|
If you're tired of listening to the same CDs in your collection and you either have digital music on your computer or especially high-speed Internet, Sonos is for you. This hand-held controller is much better than simply using the computer desktop interface and larger than the iPhone interface. The unit arrived in a timely manner as well. I highly recommend Sonos and buy it all from Amazon resellers, if available. It was much less expensive buying pre-owned from Amazon users that purchase bundled packages and have a controller left over to sell. Although the outer package was not from the factory, all products inside were individually in factory sealed wrapping.
My version does not support WMA Lossless which is what I had been using for my music server. Playlists work well. I have a medium sized library of 1500 CD's/14,000 songs and the interface on the controller makes it easy to skip forward/back to my selection.
They come with great instructions and I plugged them into my wired 1G network. Works great now. I bought 4 controllers and ZP100's 3 months ago.
The Sonos site has a list of switches/routers that are not compatible with Sonos. Consequently, I used iTunes to re-encode everything to 320kbs and it sounds great.Other than the issue with the network storm (details at the Sonos site), the Sonos system works great. Well, in short order, my entire network came down due to a network storm with my network bogged down in traffic.
I unplugged them from my wired network and allowed them to connect wirelessly over WiFi.
I have 3 zones installed now and can easily expand to additonal zones. Although The controller is a bit klunky and hard to navigate, it provides full functionality to play whatever I want, wherever I want without moving. Highly Recommend the system if you have the budget. I purchased the Sonos system 3 or 4 Months ago and am very please with the results. The installation was simple, I had music streaming from my PC to my Home theater receiver within 30 minutes.
its free. Searching for music is much easierusing the keyboard interface than with the click-wheel of the CR-100. The CR100 is well-designed: It does an excellent job controlling the sonos system. I like that it wakes up just by shaking it.
This totally obsoletes the CR-100, since the Iphonewith a brilliant touch screen is so much easier to use than the CR-100. I have two CR100 controllers in heavy use for almost 2 years now. I expect Sonos to discontinue the CR100 soon, since a $220 Ipod touch or a $200 Iphone does a much better jobat it than the $400 CR100. Battery life is so-so, but good enough. I'm waiting to an iphone app to control sonos. Update October 2008:One of my CR-100 died spontaneously last week.
Rhapsody) can be a challenge. From that experience, I can say that they are solid and hold up flawlessly. Update November 2008:The Iphone Sonos app is out. Since it was out-of-warranty, Sonos replaced it by a new one for $100. This is disappointing: a product at this price point simply should not die within 3 years of purchase. Technically that is possible and I would be willing to pay for that. And. From any angle, the iphone is far superior.
I don't remember ever having to reboot. And when compared to an Iphone or an Ipod, the CR-100 feels like a Chevrolet Lumina next to a Porsche: old-fashioned, clumsy, and looks a bit cheap for $399. Sonos did a great jobin designing this app: it is nearly flawless. Personally I think that the size and weight are a plus for this purpose. Sonos tech support is excellent and fast, but I have mixed feelings having to pay $100 to replace a faulty product. The CR100 is at least 2x too expensive for what it contains. On the downside: screen is mediocre quality and does not show full album and track names, searching large music libraries (e.g. But it does the job.
The user interface is pleasant and informative. The controller for the Sonos system is slick and intuitive. I wish I had got it sooner. I like having it at my side wherever I am sitting or working to check what's playing, adjust the volume, or change the music. It was very easy to set up and use. It is quite durable and seems like it will last a long time.
|
