Contributor III

Bring Back the Sonos CR200 Controller!

Forum|Forum|12 years ago
July 23, 2014
49 replies
20091 views

It is my opinion that "dropping the CR200 dedicated controller" was the WORST decision ever made by Sonos.

I have just spent another wasted afternoon unsuccessfully attempting to teach an elderly customer how to control his new $3000 Sonos system without the CR200.

I tried an Android phone, iPhone, iPad Mini, iPad and he could not understand how to control Sonos.

My clients are all age 60+. Most don't even have smart phones. The CR200 worked perfectly for these people. I still prefer my own CR200 over any other controller. My Sonos sales have nose-dived after the CR200 was discontinued!

Wake up Sonos. Even Bose understands how vital a dedicated controller is. Bring back the CR200!!!

CR200

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steve morten

Trending Lyricist I

iphone is too slow: you have to wake it, type in password, click on App, wait for connection / catch up to current track, then you can skip or change volume. TOO SLOW guys ! If the iphone is being used for something else, there is an even bigger delay.

CR200 is instantly there, always charged, ready for action. Please bring it back - just look at the prices on ebay for used models - there has to be a demand.

If you want to keep using the app - do so. If you want a dedicated controller, buy one. It does not have to be either / or.

jgatie

Sonos is currently focused on developing voice control, which basically makes the "instantly there" point moot.

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steve morten

Trending Lyricist I

interesting ! Presumably still via your iphone, so you will still need to wake it up, sign in, etc.

jgatie

interesting ! Presumably still via your iphone, so you will still need to wake it up, sign in, etc.

Actually, the only voice control mentioned specifically was Amazon Echo, which is activated by a key word ("Alexa") and requires no phone/tablet to operate. You simply speak to the Echo and it does what you want: "Alexa, play Amazon Prime playlist 'Weekend Party'". I would assume this is what Sonos is aiming for.

Here is the blog announcement if you wish to read it:

http://blog.sonos.com/news/industry-in-transition-invest-in-future

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smith2pb

Lyricist II

I have areas with no wi-fi around my home and garden so can’t control my Sonos there from my iPhone So no Sonos in my gym, cellar, terrace or garden shed without a controller

It is my opinion that "dropping the CR200 dedicated controller" was the WORST decision ever made by Sonos.

I have just spent another wasted afternoon unsuccessfully attempting to teach an elderly customer how to control his new $3000 Sonos system without the CR200.

I tried an Android phone, iPhone, iPad Mini, iPad and he could not understand how to control Sonos.

My clients are all age 60+. Most don't even have smart phones. The CR200 worked perfectly for these people. I still prefer my own CR200 over any other controller. My Sonos sales have nose-dived after the CR200 was discontinued!

Wake up Sonos. Even Bose understands how vital a dedicated controller is. Bring back the CR200!!!

jgatie

I have areas with no wi-fi around my home and garden so can’t control my Sonos there from my iPhone So no Sonos in my gym, cellar, terrace or garden shed without a controller

Android devices can connect directly to Sonosnet, unlike iOS devices. Consider a cheap tablet from Amazon for those areas only covered by Sonosnet. I suggest this because I'm pretty sure there is no chance that Sonos is going to resurrect a dedicated controller device.

You could also look at connecting a wireless access point to the Ethernet ports on your Sonos devices wherever the standard WiFi is out of range. Configure it for the same SSID and password as your router and the access point will use Sonosnet to connect back to the router.

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DudeDad

Avid Contributor I

I dusted off my two CR200 controllers and am using them again...they still work, although I have to use the iOS app to make setting changes. Too bad Sonos didn't just port the CR200 interface to Apple/Android devices. It's so much more user friendly...I'm an experienced user and still pause to make sure I'm tapping in the right place on my iPhone to get where I want to be....the CR200 is just so much more user friendly. Glad they still work!

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Desertbat

Lyricist I

I still have two CR200s and love them. OK, Sonos have limited their capability, but they are still my preferred interface. When I pick them up from the cradle they are all ready to use. It makes so much sense. I still use a remote control on my TV and guess most people do as well. Why not Sonos - the phone apps always have to 'find' the system when they are activated. Who needs that? Had this system over 10 years. Now one of the cradles is failing, sad day....

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upstatemike

In what way is the cradle failing? If it is not charging the CR200 then try using a coffee filter or pencil eraser to clean the contacts. If it is a bad power supply or battery you can get replacements on Ebay. As long as the LCD screen doesn't develop dead spots you should be able to keep your CR200 controller going.

Local music library with carefully constructed playlists - no shuffling!, Integration with Homeseer Automation, No touch screen devices, No streaming services, No Apple products ever

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