Apple Music Coming to Sonos Home Audio Systems by End of 2015

[freediverx]

I have Sonos and love it. So much better than Airplay. I have 4 zones in the house, and can play the same music across all zones, or different music in different zones, all sourced from my iTunes library. Why would airplay make this better?

How great is Sonos when you leave the house and want to seamlessly continue listening to a song or podcast on your iPhone or iPad? What if you want to enjoy content using a specific app that's superior to the Sonos app? For example, when listening to a podcast or a song, many apps provide buttons to skip back or ahead 30 seconds, while the Sonos app does not.

 

[jdag]

I will start by saying that I am a huge Sonos fan, but also a huge Apple fan. In addition to a multi-zone Sonos system, I also use AirPlay within my house for various uses, so am quite familiar with both. Whenever Sonos comes up on this board there is a ton of disagreement and often misconception.

1) Both Sonos and AirPlay are options to wirelessly stream to speakers. They accomplish it in somewhat different ways, and there are certain capabilities/features/options that are unique to each. In fact, there are methods of integrating use of both Sonos and AirPlay within existing home speaker/AV setups as well as configuring purely stand-alone solutions. Both are very flexible and can cost from a couple of hundred dollars to many thousands of dollars.

2) Both Sonos and AirPlay are proprietary systems with various levels of integration with outside providers/services. Neither is completely open and this fact often becomes the source of debate on which is better. (Side note: It is ironic that on an Apple board people complain about a walled garden approach.)

3) Sound quality and cost is very subjective. I've heard people describe $30 bluetooth speakers as offering amazing sound, and there are others that would spend $10,000+ on a pair of floor standing speakers without hesitation to achieve the quality they'd desire.

4) Ease of use is also very subjective. I personally find both Sonos and AirPlay options easy to use, with Sonos being more "centralized" because Sonos requires that all content is played via their app, simple as that (unless you experiment with the unsupported AirSonos). AirPlay can be triggered from multiple apps, iTunes, from OS X, or from the iOS control center, so while more points of origin, it also can be considered more confusing. (Side note: I bought my very very tech challenged dad a Sonos Play:1 for Father's Day, installed the app on his iPad, and showed him in about 60 seconds how to use it. He's not called me once for help.)

5) The Sonos app is available for multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, OS X, and Windows. AirPlay is not cross-platform (there may be options to use AirPlay outside of Apple devices and operating systems, but I am not sure about such capabilities).

So is one better than the other? Not really, and it depends on many factors and preferences. If you are looking for a streaming solution, I'd encourage you to evaluate both and see what best fits your current hardware, software, services (such as Spotify and Apple Music), etc.

Also, if you have not actually used Sonos, particularly in a multi-zone setup and not just at a Best Buy, then simply comparing the features to AirPlay is not giving you the full flavor of the functionality and ease of use.

 

[iMerik]

Hacking Airplay into Sonos

 

[cube]

deleted

 

[err404]

Sonos is a rip off. Use your own speakers of choice and sync all your music playback with ease using Airfoil at a fraction of the cost. Stream anything you want.

https://rogueamoeba.com/airfoil/

I love Airfoil. The Dev was very quick to help me sort out some audio sync issues. I use it with AirServer to create an AirPlay receiver merging my home theater(with Apple TV), Sonos and iMac audio to better fill the house. But this is an inherently more complex to setup and more prone to errors than a plain Sonos. Also my wife won't touch this setup.
It's great for a party, but most of the time we just use the Sonos app.
BTW, I use an AirPort Express with my Sonos. It adds cost, but the Sonos integrates with it very cleanly. I tried SonoAir (or was it AirTunes?)in the past, but it was buggy at the time. I may tryout again this weekend.
Also I agree that the audio quality of Sonos should be better for the price. It has a very consumer grade sound to it.

 

[balzmcfearson]

Great news! I finally converted to Sonos for casual main level and outdoor music and haven't looked back. Home theater however, which seem to be some members gripes here, I agree is a completely different story.

 

[Nuvi]

It's only because it runs on a separate mesh network. There's no voodoo in that at all.

Sure, but Sonos always works and Airplay doesn't. Also Sonos is awesome investment. They keep supporting and updating their hardware like no other company is doing.

 

[bobr1952]

I have Sonos and love it. So much better than Airplay. I have 4 zones in the house, and can play the same music across all zones, or different music in different zones, all sourced from my iTunes library. Why would airplay make this better?

I've been watching this closely--and will hang on to Spotify for now. But I agree with your comment about Airplay. Works great with Apple products like Apple TV and Airport Express, not so much with 3rd party speaker systems. I have an Altec Lansing Airplay speaker that I got in 2012--good sound but often loses connection and has to be rebooted. To make matters worse, Altec Lansing dropped support for the product so there is no way to configure the speaker now. I also tried the Denon version of Sonos--HEOS--got their $300 speaker for $100 through a Spotify offer. Good system, works great and sounds nice too but I'm a bit gun shy now after what happened to Altec Lansing and am considering switching to Sonos since they have such a great track record and specialize in this technology.

 

[Uofmtiger]

I've been watching this closely--and will hang on to Spotify for now. But I agree with your comment about Airplay. Works great with Apple products like Apple TV and Airport Express, not so much with 3rd party speaker systems. I have an Altec Lansing Airplay speaker that I got in 2012--good sound but often loses connection and has to be rebooted. To make matters worse, Altec Lansing dropped support for the product so there is no way to configure the speaker now. I also tried the Denon version of Sonos--HEOS--got their $300 speaker for $100 through a Spotify offer. Good system, works great and sounds nice too but I'm a bit gun shy now after what happened to Altec Lansing and am considering switching to Sonos since they have such a great track record and specialize in this technology.

It is some third party speakers that have drop outs. Typically, the issue is related to some third party speakers using a popular IP address by default, so you can have two independent devices occupying the same space. I have a Phillips Airplay speaker (it has an advantage to Sonos speakers in the fact that it will run off the battery) in our kitchen that had this issue until I reassigned the address. My Denon receiver with Airplay built in never has an issue.

 

[wpalomine]

This is great news! I have 4 zones with AirPlay via APX connected to a Sonos Play5. But, never used AirPlay. I stream my library through a hard drive connected to my Time Capsule, and use Google and Pandora for streaming.

Why has this turned into a Sonos v AirPlay? IMO, Sonos is a platform and AirPlay is a service. Both have inherent shortcomings based on their implementation and application.

Im just happy that I can stream apple content to Sonos -- and the iTunes Match increase to 100K tracks (finally).

 

[boshii]

Great news! I finally converted to Sonos for casual main level and outdoor music and haven't looked back. Home theater however, which seem to be some members gripes here, I agree is a completely different story.

I have a Sonos home theater setup have no issues with it. All you need is an HDMI switch and you can pass true 5.1 audio.

 

[Sill]

Wow... I just got done reading a bunch more support docs on the Sonos site. This time it was the Playbar. I still have no idea if I'd be able to do what I want.

I have a Sonos home theater setup have no issues with it. All you need is an HDMI switch and you can pass true 5.1 audio.

Im interested. A couple of questions-

1. how did you integrate Sonos into that? I don't see it on the plan.

2. Laptop connected by a DB9 connector? Or is that just a generic way of saying "USB"?

 

[BrentD]

Wow... I just got done reading a bunch more support docs on the Sonos site. This time it was the Playbar. I still have no idea if I'd be able to do what I want.



Im interested. A couple of questions-

1. how did you integrate Sonos into that? I don't see it on the plan.

2. Laptop connected by a DB9 connector? Or is that just a generic way of saying "USB"?

You don't need all of that. I use this Monoprice switch for my needs and it's perfect: http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=5557

In the illustration you were referencing, the Playbar would go where the surround sound receiver is. For my situation, I've got a cable box, Bluray player and Apple TV feeding into the Monoprice switch, then the single HDMI cable out of that to my TV and the optical out of the switch to my Playbar. The only drawback to the Monoprice switch for me is that they stupidly put one of the HDMI inputs on the front of the device. Since I just need 3, I use 2, 3 and 4 instead. I've got my system set up with a Logitech Harmony remote that controls the HDMI switch for me depending on which activity I pick. No issues whatsoever.

 

[BrentD]

I invested in Sonos when the Playbar and Sub were released and haven't looked back. I've got the surround setup with sub and two Play:1's, Play:3 in the bedroom, Play:1's in both bathrooms, Play:1 in the garage and a Play:5 by my turntable to send it through the house. I don't want to sound like some sort of product evangelist, but I can truly say that my system has become an integral part of my everyday life. Aside from my iPhone, it's one of the few products that I can actually say that about.

Yes, Sonos is expensive. But I find it kind of hilarious that people are complaining about overpriced hardware in an Apple/Mac forum.......

 

[Sill]

You don't need all of that. I use this Monoprice switch for my needs and it's perfect: http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=5557

In the illustration you were referencing, the Playbar would go where the surround sound receiver is. For my situation, I've got a cable box, Bluray player and Apple TV feeding into the Monoprice switch, then the single HDMI cable out of that to my TV and the optical out of the switch to my Playbar. The only drawback to the Monoprice switch for me is that they stupidly put one of the HDMI inputs on the front of the device. Since I just need 3, I use 2, 3 and 4 instead. I've got my system set up with a Logitech Harmony remote that controls the HDMI switch for me depending on which activity I pick. No issues whatsoever.

Yeah I see that - "one front-panel input for convenient connection to portable devices". Lolz... I'm trying to think of a portable device that uses HDMI. Maybe a Digi-Beta camcorder in case you decide to film segments for a news broadcast?

The Monoprice switch seems to be a great value, albeit incredibly ugly, so thanks very much for posting that. Does the HDMI out support ARC? Not that I want to pull audio off my TV, but just in case.

 

[DudeDad]

I've been watching this closely--and will hang on to Spotify for now. But I agree with your comment about Airplay. Works great with Apple products like Apple TV and Airport Express, not so much with 3rd party speaker systems. I have an Altec Lansing Airplay speaker that I got in 2012--good sound but often loses connection and has to be rebooted. To make matters worse, Altec Lansing dropped support for the product so there is no way to configure the speaker now. I also tried the Denon version of Sonos--HEOS--got their $300 speaker for $100 through a Spotify offer. Good system, works great and sounds nice too but I'm a bit gun shy now after what happened to Altec Lansing and am considering switching to Sonos since they have such a great track record and specialize in this technology.

I've had Sonos for a number of years....it's really the only one to get. Logitech tried with Squeezebox, but it failed. I use my own speakers and either an A/V amp or a Sonos amp with speakers attached. It's fantastic. A bit pricey, but you will love it.

 

[Sill]

I invested in Sonos when the Playbar and Sub were released and haven't looked back. I've got the surround setup with sub and two Play:1's, Play:3 in the bedroom, Play:1's in both bathrooms, Play:1 in the garage and a Play:5 by my turntable to send it through the house. I don't want to sound like some sort of product evangelist, but I can truly say that my system has become an integral part of my everyday life. Aside from my iPhone, it's one of the few products that I can actually say that about.

Yes, Sonos is expensive. But I find it kind of hilarious that people are complaining about overpriced hardware in an Apple/Mac forum.......

Too true.

How do you like the Sub? I'm interested in everything Sonos, but their marketing leaves me stranded sometimes. The two "force canceling speakers positioned face to face" commits a major error in my audio playbook, which is the creation of standing waves. Unless they have one driver in reverse polarity to make a push/pull configuration, I'm hesitant. Still, I'm interested in your experience.

 

[DudeDad]

How great is Sonos when you leave the house and want to seamlessly continue listening to a song or podcast on your iPhone or iPad? What if you want to enjoy content using a specific app that's superior to the Sonos app? For example, when listening to a podcast or a song, many apps provide buttons to skip back or ahead 30 seconds, while the Sonos app does not.

If I leave my house, I can listen to my entire iTunes library through Match. Seamless? No, but pressing the iTunes icon and choosing a playlist is not a problem.

You can scrobble through any song Sonos is playing. Given what Sonos can do in the home, it's a much better choice than using Airplay to have an alleged convenience of listening to the end of the song as I get into my car.

 

[DudeDad]

Too true.

How do you like the Sub? I'm interested in everything Sonos, but their marketing leaves me stranded sometimes. The two "force canceling speakers positioned face to face" commits a major error in my audio playbook, which is the creation of standing waves. Unless they have one driver in reverse polarity to make a push/pull configuration, I'm hesitant. Still, I'm interested in your experience.

The sub is great! I have it in my bedroom with a pair of Rogers L/S 35A speakers. Fantastic combination. The Sonos customer support is quite good....if you call them about your concerns before you purchase, they can help you out. They also have a call-back system so you don't have to wait on hold.

 

[boshii]

You don't need all of that. I use this Monoprice switch for my needs and it's perfect: http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=5557

In the illustration you were referencing, the Playbar would go where the surround sound receiver is. For my situation, I've got a cable box, Bluray player and Apple TV feeding into the Monoprice switch, then the single HDMI cable out of that to my TV and the optical out of the switch to my Playbar. The only drawback to the Monoprice switch for me is that they stupidly put one of the HDMI inputs on the front of the device. Since I just need 3, I use 2, 3 and 4 instead. I've got my system set up with a Logitech Harmony remote that controls the HDMI switch for me depending on which activity I pick. No issues whatsoever.

That's exactly how I use mine but I have more devices.

 

[DudeDad]

I thought Sonos was just a wireless speaker system? If it can already play iTunes, what is the restriction for the new Music app?

I hear good things about Sonos and I am starting to look for a good speaker system for my home, but had airplay as one of my requirements. I am very interested in why you think this is the way to go versus say a B&O speaker with Airplay (granted that B&O is much pricier).

For your iTunes library, the desktop controller uses the iTunes XML to provide the content to the iOS or Android controllers. With a service that streams from outside the home (SiriusXM, Spotify, Slacker, etc....and soon Apple Music), the software from Sonos has to be updated for access to the service. It is coming, which is great (provided that Apple music is a good service).

 

[DudeDad]

you can with airplay via a computer - no idea why they restrict this on iOS. I am guessing the older hardware couldn't hack it but i am sure an Air2 or iPhone 6 could

If I'm not mistaken, if you have one computer with your iTunes library on it, and airplay in the house, you can only play the same song in multiple places, not different ones. That's why the Sonos zone system is so great....my son can be listening to his iTunes playlist in his room, I can be listening to another in our screened in porch, and my wife can be listening to her music in the kitchen or family room.

 

[DudeDad]

Which sonos do you recommend ?

It depends what you want to do. My son has a Sonos Play 5 in his room. It's the self-powered stereo speaker. Great for a bedroom. In mine, I have a Sonos amp, and attached to is are a pair of Rogers LS 3/5A studio monitors. Another Sonos Amp is in the kitchen powering both the kitchen and living room ceiling speakers (with a switch box in between the speakers and Sonos amp), and in the family room, I have a sonos "pod" that streams music through my home entertainment system.

So....it really depends on whether you have speakers hooked up to an amp or whether you are starting from scratch. Some friends have started with a Play 5 in a room, and expanded from there.

 

[Sill]

The sub is great! I have it in my bedroom with a pair of Rogers L/S 35A speakers. Fantastic combination. The Sonos customer support is quite good....if you call them about your concerns before you purchase, they can help you out. They also have a call-back system so you don't have to wait on hold.

I agree. Like I posted earlier, I asked a question and received an email in a matter of hours. I first got a form reply, which made me think I was going to eventually get a generic "Thanks for choosing SONOS! Have you checked our online FAQ and help forums yet?" but I ended up corresponding with a thoroughly helpful person who happened to be an engineer there. That reminded me of the early days of hifi when you could call Hafler, Adcom, NAD, etc and actually speak to the people who designed the amps.

Thats a neat setup you have with the CONNECT:AMP and your Rogers. Does the Sub tie into the amp or is it served from somewhere else?

 

[tido2012]

Just purchased sonos playbar, sub, play 5 speakers, and some play 3s. Can't wait to use it! I had just purchased spotify to use with sonos, I guess I'll have to consider switching to apple music once it gets sonos integration and some of the kinks get worked out, but for the time being spotify is great! Will be setting up all the sonos gear tomorrow, can't wait!