Sonos Port - How Soon Before Obsolete?

SONOS does not publicize its product release schedule.

Why have you “hit the end of my rope with Sonos Connect”?

Obsolete is tough, the much older ZonePlayers aren't obsolete yet.

Supported, also tough, as while Sonos only promises 5 years from the time a product is last sold they are still supporting the ZonePlayers. Dedicated controllers and accessories have gone out of support.

The Port is expensive but it is far from the only currently sold Sonos to support a line-in connections. The Era-100 and 3.5 input adapter is likely the cheapest.

I'm not expert on Sonos internals but I'd be surprised if there was an audible,quality difference.

Cheapest of course is taking the time to understand your Connect issues and solving them. A good part of that is knowing what version of the Connect you have, the manufacture date is the first part of the serial number.

Oh way too many reasons to count. Doesn’t maintain stereo separation, drops channels (even the hard-wired speakers), room coverage is sporadic...

I have spent too many hours of my life trying to solve Sonos issues. Not at home, so I can’t dig out the S/N, but it would be c. 2018.

2018 would be a Gen 2, March  2015 or earlier would be a Gen 1.

The newer version should, barring a hardware failure, be able to be used without issue.

There might be something internal wrong that only support can see which is why waiting for the issue (or one of them) to appear and submitting a diagnostic within a few minutes is so important. Submit one or several and then CALL Sonos support and ask they be looked at.

If you give us more details (but not serial numbers or diagnostic IDs) someone might spot something saving a support call.

Reading between the lines… A Port isn’t any better than a Connect?

Question: do you purchase new computers or new phones?

As I said earlier likely no audible difference playing records. Maybe a tiny bit on higher quality sources.

Have a look at some comparisons, comments and reviews

https://www.startpage.com/sp/search?query=sonos+port+vs+connect

The Port supports 5 GHz N Wi‑Fi and AirPlay, which is nice, but I’d wait for the next generation in hopes of added features. 
That said, in my experience the Port is a solid, well‑performing product. If it meets your needs and fits your budget, you’ll likely be happy with it. 

Waiting for the next generation? So far nobody has even a leak about that happening.

I'm too old to be waiting several years to buy something I need today.

Which, of course, was part of my initial question...

Not only is there no advance release of products from Sonos, but their latest statement is that they are concentrating on software releases rather than the previous 2 hardware products per year.  As for a new port, personally I can’t see that ever happening.  The Era range and the Move 2’s all have Line in an are a cheaper option too.  Can’t see the need for the port in the range really.

The Port does have a place in home audio when the need arises for users to integrate an AV receiver or other systems with Sonos. Many people still have standard AV equipment inside their homes. If there is no need for an additional speaker the Connect and Port is the solution. It is able to not only stream audio from a source on another Sonos device, but also stream audio from the analog device to Sonos. The other solutions only streams audio one way.

While I do agree it’s an expensive option some still want a simple interface that does not take up a lot of space. 

I think more users would purchase the Port if it were say $100.00 cheaper.

I always thought that the Port was intentionally overpriced.  If you have an existing audio system that you’ve invested in, then yes, a single Port lets you keep that while putting Sonos speakers every where else.  What Sonos doesn’t want is  customers buying a Port for every room and cheaper speakers/amps.  

As far as any future Port, I was going to suggest that perhaps a new Port could be atmos music capable.  That would be a benefit to those that may have atmos capable setups with other brands, and want Sonos streaming capabilities or expand in other rooms with Sonos atmso speakers.  If you go down that thought though, the only wired output format for atmos is HDMI.  An what rumored Sonos product had an HDMI output?  The canceled/postponed video streaming box. 

EXACTLY this. I couldn’t give two rats’ a$$3$ about streaming music, I want to play records and my wife doesn’t want speaker cables.

I think more users would purchase the Port if it were say $100.00 cheaper.

It is insanely expensive. 

. Many people still have standard AV equipment inside their homes. If there is no need for an additional speaker the Connect and Port is the solution. 

EXACTLY this. I couldn’t give two rats’ a$$3$ about streaming music, I want to play records and my wife doesn’t want speaker cables.

 

 

I think more users would purchase the Port if it were say $100.00 cheaper.

It is insanely expensive. 

If you don’t require Sonos integration there are options from other companies that are significantly cheaper, just in case you aren’t aware of your options. 

I Agee with ​@melvimbe regarding the shelved Video/ Streamer as I suggested that premise when first leaked as being a Port replacement. However, IMO the Era series are not competing products in relationship to a Port. The Ports use case IMO while somewhat similar regarding line-in still far exceeds the Era series in terms of use scenarios.

I’m typing this on my phone so I can’t go into a lot of detail at this time.

Also to the OP’s question…IMO the Port is a better product than the Connect. However, as mentioned we can’t predict when the current Port will be replaced.

Thanks. If / when you have bandwidth, curious as to what makes it better.

One point that may be significant to some users is that PORT’’s wireless capability is more docile. PORT also has more internal processing resources that will be more capable of supporting future software enhancements.

I don’t understand what “docile” means - is that good or bad?

Saw a mention of a 10 dB better signal/noise on the Port, not a big plus for phono use but might be audible for digital input with a high quality audio system.

I'd say the better radio would weigh more in my purchase decision.

I kind of miss the output from my ZP-80s and Play 5 (Gen 1) as I fed them into no longer present AVRs and my computer but the Era-300 Pair and Sub is a far superior option there.

Guessing docile is an auto-correct artifact, maybe capable originally?

That’s good. The modern units are better able to deal with changing WiFi conditions. For a while I had two WiFi networks available and each of the modern SONOS units was able to make its own choice. If one network went down for maintenance or I moved a unit into a poor coverage area, each SONOS unit would simply switch over without a fuss.

If you haven’t updated your router in recent years, the current routers are more capable. I’ve seen WiFi’s that were struggling, SONOS or not, that began to shine when the router was replaced with a modern unit. Note that I’m not the first to jump on to new router technology. After many years WiFi 6 has finally become solid choice. WiFi 7 is beginning to get there, but it is still not mainstream for the majority of network clients. However, WiFi 7 access points are better able to cover cluttered WiFi areas.

Fairly new router (<24 months). Small apartment. 

If I had a dollar for every meeting I sat in between 2006 and 2018 where the general consensus was the cause of any problem was “the network,” I’d be rich enough to buy Sonos equipment whenever I wanted.

Apartments can have cluttered WiFi. In my current urban location, I’ve now been here a couple months, if I scan WiFi asking for “who’s there” I get about 100 access points replying. So far WiFi performance has been very good.

I suggest that you submit a diagnostic and work with SONOS phone support. If there is a network issue it will leave tracks in the diagnostic. Likewise, if the CONNECT is fumbling things, there will be tracks.