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OT: Any audiophiles with Sonos Experience?

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hondabbq
hondabbq Posts: 1,980
in EggHead Forum
Like the title says, looking for input on the Sonos line of speakers. I am renovating my basement into a mancave and looking at a Playbar, sub, and a couple Play 1's.
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  • dlk7
    dlk7 Posts: 1,053
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    I'm using their amp for my outside Klipsh speakers, a bridge hooked to my wifi, a bridge hooked to my stereo in the living room and a play 5 in the wife's craft room.  All tied to the ipad and iphone.  Has worked flawlessly.  Haven't used the pieces you mentioned above but I'm getting great signals everywhere in the house and out on the back deck.

    Two XL BGEs - So Happy!!!!

    Waunakee, WI

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  • JeffM
    JeffM Posts: 103
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    I am a big fan of the Sonos system but I connected it to my existing sound systems.   I have 4 zones so I can play different music  in the living room, in the kitchen, and outside at the same time.  I can control it from my iMac, my iPad or my iPhone using my iTunes library but mostly Pandora.  My system is now over a year old and my in-laws have used it even longer.   I have to believe the speakers would be first class as well.  Now days there aren't too many bad speakers.
    Overall it is a well run company out of Santa Barbara  and recently I have been seeing more advertising as they grow.
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  • sumoconnell
    sumoconnell Posts: 1,932
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    I've been looking for whole house audio also.

    I'd say if you are doing just one room and in the middle of a renovation, go wired with a traditional surround sound receiver, build the wires into the walls. Quality wise, this is still the best by a long shot. My media room system is wired, receiver capable of 7.2, but I hooked up 5.1. Reason is that my cable provider, dvd, and most blue ray only support 5.1 - no reason to go higher. I was able to use the 2 other speaker outputs for a second zone (outdoors, by the egg)

    Anyway, sonos is designed for a different purpose than a single room... it's meant for whole house audio when there is no pre-existing wiring. If you aren't looking for that, I'd do something different. There is a cool Samsung 5.1 system, soundbar with a remote/wireless subwoofer, and the 2 rear speakers hang off the subwoofer.

    I got a Denon receiver, has network capability, can control from an app on my phone. Pretty cool when egging, can play Pandora from my phone or by the egg. Same time, kids can rock out in the media room to one direction or whatever. Ugh. (Gotta say I like atomic monkeys)

    I'm interested in what you think - I'm wondering if I should extend my second zone through the house with wiring and speaker switches, or go sonos.

    Both ways end up a pile of dough. Dammit.
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    Austin, Texas.  I'm the guy holding a beer.
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  • Eggcelsior
    Eggcelsior Posts: 14,414
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    Atomic Monkeys? Haha haha haha... Haha haha haha. I can't stop laughing. Way to sound old, buddy.

    The Arctic Monkeys are a fantastic band, however. :))
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  • sumoconnell
    sumoconnell Posts: 1,932
    edited January 2014
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    Many craps.. have they been around a while? They were a hit at acl this year, and have a popular song.

    Edit: changed my avatar to reflect my age :)
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    Austin, Texas.  I'm the guy holding a beer.
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  • Eggcelsior
    Eggcelsior Posts: 14,414
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    sumoconnell said:

    Many craps.. have they been around a while? They were a hit at acl this year, and have a popular song.

    Edit: changed my avatar to reflect my age :)

    I dig it. I first heard of them in college (2005ish) Here is the first song I heard:

    http://youtu.be/pK7egZaT3hs

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  • hondabbq
    hondabbq Posts: 1,980
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    @sumoconnell. I/we don't want the traditional look of a home theatre with the components everywhere and tower speakers. We want a minimalistic look that can pack a punch like a full 5.1.
    I have done hours and hours of reading the interweb and listening in stores to get that system. I have bought an 80" tv that has pass through for 5.1 via optical. The Sonos has great room filling sound and immersive sound when accompanied with the sub. The crossovers are where I like them and the expandability is unlike any other.

    I did preplan and ran cabling for a projector possibly at some point and ran cable tubes behind the drywall if I change my mind. I have an ICF foundation so there is no turning back if I forget something.
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  • pantsypants
    pantsypants Posts: 1,191
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    I have Sonos running through my house and I love it .
    I guess it depends on how you listen to music .
    The quality is great and if you subscribe to Sirius or Spotify ( Rdio here in Canada ) or listen to most of your music through Itunes ( or any computer) than it is amazing .


    Toronto
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  • jlsm
    jlsm Posts: 1,011
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    Sonos will not replace a high-end audio system but is very, very good with unmatched convenience. Your setup, with the sub, sounds good. I have a 5 in my living room and just bought a 1 for my husband's wood shop. He's a former orchestral percussionist and his comment: Something that small has no right to sound that good. 

    My brother-in-law is a true audiophile. They moved into an old house after years of living with whole-home wiring and I gave them a 5 and bridge for Christmas a year ago. They love it. They've expanded with two 3s. 
    *******
    Owner of a large and a beloved mini in Philadelphia
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  • NJ_BBQ
    NJ_BBQ Posts: 137
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    @hondabbq - what brand TV do you have that can pass through 5.1 audio via optical? The major fail of the Playbar is it only receives audio via optical but most TVs downgrade the audio out to stereo.

    I have Sonos for 5 zones in the house and outside but have held off on buying the Playbar for the TV. My understanding from looking at this a long while back is even if you pass the sound direct to the Playbar from the DVD player, the Playbar cannot handle full HD audio on most Blu-ray disks. There are many posts on this topic on the Sonos forum.


    Basking  Ridge, NJ - XL with KAB
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  • Browninggold
    Browninggold Posts: 453
    edited January 2014
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    I'm kind of a Audioholic. I have a HT and a Denon reciever with Airplay capabilities. I love Klipsch audio. I have 2 Klipsch Airplay speakers that can be moved and streams music from iPad, iPhone and iPods. Also plays thru my HT system. Love it. These are the G-17s I own. Discontinued now but they have newer models out. http://www.klipsch.com/gallery-g17-air/details
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  • hondabbq
    hondabbq Posts: 1,980
    edited January 2014
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    @njbbq I just bought a Sharp 70le757u prior to Christmas. Got a better price than boxing day/week.  I emailed Sharp directly and asked after reading that only a few TV's were capable of doing so, this being one of them. Sharp agreed the above set will pass through DD 5.1 via optical. The set has 4HDMI inputs and the single optical output to connect the digital input on the Playbar, thus making the tv the switcher.

    Although the Sonos Playbar cannot decode DTS, (only 2 playbars currently on the market can), 99% of people cannot decipher the difference between the 2.

    Below is the email confirmation of the passthrough.

    Dear Valued Sharp Customer,

    Thank you for contacting Sharp Electronics of Canada Ltd.

    I will be happy to assist you. Yes our system's do allow for Dolby digital as well.

    We thank you in advance for your cooperation

     

    Very best regards,

     

    Crystal R  

    Customer Care Specialist

    Customer Care Centre

    Sharp Electronics Of Canada Ltd.

     

    Important:  In your reply, please be sure to include all information from prior email messages & replies. If your email client automatically deletes prior email thread information, it will create delays while we search for your previous support history.

     


    --Original Message--
    From: dambelbbq@yahoo.ca
    Date: 12/31/2013 1:29:53 PM
    To: SharpContact@sharpsec.com
    Subject: Re: Email sent from Sharp Canada Contact us page [#3224372]

    Does it also pass DTS?


    Sent from my iPhone
    Hide message history

    On Dec 31, 2013, at 12:48 PM, Sharp Support <SharpContact@sharpsec.com> wrote:

    Dear Valued Sharp Customer,

    Thank you for contacting Sharp Electronics of Canada Ltd.

    I will be happy to assist you today. Yes the unit does send a Dolby Digital signal though the Optical port.

    We thank you in advance for your cooperation

     

    Very best regards,

     

    Crystal R 

    Customer Care Specialist

    Customer Care Centre

    Sharp Electronics Of Canada Ltd.

     

    Important:  In your reply, please be sure to include all information from prior email messages & replies. If your email client automatically deletes prior email thread information, it will create delays while we search for your previous support history.

     


    --Original Message--
    From: dambelbbq@yahoo.ca
    Date: 12/30/2013 6:15:16 AM
    To: sharpcontact@sharpsec.com
    Subject: Email sent from Sharp Canada Contact us page

    Hello,

    I just purchased a 70le757u and I am looking at different audio options.
    The one question I have is does this Tv send out a Dolby Digital signal though the Optical (Toslink) cable?

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  • hondabbq
    hondabbq Posts: 1,980
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    @browninggold


    Looks nice, and sure it sounds great, but that is the exact look im trying to avoid.

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  • hondabbq
    hondabbq Posts: 1,980
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    I have a very close friend that is also a true audiophile. He has over 100K in equipment and has pieces I just don't understand. Does it sound great? Yes it does.

    I am not trying to compete nor do I believe this will rival his set up. If I do go after the 2 rear play 1's it will be at the 2k range, apples and oranges to compare the 2. I know there are rival soundbars that are just as good for the same price point (Martin Logan, Bose) for example, but the options to stream are extremely limited compared to the Sonos.

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  • MaskedMarvel
    MaskedMarvel Posts: 3,141
    edited January 2014
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    Not to threadcap, but NewEgg has Polk Monitor 70 series 2s for $152 shipped right now.  Thinking of picking up a pair for myself at this price..

    EDIT - WTF?  Why would eggheadforum not allow a slickdeal link?  That's just absurd..

    Go to slickdeals dot net y'all - the link to the deal is there...


    use code: EMCYTZT5365 
    Large BGE and Medium BGE
    36" Blackstone - Greensboro!


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  • Proser
    Proser Posts: 271
    edited January 2014
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    I have a Sonos amp driving speakers in the yard, a 5 that moves around the house and a 3 that stays in the kitchen. I love the sound and the ability to group them together and still be able to adjust volume separately. I was looking for something to use by the pool that could be controlled remotely. The Sonos system works for me
    Arlington, TX  1 large, 1 medium, 1 Mini Max, and a 22" Blackstone
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  • robnybbq
    robnybbq Posts: 1,911
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    I got a play 5 in my living room and two zone players hooked into Polk atrium 4's outside (upper deck and lower patio/pool). Love it.

    _______________________________________________________________
    LBGE, Adjustable Rig, Spider, High-Que grate, maverick ET-732, Thermapen,

    Garnerville, NY
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  • Browninggold
    Browninggold Posts: 453
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    hondabbq said:

    @browninggold


    Looks nice, and sure it sounds great, but that is the exact look im trying to avoid.

    Yeah that's my dedicated HT room...but the G-17 is portable. Just wanted to let u know how versatile "Airplay" system can be...I carry my G-17 out on the deck while I'm BBQ'n
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  • krobertsmsn
    krobertsmsn Posts: 655
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    The gym I go to uses them and they sound good
    LBGE 4/2012, MBGE 6/2012 & Mini 11/2013
    Rome, GA
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  • ringkingpin
    ringkingpin Posts: 260
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    I have whole house audio and control it via control4 but use a sonos box to access music services.  I was a subscriber for many years to the speaker of the month club and still have some beauties on ice that I'm not sure what to do with, for example a pair of Altec Lansing Voice of the Theaters and some MacIntosh MC60 mono blocks.  
    A year ago, I put this whole house solution in and it's all hard wired.  in two rooms where there are T.V.'s I used Yamaha's sound bars along with some hidden Sunfire subs.  
    I can't say much on the Sonos amps or their speakers but their user interface is very intuitive and the service works well.  

    BTW, three of the zones I have are outdoors sonance zones.  If you're ever looking for outdoor solutions, check them out, nothing else comes close!


    "Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you who you are."
     Brillat-Savarin
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