailers will not be far behind.
V.
PS Some other exiting product news as well, but not sure if I can release it yet. I'll have a sniff around see what else I can say.
hi there,Not many left at the distributors at the moment, I am sure the retailers will not be far behind.
V.
PS Some other exiting product news as well, but not sure if I can release it yet. I'll have a sniff around see what else I can say.
whiled stab in the dark, are you a beater tester? If so be cerful about what you say.
Edited by ukwill on Wednesday 6th October 08:59
ukwill said:
ceebmoj said:
VEX said:
Just be warned, I heard today that the BU250 bundles are being discontinued.
Not many left at the distributors at the moment, I am sure the retailers will not be far behind.
V.
PS Some other exiting product news as well, but not sure if I can release it yet. I'll have a sniff around see what else I can say.
hi there,Not many left at the distributors at the moment, I am sure the retailers will not be far behind.
V.
PS Some other exiting product news as well, but not sure if I can release it yet. I'll have a sniff around see what else I can say.
whiled stab in the dark, are you a beater tester? If so be cerful about what you say.
Edited by ukwill on Wednesday 6th October 08:59
Another vote for Sonos here....
I started out with a Logitech Squeezebox which I found clunky to use - the interface was not particularly straightforward. I then moved to Sonos and have been completely delighted with it.
We listen to more music, more often as a result.
As noted above, it also plays FLAC files without a problem, so the zone that I have my hi fi on sounds superb and the S5's dotted about sound infinitely better than, for example, the Bose docking station thing.
Highly recommended.
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