Review
Absolutely Great Product (May 26, 2011)
| Ease of Use |
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(5/5.0) |
| Value |
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(5/5.0) |
| Performance |
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(5/5.0) |
| Overall Rating |
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(5/5.0) |
Reviewed By: Colton S. - encinitas, ca
I purchased 6 Sonos zones several months ago. Sonos has been flawless, and an absolute joy. I've got instant, automatically-updated, access to all of my iTunes Tracks, Artists, Playlists etc. Theyve got the best implementation of Pandora and Rhapsody I've seen. I subscribe to both of those, and its such a pleasure to hear them throughout the house and Patio, controlled by my iPhone, and with full broadband quality sound. You can actually have a queue with a mix of iTunes tracks and Rhapsody tracks.
The ease and flexibility are equally impressive. Each zone can play any independent track or other music choice, or be instantly grouped synchronized with any number of other zones. Even when zones are synchronized, its a snap to control the volume of the entire group or any individual zone within the group. Any or all of those zones can be fully and beautifully controlled from wherever you are by a single iphone or ipod touch or by any number of iphones or ipods.
Its all flawless with an intuitive consistent interface, and my iPhone, with its Sonos controller app, is always right there in my pocket, ready to go.
Setup for all of the Sonos zones has been a snap, and the system has been a total joy from day one.
SONOS S5
Sounds every bit as good as or better than my Bose Sound Dock. Looks great. Sets up in seconds, and moves easily between rooms when needed. Can be really cranked up in volume without distortion. Perfect.
One requirement to be aware of is that youll either need to buy a $99 zonebridge OR connect this S5, OR another zoneplayer in your home, directly to your router or LAN with the included ethernet cable. Only one sonos device needs to be hardwired to the LAN or router.
If you already have an iphone or an ipod touch, there are several advantages in buying a single S5 rather than a Bose SoundDock or other docking speaker.
1 Control From Your Seat Its an absolute pleasure to have complete control over what youre listening to right where you are, keeping the ipod or iphone in your hand or pocket. You don't have to stand up to choose any specific track, playlist, artist or radio station, or to see whats playing etc. And because your iphone is only the controller youre streaming from your desktop computer hard disk, rather than from your iphone youre not using up valuable iphone battery life or suffering mediocre sound quality, as you would likely be from an iphoneipod based bluetooth streaming system. Further, your iPhone is still with you for answering phone calls, or using other iphone apps, with no disruption to the music system.
2 Internet Radio Listen to Pandora, Rhapsody, Sirius, last.fm, all of your local radio stations local radio is quick to find, given its independent menu item. A very nice touch., or thousands of other internet radio stations.
3 Upgradability Add another or multiple additional zones at any time in the future and you're set with a multizone system.
I should point out that there are, of course, some benefits in going with a single Docking Speaker instead
1 Cost Savings
2 Can be used just as easily away from the home.
Final Verdict I really do love my S5 and my entire Sonos system.
Review
Sonos S5 Sound System (March 30, 2011)
| Ease of Use |
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(5/5.0) |
| Value |
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(3/5.0) |
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(4/5.0) |
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(4/5.0) |
Reviewed By: Terry S. - Seattle, WA
I have had the Sonos S5 Sound System for a handful of weeks now, and would like to point out some pros and cons. To be clear, I purchased 2 S5s and a sound bridge. As it turns out, despite things Ive read elsewhere, you do not have to connect your computer to the router via wired connection. Wireless does the trick just fine. I was pleased to find that Pandora comes with a free license, so no ads and it doesnt stop every hour to ensure Im still listening. Currently, Sonos has only officially developed an app for iPhone and iPod as a third party controller. The free app I downloaded for my Android is perfect, so no worries for Android owners. I was somewhat concerned that the systems would require the computer to remain on, connected, and with the client running to keep the S5s playing music, but thats not the case. Unless youre using the computer as a music source, once Pandora, or any other source is playing, the computer is no longer needed. Its just a remote control. Build quality and form factor are exceptional. They even thought to put a rubbery none slip bottom on the units.
Now for some the things i favored less...
After grouping the two units together, if one is unplugged and relocated, it has to be grouped again to play in sync with the other. Sound quality is not perfect to say the least. Im not quite sure how it can be claimed that sound is accurate when certain frequencies cannot be reproduced. It may be accurate down to 90 or 100 hz for the S5, but if my source provides frequencies in 60 to 80 hz range, this unit will not reproduce them, and in my mind is therefore not completely accurate sound reproduction. If youre looking for pounding bass, the S5 may not be the right choice. I have to say the B&W Zeppelin sounded a lot better, though the features absolutely made it undesirable. same with the Bose SD10
Overall, I am very happy with the Sonos system. I always have the option of purchasing one of their other products and hooking it up to a different ampspeakersub setup if I need more bass or better sound, but still want to sync music is several locations. Sonos has very successfully integrated several technologies into a seamless, fun music system. It will be interesting to see how the competition answers...
Review
Sonos Media Servers - Zone player S5 Speakers (January 26, 2011)
| Ease of Use |
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(5/5.0) |
| Value |
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(5/5.0) |
| Performance |
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(5/5.0) |
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(5/5.0) |
Reviewed By: Jim C. - Bradenton, FL
Great sound, and a snap to install- took less than 5 minutes and they were up and running.
Review
S5 more impressive than I thought (November 14, 2010)
| Ease of Use |
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(5/5.0) |
| Value |
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(3/5.0) |
| Performance |
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(5/5.0) |
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(5/5.0) |
Reviewed By: Justen R. - Billings, MT
I consider myself a casual audiophile and was a little hesitant about the sound quality from a portable unit. We have 2 other sonos units connected to traditional speakers and wanted the portability of a 3rd unit. The S5 did not disappoint. The bass is nicely balanced at both low and high listening volumes and the highs are crisp but not shrill. This unit delivers a full sound spectrum. Really, I would not hesitate at only having S5 units throughout the house after using this for a few weeks now. My parents have a Bose unit and the S5 is equal if not better. I personally think there is a little better bass response to the S5 than the Bose unit.
The only negative is the steep price, but the quality shows and you get what you pay for.
Review
Zoneplayer S5 (October 15, 2010)
| Ease of Use |
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(5/5.0) |
| Value |
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(5/5.0) |
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(4/5.0) |
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(5/5.0) |
Reviewed By: Marcus S. - Mercer Island, WA
Having a Sonos setup already I was looking for something to fill in the blank in my system, namely the kitchen. I had a couple of crazy ideas about how to incorporate speakers and the wiring needed, but as you all know, if it is not done while remodeling, it isnt easy to make it look nice.
Along came the Zoneplayer S5 - a unit that only needed to be plugged in to a wall socket to instantly give me access to all my music already in my Sonos system! When I got the box from Vanns Great packaging as always I was pleased by the build quality of the S5 unit, it feels solid. To make it easier to setup I had it in the living room together with my main stereo system, followed the instructions and within seconds a new zone appeared in my controller. Extremely easy to setup!
So how does it sound?
I was a bit apprehensive at first, thinking that a small box like that wont be able to produce much sound - but I was wrong. It played very nicely, capable of quite a bit of volume, but still having a nice clear sound. I would be lying to say it matched my $2500 speakers, but it plays beyond its appearance. A friend walked in the room as I was trying it out, and he actually thought it was the regular speakers playing!
I would definitely recommend the S5 to anyone who needs to extend their Sonos system to rooms were a complete stereo system is not a good option. I have not tried out the Stereo-pair option as I own only one S5, but my guess is that with some placement fiddling, they would give a pretty good setup a run for its money.
Review
Sonos Zone Player S5 (September 07, 2010)
| Ease of Use |
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(5/5.0) |
| Value |
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(5/5.0) |
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(5/5.0) |
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(5/5.0) |
Reviewed By: James D. - Durango, CO
Started with the zone bridge and the first zone player, and currently control with either PC or Ipod Touch. Have just ordered the second Zone player which can easily be used to provide a strero system or moved to another room. Fantastic system and sound quality and easy access to unlimited internet music and radio shows.
Review
Sonos S-5 (July 06, 2010)
| Ease of Use |
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(5/5.0) |
| Value |
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(4/5.0) |
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(5/5.0) |
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(5/5.0) |
Reviewed By: Robert M. - Nanaimo, B.C. - Canada
I purchased this to fill out an existing Sonos system which already provides me with wireless sound in the rest of the house.
I wanted something simple and easy to move around to areas like the Garage while working or the Yard while relaxing or working and it fills this bill without any detractors. Once it has been configured, you can unplug, move and plug-in again and all previous settings are renewed once the unit is powered up.
Sound is clear and clean.
Price is quite reasonable considering its a relatively small unit -
Review
ZonePlayer S5 (May 07, 2010)
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(5/5.0) |
| Value |
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(4/5.0) |
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(5/5.0) |
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(5/5.0) |
Reviewed By: Hans L. - Bozeman, MT
The ZonePlayer S5 is very easy to set up and start using. Im impressed with the sound quality and the functionality of the controller. I opted for the free iPod touch controller app which again was easy to set up and works flawlessly. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone looking for and easy way to listen to their digital music collection, online music service or web radio.
Review
Zone Player S5 (March 26, 2010)
| Ease of Use |
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(5/5.0) |
| Value |
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(3/5.0) |
| Performance |
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(5/5.0) |
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(4/5.0) |
Reviewed By: eric i. - CT, ct
Sounds Great - Simple to use. Sonos is really good.
Review
Sonos Media Servers ZonePlayer S5 (March 24, 2010)
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(5/5.0) |
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(4/5.0) |
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(3/5.0) |
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(4/5.0) |
Reviewed By: Lisa H. - Patterson, NY
Great addition to our home ... inside and out!
Review
Sonos Media Servers ZonePlayer S5 (February 23, 2010)
| Ease of Use |
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(5/5.0) |
| Value |
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(3/5.0) |
| Performance |
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(5/5.0) |
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(5/5.0) |
Reviewed By: David K. - Danville, CA
Recently purchased the Sonos ZonePlayer S5 , great unit asthetically and acoustically. As with other Sonos devices, it shines with ease of set-up and integration into my PC network and Home theatre system - Would definitely recommend
Review
I love these wireless speakers (February 12, 2010)
| Ease of Use |
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(5/5.0) |
| Value |
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(5/5.0) |
| Performance |
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(5/5.0) |
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(5/5.0) |
Reviewed By: Jamie O. - Orange, CA
I bought two Sonos ZonePlayer S5s and have them hooked up in my house through my wireless network. They sound really good and can be plugged into any room in the house. The sound quality is great and the versatility is awesome. I can take them outside on my front porch and play them from there or I can take them by the pool and plug them in. I have one located in my master bedroom and one in my kitchen. In addition, I have a zonebridge hardwired into my wireless internet. Also, I have my ipod that I use as my main controller. I have all my itunes music that can be used on this system as well as pandora and the streaming radio stations. The system is very easy to setup and is much easier than installing an in home multi room speaker system. Youll love these speakers!!
Review
Sonos stereo (February 11, 2010)
| Ease of Use |
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(5/5.0) |
| Value |
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(5/5.0) |
| Performance |
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(5/5.0) |
| Overall Rating |
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(5/5.0) |
Reviewed By: clair m. - orlando, FL
Excellent quality sound. Very easy to set up and use. We love it.
Review
Sonos ZonePlayer S5 (February 11, 2010)
| Ease of Use |
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(4/5.0) |
| Value |
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(3/5.0) |
| Performance |
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(4/5.0) |
| Overall Rating |
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(4/5.0) |
Reviewed By: Sherry S. - Chapel Hill, NC
Good sound quality, easy to use, the internet radio feature is great. Would definitely recommend it.
