Port review at WhatHiFi

Certainly, you’re entitled to your opinion, although obviously many other users seem to disagree. The question is, what purpose do you have to your posts here? This is a support community, not a community that deals with design issues/changes. Posting links to people who share your opinion is great, but isn’t serving much of a purpose. 

While I am no longer a Sonos buyer, and I have not heard the Port, there seems to be no technical reason for either of the two review sound quality conclusions, and based on my experience with What Hifi reviews since 2002, the probability rests heavily on the What HiFi sound quality assessments being the usual BS they have been trotting out for decades now, just to have something to say. 

What HiFi remains good as source for knowing what is new in the market, and for providing good photos of new kit, features and price points, but no more - the sound quality assessments are strictly for the gullible. Not that the US cousin Stereophile is much better, except for the measurement data that is often provided in addition that can be useful if one knows what to look for - their sound quality assessments are just a subjective and heavily influenced by the price of the kit.

PS; I also see no reason why the Port should sound better than the Connect, given the same source material. In a level matched DBT, I would expect there to be no one that can pick between the two. Even with the Hi Res music in future, if the Connect has been supplied with the same files reformatted to what the Connect can play.

Hi

First post here, so go easy etc.

Anyway, I bought a Port to replace my increasingly unsupported (and fast approaching obsolescent) Squeezebox Touch.

I have it plugged into my Cambridge Audio Amp / Mordaunt Short speakers, I stream files (FLAC, ACC, MP3) from a home server, plus Deezer (standard, not premium), and I have to say that the Port sounds disappointing by comparison to the Squeezebox. 

The sound is indeed flat and lacking detail, and I find myself turning up the volume in a vain attempt to gain more detail - but really, I’m just upsetting my neighbours.

The Port was my first Sonos product so I can’t comment on the Connect. But compared to the Squeezebox, I would say that the review is something I can identify my own experience to.

I hope that S2 brings some improvements, but I don’t hold my breath.

Anyhoo - thought I’d share my thoughts.

I see no reason for S2 to have any impact on your finding. And I haven't heard the Port, just my two Connects bought at different times, both of which are audibly transparent in passing on the signals for amplification. But Sonos would not have played around with this transparency while building the Port, there is no reason for them to do that. And getting this transparency isn't rocket science now.

A question: in comparing with SB, did you do just that one change of replacing one unit by another, with no other hardware or source signal change? And although it appears you have addressed this aspect, sound levels being heard through the speakers also have to be identical.

Finally, an admittedly unlikely possibility: a defective Port unit.

Yeah, I'm not expecting S2 to have any effect either. It's more of a hope…

And to answer your question, everything about my set up is exactly the same as it was when I had the SB.

I guess it's possible that I have a faulty unit. Or maybe the SB was just a superior unit to the Port? I don't know. 

It's not a bad sound per se. It's just noticeably not as good as the SB. 

Is there some tone adjustment/filter in use in the SB? Both units need to have EQ set to flat for the comparison to be apples to apples.

And if possible, get a new Port on a returnable basis and see what happens, to rule out defect as reason.

There are multiple reviews saying the same thing about the sound quality of the Port.  Time to face reality.  Even on a Sonos forum.

But they had a very good review of the Arc and that wasnt questioned at all. :-)

It's usually bad ones when they don't have a clue.

Go to any sports forum and it’s exactly the same. Any critique of your team, or how it is run, and all hell breaks loose!

I kinda get it with sport. It’s emotional. It’s a real part of people’s lives and identity.

I find it more surprisingly when people get this emotionally invested in technology companies. Apple is the most common one I suppose. But still. It’s kinda fascinating in many ways.

Plus people spend alot of $$$ on their technology and especially Sonos and can’t admit there is anything wrong.