Sonos Speakers Coming to Apple Online Store Today, Retail Stores on October 5

[Vash108]

It doesn't really matter if you are in the same room or not. If you have overlapping wireless spectrum's or you have lots of devices connected on the same band to the same router you are starting to limit what a wireless connection can do.

It does matter and let me put this in Apple terms.

"Sonos, it just works."

I don't have to worry about my router or placement, to an extent. I set up my Speakers, Amps, Bridges and it just works.

I get it you prefer Air Play, but the problems that people have with it simply do not happen with Sonos. I plug a new speaker up, press a button to add it to my current system, name it, done. I haven't had to worry about my speakers in years.

 

[Donut4000]

If you have Sonos, airplay is not relevant. You can access your entire iTunes library from the Sonos app, as well as SiriusXM, Apple Music, and many others.

I disagree - Airplay allows control between devices within the same ecosystem. I run a home network using a repurposed eBay MacMini, running a copy of Airsonos. This means I can listen to all my iTunes and Apple Music from laptops to iPhones across both Sonos, and Raspberry Pi gear connected to both my HIFI and TV, as well as the independent Sonos speakers on the LAN. You need the Sonos app to set up the speakers; but it is separate to iTunes on my Macs and iPhone - and to access to the way I listen to music therein. This is not a criticism of Sonos - the app is good: I just like the Airplay integration, though I need jump through a few hoops first...

 

[mauka]

I have 6 chromecast dongles to bring music in all of my rooms. Each dongle is $35 where as Play 1 is $200.

The biggest perk is the ability to cast anything from Chrome or a guest device without having to give them a lesson on how to do it and of course each dongle can be independent or play in unison.

I enjoy the sound quality of Sonos but I'm not willing to adapt to their limitations when for example the Bose Soundtouch lineup offers similar features + bluetooth/aux for the same price point.

and of course I'm aware everyone listens/stores their music differently. I must be the 1%.

 

[jdag]

I have 6 chromecast dongles to bring music in all of my rooms. Each dongle is $35 where as Play 1 is $200.

The biggest perk is the ability to cast anything from Chrome or a guest device without having to give them a lesson on how to do it and of course each dongle can be independent or play in unison.

I enjoy the sound quality of Sonos but I'm not willing to adapt to their limitations when for example the Bose Soundtouch lineup offers similar features + bluetooth/aux for the same price point.

and of course I'm aware everyone listens/stores their music differently. I must be the 1%.

There is nothing you stated that is not true.

However, people need to understand that the $35 Chromecast Audio dongle you reference is just the wireless connector. So you are not comparing apples-to-apples saying CCA is $35 and Sonos Play:1 is $200. If you use a CCA you still need:

1) Speaker (or speakers)
2) Amplification (either separate amp or built into the speaker)
3) Wiring (virtually no cost, but needed if you run 2 speakers to join them so I am adding to this list)

Again, CCA itself is definitely cheaper. But it is not the complete package.

 

[Uofmtiger]

There is nothing you stated that is not true.

However, people need to understand that the $35 Chromecast Audio dongle you reference is just the wireless connector. So you are not comparing apples-to-apples saying CCA is $35 and Sonos Play:1 is $200. If you use a CCA you still need:

1) Speaker (or speakers)
2) Amplification (either separate amp or built into the speaker)
3) Wiring (virtually no cost, but needed if you run 2 speakers to join them so I am adding to this list)

Again, CCA itself is definitely cheaper. But it is not the complete package.

The Connect is the direct competitor and it cost $350 vs $35. I personally don't see why the thing costs that much. I bought an Onkyo receiver for less than $400 that has several 4k HDMI inputs, 2 4k HDMI outs, 7.2 surround sound, high end DACs (384/32) that play DSD and other hi rez formats (DTS:X and Dolby Atmos), multiple services like Spotify and Pandora are supported natively, it handles Airplay and Bluetooth, etc.

The only upside to Sonos is their unspec'd speakers (unless you consider a list of specs that say "great bass" or something similar as specs) that tie together for multiple room use easier than Airplay if you are using only an iOS device and aren't using Whaale or an app like Airfoil/"Airfoil Speakers" on a computer. However, this limitation has been put on iOS by Apple and could easily be removed. Whaale works great with iOS and multi-room, so there is no reason Apple couldn't have added that feature to the interface already. In other words, instead of getting another company to fill the gap they left for multi-room iOS use, they should and could fill it themselves.

I see the point of Sonos for the person that has an archaic router and would have drop outs with Airplay, but I don't see the point of Apple selling their product. Apple has Airplay and a company they paid $3 billion dollars for that can fill a similar role.

 

[jdag]

The Connect is the direct competitor and it cost $350 vs $35. I personally don't see why the thing costs that much. I bought an Onkyo receiver for less than $400 that has several 4k HDMI inputs, 2 4k HDMI outs, 7.2 surround sound, high end DACs (384/32) that play DSD and other hi rez formats (DTS:X and Dolby Atmos), multiple services like Spotify and Pandora are supported natively, it handles Airplay and Bluetooth, etc.

The only upside to Sonos is their unspec'd speakers (unless you consider a list of specs that say "great bass" or something similar as specs) that tie together for multiple room use easier than Airplay if you are using only an iOS device and aren't using Whaale or an app like Airfoil/"Airfoil Speakers" on a computer. However, this limitation has been put on iOS by Apple and could easily be removed. Whaale works great with iOS and multi-room, so there is no reason Apple couldn't have added that feature to the interface already. In other words, instead of getting another company to fill the gap they left for multi-room iOS use, they should and could fill it themselves.

I see the point of Sonos for the person that has an archaic router and would have drop outs with Airplay, but I don't see the point of Apple selling their product. Apple has Airplay and a company they paid $3 billion dollars for that can fill a similar role.

You are 100% correct that the Sonos:Connect is the CCA competitor, and I alluded to that in my post ("So you are not comparing apples-to-apples saying CCA is $35 and Sonos Play:1 is $200"). I've also explained that in earlier posts.

And I Do agree with you that the Connect at $350 is out of line. I suppose it is because #1 there was no competition for it in the past and #2 it is a relatively low-volume device and they don't achieve the economy of scale.

 

[rhett7660]

The Connect is the direct competitor and it cost $350 vs $35. I personally don't see why the thing costs that much. I bought an Onkyo receiver for less than $400 that has several 4k HDMI inputs, 2 4k HDMI outs, 7.2 surround sound, high end DACs (384/32) that play DSD and other hi rez formats (DTS:X and Dolby Atmos), multiple services like Spotify and Pandora are supported natively, it handles Airplay and Bluetooth, etc.

The only upside to Sonos is their unspec'd speakers (unless you consider a list of specs that say "great bass" or something similar as specs) that tie together for multiple room use easier than Airplay if you are using only an iOS device and aren't using Whaale or an app like Airfoil/"Airfoil Speakers" on a computer. However, this limitation has been put on iOS by Apple and could easily be removed. Whaale works great with iOS and multi-room, so there is no reason Apple couldn't have added that feature to the interface already. In other words, instead of getting another company to fill the gap they left for multi-room iOS use, they should and could fill it themselves.

I see the point of Sonos for the person that has an archaic router and would have drop outs with Airplay, but I don't see the point of Apple selling their product. Apple has Airplay and a company they paid $3 billion dollars for that can fill a similar role.

Last I checked the $35 piece doesn't have an amp to it and it doesn't power speakers? Or am I missing something? So no it isn't a direct competitor. It would be more along the lines of a stand alone amp that connects to a network that allows you to connect speakers to said amp.

I agree about the price, I would like it to be a few hundred dollars cheaper myself.

 

[jdag]

Last I checked the $35 piece doesn't have an amp to it and it doesn't power speakers? Or am I missing something? So no it isn't a direct competitor. It would be more along the lines of a stand alone amp that connects to a network that allows you to connect speakers to said amp.

I agree about the price, I would like it to be a few hundred dollars cheaper myself.

Neither the Google CCA ($35) nor the Sonos Connect ($350) include an amp. These devices are generally used with powered speakers (aka active speakers) that have an amp built into them or to connect to a stereo or AV receiver (similarly to how you'd hook up a CD player to a receiver). There are also many creative ways to hook up a CCA or Connect to multi-channel amplifiers to get audio to multiple rooms, but that's more of an exception to their use.

The Sonos Connect:Amp ($500) does include an amp. The Connect:Amp is essentially the Connect + amplifier combo. The Connect:Amp is generally used with in-ceiling speakers, outdoor speakers, or floorstanding/bookshelf speakers. It is self-contained, so nothing additional is needed to run the speakers.

The other thing to keep in mind is that generally, unless you get into some creative wiring, you need 1 of these devices for every zone you want to control. For example, assuming you already have in-ceiling speakers in your upstairs bedroom, plus in-ceiling speakers in your downstairs family room, plus a pair of speakers on your patio, you would 3 Sonos Connect:Amps at a total of $1,500 to power those 3 zones.

Could you do the same with Cromecast Audio? Yes! But it would not be just $35x3. Using the same 3 zones as mentioned above, you would need 3 CCA devices @ $105 plus an amplifier for each of the zones OR a multi-zone amplifier. The amplification could be as little as about $100 or as much as many thousands of dollars.

 

[Vash108]

I see the point of Sonos for the person that has an archaic router and would have drop outs with Airplay, but I don't see the point of Apple selling their product. Apple has Airplay and a company they paid $3 billion dollars for that can fill a similar role.

My only issue is I do not have an archaic router and still have issues with drop outs.

 

[Uofmtiger]

e

Last I checked the $35 piece doesn't have an amp to it and it doesn't power speakers? Or am I missing something? So no it isn't a direct competitor. It would be more along the lines of a stand alone amp that connects to a network that allows you to connect speakers to said amp.

I agree about the price, I would like it to be a few hundred dollars cheaper myself.

The Connect does not have an amp and does not power speakers. It is a big white piece of plastic that has no place to hook up speakers:

[doublepost=1475086420][/doublepost]

My only issue is I do not have an archaic router and still have issues with drop outs.

I don't have drop outs and have numerous Airplay devices (old, new, built in, and stand alone). If you have drop outs, it is your wifi situation, not an issue with Airplay. I always take an AppleTV on trips with me and use Airplay for music. Even in situations that I have no control I don't get drop outs. You may want to address the issue on your wifi rather than blaming the technology that uses your wifi to communicate.
[doublepost=1475086492][/doublepost]

Neither the Google CCA ($35) nor the Sonos Connect ($350) include an amp.

Ummm. That was my point.
[doublepost=1475086780][/doublepost]

The Sonos Connect:Amp ($500) does include an amp. The Connect:Amp is essentially the Connect + amplifier combo. The Connect:Amp is generally used with in-ceiling speakers, outdoor speakers, or floorstanding/bookshelf speakers. It is self-contained, so nothing additional is needed to run the speakers.

Even the amp, which I didn't mention, is also overpriced for what it does. See the Onkyo TX-NR646 as an example that costs less and does a whole lot more.

As I said, the Sonos is better for people that want easy multi-room audio with un-spec'd speakers. Nothing wrong with that, but I don't see the benefit to Apple to have them in the store. If anything, they are confusing because they don't work with Airplay.
[doublepost=1475087192][/doublepost]For those curious about the Sonos $500 amp, here is a pic of the back of it:

In comparison, here is a look at the ~$400 Onkyo:

All HDMI is 4k compatible.

 

[Vash108]

I don't have drop outs and have numerous Airplay devices (old, new, built in, and stand alone). If you have drop outs, it is your wifi situation, not an issue with Airplay. I always take an AppleTV on trips with me and use Airplay for music. Even in situations that I have no control I don't get drop outs. You may want to address the issue on your wifi rather than blaming the technology that uses your wifi to communicate.

Speculate all you want, but I know my network and my devices. No other device on my network has Wifi issues. Talked to many people that get the same issues with Airplay, especially with anything video related, it drops and stutters.

Going to go out on a limb here and say I am not a common consumer being I work in the technology field. If it requires more than a basic consumer knowledge to trouble shoot their product then it is subpar. I am glad you don't experience these issues, but they are issues other people have.

My Chromecast alone far out does airplay for video streaming, so I dropped AirPlay all together.

 

[jdag]

Ummm. That was my point.

Please read the thread again. My comment that "Neither the Google CCA ($35) nor the Sonos Connect ($350) include an amp." was not in response to you. It was in response to rhett7660 that asked "Last I checked the $35 piece doesn't have an amp to it and it doesn't power speakers? Or am I missing something?". My response falls directly after those questions.

I then expanded as to the use cases for Google CCA and Sonos Connect as well as the differentiation with the Sonos Connect:Amp as opposed to just leaving it at a yes/no answer.

Even the amp, which I didn't mention, is also overpriced for what it does. See the Onkyo TX-NR646 as an example that costs less and does a whole lot more.

"Overpriced" is purely subjective. Yes, the Onkyo AVR "does more", has more inputs, can feed both audio and video, manage many inputs, etc. It also comes with a remote with tons of buttons, sound processing options that have crazy abbreviations, flashing display with lots of info, and more that leads to complexity (and definitely a tougher experience and WAF).

The Sonos Connect:Amp is simple and sole-purpose. There are key benefits that you 1) don't have to turn it on and 2) never have to fiddle with inputs. It is a very well-built device that should last for many many many years. AVRs are not the most long-lasting electronics out there.

And here's the most important point: if you want a sole-purpose amp, such as I wanted (key word want stated 2x) for my patio, I don't personally find it overpriced. Yes, I know it is subjective.

I will also continue that I do actually have a Denon AVR similar to the Onkyo presented. It runs my basement home theater and does a fine job. In fact, I used to have it wired out to my patio, using the Denon's zone 2 connections using Airplay as the method to send audio as the Denon has Airplay built in. After 1 summer of fiddling with inputs, the horrible Denon app, accidentally changing sound inputs on my son as he played his Xbox, etc. I bought the Connect:Amp. ZERO regrets! $500 was NOT expensive in my subjective opinion and I have received well more than $500 back in perceived value.

 

[Uofmtiger]

Please read the thread again. My comment that "Neither the Google CCA ($35) nor the Sonos Connect ($350) include an amp." was not in response to you. It was in response to rhett7660 that asked "Last I checked the $35 piece doesn't have an amp to it and it doesn't power speakers? Or am I missing something?". My response falls directly after those questions.

I then expanded as to the use cases for Google CCA and Sonos Connect as well as the differentiation with the Sonos Connect:Amp as opposed to just leaving it at a yes/no answer.



"Overpriced" is purely subjective. Yes, the Onkyo AVR "does more", has more inputs, can feed both audio and video, manage many inputs, etc. It also comes with a remote with tons of buttons, sound processing options that have crazy abbreviations, flashing display with lots of info, and more that leads to complexity (and definitely a tougher experience and WAF).

The Sonos Connect:Amp is simple and sole-purpose. There are key benefits that you 1) don't have to turn it on and 2) never have to fiddle with inputs. It is a very well-built device that should last for many many many years. AVRs are not the most long-lasting electronics out there.

And here's the most important point: if you want a sole-purpose amp, such as I wanted (key word want stated 2x) for my patio, I don't personally find it overpriced. Yes, I know it is subjective.

I will also continue that I do actually have a Denon AVR similar to the Onkyo presented. It runs my basement home theater and does a fine job. In fact, I used to have it wired out to my patio, using the Denon's zone 2 connections using Airplay as the method to send audio as the Denon has Airplay built in. After 1 summer of fiddling with inputs, the horrible Denon app, accidentally changing sound inputs on my son as he played his Xbox, etc. I bought the Connect:Amp. ZERO regrets! $500 was NOT expensive in my subjective opinion and I have received well more than $500 back in perceived value.

A universal remote combined with CEC should make it fool proof for most people. Airplay, for example, will turn on the receiver and start playing and give full control over the volume, so you don't need to mess with a separate remote. Most receivers nowadays stay in stand-by most of the time rather than going completely off.

So the upside and the high price is based on the lack of features? That is new. I use a T-Amp ($39) combined with an Airport Express that duplicates the same lack of features in the Sonos Connect:Amp, I never turn it off, either, so it is always ready to play music. Even if it was off, an idiot could figure it out since it has only one way to use it.

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/sonicimpact/t.html
[doublepost=1475091032][/doublepost]

Speculate all you want, but I know my network and my devices. No other device on my network has Wifi issues. Talked to many people that get the same issues with Airplay, especially with anything video related, it drops and stutters.

Going to go out on a limb here and say I am not a common consumer being I work in the technology field. If it requires more than a basic consumer knowledge to trouble shoot their product then it is subpar. I am glad you don't experience these issues, but they are issues other people have.

My Chromecast alone far out does airplay for video streaming, so I dropped AirPlay all together.

What does video have to do with this? Oh yeah, Airplay handles video and Sonos doesn't. Thanks for bringing that up.

Chromecast doesn't rely as much on your wifi. It is a direct stream from the web or device. Airplay, if you are using iOS, goes to your phone and back, so it takes more bandwidth. Back in the day, that was more of an issue because wifi was pretty aweful. However, the new crop of routers have fixed that issue for people that aren't running old routers.

There are plenty of issues with Sonos among consumers. They have an entire page related to troubleshooting problems.

 

[jdag]

A universal remote combined with CEC should make it fool proof for most people. Airplay, for example, will turn on the receiver and start playing and give full control over the volume, so you don't need to mess with a separate remote. Most receivers nowadays stay in stand-by most of the time rather than going completely off.

So the upside and the high price is based on the lack of features? That is new. I use a T-Amp ($39) combined with an Airport Express that duplicates the same lack of features in the Sonos Connect:Amp, I never turn it off, either, so it is always ready to play music. Even if it was off, an idiot could figure it out since it has only one way to use it.

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/sonicimpact/t.html

Excess features do not necessarily make something more valuable if they are not wanted, needed, or possibly get in the way. And the Sonos Connect:Amp is not lacking features. It has a very important feature in fact...it is a Sonos component! If you have a Sonos system in your home then that is pretty darn important! The Onkyo AVR, or any AVR for that matter, may have 1,000 features on its spec sheet, but doesn't have that ONE feature I need/want.

Anyhow, I do in fact have multiple Harmony remotes in my household and have used them for at least 7-8 years. Further, I have used T-Amps (Dayton Audio, Lepai, and another brand who's name I cannot remember), all hooked to the exact same speakers, in the same location, that are mounted out on my patio today. And the Sonos Connect:Amp sounds INFINITELY better. It is not even close at any volumes above ambient music. The Dayton Audio amp was good ($100), the Lepai and other were mediocre at best ($25-$50), the Sonos ($500) is excellent. To be fair when I had the speakers connected to the Denon ($600) the sound was excellent too.

Now, imagine if you will, sitting out on a patio, with the Harmony remote and AV receiver about 50 feet away plus 1 story down in the basement. I could put my beer down, get up, walk down to the dark basement, find the remote, turn on the system, select the proper input if I happened to not point at the AV receiver for long enough, walk back out to the patio, pick up my iPhone, open the Denon app, play music.

Or

I could stay seated with my beer in my hand, pick up my iPhone, open the Sonos app, hit play.

I'd urge you to consider multiple use cases, especially if you have family members using the system.


Side note: Yes, there are issues with the Sonos system. It is by no means perfect, and there are dedicated forums filled with people that would like to see added functionality (Bluetooth being #1 on that list, an Aux input being #2, and Airplay being further down the wish lists of most people). But in terms of technical issues, FAR AND AWAY the biggest issues are the home networks, not the Sonos components themselves. Same for AirPlay problems. Most issues can be attributed to the network/router.

 

[Uofmtiger]

But in terms of technical issues, FAR AND AWAY the biggest issues are the home networks, not the Sonos components themselves. Same for AirPlay problems. Most issues can be attributed to the network/router.

Yes, on this part, we agree.

BTW, wherever you put that Sonos amp, the Onkyo could be put in the same space and give you a lot more power, Bluetooth and Airplay for less money. However, it would be overkill for that situation, but you could find less beefy alternatives for a lot less money.

 

[jdag]

Yes, on this part, we agree.

BTW, wherever you put that Sonos amp, the Onkyo could be put in the same space and give you a lot more power, Bluetooth and Airplay for less money. However, it would be overkill for that situation, but you could find less beefy alternatives for a lot less money.

We are making progress ;-)

As for power per dollar...yes, you can certainly find amps with better cost to power ratios. In fact, if that is what you are after, using an AVR is not likely your best bet and you would be better served with other equipment anyhow (i.e. - stereo amp, pre-amp, etc.).

As for BT/Airplay/Chromecast Audio capability, technically you could add that to the Sonos Connect:Amp if you wanted too by using the 3.5mm line in. I have toyed around with doing so, only to determine that it is not something I need.

At the end of the day, there are many ways to set up your whole-home system. And there will never be 100% agreement for a simple reason: there is no 1 best method!

Have a good evening.

 

[Uofmtiger]

We are making progress ;-)
At the end of the day, there are many ways to set up your whole-home system. And there will never be 100% agreement for a simple reason: there is no 1 best method!

Have a good evening.

I agree. But once again, my posts aren't just about the fact that there are better alternatives for less money, which can be debated. My main point was that it doesn't make sense for Apple on several fronts. The first is that Airplay is Apple's technology. They have it in their own products, hundreds of third party products, they have it built into iOS, it is built into iTunes, and they spent $3 billion on a headphone/speaker company. Adding Sonos to the mix doesn't take advantages of their own ecosystem on the software or hardware front.

There has to be something else at play here, so I guess we will see what that is in the future, but right now it seems strange.

 

[jdag]

I agree. But once again, my posts aren't just about the fact that there are better alternatives for less money, which can be debated. My main point was that it doesn't make sense for Apple on several fronts. The first is that Airplay is Apple's technology. They have it in their own products, hundreds of third party products, they have it built into iOS, it is built into iTunes, and they spent $3 billion on a headphone/speaker company. Adding Sonos to the mix doesn't take advantages of their own ecosystem on the software or hardware front.

There has to be something else at play here, so I guess we will see what that is in the future, but right now it seems strange.

I read between the lines and suspect that there might be some additional partnering coming. I hope that is the case, but it is just a guess.

Anyhow, Sonos made a huge deal supporting Apple Music integration a while back, and it certainly benefits Sonos by having Apple as a retailer. If you look at the Sonos photos on the Apple Store, they have an Apple Music card sitting in front of the speaker image. Love the co-branding.

Then again, Apple also sells other non-AirPlay devices (Bose Soundlink, UE Boom, etc. are BT only). What's this all mean? Apple likes to sell stuff.

 

[Uofmtiger]

I read between the lines and suspect that there might be some additional partnering coming. I hope that is the case, but it is just a guess.

Anyhow, Sonos made a huge deal supporting Apple Music integration a while back, and it certainly benefits Sonos by having Apple as a retailer. If you look at the Sonos photos on the Apple Store, they have an Apple Music card sitting in front of the speaker image. Love the co-branding.

Then again, Apple also sells other non-AirPlay devices (Bose Soundlink, UE Boom, etc. are BT only). What's this all mean? Apple likes to sell stuff.

Bluetooth is a different breed in that it also takes advantage of their systems. It will play any audio from iOS, just like Airplay without leaving the app you are in. I guess they need to fill up their stores, but this just seems like a weird combo since it doesn't use the iOS interface, but instead, uses its own app and interface. As you said, maybe there is additional partnering to come (like Siri interaction...since the Echo is already on board).

 

[steve knight]

sonos was so revolutionary to my blind wife is was hard to believe. we have been using airplay since it came out with problems along the way. glitches and problems with voiceover and all the apps she needed to get to different music services was nightmare. every time a app updated it may break voiceover or the layout would change and the battle to learn to use it again would start.
sonos just seems to work it is easy to use music searches searches all sources at once. we have had many problems with airplay over the years. one that caused me to buy the sonos was when voiceover was going through airplay and was delayed 10 seconds or so. made it almost impossible for her to use it.

 

[rhett7660]

Neither the Google CCA ($35) nor the Sonos Connect ($350) include an amp. These devices are generally used with powered speakers (aka active speakers) that have an amp built into them or to connect to a stereo or AV receiver (similarly to how you'd hook up a CD player to a receiver). There are also many creative ways to hook up a CCA or Connect to multi-channel amplifiers to get audio to multiple rooms, but that's more of an exception to their use.

The Sonos Connect:Amp ($500) does include an amp. The Connect:Amp is essentially the Connect + amplifier combo. The Connect:Amp is generally used with in-ceiling speakers, outdoor speakers, or floorstanding/bookshelf speakers. It is self-contained, so nothing additional is needed to run the speakers.

The other thing to keep in mind is that generally, unless you get into some creative wiring, you need 1 of these devices for every zone you want to control. For example, assuming you already have in-ceiling speakers in your upstairs bedroom, plus in-ceiling speakers in your downstairs family room, plus a pair of speakers on your patio, you would 3 Sonos Connect:Amps at a total of $1,500 to power those 3 zones.

Could you do the same with Cromecast Audio? Yes! But it would not be just $35x3. Using the same 3 zones as mentioned above, you would need 3 CCA devices @ $105 plus an amplifier for each of the zones OR a multi-zone amplifier. The amplification could be as little as about $100 or as much as many thousands of dollars.

You are correct, I got the devices mixed up. I was thinking the Connect:Amp setup.
[doublepost=1475100768][/doublepost]

e
The Connect does not have an amp and does not power speakers. It is a big white piece of plastic that has no place to hook up speakers:
[doublepost=1475086420][/doublepost]
I don't have drop outs and have numerous Airplay devices (old, new, built in, and stand alone). If you have drop outs, it is your wifi situation, not an issue with Airplay. I always take an AppleTV on trips with me and use Airplay for music. Even in situations that I have no control I don't get drop outs. You may want to address the issue on your wifi rather than blaming the technology that uses your wifi to communicate.
[doublepost=1475086492][/doublepost]Ummm. That was my point.
[doublepost=1475086780][/doublepost]
Even the amp, which I didn't mention, is also overpriced for what it does. See the Onkyo TX-NR646 as an example that costs less and does a whole lot more.

As I said, the Sonos is better for people that want easy multi-room audio with un-spec'd speakers. Nothing wrong with that, but I don't see the benefit to Apple to have them in the store. If anything, they are confusing because they don't work with Airplay.
[doublepost=1475087192][/doublepost]For those curious about the Sonos $500 amp, here is a pic of the back of it: comparison, here is a look at the ~$400 Onkyo:

All HDMI is 4k compatible.

Correct, I got my devices mixed up. Sorry about that.

 

[swajames]

Of all the tech I've invested in over the years, the Sonos products are one of the very few where I've never questioned the price or value after the fact. I was a pretty early adopter, I've been a Sonos customer since getting my first two ZP100 players right when they were first launched back in 2004 or so. I have a much bigger system now, multiple Play:5s, subs and many other components, but the original zone players are a) still in use, b) still getting software updates and c) still sound great. The use case Sonos really set out to address (and continues to address) is whole house audio. If all you need is one or two speakers, other products will work just fine. For (relatively) reasonably-priced whole house audio with no drop outs, high reliability and absolutely perfect synchronization then Sonos remains the one to beat. I always considered Sonos to be the most "Apple-like" of all my non-Apple products. I loved it in 2004 and I love even more than ever now due to the continually updated software features and the support for Apple Music, Spotify and other similar services.

 

[TheMountainLife]

There is nothing you stated that is not true.

However, people need to understand that the $35 Chromecast Audio dongle you reference is just the wireless connector. So you are not comparing apples-to-apples saying CCA is $35 and Sonos Play:1 is $200. If you use a CCA you still need:

1) Speaker (or speakers)
2) Amplification (either separate amp or built into the speaker)
3) Wiring (virtually no cost, but needed if you run 2 speakers to join them so I am adding to this list)

Again, CCA itself is definitely cheaper. But it is not the complete package.

Amplification? Wiring? What are you talking about. I assume you're referring to using Sonos as a home theater setup.

I'm talking about the whole "music in every room" concept for less.

Reminds me of the days where we preferred external set top boxes over them being integrated into the tv, lol. Maybe "Smart Speakers" will grow on me, in the meantime I like the idea of upgrading sound/speaker over time than it being one whole unit.

 

[1 iron]

It seems like Apple is finally hearing the market's frustration with Airplay and its very unreliable connectivity for a large number of users and is in the process of absorbing sonos. I have numerous Airplay speakers throughout my home and they constantly drop out with solid signals. It's maddening. I have become a sophomore home IT guy because numerous vendors (Apple, rogue amoeba, Wren) all point the finger at each other and suggest different settings/options -so- I got that experience going for me. Meanwhile my bonehead brother in law who can barely change the batteries in his vape is rocking sonos speakers all over his house and laughing at my frustration. 'just get sonos bro' is all I hear. Damn it.

 

[jdag]

Amplification? Wiring? What are you talking about. I assume you're referring to using Sonos as a home theater setup.

I'm talking about the whole "music in every room" concept for less.

Reminds me of the days where we preferred external set top boxes over them being integrated into the tv, lol. Maybe "Smart Speakers" will grow on me, in the meantime I like the idea of upgrading sound/speaker over time than it being one whole unit.

What do you mean what am I talking about? Every single word I wrote was 100% accurate. You said, and I quote: "I have 6 chromecast dongles to bring music in all of my rooms. Each dongle is $35 where as Play 1 is $200."

Your 6 chromecast dongles do absolutely nothing to produce the sound you hear. They are wifi receivers. You then must, without question, have:

1) Speaker (or speakers)
2) Amplification (either separate amp or built into the speaker)
3) Wiring (virtually no cost, but needed if you run 2 speakers to join them so I am adding to this list)

Again, what is listed above is unequivocally correct and required. You have to have speakers and amplification, and if using left/right stereo speakers a wire connecting the 2 (not needed for mono setups).

Your post touting the $35 per zone Chromecast was not wrong, they are $35/ea. It just was not even close to being complete and does not explain the overall cost.

If you are thinking "But I already had all of that other stuff"...fine, it didn't cost you more money today...but you did have to make that investment at some point in the past, so there was a cost.

The $200 Play:1 speaker is 100% all that is needed for a single zone solution.