Why the account setup?

Lets force our valued remaining customers to have an account so that we can data mine for a few extra dollars!!
This is not freeware or a cheap system where the profit is to be made from other streams, just desperate gouging.

Why do SONO's make me hate a system that I originally loved so much. 12 years and 10 speakers / amps
Feel trapped and angry due to the money already spent, but at least I can warn others to stay well away.

Sonos, this is unacceptable. At the time I bought the device, this was not a requirement. I have no need for online services, and no need for voice control. It is not acceptable to change the purpose of a device retrospectively and prevent its use for the purpose advertised at the time of purchase. This is also a clear violation of a recommendation made by the European Parliament to fight software obsolescence. I will be contacting the European Consumer Centre to seek legal advice on this matter.

I'm really irritated about this. I never much liked all the app changes as it fundamentally altered the experience of a very expensive product I'd already purchased. I suspect these latest moves to force you to update your account have something to do with their recently filed IPO. I have a hard time imagining the market is going to love a smart speaker company that depends only on selling speakers. Existing customers, especially ones that have already spent lots of money on speakers, probably aren't that likely to buy more. I read somewhere that someone who purchases one Sonos product on average buys 1.4 more. That sounds great, but not to finance guys. What sounds great to finance guys is you have a large customer base that automatically gets billed on a monthly basis for some type of subscription. I'll take a shot in the dark and say that Sonos corralling all of it's existing user accounts has something to do with launching some type of subscription service. It's hard to imagine they wouldn't be talking about this kind of move. To me it looks like they are positioning themselves for it, and it's certainly a very modern thing to do. Just my two cents worth of paranoia and disappointment.

I used to recommend Sonos so highly to other people. I know a few dozen or so people that got involved in it on my word and I'm sure I'm not alone in this regard. Music is a huge part of my life and Sonos has been the delivery method for it for years. I think I'm finally and completely worn down on Sonos. I guess at a board meeting at some point they'll talk about breaking a few eggs to move forward. I guess I'm an egg.

Let's sue Sonos. Has someone created a gofundme page for this already?

I have had a sonos setup for years. Today I get a message on my controller telling me to “finish setting up my sonos account” to CONTINUE using my system. Help me understand why I paid thousands for this system, spent a large number of hours dealing with issues (setup and otherwise) only to be told I HAVE to log into the sonos servers to keep using my system. I’m not updating until I get clarity.

I echo the concerns of those above regarding this recent change. We've had Sonos kit for over a decade, starting with a ZP80 and a ZP100, and this is the first time we've been FORCED to login to use any of it. Previously we've been able to skip the Sonos Account step of the updates, which we always did because we weren't users of Alexa, Spotify or any of the other online services. We still aren't, we're just accessing the music stored on our own network at home.

Will this login be required with every future update? Because if so, that would be a right PITA.

Pretty disappointed with this change, to be honest. The kit is great, as it always has been. The ways in which we're being forced to use it? Not so much.

I have had Sonos for a number of years without having to associate my devices with an account. I haven't felt left out or unprepared for adding additional services, and I certainly haven't been worried about security. So, Kevin's response to Aaron is simply perplexing. I have no desire to use Alexa. I do not want to use Spotify. I am quite happy with what I have. If I want to use additional services for which I would really need a Sonos account, perhaps I would consider creating an account then. But, please, Sonos, don't force me to add an account before I am ready to do something or to have one so that I can add a new device. I added another device earlier this year. I had intended to put one in each of our bedrooms this year when the new colored models would be introduced, but now I will not be adding any more Sonos devices. In addition, I have recommended Sonos to a number of people; they have all purchased Sonos based upon my recommendation. I will no longer recommend Sonos. Nor do I intend to upgrade my Sonos systemS. Note the plural.

What "new colored models"? :?

Hi,

I don't use Alexa or Spotify direct, why do I need to set up yet another account?

This means that if I opt out I will no longer be able to update the speaker?

Think will keep running at current version forever ...

You're not setting up another account when you add a speaker. You're adding it to your already existing account (the one you used to post your comment).

You already have a Sonos account. You've probably had one for years, since you needed to establish one way back when you first created your Sonos system on your network. And like Bruce said, it's the same account you use in the forums here.

Regardless of whether or not you'll ever use the various things like Alexa, Spotify Connect, or direct app control through Pandora or Tidal, or whatever other services are added in the future, your speaker still needs to be linked to your Sonos account. Sonos does this to ensure that on that one day that you change your mind and want to use one of those services or features, you'll be able to do so with only the minimal required effort.

Everyone seems to want to fight this effort, and there's no reason to. You have more to lose from the music services that you use than you do with Sonos itself.