Custon Installation Equipment Reviews

Whole-house music need not be expensive or require extensive integration. Moreover, it can be easily controlled with something you may already own. Enter the new Sonos Zone Player S5. This wireless, zone player with built-in speakers will stream music from your PC or Mac and is easily controlled with an Apple iPhone or iPod Touch. The Sonos S5 will be available in late October for $399 each and the iPhone app that controls it is free.

The S5 features a unique 5-driver speaker system (2-tweeters, 2-midrange and one sub) packed in the small and stylish cabinet. Each driver is individually powered by a dedicated digital amplifier and optimized to deliver room-filling sound with smooth tonal balance and deep bass. All filter settings, bass and treble controls, active equalization, and time-alignment are done in the digital domain through state-of-the-art DSP circuitry.

With the Internet-connected S5 you have access to 25,000 Internet radio stations, shows and podcasts —all free of charge and pre-loaded on Sonos. Sonos works seamlessly with the most popular music services to provide computer-free access to millions of songs and stations from the likes of Last.fm, Napster, Rhapsody, Pandora, SIRIUS Internet Radio, and Deezer. The S5 also gives you access to any iTunes library stored on any computer or Network Attached storage, such as an Apple Time Capsule. The S5’s analog audio input lets you connect to an external audio source (i.e. iPod, CD player, TV, DVD, VCR, or radio) and play audio on all ZonePlayers throughout the house.

When it comes to controlling your S5, all you need is your iPhone or iPod Touch. The Sonos Controller for iPhone app is completely free and available in the Apple App store. It allows you to search for songs and Internet radio stations, choose the music and control the volume in as many rooms as you have zone players. Since the iPhone is only controlling the music, and is not the source of it, when a text comes in or you need to make a phone call, the music doesn’t stop. That also means you can keep your iPhone with you and it's not stuck in some dock. The S5 also includes the free Sonos Desktop Controller software for your Mac or PC. Don't have an iPhone? You can purchase a dedicated Sonos Controller 200.

As with all Sonos ZonePlayers, the S5 is simple to set up, easy to expand and 100% compatible with all other Sonos products. Just plug in the S5 wherever you want music. One ZonePlayer or Sonos ZoneBridge™ (sold separately) must be connected to your router and all the rest will work wirelessly. When you’re ready to play more music in more rooms, simply add S5s or other ZonePlayers without adding wires. You will be able to play the same song in every room with perfect synchronicity or mix it up by playing different songs in different rooms.