Introducing our new supplier: Sonos Audio Distribution Systems

So I had the opportunity to take home a Sonos audio distribution system last week. I decided to run the full range and tried the ZP90, ZP120 and even the new S5. Control was handled by a single CR200 and my trusty iPhone. I got tired of hearing how good it was and I expected it to suck, but I didn’t want to criticize it without first hand knowledge.

So I brought the system home, unpacked the “Bundle 250” and got started. The first thing I did, and I recommend you do the same, was plug in the charging cradle and charge the C200. Once turned off, it will not turn on unless it is connected to a powered charging dock. Don’t worry, it just turns off for shipping, once you turn it on at home, it will never turn off completely again.

The ZP90 then entered the family room where the main system was already located. It was pretty simple since my cable modem and router are already there. So I simply connected the power to the Panamax M5300-PM, the ethernet cable (included) went to my Airport Extreme and an analog audio breakout cable completed the connections as the only available input at the time was analog.

I should mention that although the Sonos system works both wired and wireless, you must have at least one piece connected to a wired internet connection. For me, this was the ZP-90 I mentioned earlier. But you may not have a wired network connection at any of your Zone Player locations. To do this, Sonos developed the Zone Bridge. It’s a $99 little box that lets you have your only cable connection without spending $349 or more on a Zone player you won’t use.

Next up was the ZP110 in the bedroom. I simply plugged it into the Panamax M4-EX and hooked up my trusty B&W CM1 speakers and that was it.

Finally the M5 arrived. I put it on the kitchen counter and attached it to the wall. That is all. Wow, this was getting easier and easier as it went on. Surely something was going to explode soon.

Instead, once all the pieces were connected, setup was pretty straightforward. I put the CD in my computer and followed the instructions, registered the system and bam, everything was done.

I supplemented by adding the C200 and my iPhone as system controllers and I was ready to go. A note about controllers, iPhone or otherwise, they will only work when connected to your network. You can’t use your office iPhone to scare your spouse at home by playing creepy Halloween music. It’s annoying, I know.

Anyway, using the system was a piece of cake. I finally had my last.fm, Rhapsody, Sirius and Napster accounts all in one place at the same time. Not to mention the seemingly endless free internet radio stations. Do you want traditional Irish music from Ireland? No problem. Do you want to listen to the news in London for a few days before your next trip there? Just a few clicks on the super fancy C200 controller. It looks like an iPhone clone gone wrong, but it really works like a champ. It is lightning fast and very easy to use. Oh yeah, it’s also a good alarm clock in the morning.

Notice I didn’t say alarm “clock”. While the C200’s clock is certainly accurate, and never failed to turn on and wake me up, it doesn’t really get dim enough to be good at night, and there’s no setting for it to stay on for more than a few hours when it’s on. the crib, so you’ll still need a clock if you want to know what time it is from time to time. Plus, if your spouse doesn’t have an iPhone, they’ll always steal the C200 to listen to all this new music at their fingertips. So if you use it for an alarm, make sure you can find the C200 or your iPhone to turn it off in the morning. Otherwise, you have to stumble into the bedroom to hit the “Mute” button on the unit.

As for the Zone Players, the Z90 sounded great, as did the Z110. That little amp beats its size and price quite well. As for the S5, it really likes to watch a better quality source than most internet radio stations can offer. But if you feed it 192k or better music from your computer or NAS drive, it will wake up immediately and sing beautifully. It sounds pretty strong, too. Drag it out onto the back porch at a party and I doubt you’ll be disappointed. It’s not battery operated, but once you hear it, you’ll understand. I’ve never heard anything battery powered sound so good.

Speaking of better sources, if you’re going to be using your Sonos system a lot and prefer the better quality that comes from using your existing music, invest in a small NAS drive. It will use much less energy than your computer and can even pay for itself in a year or so. A small NAS will consume 25-30 watts of power and your computer will consume 200-300 watts or more. You can save your music to the NAS and tell iTunes to use it as your library or run the sync software that comes with most NAS drives and then you’ll have a backup too, which is never a bad idea. This way, your computer only needs to be on when you’re using it. You know, for important things, like paying bills online, or internet porn, or paying your internet porn bills online.

So I was really impressed with the Sonos system. And not just because I expected it to suck and it didn’t. It’s a legitimately good system that’s well thought out and works and sounds great. In fact, I was quite disappointed to have to pack it up and return it. My fiancee loved it too so hopefully we can have one of our own soon.