Anyone got experience of Sonos-Multi Room?

[Stevie GooGs]

Anyone got experience of Sonos?

Looking at a few different options for my house build and looking for anyone who has got or has used Sonos.
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[Sparks!]

I haven't got nor used but I did research it a fair bit, feel free to ask a question I /might/ be able to help, might not be able to.. but it doesn't hurt to ask
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[Stevie GooGs]

Hi Sparks thanks for replying i was just looking for general feedback on the quality of the brand over others. I am building a small 1 1/2 house and plan on fitting some form of multi-room system but not 100% sure on what one. Here is a list of wants, but not sure what is the overall best solution.


Option 1

Home cinema setup in lounge: projector, media server to be stored in cupboard under the stairs,
Audio/video/lighting control open plan area ground floor
Audio/video to each room – HDMI cabling to each bedroom
Audio to garden?
Ceiling/wall speakers?

Option 2

Home cinema in lounge
Projector
Media Server
Audio video lighting ground floor open plan area


Basically what we are looking for is to have all equipment hidden away under the cupboard under the stairs. The projector to be on that wall on the lounge.

We really want a home cinema setup in the lounge area, 5.1 – 7.1.
Projector will come down from ceiling, can this be automated from a the control unit as possible LCD will be behind the projector when projector not in use.

Ceiling/wall speakers would be preferable as we want it as hidden as possible.

We would really like to be able to have a cinema setting so the lights go down and projector comes down etc.
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Current: 2019 Yamaha T7 -> 2015 KTM Superduke R | 2000 Yamaha R1 Past -> 2009 KTM 990 SM -> 2005 kawasaki ZX10r -> 2000 Honda CBR 600 FY -> 2002 Honda XLV 125 Varadero
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[Sparks!]

The Sonos is regarded as one of the best multi-zone music systems going... but there are alternatives which might suit your budget better..

I can help a little with some of your stuff, but before I even attempt, whats your budget?

Option 1 is perfectly obtainable, not sure why you want HDMI to each room though as having a receiver/player out of a room is just a bit of hassle, presuming for a Bluray or similar player? means you'd have to go to another location to change discs/remote etc unless you're intending to ghost a HD sky tv image onto another rooms tv without having to buy a second box ?

The lighting systems are potentially the most expensive if you want scene control in one/more rooms. If you can list (using the exact names from the drawing, i.e Bedroom 4) what you want in the room i.e audio, controlled lighting.

You have a couple of options with the lighting, full house zone controlled system which will cost mega bucks or you can have a scene controller in the cinema room and just have that room with controlled lighting.

And yes you can have the projector screen come down by remote, with the right system and controller you can press a button and the lights will switch to "cinema" scene and the projector will come down etc....

I'm a sparky and have spent most of today playing with such lighting systems, although without the projector... it's pretty cool stuff.

So yeah, budget and I'll be able to advise a little better. Don't worry, I won't try and sell you something unless you want me to haha.

If you're on a stricter budget I can reccomend an alternative multi-room system similar to the Sonos but a third of the price.

Generally you'll want 4 x Cat 5/6 and 2 x co-ax cables to each TV point as well, before long you'll be able to transmit everything over a network so if you're rewiring now you might as well chuck it all in!
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[Stevie GooGs]

Cheers for your reply tbh am not 100% on budget about 5k to start not including projector.

With regards to the HDMI this is where i get a bit clueless (there goes my degree in computer networking). I would like to be able to have a media server so that everything outputs from that so if its dvd its burned onto the server, if its TV, MP3, Photos its accessable via the server etc.

TBH i would rather pay more now and put the cabling and have everything ready to go then add to the system when i can.

I understand what i want and what my budget can afford will always be two different things but a step in the right direction would be good.

Lounge Family Kitchen

Audio
Lighting
Video
Home cinema setup

Bedroom 4

Audio celing speakers
Video

Bedroom 1

Audio celing speakers
Video

Bedroom 2

Audio celing speakers
Video [/b]


Thanks for taking the time mate, karma coming your way.
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[Sparks!]

Well for the multi zone music, you might want to look to these...

https://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/tom-keating/images/squeezebox-duet.jpg

Very well rated, a lot cheaper than Sonos but almost exactly the same spec... You'll really want to have these wired so allow for the cabling to the positions where you want them.

You can have different music in different rooms from the same source (PC) or you can sync them and have same music throughout the house at once.


Sonos,

Initial bundle (zp120,zp90 + remote) + £799 - 2 rooms

additional rooms

ZP120 with built in amp = £399 + speakers per room

or

ZP90 £279 + amp + speakers per room




Whereas the Squeezebox you're looking at £339 for the first two rooms + remote (you can also use PSP or iphone/touch)

then additional rooms are £99 + amp + speakers

Bearing in mind with the Sonos Zoneplayer you're stuck with their own built in amp too so no real upgrade path, the squeezebox you can choose your own amplifier, yes its an additional item but its also a 1/4 of the price per room as the Sonos.

You can also get a built in amp standalone hi-fi one (connects to the pc as per the other players) at £155


More info and prices here;

https://www.ripcaster.co.uk/node/282

It seems that logitech have just broughtout a squeezebox radio and a tasty looking squeezebox touch!

https://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/349/6107&cl=gb,en?WT.mc_id=emea_squeezebox_google-adwords_1009_uk&strf=Paid_Search&WT.srch=1


As for the lighting I'd say keep it fairly simple throughout the house, i.e normal wiring systems, maybe use some remote dimmer switches etc in the bedrooms but keep the costs down and keep it simple.

Then maybe stretch to a 4 scene Lutron Grafik eye or similar scene controller for the cinema room! (this is what will be installed in my house!) it has interfaces to allow to lower projector screen/close curtains etc and they don't detract from the number of channels on the control (i.e a 4 channel controller will do 4 light circuits PLUS close curtains/lower screen etc)

https://www.cyberselect.co.uk/range/574
Looking around £500 for the box to control 4 scenes and £120 ish for wall controller.

It's worth noting you can link this system with a Logitech harmony one remote control.

Hope that helps a bit.
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[Sparks!]

[bladesman]

Blimey! What can I say! That is some detail and something that I didn't go into when I was buying my hifi system. I did consider the Sonos system but in the end ruled it out based on cost. Its alright if you are having it for a room or two but I found it to be quite expensive adding additional rooms. In the end I went for an Arcam Solo with RS6 Monitor Audio speakers. Linked into the AV input is the Apple Airport Express wireless box which can output songs from Itunes. I then use my Ipod touch to change songs running off my laptop wirelessly. This can be adapted to just run off your current pc or media server. Now all together if I add everything up its quite expensive but if I assume you already have a laptop/pc then the Apple Airport is around £70 and you can buy a 2nd hand 1st Gen Ipod touch off ebay for less than £80 making that your remote. Adding each room when you can afford to would cost you maybe an Amp to serve as an input for the signal and then distributing it to various speakers. There are many possibilities but it just depends on your budget.