HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

Well not really. These Sonos speakers are not a replacement for anything I have. I just wanted a decent sound in the small room where the PC is and this fits the bill perfectly as well as finding a use for my old heavy metal stands and cones which were lying about. When Richer Sounds knocked £40 off the price of a stereo pair the temptation was too great to resist.

They sound very good for less than £400 and it is easy to see the mass appeal because of the simplicity, lack of cables and versitality. They will go loud and would not be out of place in a big room. It is easy to see why the mass market has turned its back on hifi as we know it.

Quite a bit of running in was required as the sound was harsh to begin with. Once things settled down there were no nasties. The app is user friendly and there were no problems with stereo coupling and concecting with Qobuz and my NAS. The room tuneing feature was very useful. I think it is similar to what Linn have, without a couple of 0s added to the price.

I would describe the sound as lively and forward which seems to be a signature of class D. To put things into context the gap in SQ between my first and second systems is less than that between the second system and Sonus speakers, though the room must be a factor. Music does not have the same emotional connection and sounds very " hifi". But the two source components fronting my Richard Dunn NVA starter second system each cost more than the Sonos speakers. For background music in a very small room I am delighted with the Sonos speakers which are in a different league to the antiquated bluetooth speaker I had been using.

I am always of the opinion that it's 'music first' and the audio gear shouldn't get in the way of your enjoyment.

Having had a megabuck Mark Levinson system (on loan) for several years, I hardly used it due to the cold, sterile presentation.
The ego-trip of having expensive, esoteric gear to show-off with has never appealed to me.

Nowadays my cheapy Class D amps and Chi-Fi DACs are making me happy and leaving me funds to buy (too many) CD's.

Happy listening!

Fretless wrote: ↑Fri Mar 29, 2024 1:03 pm I am always of the opinion that it's 'music first' and the audio gear shouldn't get in the way of your enjoyment.

Exactly that.

I can remember how much I enjoyed my tinny little transistor radio almost 60 years ago, and I don't think my actual "enjoyment" has changed over the years. Even though I can appreciate how much "better" my system sounds these days, and the incredible amount of music I'm now privy to, none of that eclipses the feeling I got from hearing, for instance, Nights In White Satin, for the first time, on a 3" mass-produced Made-In-Japan speaker. Most probably under the covers, on a school night. Yes, I've always been a rebel.

I have owned Sonos equipment since 2005, upgraded as and when to stay reasonably current and have them throughout the house.

It’s the cheapest multi room audio system you can get with good audio and we have music playing in sync across several rooms normally on a Friday after a few beers!

It excels as being so simple to setup, use and supports a million (ish) music streaming services as well as your own local library on a NAS.

Sound quality from the smaller speakers is good and perfect for background / bedroom Music. The larger Era 300 / Sonos Five speakers when used in a pair can rival a budget hifi system.

I wish you hadn't started this thread. This evening I've started getting those awful Sonos adverts on Youtube.

I suppose I can console myself that they're wasting their advertising budget on me.
Or so I think. Must resist this main-stream washing through my brain...

Did somebody say simple ? That word sums me up perfectly. Minimalism is what I crave these days. Having nearly had my brain spontaneously combust it's the only way I can function these days.

I looked at Sonos a while back and can't remember why i discounted them It's funny the purchasing prejudices we all have. Can't remember now what subconscious influences I was subject to at the time. This hobby is not important to me anymore so I guess it doesn't matter as long as you enjoy the music.

karatestu wrote: ↑Sun Mar 31, 2024 5:12 pm This hobby is not important to me anymore so I guess it doesn't matter as long as you enjoy the music.

I never really saw Hi-Fi as a hobby, I just wanted to listen to music. Ultimately my main system was chosen because it had a remote control.

Geoff.R.G wrote: ↑Sun Mar 31, 2024 6:24 pm

karatestu wrote: ↑Sun Mar 31, 2024 5:12 pm This hobby is not important to me anymore so I guess it doesn't matter as long as you enjoy the music.

I never really saw Hi-Fi as a hobby, I just wanted to listen to music. Ultimately my main system was chosen because it had a remote control.

Is the frequency response of that remote control accurate though Geoff

For me it has always been about the music ever since I had my first transistor radio. 55 years on I am faffing about with ethernet cables trying to decide if unshielded is better than shielded. But this and hifi equipment is merely a means to an end. I want the music I like to sound as good as possible within my budget.

karatestu wrote: ↑Sun Mar 31, 2024 7:49 pm

Geoff.R.G wrote: ↑Sun Mar 31, 2024 6:24 pm

karatestu wrote: ↑Sun Mar 31, 2024 5:12 pm This hobby is not important to me anymore so I guess it doesn't matter as long as you enjoy the music.

I never really saw Hi-Fi as a hobby, I just wanted to listen to music. Ultimately my main system was chosen because it had a remote control.

Is the frequency response of that remote control accurate though Geoff

I couldn't say I use it very rarely