TechRadar Verdict
Pros
- +
Easy to set up
- +
Easy to use
- +
iPhone app is great
- +
Sound quality is good
- +
Robust networking
- +
Depth of content is fantastic
Cons
- -
It's very expensive
- -
No desktop playback
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Update: The original Sonos Play:5 has officially reached the end of its lifespan. Sonos announced that the speaker will no longer see software updates starting in May 2020. The devices will continue to run old software after that point and function exactly the same as they do now, but after that point there won't be any new features or standards added to the speaker. If you want to upgrade to a newer model, there's the new Sonos Play:5, or even newer Sonos Beam soundbar.
The Sonos Play:5 is the wireless multi-room music system formerly known as the Zoneplayer S5.
You actually control the players in three different ways; through the desktop PC client (your PC will need to be switched on if you want to play your MP3 library over the system); by using the free iPhone and iPod touch app which works as a wireless remote; or by using a dedicated Sonos CR200 touchscreen remote which does the same thing but costs £279 (gulp) extra.
Which brings us on to a fairly significant point – if you want Sonos in your house, you're going to have to dig deep because it doesn't come cheap.
A setup with two Play:5 speakers, a ZoneBridge to wirelessly link them together and a CR200 remote will cost a bed-wetting £1,045.
So is it worth it? Or is the Sonos a waste of time and money? Read on to find out.
