Review: Sonos wireless multi-room music system

We've been hearing stories about the so-called 'connected home' - a magical place where all of our computerised and electronic goods speak to each other in harmony (rather than Terminator style) - since the fifties. But the closest we've got until recently are achingly pointless internet fridges and a few medical or security devices.

However, the last couple of years have shown some more interesting progress, not least of which in music. With the rise and rise of the MP3 it's a natural fit, while the fact practically every home now has Wi-Fi has given even more incentive to manufacturers to create a multi-room MP3 system that really does connect the home, at least musically.

Music device manufacturer Sonos was founded in 2002 and has spent most of the interim perfecting its 'Multi-Room Music System' - a modular set of digital Wi-Fi devices you can set up around your home that can be set up to play the same (or different) music anywhere they connect. And better still, they can be centrally controlled via several different remote control devices and apps.

It's all about the application...

I live in a relatively small flat, but a multi-room music system is still massively appealing. Not only is it immensely cool, but thoroughly convenient - as long as it works the way it should. The smartphone app has made this possible and Sonos has thoroughly done it justice. 

If you thought your iPhone was cool, how much extra cred does it get when you're remotely controlling your multi-room music system through it too? And don't worry - for the rest of us who wanted a good phone over a fancy gadget, there's an Android version too.

Next up is the actual music. A good multi-room system that utilises your broadband connection has to have all the bells and whistles attached. Again, the Sonos system ticks all the boxes.

First, there's your 'local music' - once you've installed the Sonos software onto your PC or Mac, you can stream music from your MP3 collection on the machine (it supports most file formats, although not DRM FairPlay protected AAC files from the iTunes Store and a few others) to all connected Sonos speakers around your home.

Beyond that, there's a plethora of internet radio stations, access to Last.fm, and most importantly the hugely popular Spotify music service (but sadly not free accounts).

...and the hardware

So, we've ticked as many boxes as we're likely to be able to in terms of music choice and ease of access via a smartphone app and your home computer. But all that is pointless without a high quality speaker system.

Beyond the free smartphone app, things start to get a little expensive. First you'll need a Sonos Zone Bridge, which plugs into your router to make al this possible. That will set you back around £79 (RRP). Next you'll need a Sonos Zoneplayer S5 speaker for each room, at £349 (RRP). You can buy a Bridge and player combo pack on Amazon for £400 though.

Even so, that's a lot of money for just one speaker and the Wi-Fi set up equipment. But people are happy to pay for quality and I have to say I've been incredibly impressed. Each S5 speaker has two tweeters, two mid-range three-inch drivers and a 3.5-inch subwoofer for bass - each powered by its own dedicated digital amplifier. 

If the speakers aren't your cup of tea, either stylistically or in quality, you can instead opt to connect your Sonos system up to stereo equipment you already own. To do this you'll need a Zone Player for each piece of equipment, which is going to set you back £280 per pop.

Personally, I found the speakers were fantastic quality and they look great too. Both in terms of software and hardware, the Sonos Multi-Room Music System is a definite winner.

But...

What you need more than anything is a rock solid internet connection and Wi-Fi network in your home. When I had the Sonos system running perfectly it was everything I could've hoped for, but during testing I had some periods of broadband problems which basically ruled out using the system at all.

Set up of the system is really very easy - anyone with the slightest bit of technical/broadband nous should be up and running in no time. Simply run the CD in your PC, plug the Bridge into your router and plug the speakers in where you need them. After that, it's simply a case of syncing them by holding down a button on the top of each speaker. 

The PC app is fine, but could certainly be better. It does everything you need it to do, but when you're paying this much money you expect something a little flashier, really. The software certainly lacks the wow factor of the rest of the set-up.

Conclusion

To wrap up, if you have the cash and a good, reliable broadband system, alongside a large MP3 collection or online music fetish, we can highly recommend the Sonos Multi-Room Music System.