Before we get into the specifics of each component of the Sonos System, how about a brief overview of what Sonos is.
Sonos is a relatively new Brand, only just entering the market in 2002, but they are now competing with the Sony’s, Bose’s and Klepsch’s for customers in the higher end of quality in the wireless speaker arena. They have made up a lot of ground with superb technology, fantastic sounding speakers and the super feature of the products in the Sonos line is the ease of setup and use.
Sonos is a wireless speaker system. What you need for it to work is a wireless router connected to a broadband internet connection.
The beauty of this is an unlimited supply of music sources via the net. You can also stream your digital music library from your PC, MAC, iphone, ipod,ipad, or android phone.
Your Sonos system can be 1 speaker or as many as 32 speakers. The wireless range from one speaker to the next is up to 100′ without interruption or drop off.
The setup is very easy, be it one speaker or a home theater set up with many speakers. You can control your system from your smart phone with a Sonos Control App you can download for free.
You can also listen to different music at once, Rock and Roll in the living room, and Jazz in the bedroom, or the same song throughout all rooms….your choice.
Now lets briefly discuss the components.
Sonos Wireless Speaker:
The speaker is powered by an AC power cord. The power is used to drive the Class D Amps built in to the speaker. These Amps drive the big powerful sound these wireless Speakers deliver. So there is technically a wire connected to each wireless speaker. Unlike conventional older setups where the music is sent to the speakers by speaker wire, these speakers get the music sent to them wirelessly from your wireless router which is connected to the internet.
Sonos BRIDGE:
When you purchase a Sonos wireless speaker, you can simply connect your speaker directly into your wireless router and everything will work just great. Now if your wireless router is in your den, and your intent is to place your speaker or speakers in the living room then you would need a bridge. The Bridge would connect directly into your router and the bridge sends the Hi Fi signal-Music wirelessly to your speaker up to 100′ away.
Sonos CONNECT:
Lets say you already have an impressive music system, an older conventional setup with a receiver, and nice expensive speakers that are connected by wire. There is nothing wrong with it, but the Sonos Connect can make your system even better.
The Sonos Connect will now allow your existing system to be able to receive all the internet music sources, internet radio and podcasts. It will now allow you to play all your digital music from your computer or smartphone through your system.
You can now expand your system to other rooms, wirelessly using Sonos PLAY speakers is you wish. (no worries about having to run speaker wire)
You would also need a Bridge, as again it is likely your wireless router is not sitting right next to your existing setup.
The Sonos CONNECT:AMP:
This is ideal if you have a great set of speakers, or perhaps your house is already wired with the speakers built in. Think of the Amp as your receiver, the power source to get your speakers sounding great.
As above you can also listen to your digital library, plus any of the internet sources of music.
You can now expand your wireless network throughout your home.
You would likely need a Bridge here as well.
Sonos Products
The Bridge, Connect, and Amp are the hardest components in the Sonos line to grasp the concept of.
The speakers come in three sizes PLAY:1, PLAY:3, and PLAY:5 smallest to biggest.
Sonos also has a TV PLAYBAR for great TV sound or for a big piece of your home theater system.
Sonos also has SUB, to enrich your bass sound for music or for your home theater.
Sonos:Ease of Use
Sure the concepts can be a bit confusing at first, but rest assured these products consistently receive very high customer ratings, of course due to the amazing sound, but equally front and center from most every review is about how easy these components are to setup and ease of use.
