Sonos Play:5, PlayBar and Wireless Subwoofer Review

If you’ve been looking at wireless whole home speaker solutions recently, you’ve probably come across SONOS. Started in 2002, SONOS’ goal was to reinvent home audio for the digital age by connecting devices in multiple rooms for seamless integration. With the multitude of wireless speakers flooding the market with dozens of streaming options will SONOS stand out? Watch our in-depthYouTube video review of their Play 5 wireless speaker and Playbar soundbar with wireless subwoofer to see if SONOS is the right multi-room speaker system for you.

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Best Regards;

[randlewilliams]

Just bought a play bar for £155 and another for £205. Placed in two separate rooms. Have lined up a sub gen 2 and thanks for the clarity on the sinus 1 speakers as I probably would have purchased the sonus 5 to go with the tv.

[jkci]

You are incorrect in that you can use Spotify connect to control/play music on Sonos. Also the volume controls on the phone do control the volume from lock screen.

[georgenlfull]

*Love the sound and voice activation **Newest.Technology** feature. Set up was a little problematic and sometimes it connects to your phone totally unprompted but it's a solid system for the price.*

[luisacevedo]

It can also be controlled on any device.. and play something different on any room on ANY speaker... I love my sonos.. for clarification it's awesome.. for shaking the house.. then not for you.. when hooked up to play connect.. you can hear your movies in any room.. "" in case you run to bathroom and have one in there.. like I do..

[FalconsATL]

I went through two HTIB systems over a 15 year span. I was ready to upgrade about two years ago and almost bit the bullet on the Sonos 5.1 setup. But after seeing the price along with it only connecting via optical digital I changed my mind. I don’t believe it will give you a true 5.1 surround especially without HDMI connection. In the last year and a half or so I’ve upgraded about four times and now have Def Tech BP8080 Towers, PM800 sides and rears, and a Hsu VTF-3 MK5 sub which will kill the Sonos system and it didn’t cost too much more (not counting the Denon X4300 AVR). I have no regrets as this setup is pretty sweet! I’m sure I’ll upgrade again in a year or so!

[PaulGraham]

There's also a desktop app for Windows/Mac which then will allow you to access your music folders over your network. This is what I do over a pair of One's and it works very nicely. Note once this is set up you can access those folders with your phone app too.

[taichihass]

Why does this remind me of the late 80s early 90s QVC 😂

[Chester-UK]

Have to say I agree with some of the other comments that this is really old news.  More useful would be how you can add 2x Play 5's in stereo mode, but orient them in portrait.  You can do the same with Play 1 and Play 3.  You can also use the Connect Amp for surrounds if you wish, and Sonos Connect with anyone's AVR to bring multi-room music to the home theatre or lounge.

How about a comparison with those accused or stealing Sonos IP?  That's Denon's HEOS.  Now they really are rivals!

[jkci]

Apple AirPlay is supported via the play 5.

[PaulGraham]

I like that you can also add a pair of Play One's or even you could go as far as adding a pair of One's, Then you'll have a completely wireless 5.1 system which is then also Alexa enabled.

[AgentMyth]

Interesting to see your take on the quality of the sound from the Play 5. I haven't had much exposure to premium speakers but was so impressed with one Play 5 that I bought a second.
I have been really impressed with the clarity at low- as well as high volumes. Once tuned for the room through the app they have decent bass - enough that I don't feel the need for a Sub.
In the TV room we have the aging Yamaha YSP-2200 with 16x 2cm speakers and a separate sub. It's quality is still perfect and has a reasonable sound stage simulating 5.1 surround. Most of all the microphone based room tuning means you can setup once and then you don't need to touch it again. The Wife Acceptance Factor is high with this one!
Oh, and thanks for the great content! It's great to see the detail and precision you maintain 😁

[msaltz]

These guys are missing the point. This is a whole home system controlled from a single app. It is the leader in that space. You can't just say oh this sub isn't as good as a HSU Audio system. If you are all in with Sonos, then you need to get the Sonos speakers. It isn't the point to say this Sonos or that Sonos isn't as good as Bose or Pioneer or Oppo. Nobody does whole home audio as well as Sonos does and you are buying into an ecosystem. They are expensive but worth it.

[jkherberger]

Great job with the review, glad to see you're open to discussing non traditional AV. Some things to add to this would be how good the app is, how many music streaming services are available and the ability of the Connect and Connect Amp to integrate with existing gear. Also no mention of Bluesound? Bluesound has better offerings including an extruded aluminum soundbar with a sub out and the ability to playback far superior sound quality.

[fscottymac]

The SUB won't shake the house ??? Man what were you reviewing ?? My Sub's in my living room and shakes my windows and floor in my upstairs bedroom.

[tighreethomas]

I have had a 12 inch M&K sub and it was a house shaker. With that being said I now have the whole Sonos system and my subwoofer is a house shaker so I am not sure what you guys are talking about hat it won’t shake the house.

[edgarish]

the real audiophiles aren't gonna like Sonos ever because it cant connect to the other speakers they own or whatever. but for the average person the sonos 5.1 setup (two play one speakers +playbar+ subwoofer) sounds awesome in a big living room with some tweaking in the settings the subwoofer shakes the walls and floor. great system for movies. its great.

[sibinalexander]

hey wanted some help make a purchase decision.which do you feel is good sound setup for sonos (playbar +2×play1+sub) or (sonos beam + 2*play 5) for a living room 22ft×12ft approx. great work comprehensive reviews.

[ful]

Good video. I use the SONOS sub paired with my two play 5s generation 1 model in my main bedroom. I have the connect device in my home theater living rm. which plugs into my DENON AVR I just hooked up my turntable as a separate source to the connect and out to the AVR for multi use to listen to my VINALS in other places. Yea I got into SONOS back in 2011. I enjoy it for what it is.

[brandonjohnson]

Its not going to shake the house? The tester sub at bestbuy shakes the damn building. In the corner where the bar and sub is it sounds like a concert from the other side of the store.

[danielbarakat]

You can also control the volume on Android phones while not being in the app. The phone display can even be off.