Grand Maestro

So which iOS device should I buy to run TruePlay?

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
July 21, 2022
27 replies
4100 views

Since my iPod Touch is no longer supported, which iOS device should I buy to run TruePlay?

I don’t use Apple and got the Touch just to run TruePlay and it served me well but once again I’m back asking Apple folks what I should be looking for. I’ve looked at the Sonos pages and with my limited Apple knowledge I could use a hand in turning them into a suggestion.

Supported: https://support.sonos.com/s/article/3222?language=en_US

OS Requirements: https://support.sonos.com/s/article/4875?language=en_US

So it looks like I’d be served for the longest time by an IOS v 15 compatible device. Since it only needs to run the Sonos Controller and that rarely, my goal is the least expensive device (cost per year of use) I could get away with buying?

Looking at Apple’s list it seems the iPad, iPad Mini or iPad Air all are supported in several generations.

IOS 15: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211348

The list price on the iPad looks to be lowest at $329, with the Mini at $499 and the Air at $599. So unless I’m missing something the iPad is likely the device I should pick.

Mini, Air, iPad: https://www.apple.com/ipad/compare/?modelList=ipad-mini-6th-gen,ipad-air-5th-gen,ipad-9th-gen

I’d like to get several years use out of whatever I buy so I’d likely want to avoid the oldest generations so the 5th is likely out, maybe the 6th too. This is helpful but it doesn’t have the “last sold date” I’m looking for.

iPad 7, 8 ,9 gen: https://www.apple.com/ipad/compare/?modelList=ipad-7th-gen,ipad-8th-gen,ipad-9th-gen

I did find this:

About vintage products
Products are considered vintage when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than 5 and less than 7 years ago.

Vintage and Obsolete: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201624#ipadvintage

If I understand that correctly I should be able to keep the iOS current on a device for five years after it was last sold.

I found this list of dates: https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250001726

Pad | Fifth | 9.7" | A9 | 2017 | 15.5 | Discontinued March 2018
iPad | Sixth | 9.7" | A10 | 2018 | 15.5 | Discontinued September 2019
iPad | Seventh | 10.2" | A10 | 2019 | 15.5 | Discontinued September 2020
iPad | Eighth | 10.2" | A12 | 2020 | 15.5 | Discontinued September 2021
iPad | Ninth | 10.2" | A13 | 2021 | 15.5 | Currently sold

So if I’m reading this right the 5th goes out of support in 23, the 6th in 24, 7th in 25, 8th in 26 and the 9th sometime after 27.

A quick look at Amazon prices seems odd.

A 7th gen for $300: https://www.amazon.com/Apple-iPad-10-2-Inch-Wi-Fi-Cellular/dp/B084BVYZFN/ref=sr_1_9

A 8th gen for $242: https://www.amazon.com/Apple-iPad-10-2-Inch-Wi-Fi-32GB/dp/B08264XHCZ/ref=sr_1_3

A 9th gen for $309: https://www.amazon.com/2021-Apple-10-2-inch-iPad-Wi-Fi-dp-B09G9FPHY6/dp/B09G9FPHY6/ref=dp_ob_title_def

eBay prices look better and make more sense although Amazon is cheaper for the 9th gen.

7th $130: https://www.ebay.com/itm/184511573434

8th $155: https://www.ebay.com/itm/174941007679

9th $345: https://www.ebay.com/itm/383791923777

So is the sweet spot going to be eBay and the $155 8th gen iPad good until Sep. of 26?

Any suggestions appreciated!

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Show previous replies

Ken_Griffiths

With my old Marantz a free microphone (wired) was supplied with the receiver.

Yes, Sony did the same/similar thing with their HT receivers too - a simple case of placing the supplied (wired) mic at the ‘sweet spot’ (only) and then going through the tuning process. The attached image shows the sort of mic used by their devices.

Airgetlam

I had a couple of those Sony devices. I think the first thing I lost was that little microphone, only to turn up years later in some obscure place when I was moving. And trying to figure out “what *is* this thing”?

Bruce

buzz

Grand Maestro

Except for the inexpensive junk, included (wired) microphones are common these days for home theater receivers. Since it’s likely that the microprocessors used include the capability anyway, the manufacturer might as well include the microphone and a little preamp on the board. It’s a cheap trick, likely a major part of the expense is licensing fees.

Stuart_W

World-Class Superstar

With my old Marantz a free microphone (wired) was supplied with the receiver.

Yes, Sony did the same/similar thing with their HT receivers too - a simple case of placing the supplied (wired) mic at the ‘sweet spot’ (only) and then going through the tuning process. The attached image shows the sort of mic used by their devices.

I have to say the notion of supplying one time or even no time (I’ve had several of these and never used them) use items is something that now makes me utterly depressed.

I’d rather Sonos had a way of sending somebody with a calibrated mic/controller (iPhone) to a customers house where they didn’t have an appropriate device for Trueplay.

Arc + Sub (Gen 1) + 2 x Play 1/ Stereo Play 3s/ Era 100 Stereo in Kitchen, One Stereo in Bedroom, Play 1 stereo pair in Study, Play 1in Bathroom, Sonos Move 2

106rallye

A good retailer could do this for you. But not many people buy their stuff at shops anymore. And it would be even more expensive as supplying a microphone.

buzz

Grand Maestro

If the unit was purchased from and installed by a retailer, certainly they could Trueplay at that time, however, if you move the unit or swap surrounds, the original Trueplay is no longer valid.

Stanley_4Author

Grand Maestro

If the unit was purchased from and installed by a retailer, certainly they could Trueplay at that time, however, if you move the unit or swap surrounds, the original Trueplay is no longer valid.

Don’t forget the current Arc situation where a Sonos update requires you run TruePlay again.

Anyway, I found a nice “like new” 8th Gen 32 GB iPad on eBay and ordered it. Spouse made it clear that was coming out of my “Buy more Sonos” budget that I was looking at getting another speaker with. Oh well, maybe next year.

SarahN

Local Superstar

Anyway, I found a nice “like new” 8th Gen 32 GB iPad on eBay and ordered it. Spouse made it clear that was coming out of my “Buy more Sonos” budget that I was looking at getting another speaker with. Oh well, maybe next year.

Hi @Stanley_4 , I found a refurbished 7th Gen iPad (could not quite afford the 8), which I should get today. How are you finding your iPad? I’m hoping to get a fair bit of use out of mine as my only iOS product as I can use it for trueplay, as my controller and of course, for going onto the web when I don’t want to use my main laptop or my small phone screen.

Can you have too many Sonos speakers? 🤔 😆

Stanley_4Author

Grand Maestro

I’m finding it a real aggravation after my old Touch, far too big and clunky to easily wave around the room, kinda needs both hands to keep from risking dropping it.

Only difference in operation I’ve seen is it doesn’t like to tune my tiny bathroom. Not sure if that is an iPad issue or the new firmware. I’ll bring that up with Sonos at some point.

Mine new one, like the old, will come out of the box and get charged and updated every three months (depending on how the battery looks) as I have no other use for an Apple device.

popeofhell

Avid Contributor I

Hi @Stanley_4 . I recently bought the same thing - iPad 8th gen 32gb and it doesn’t support Trueplay. What am I missing? What iPad os are you running? 14.6 or 15.6?

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