Comments on: Cisco Challenges Sonos in Wireless Home Audio

By: Steven Stone

Steven Stone — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:43:05 +0000

I have to disagree with James.

Sonos supports the Apple iTouch/iPhone as controllers via a free software app. You can run a Sonos system without their CR-100 controller via an iPhone or iTouch thereby reducing your system costs by $399.

As for dropping connections I haven't seen any issues with this in my system. I did have an issue with a LaCie Ethernet drive, but Sonos excellent support cleared up the problem.

SPeaking of which Sonos support is one of their strongest points. I've yet to find a more responsive support program (including Apple and Dell).

As for "looking out of date." Who cares? It works, which is more than I can say for most other systems.

By: James

James — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 21:31:38 +0000

I think the Sonos system looks incredibly out of date. I am sure there is a way to build a better one using the Apple iTouch/iPhone as the controller and another streaming device to control the music. The zones seem to be what Sonos does best.

The WiFi connection on the Sonos is horrendous, it drops constantly. The desktop software works good, but if you have it installed on multiple systems, it doesn't always work that well.

By: Inkslug

Inkslug — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:22:38 +0000

By: Ian Bell

Ian Bell — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:21:53 +0000

Hi Mike,

Maybe it's the Verizon FiOS router I use. I am pretty sure it is having trouble going through the walls. In any event, the iPod Touch and iPhone seem to do a better job connecting to the network. I have the Sonos controller in our bedroom which is one room away from our Sonos Zones, and it shows only one bar. I am sure it depends on the house.

Something else to keep in mind. For the same price, you can do a lot more with the iTouch though!

By: MikeK

MikeK — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:06:27 +0000

Well, I'd have to disagree with Ian's assessment of the Sonos controller. It is a little on the slow side, but I haven't had reception issues. I did put in one ZoneBridge to cover my upper floor, since all my ZonePlayers are actually centrally located in a downstairs closet, with speaker wire running to my in-ceiling speakers throughout the house. With that configuration, my controllers work everywhere in my house, and in my garage and on the patio.

By: Ian Bell

Ian Bell — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 21:52:14 +0000

I use the Sonos system at home and so far I am fairly pleased. The best thing they have done is make their controller software available in the iTunes App store. Now you can control your music using your iPhone or iTouch which is roughly the same price as the Sonos branded controller (which sucks due to poor reception and a slow interface).

By: MikeK

MikeK — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:20:28 +0000

Unless I'm missing something, the PC software for the Cisco product is exactly that: PC software. It requires Windows XP or Vista, and doesn't work on the Mac. In fact, the entire product line on Cisco's site is only flagged as Windows XP/Vista compatible. No Mac support at all.

That's a rather serious shortcoming for the millions of Mac users out there, and one that does not apply to Sonos (which has an extremely nice Mac desktop client, and which streams music beautifully from a Mac computer).