Source: Tom's Guide | Keywords: Sonos, wireless, music | Themes: Networking
- 1. Music Freedom = House Party
- 2. What's in the Box and Speaker Wiring 101
- 3. ZonePlayer Setup and Installation
- 4. Software Interface and Linked Zones
- 5. Controller Functions and ZoneBridge Explanation
2. What's in the Box and Speaker Wiring 101
The new $999 Sonos bundled system includes an amplified ZonePlayer 120, a networked device that sports its own amplifier so that it doesn’t need to be connected to a stereo receiver in order to send a music signal to a set of loudspeakers. The bundle also includes a ZonePlayer 90, which needs the help of a receiver to amplify music signals that get sent to speakers. These two ZonePlayers go in different rooms. Sonos includes one Sonos wireless remote controller that commands functions to both of the ZonePlayers from anywhere in the house.
Sonos also sells its own loudspeakers, a charging cradle for the controller, and a piece called the ZoneBridge that makes it possible to extend Sonos’ proprietary network by connecting it to the house’s Ethernet connection, allowing the two ZonePlayers to live in rooms without hardwired Ethernet connections. All three of these extra pieces came with our reviewer’s package.
Sonos likes to say that setup of its system is a breeze, an easy experience designed for music lovers, not geeky techies. But I’ll tell you, its not for everyone. Snipping speaker wire and choosing from analog, optical, and digital coaxial outputs goes beyond the comfort zone of some legitimately tech-savvy people.
I started by setting up the Sonos loudspeakers and the self-amplifying ZonePlayer 120 in my home office—the room that happens to house my cable company Ethernet router. This would be my first Sonos Zone. Wiring up the speakers wasn’t too difficult, but for those of you that haven’t done this in a while, here’s a little refresher.
The Sonos-branded loudspeakers don’t come with their own speaker wire, though Sonos cautions not to use the thin speaker wire that typically comes with desktop speaker solutions. I used a few feet of 16 gauge, medium-thick cable that came on a 50-foot spool costing $15. I trimmed down the uneven ends using a wire cutter from a multitool.
I placed the speakers on either end of an L-shaped desk, with the ZonePlayer 120 placed at the joint, so I needed two 4-foot pieces. I split 3 inches of wire on either side of each piece, then peeled back about an inch of insulation from all eight of the wires, exposing the copper inside.
These copper bunches get threaded through the binding posts on the back of the speakers and the ZonePlayer 120. They binding posts are spring-operated: you push them in to reveal a hole, and you slide the copper wire through the hole. Then, you release the spring and it locks the wire in place. Make sure you put the "plus" portion of the split cable-ends into the red posts on the speakers and Sonos device (the wire is labeled positive or negative). I chose to add a subwoofer to the back of the 120 as well, though Sonos didn’t provide it.
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A couple of tips:
1) When scrolling through the artist list on the Sonos controller, push the soft button labelled "PowerScroll". This will allow you to skip straight to any letter in the alphabet, like the W you mentioned in the review. This function was added by Sonos a couple of years ago following customer requests.
2)Sonos can actually play some DRM protected files from stores that use MS Play for Sure technology.
3) Get your microwave checked out, the magnetron really shouldn't leak that much interference and may be unsafe. Getting a unit with better shielding won't just improve your wifi signals, it will help protect your husband's fertility more than getting that laptop of his thighs!
A couple of tips:
1) When scrolling through the artist list on the Sonos controller, push the soft button labelled "PowerScroll". This will allow you to skip straight to any letter in the alphabet, like the W you mentioned in the review. This function was added by Sonos a couple of years ago following customer requests.
2)Sonos can actually play some DRM protected files from stores that use MS Play for Sure technology.
3) Get your microwave checked out, the magnetron really shouldn't leak that much interference and may be unsafe. Getting a unit with better shielding won't just improve your wifi signals, it will help protect your husband's fertility more than getting that laptop of his thighs!
On the price comparison: With Logitech yet get two unamplified Zones for $599, to compare with the Sonos bundle you need to figure in the cost for an amp as well, which is included in the ZP120
Another note: Sonos does offer a "jump to" option to jump to a certain letter. It is on the left soft button (below the screen).
A couple of tips:1) When scrolling through the artist list on the Sonos controller, push the soft button labelled "PowerScroll". This will allow you to skip straight to any letter in the alphabet, like the W you mentioned in the review. This function was added by Sonos a couple of years ago following customer requests.2)Sonos can actually play some DRM protected files from stores that use MS Play for Sure technology.3) Get your microwave checked out, the magnetron really shouldn't leak that much interference and may be unsafe. Getting a unit with better shielding won't just improve your wifi signals, it will help protect your husband's fertility more than getting that laptop of his thighs!
Thanks Ro53ben, great advice about the microwave. It is likely an old machine.
The powerscroll function worked for me, but it still requires the gesture of scrolling, which can get tiresome, I found, If I was making a long list of songs.
On the price comparison: With Logitech yet get two unamplified Zones for $599, to compare with the Sonos bundle you need to figure in the cost for an amp as well, which is included in the ZP120
Thanks Avee. If you do another read of my review, you'll see that I did factor the amp into the price comparison. I said you'd need to pay (at the absolute least) $200 for an amp for your extra SqueezeBox unit, which would bring the price difference down quite a bit. I am assuming the consumer owns at least one amp (Sonos makes the same assumption with its bundle).
-Rachel
I know that this is a Sonos review, but since you brought up SB and Roku, I would like to see a more detailed comparison between them. SlimServer is a very powerful piece of (free!) software that is open source and has several plug-ins available for it. I haven't used SqueezeCenter yet. I don't know how the Sonos server compares. Also, since Roku can connect to SlimServer, it can reap all the rewards of it *at a much lower cost*...
I agree, you are giving Slim Devices the short end of the stick when overlooking its openness. There are alot of plugins. At least a year ago, this was not the case with sonos. This along with price is why I choose it over the Sonos. I am using a wireless PDA to control the slimserver. You can use your cell phone too. Why bother carrying another control when you cell is always right there?
Get your microwave checked out, the magnetron really shouldn't leak that much interference and may be unsafe. Getting a unit with better shielding won't just improve your wifi signals, it will help protect your husband's fertility more than getting that laptop of his thighs!
I have yet to see ANY microwave(high and low powered) not have some amount of impact on wireless B and G. A would have been a better choice(unless I missed it in there somewhere). We have gone through many a microwave so I can confirm that this is a normal behavior for a 2.4 GHZ device. 2.4 GHZ phones will static if they are analog skip if they are digital unless they are extremely powerful units.
Even the manual on many wireless routers warns about 2.4GHZ interference from phones/bluetooth and microwaves.
I can sit my laptop between 2(Yes 2) microwaves running and music is fine, but video is a lost cause. The router is fairly high powered.
Bottom line, you should have have to worry. Getting your access point higher may help. Changing the channels and seeing whats best is also a good idea.
Oppsy
you should NOT have have to worry
Just realised that you never mention how the Sonos controller is splash proof. I took the testing of this to the extreme...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqHdxVK9cvI
I have had Sonos for three years now. I have two Russound whole-house audio systems that are tied together giving me 12 zones throughout the house. I added a Sonos zone controller and have four hand held Sonos units. I could not be happier with the setup. I have Siruis radio and it streams in all 12 zones if I want. Also, I have found Sonos' customer support to be one of the best. It will be interesting to see if they keep it up as they grow.
Software in Sonos is pretty boring. eJukebox is better for parties.