Sonos ZonePlayer S5
| Product Pros: |
+ Easy set-up + Fantastic sound quality |
|---|---|
| Product Cons: |
- UK pricing out of step with US market - Only comes in white |
Sonos makes wireless multi-room music-streaming systems for your home that let you pipe music to different parts of the house while controlling everything from a central hub. However, Sonos hardware generally doesn't come cheap and, until now, required several devices to complete its actions - a ZoneBridge to connect to a broadband router,
as well as a ZonePlayer and speakers for each room or ‘zone'. But the ZonePlayer S5 bucks the trend by being a standalone device at an affordable price.
Features
If you already have a Sonos system set up in your house, the S5 is a ready-made, all-in-one addition that'll create a new zone. It also works as a standalone device - all it needs is a broadband connection. The S5 has built-in speakers and an Ethernet network controller so it can act as a ZoneBridge to other Sonos hardware. Connect it to a router and it can play digital music stored on a computer or external hard disk, as well as internet radio and online streaming services including Last.fm and Napster.
Performance
For a device of this size, the sound quality is nothing short of astonishing. Bass is delivered with a proper punch and doesn't distort, even at high volumes. The treble is crisp and clear, and the shape of the device, as well as the fact that it has five built-in speakers (a subwoofer, two squawkers and two tweeters) enables the S5 to fill a room with clear, defined and well-rounded sound.
Ease of use
Equipped with only a volume control and mute button, the S5 is a breeze to get up and running. Simply connect it to your router and synchronise it with a controller - you can buy a touchscreen remote from Sonos for £279, but a PC can do the same job for free. Adding the S5 to an existing Sonos network is just as easy - simply plug it into the mains.
Value for money
Our only quibble about the price of the S5 is not how much it costs per se, but its price relative to the US market. You'll pay £349 in the UK and a similar amount in Europe but $399 (£267) in the US. Though Sonos explains that local taxes, exchange-rate fluctuations and other factors account for the difference, we reckon UK buyers are being slightly short-changed.
