The delay (latency) with my SONOS app recently became very long, around 15 seconds to change volume and streaming services. I am a long time user(!) with numerous devices which include Play 3. I was not convinced it occurred as a result of a recent app update. Although it happened around that time.
Slightly unwittingly, Tech support provided a key insight. I offer it for others in a similar position:
SONOS now requires a rapid exchange of data to coordinate mobile Apps and speakers and unsurprisingly that is really sensitive to the quality of the connection between the controlling speaker and the house router. So if you build a “Group” around a speaker that has a weak connection (low bandwidth/high latency), control of that group crumbles into a disorganised mess which takes a long time for the system to sort out. It usually gets there (can take 15-30 seconds) but it is a real pain in the meantime. Here is the work round:
On this Forum there is an excellent article written by a SONOS techy which explains how a modern system should be set up. This is great for us old-hands who have evolved their systems over many years to accommodate the changes SONOS has made. Brand new users and purchasers are much less likely to have problems as they will have modern kit and set their system up in the current default mode. Do read the article and do follow the advice first before attempting the fix below. That way you will eliminate many of the issues inherent in older systems or systems with older setups.
1. Identify the best connected speaker. This is not necessarily the closest to your router but usually is. Ideally it is on the 5GHz high speed wifi network if you have that option. You can check this in Settings>mSpeaker Name]>tProduct Name}>Status. On that page you will ideally see “Strong Connection” and 5500Hz for the frequency. That is the best connection possible and a very good place to start. If that is not what you find then try looking at another speaker. For my home the closest speaker was not the best!!
2. Ungroup everything.
3. Start streaming from an internet source on the best connected speaker.
4. Add back the other speakers to create your group. I am pretty sure the “best connected speaker” will then appear at the top of your grouped list.
5. That’s it. Just make sure your chosen speaker stays at the top of your group list and repeat the above if it changes.
Be advised that you may have to repeat this process if your speakers become ungrouped for any reason. This may occur as a result of a software update!! You may well, then, have to repeat this process.
For what it's worth there is a fair bit of analysis that led up to this discovery which I would be happy to share if anyone is interested!! I think Play 3’s probably make things worse if they become the lead speaker of a Group for whatever reason. My understanding is that SONOS is aware of this issue but it may not be high up there on the “FIXIT” list. Hope the above helps someone else.