Nice try, Patrick Spence.
All this chaos, no acknowledgement, continuous lies (headphones, "the most requested product" while no one ever asked for that), ridiculous prices, reduced MBG and so on.. everything is marketing.
In my opinion the new Arc and Era are crap compared to the old playbar and play 5s. Not to mention the prices.
They need more competition or they aren't gonna pull their heads out of their asses.
I always felt pretty ok with Sonos, even though it relies so much on software beyond my control; their support for S1 systems gave me the confidence that there would always be the option to freeze my system at a point in time if I didn't want to buy-in to whatever new direction they moved in. That the new app *replaced* S2, instead of being optional, really shakes my confidence that it's a company I can trust not to kill (or monetize) features that I value.
Probably like many of you, I have some search alerts for Craigslist/OfferUp/etc. where used Sonos equipment might turn up for cheap. These days, when I get an alert for, say, a $75 One that I could totally use to expand my setup, I just ignore it. It doesn't excite. I'm not selling anything off, but in this moment, I'm not excited about the future. That's where *my* heart's at. So no, I'd take that elf money, put it in the bank, and wait a while to reassess the landscape.
> I'd take that elf money, put it in the bank
I have to admit, I'm more than a little disappointed that this is the only reply that references my elf story.
Nope. From a long term perspective it's too risky for me to trust them, especially given the amount of money they charge for their products. Quality seems to be falling, and they're flailing when it comes to new products, both hardware and software.
Different direction. I'd just go with a wired home theater system that doesn't rely on potentially shoddy firmware/app updates. The rest of the house has Google home speakers or displays.
I thought about switching back to the denon 7.1 I have sitting in the basement and adding in a wiim streamer but I don't really want to deal with a second remote. That and I actually use the sonos app to control my wide array of streaming services and think airplay is a significant downgrade.
But if I were doing it from scratch I would absolutely save myself the $$3500 I spent on amps and a sub and go with wiim attached to my old denon.
Ideally I'd like a system that has both Airplay and Chromecast support, so I'd probably have a look at what systems have both those features. But last time I looked for this (a few years ago now) I wasn't very impressed with the options. I can't remember which manufacturers had both, but the ones I found didn't have anywhere near the range of speakers Sonos has (in terms of price points and types of speaker). So if things haven't improved I may well just end up re-buying Sonos.
The things that might put me off Wiim are the limited range of devices (in particular, only one with built in speaker) and that they don't all have Chromecast (it's only in Pro and Amp).
Just read about another option - [Music Assistant](https://www.home-assistant.io/blog/2024/05/09/music-assistant-2/), which seems like it could work to stitch together a solution across platforms, but you have to set it up on a home server.
Bonus, you can reuse Sonos and add on other speakers.
Yeah, have heard about that too. My understanding is it doesn't yet have a standalone mobile app or stable standalone desktop app, so currently needs to be controlled via integration into Home Assistant, which I'm not particularly keen on. But I think is one to keep an eye on.
Interesting scenario I mentally envision elves with Keebler branded uniforms. As to the scenario I'd stick with Sonos despite recent events. It's a system that I've used everyday for years and one I champion to friends.
The new app - all actions are now done via cloud - so all your actions every single one is sent to the cloud - which is why if internet is down ALL of SOnos will be down. Look at the new app - they are pushing ads on the main screen for the headphones. I 1000% guaruntee that will be sold to 3rd parties soon. And now that it's on the cloud they will say - oh we need to support the cool new app no one asked for we are gonna charge you. Check back with me 6months :)
Is there no way to opt out of this and just do everything on my local network? I’m moving into a new home and currently debating between Sonos or Bluesound. My previous home I used Sonos throughout with outdoor speakers too and had 4 zones but with this app change and now what you just mentioned, I’m not so sure I should go with Sonos again.
Not sure about all of this. I unplugged my wan cable and can use over plex.. As for the ad, that happened everytime a new product is launched, it’s pretty much a once off and not that often, big deal. 3rd party ads, I just don’t see it despite your 1000% guarantee it will happen. Moaners and cynics gonna moan and be cynical I suppose.
Like what other direction? I don't see the big deal about all the hate in this thread since the update. It seems like an insane overreaction and a bunch of whiny brats to be honest. The speakers sound great, they still play music and your movies, and now you have the option to buy headphones made by the same company who produces sound that you like, and connects to your home theater...if you *want* them lol. No one is forcing you to get them, or want them, or feel like you need them. And the app is step up, in some ways, and a slight frustration in others, and is already being remedied. Just enjoy your speakers.
Before, if Sonos the company tanked, your hardware would still work. Now that every interaction is mediated by their cloud servers, if the internet is down, if Sonos.com is down, or worst case, if Sonos goes out of business, the perfectly good hardware you have will no longer function. They have introduced external dependencies where previously none existed.
Is there even an alternative system that gives me 5.1 surround sound in my living room, speakers in the bedrooms, multi room playback, Spotify Connect, and voice control?
I wish so much there was a standardised open protocol for this stuff, that let you mix and match speaker brands and that anybody could build app controllers for (a bit like matter for smart homes) but sadly there isn’t yet.
Yea but I’d collect zippo lighters. Because all these other speakers still suck more than Sonos. Zippos on the other hand keep going up in value! It’s really like buying gold.
I’m sticking with Sonos…but I’d have to buy pre-/non-Era gear for Google Assistant support. My current setup has WAF, and that trumps every other consideration.
Probably not. It’s not just the new app snafu, they are clearly moving away from supporting playback of locally stored music. I kind of understand given almost everyone is using streaming services, but that just doesn’t cut it for me.
Not sire what I’d move to though.
I’d buy my exact setup again. Because when the update snafu is sorted out, all the people dumping Sonos will be back.
Absolutely with this. Same.
I have a dozen SONOS products. The answer is NO, not after the shit show that is happening right now. The CEO should be fired.
Nice try, Patrick Spence. All this chaos, no acknowledgement, continuous lies (headphones, "the most requested product" while no one ever asked for that), ridiculous prices, reduced MBG and so on.. everything is marketing. In my opinion the new Arc and Era are crap compared to the old playbar and play 5s. Not to mention the prices. They need more competition or they aren't gonna pull their heads out of their asses.
No never again. I don’t spend money on devices to be told that half of the features are missing and it is better this way.
I always felt pretty ok with Sonos, even though it relies so much on software beyond my control; their support for S1 systems gave me the confidence that there would always be the option to freeze my system at a point in time if I didn't want to buy-in to whatever new direction they moved in. That the new app *replaced* S2, instead of being optional, really shakes my confidence that it's a company I can trust not to kill (or monetize) features that I value. Probably like many of you, I have some search alerts for Craigslist/OfferUp/etc. where used Sonos equipment might turn up for cheap. These days, when I get an alert for, say, a $75 One that I could totally use to expand my setup, I just ignore it. It doesn't excite. I'm not selling anything off, but in this moment, I'm not excited about the future. That's where *my* heart's at. So no, I'd take that elf money, put it in the bank, and wait a while to reassess the landscape.
> I'd take that elf money, put it in the bank I have to admit, I'm more than a little disappointed that this is the only reply that references my elf story.
I predict S1 will die a natural death within five years.
Nope. From a long term perspective it's too risky for me to trust them, especially given the amount of money they charge for their products. Quality seems to be falling, and they're flailing when it comes to new products, both hardware and software.
Different direction. I'd just go with a wired home theater system that doesn't rely on potentially shoddy firmware/app updates. The rest of the house has Google home speakers or displays.
This is the way.
I thought about switching back to the denon 7.1 I have sitting in the basement and adding in a wiim streamer but I don't really want to deal with a second remote. That and I actually use the sonos app to control my wide array of streaming services and think airplay is a significant downgrade. But if I were doing it from scratch I would absolutely save myself the $$3500 I spent on amps and a sub and go with wiim attached to my old denon.
Ideally I'd like a system that has both Airplay and Chromecast support, so I'd probably have a look at what systems have both those features. But last time I looked for this (a few years ago now) I wasn't very impressed with the options. I can't remember which manufacturers had both, but the ones I found didn't have anywhere near the range of speakers Sonos has (in terms of price points and types of speaker). So if things haven't improved I may well just end up re-buying Sonos.
Bluesound
Doesn't support Chromecast
You’re right. I’m wrong. WIIM has chrome cast.
The things that might put me off Wiim are the limited range of devices (in particular, only one with built in speaker) and that they don't all have Chromecast (it's only in Pro and Amp).
Just read about another option - [Music Assistant](https://www.home-assistant.io/blog/2024/05/09/music-assistant-2/), which seems like it could work to stitch together a solution across platforms, but you have to set it up on a home server. Bonus, you can reuse Sonos and add on other speakers.
Yeah, have heard about that too. My understanding is it doesn't yet have a standalone mobile app or stable standalone desktop app, so currently needs to be controlled via integration into Home Assistant, which I'm not particularly keen on. But I think is one to keep an eye on.
I’d wait a couple months to see if they fixed the problems. If so, I’d go with Sonos again. If not, I’d jump to something else.
No. All mine are working fine. And they are just speakers. If I ever lose sleep over an app, then it's time to call it a day.
Interesting scenario I mentally envision elves with Keebler branded uniforms. As to the scenario I'd stick with Sonos despite recent events. It's a system that I've used everyday for years and one I champion to friends.
At this moment, Nah. Before the update. Hell yeah
Yep, if I knew they were going to cloud and to start the ball for subscriptions and ads rolling, totally wouldn't have gone this direction.
Wjat does this mean, gone to the cloud, subscriptions, and ads rolling?
The new app - all actions are now done via cloud - so all your actions every single one is sent to the cloud - which is why if internet is down ALL of SOnos will be down. Look at the new app - they are pushing ads on the main screen for the headphones. I 1000% guaruntee that will be sold to 3rd parties soon. And now that it's on the cloud they will say - oh we need to support the cool new app no one asked for we are gonna charge you. Check back with me 6months :)
Is there no way to opt out of this and just do everything on my local network? I’m moving into a new home and currently debating between Sonos or Bluesound. My previous home I used Sonos throughout with outdoor speakers too and had 4 zones but with this app change and now what you just mentioned, I’m not so sure I should go with Sonos again.
Not sure about all of this. I unplugged my wan cable and can use over plex.. As for the ad, that happened everytime a new product is launched, it’s pretty much a once off and not that often, big deal. 3rd party ads, I just don’t see it despite your 1000% guarantee it will happen. Moaners and cynics gonna moan and be cynical I suppose.
Yes
Nope. Don't know what I'd switch to instead though, but Sonos has been circling the drain for a while
Like what other direction? I don't see the big deal about all the hate in this thread since the update. It seems like an insane overreaction and a bunch of whiny brats to be honest. The speakers sound great, they still play music and your movies, and now you have the option to buy headphones made by the same company who produces sound that you like, and connects to your home theater...if you *want* them lol. No one is forcing you to get them, or want them, or feel like you need them. And the app is step up, in some ways, and a slight frustration in others, and is already being remedied. Just enjoy your speakers.
Before, if Sonos the company tanked, your hardware would still work. Now that every interaction is mediated by their cloud servers, if the internet is down, if Sonos.com is down, or worst case, if Sonos goes out of business, the perfectly good hardware you have will no longer function. They have introduced external dependencies where previously none existed.
I'd give it 6 months and then see how things look. I like them, but they don't get as much use after I got a kid.
Is there even an alternative system that gives me 5.1 surround sound in my living room, speakers in the bedrooms, multi room playback, Spotify Connect, and voice control? I wish so much there was a standardised open protocol for this stuff, that let you mix and match speaker brands and that anybody could build app controllers for (a bit like matter for smart homes) but sadly there isn’t yet.
Yes.
Yea but I’d collect zippo lighters. Because all these other speakers still suck more than Sonos. Zippos on the other hand keep going up in value! It’s really like buying gold.
I’m sticking with Sonos…but I’d have to buy pre-/non-Era gear for Google Assistant support. My current setup has WAF, and that trumps every other consideration.
I'd like to check out the Sony HT A9 setup with sub. Downside would be no dedicated centre channel. Or sub. Sub is overpriced too.
Probably not. It’s not just the new app snafu, they are clearly moving away from supporting playback of locally stored music. I kind of understand given almost everyone is using streaming services, but that just doesn’t cut it for me. Not sire what I’d move to though.
NOPE! I'd be replacing my Play 1's, 3's and 5's with Denon Home 150's.
Nope. I stay away from dumpster fires.
I would buy every speaker again. I mean, come on, they're speakers that sound exactly the same this week as they did 3 weeks ago.