Sonos Systems ZonePlayer – S5
Product Description
The Sonos ZonePlayer S5 is a high-performance wireless music system with 5 speakers powered by 5 dedicated digital amplifiers. With 2 tweeters, 2 mid-range drivers and 1 subwoofer, the S5 delivers crystal-clear, room-filling sound that rivals much larger, more complicated audio equipment. Plus, the all-digital sound architecture provides precise sound reproduction, just as the artist intended. With the S5 you can quickly add a room of music anywhere you want simply plug it in and enjoy. And thanks to the S5’s superior wireless range, no room is out of reach. When it comes to controlling your S5 and the vast array of music on your computer and the Internet, you can simply reach for your iPhone™ or iPod® touch. The free Sonos Controller for iPhone app makes it easy to find and play any song, in any room. The S5 also includes free software for control from your Mac or PC.
FEATURES:
5 speakers powered by 5 dedicated digital amplifiers:
The S5 uses 5 state-of the-art digital amplifiers individually coupled with 5 speakers to deliver superior sound to any room. The wireless music system provides crystal-clear, high-quality sound that rivals much larger, more complicated systems. A subwoofer produces powerful bass while two mid-range drivers and two tweeters fill out the sound.
Class-D amplifiers:
State of the art, great sounding amplifiers that are light weight, powerful and very energy efficient in standby and use.
Tweeters:
2 tweeters create a crisp and accurate high frequency response.
Mid-range drivers:
2 dedicated mid-range drivers ensure the faithful reproduction of mid-range frequencies crucial for accurate playback of vocals and instruments.
Having used a Squeezebox system for a couple of years, I decided to upgrade to what must be the ‘gold standard’ for wireless hi fi. The S5 is part of a wider Sonos system at my home (S5, bridges, zone players and the CR200).
Firstly the software interface for the PC is much more user-friendly than the Squeezebox (which is rather clunky in comparison), secondly it works almost immediately out of the box, thirdly it’s very easy to use – finally it sounds great.
The S5 looks like a bigger version of the Bose docking station, quite a bit bigger. I think it sounds better too – the Sonos system features a graphic equalizer on the PC and handset, so you can shape the sound to suit. I have one or two massive sound files (50MB +) and they sound better than a CD, the S5 and Sonos system definitely appear to have an audio edge over anything else.
The handset (CR200) is very cool. Album art appears, radio is easy to set up… it just works! The handset/controller is worth buying – it’s the main reason I switched to Sonos.
The only minor issue is that the range seems ‘ok’ rather than exceptional, however I’ve fixed this by putting another couple of bridge units around the house so nothing drops out. You can name individual zones and control them individually or link as many or as few as you like…
Cost is the only downside with the Sonos system, however I have to say that once you’ve used it, it is actually good value. It’s well made, looks very ‘Apple-like’ and seems to have bullet proof software.
Rating: 5 / 5
Fantastic product, up and running within 10 minutes (though I already had all my music on a NAS so that helped). Excellent sound quality with fantastic bass given its size. Using controller for iPhone which works perfectly. Bought with a Sonos BR100UK1 ZoneBridge 100 Wireless Music Controller so I didn’t have to have it wired to my router. Liked it so much have now bought a couple of zp90’s.
Rating: 5 / 5
Recently bought S5 to work along side a ZP90 and ZP120. Bought to allow some flexibility in moving around as required ( and also fancied using it in garden in the summer ) . Really pleased with player, neat ( smaller than expected ), well designed and sounds really good. What Hi-Fi gave 5 stars which helped me decide it was worth it as being used to ZP’s I was a bit hesitant the quality would be as good.
Reasonably priced and typical Sonos quality. Worth buying as a stand alone or as part of a ZP system..
Rating: 5 / 5
I am already a fan of the Sonos product range because I have a zone bridge (Sonos WiFi platform) connected to my router to access the music file son my iMac, zone player (combined WiFi DAC and Amp) with Kef speakers set up in my lounge and Sonos controller (like a big iPod) – my kids and wife love it becuase they can get straight to their music without any technical knowledge. I’ve never had any problems with Sonos – it just works – which is more than you can say for many bits of IT. In short, you can just get on and enjoy your music, internet radio and other great services like Napster, Last.fm.
Everyone has a reasonable music system in their lounge – but how often do you get to sit down and listen to music? The Sonos ZonePlayer S5 sets your music free around the house. I bought one for my kitchen, where I spend more time, to replace an iPod and dock. Installs in minutes, same controller plus using a great App on our iPhones, and we now have superb music quality where we want it. The music quality is so good that, in my non-audiophile opinion, this unit is as good as using a separate ZonePlayer and speaker set up (remember your using compressed files anyway).
I highly recommend Sonos for easy multi-room music from a single source (that is the same for your iPods), non-technicals for ease of install and use and, specifically for the ZP-S5, great sound quality achieveable in any room. Premium pricing is often unjustified – but I pay it for Sonos becuase of the quality.
Rating: 5 / 5
I bought the first Sonos components because I wanted the claimed flexibility of being able to listen to my iTunes music all over the house, as well as access to all the internet radio stations, etc. The reality was even better than what I anticipated. The system was easy to set up and works flawless from day one.
I was concerned however about sound quality. I have a Bose sound dock and use it as the benchmark for sound quality. Previously bought cheaper sound systems always failed the side-by-side, same music test against the Bose. This time I had the Bose and the Sonos S5 side by side. I could not believe my ears. For the first time the Bose, still clear and precise, sounded “digital”. The Sonos produced a more full and rich sound, with excellent clarity. I listened to a whole range of music from heavy bass pop to clasiscal instrument. The Sonos came out tops in all.
After this I bought several more components and my house now has a Sonos component in almost every room.
Rating: 5 / 5