Since 2004 I have had network music. I have a pretty vast MP3 collection and have always wanted to play them all on my home theater system. Think of a song, call it up on the computer and play on the big system. It makes parties great, or, at least it did ‘way’ back in 2004.
Having never been able to afford a "real" Home Music system that would come with the new house and cost big bucks, I have used network music as my way to affordably get music on demand. As of the last few years, I even tried Slim Devices Slim Server and have been reasonably happy with it. Logitech purchased them over a year ago and they have a slick new product that integrates Pandora, Rhapsody and many other online services. My MP3 collection is now secondary to the online music services.
The problem? Well, they were never a Sonos system. I looked into Sonos in 2005 as I continued my quest for the perfect wireless music system. The problem frankly was price. They are pricier. I always wondered why Sonos systems were much more expensive than what else was out there.
I now have a Sonos system and can finally tell you why they cost more. It works. Plain and simple, it works like it should. No skips, easy to setup, no stalls, no music stopping in the middle of a party (and a few drinks in), no problems.
Sonos uses your existing home network, both Wireless and wired. Each "Zone" has a device and they all talk to each other perfectly. For example, we have a Spa in a gazebo in the back yard as well as some Rock speakers in the garden. We also, in the living room have our Surround system. I want to play music inside and hear the same thing outside without blasting the volume in order to hear it outside. Here is the fix: A zone player in the gazebo and a Zone player in the living room. Both in perfect sync (or separate if I wish) and both with their own volume controls. All from a very cool touch screen remote that is the size of my Blackberry Curve, or just use their iPhone App and control your music from your iPhone.
I also have a Zone player in the master bedroom. I can have something else play in the bedroom, or put them in "Party Mode" and play all zones in the house. I can play a Sirius Station, a Pandora channel, Rhapsody or radio stations from all over the world. Switching from Local music collection to, say a Reggae music station from Jamaica takes about 5 seconds. Once you hit play, the time is about 3 seconds for music to start playing. I let my kids (9 and 11 years) and they were queuing up music within a minute.
Setup is easy. Way easy.
If you have been frustrated with home music players in the past, seriously look into Sonos. Entertaining for the holidays? This is perfect.
Links.
Video on how it works. (this will explain everything).
CinemaTec, here in Eastvale is a local reseller for Sonos. Ask for Ray Llamas. 888-944-4388. There is a 10% off discount for Eastvasle Residents!
