5. The Controller

Sonos Controller

The controller is a nifty color unit that handles many of the same functions as the Desktop Controller. The controller shows the zones available, and allows you to add ZPs to your media network.

This a nice-looking, backlit device. It features built-in batteries, and comes with a charger. We found the 'trackwheel" a bit of a problem, though. Rather than being an actual wheel, you scroll your finger along a white plastic surface. Although this was really not intuitive, with practice it's probably adequate.

The controller's backlight automatically times out if not used. Once a button is pressed, the backlight comes back on.

A "Zone Equalizer," available on the controller or in the Desktop Controller can equalize volume, balance, bass, and treble. Additionally, a loudness setting (boosting bass at low volumes) can be toggled on and off.