Thanks for the feedback, but it is unfair to call our review 'dishonest' when we've made it very clear what we tested and how our judgements were reached.
It's not unfair to call it dishonest - you're comparing two totally dissimilar product sets and equating them because they're about the same price, but are only "remotely" (ho ho) the same price point because you've eliminated an absolute minimum of 300 quids worth of essential kit from the comparison.
I'm not disputing the relative sound quality of the kit, but a Logitech at 250 is a damn sight different package than a Sonos at 500+
Wnat a ludicrous review this was. You comment on the extortionate price of the Sonos controller, but then discount it and use a free app for you iPod/iPhone, but also discount the price of the iThing!
At the very least, you should have included one controller in the price comparison, because to get the equivalent of the Logitech (two devices, two controllers) you would have to buy *at least* 1 controller (or 1 iThing) to have an equivalent package.
Furthermore, it may come as a surprise to you, but many of us have neither iPhone nor iPos, nor do we want either, so the real cost of the Sonos pair is actually nearly �600 more than the price you quote.
By all means reference the availability of the iPhone app, but to discount the price of the Sonos because of the availability of it is ridiculous and dishonest
I read the review earlier and having listened to both systems I'd say the Sonos kit has the edge in many respects, however perhaps it should do - it's significantly more expensive than a comparable Squeezebox set-up.
I thought that the "now-add-these" box out in the magazine was for worthy accesories and overpriced cable recomendations not components which are essential requirements in order to operate the item being reviewed. Not the best review I've read. Sorry.
The S5 was produced in response to a demand for an additional component that was originally marketed to existing Sonos users. hence most would have been aware of the requirements.
However, potential purchasers must understand that this product and the other Sonos products sit in the middle ground between the economical streamers and the top end, �3k plus.
This product is excellent and with a Napster subscription (now only �5) can be plugged in to any network and listen to any music.
To control it you need a controller , IPOD touch or Iphone (and let's face it there are millions out there) or a Sonos controller. The previous version is still available (with a wheel not touch screen) and is half the price.
You get what you pay for and this equipment as far as hifi goes is excellent, and trouble free.
I do have much more expensive equipment (Linn mono power amps and the like) and much cheaper stuff but this (and the rest of the Sonos family) is the first music streamer that anyone can use , works first time and just does what it says well. For me Sonos has done to music what Sky has done to TV (and Sky isn't cheap either but works spot on and the remote is fab - try a Virgin Media remote).
Honestly try the Sonos set up you will be spreading the word before you know it , it does not get the airtime of Apple but if Apple had produced it there would be one in every home.
Just to help potential buyers make a reasonable choice from among the available devices, this player's main competition is from Logitech Squeezebox Boom.
The main differences are the Sonos has no way of controlling the music on the device itself, you need to acquire some kind of controller, whereas the Boom can be controlled on the device AND it comes with an IR controller. What is more you can also control it with a GBP 10 iPod / iPhone / Android app such as iPeng or SqueezeController.
To be as charitable as possible to Sonos, we will assume that the owner already has a compatible iPod or iPhone on which to load their free controller software. However it is not a wireless device unless you buy a Zone Bridge. The Boom will work with your existing wireless router without further expenditure. If we are assuming that the Sonos is controlled with an iPod then clearly we are already assuming the user has a wireless network.
So to get a wireless music player and controller...
Street price of the SqueezeBox Boom is GBP 160 (Currys) + iPeng GBP 10 = GBP 170
Street price of the Sonos S5 GBP 325 + Zone Bridge GBP 75 = GBP 400
The Boom is therefore 42% of the cost of (GBP 240 less than) the Sonos S5 for the same functionality.
I am not disuputing that the Sonos might sound better than the Boom, but with the information I have provided here the reader can better decide whether it is worth the extra money.
A good product spoilt by the lack of a user interface on the unit itself. Sonos products are very overpriced for what they do. A WiFi radio hooked up to my hifi with a �10.00 cable would give the same result with a performance on a par with my Sonos. A dubious purchase, I conclude.
Yes, we could all build better using existing seperates tied together with bits of string and sticky back plastic.... and there are other cheaper competitors out there.... blah, blah, blah.... but that's not the point.
This was released for a particular purpose and market and it fits them perfectly.
My wife refused any of the competition because they were so damn ugly, so all I have are 3 black S5s. The BR100 and ReadyNAS Duo are in the cellar and it all worked straight out of the box in no time at all. The CR200 is a delight and simple enough for everyone to use and the sound is more than capable for what we need.
Unlike the lumbering hulk of audiophile excellence in my lounge, these are used by the family every single day and that's what it's all about.... isn't it?
Comments
Again, how can our review be misleading when we made it very clear how the products were tested?
I can understand is being misleading if we didn't make it clear you also need to buy the remote/use an iPod/iPhone, but we did.
You may disagree with the WHF opinion - and I'm happy to accept your feedback on that - but please keep your comments factual.
Thanks for the feedback, but it is unfair to call our review 'dishonest' when we've made it very clear what we tested and how our judgements were reached.
As Clare said, we made clear our reasoning, so there's nothing dishonest about the review.
It's not unfair to call it dishonest - you're comparing two totally dissimilar product sets and equating them because they're about the same price, but are only "remotely" (ho ho) the same price point because you've eliminated an absolute minimum of 300 quids worth of essential kit from the comparison.
I'm not disputing the relative sound quality of the kit, but a Logitech at 250 is a damn sight different package than a Sonos at 500+
Wnat a ludicrous review this was. You comment on the extortionate price of the Sonos controller, but then discount it and use a free app for you iPod/iPhone, but also discount the price of the iThing!
At the very least, you should have included one controller in the price comparison, because to get the equivalent of the Logitech (two devices, two controllers) you would have to buy *at least* 1 controller (or 1 iThing) to have an equivalent package.
Furthermore, it may come as a surprise to you, but many of us have neither iPhone nor iPos, nor do we want either, so the real cost of the Sonos pair is actually nearly �600 more than the price you quote.
By all means reference the availability of the iPhone app, but to discount the price of the Sonos because of the availability of it is ridiculous and dishonest
what about a different color
[black would be good]
Not dishonest, but definately misleading.
I read the review earlier and having listened to both systems I'd say the Sonos kit has the edge in many respects, however perhaps it should do - it's significantly more expensive than a comparable Squeezebox set-up.
I thought that the "now-add-these" box out in the magazine was for worthy accesories and overpriced cable recomendations not components which are essential requirements in order to operate the item being reviewed. Not the best review I've read. Sorry.
Let's be reasonable here.
The S5 was produced in response to a demand for an additional component that was originally marketed to existing Sonos users. hence most would have been aware of the requirements.
However, potential purchasers must understand that this product and the other Sonos products sit in the middle ground between the economical streamers and the top end, �3k plus.
This product is excellent and with a Napster subscription (now only �5) can be plugged in to any network and listen to any music.
To control it you need a controller , IPOD touch or Iphone (and let's face it there are millions out there) or a Sonos controller. The previous version is still available (with a wheel not touch screen) and is half the price.
You get what you pay for and this equipment as far as hifi goes is excellent, and trouble free.
I do have much more expensive equipment (Linn mono power amps and the like) and much cheaper stuff but this (and the rest of the Sonos family) is the first music streamer that anyone can use , works first time and just does what it says well. For me Sonos has done to music what Sky has done to TV (and Sky isn't cheap either but works spot on and the remote is fab - try a Virgin Media remote).
Honestly try the Sonos set up you will be spreading the word before you know it , it does not get the airtime of Apple but if Apple had produced it there would be one in every home.
Just to help potential buyers make a reasonable choice from among the available devices, this player's main competition is from Logitech Squeezebox Boom.
The main differences are the Sonos has no way of controlling the music on the device itself, you need to acquire some kind of controller, whereas the Boom can be controlled on the device AND it comes with an IR controller. What is more you can also control it with a GBP 10 iPod / iPhone / Android app such as iPeng or SqueezeController.
To be as charitable as possible to Sonos, we will assume that the owner already has a compatible iPod or iPhone on which to load their free controller software. However it is not a wireless device unless you buy a Zone Bridge. The Boom will work with your existing wireless router without further expenditure. If we are assuming that the Sonos is controlled with an iPod then clearly we are already assuming the user has a wireless network.
So to get a wireless music player and controller...
Street price of the SqueezeBox Boom is GBP 160 (Currys) + iPeng GBP 10 = GBP 170
Street price of the Sonos S5 GBP 325 + Zone Bridge GBP 75 = GBP 400
The Boom is therefore 42% of the cost of (GBP 240 less than) the Sonos S5 for the same functionality.
I am not disuputing that the Sonos might sound better than the Boom, but with the information I have provided here the reader can better decide whether it is worth the extra money.
A good product spoilt by the lack of a user interface on the unit itself. Sonos products are very overpriced for what they do. A WiFi radio hooked up to my hifi with a �10.00 cable would give the same result with a performance on a par with my Sonos. A dubious purchase, I conclude.
Yes, we could all build better using existing seperates tied together with bits of string and sticky back plastic.... and there are other cheaper competitors out there.... blah, blah, blah.... but that's not the point.
This was released for a particular purpose and market and it fits them perfectly.
My wife refused any of the competition because they were so damn ugly, so all I have are 3 black S5s. The BR100 and ReadyNAS Duo are in the cellar and it all worked straight out of the box in no time at all. The CR200 is a delight and simple enough for everyone to use and the sound is more than capable for what we need.
Unlike the lumbering hulk of audiophile excellence in my lounge, these are used by the family every single day and that's what it's all about.... isn't it?