Contributor III

Question

Sonos - S2 - without internet

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Earlier this year, I was looking at options to replace our older Sonos Connect and ZP120 units to bring my system into S2 compliance; 3 amps, 2 ports and an orphan Play 5 - not a trivial investment. There was no particular S2 function / capability I required at that time.

We play mostly music from our NAS and some internet radio. For some context, we’re in upstate NY where power outages are quite common and as our internet provider uses the same delivery infra as the electric utility - that is, poles - a power outage frequently takes out internet as well.

To my question: going forward, do we know if S2 will require internet access just to function? In our situation, that would be playing music from a NAS, controlling volume, grouping speakers, etc.

Thanks for reading.

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buzz

Grand Maestro

I think one reason the new controller uses an Internet connection is so that SONOS can track exactly how much a given model is used. The data can be used to decide when/if support can be withdrawn or an updated replacement should be developed.

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Ian_S

Prodigy III

I think one reason the new controller uses an Internet connection is so that SONOS can track exactly how much a given model is used. The data can be used to decide when/if support can be withdrawn or an updated replacement should be developed.

They might be in for a surprise then…

Seriously though, I think they’ve had sight of that for a while as when you logon to the main Sonos website it knows your system and state.

I think the new S2 reliance on internet is more about trying to make it more out of the house capable. They just haven’t done it very well yet…

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John_61Author

Contributor III

I think one reason the new controller uses an Internet connection is so that SONOS can track exactly how much a given model is used. The data can be used to decide when/if support can be withdrawn or an updated replacement should be developed.

I certainly have no problem with Sonos logging that info, but actually depending on an internet connection in order to work is a different story altogether.

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John_61Author

Contributor III

I think one reason the new controller uses an Internet connection is so that SONOS can track exactly how much a given model is used. The data can be used to decide when/if support can be withdrawn or an updated replacement should be developed.

They might be in for a surprise then…

Seriously though, I think they’ve had sight of that for a while as when you logon to the main Sonos website it knows your system and state.

I think the new S2 reliance on internet is more about trying to make it more out of the house capable. They just haven’t done it very well yet…

From all I’ve been reading - no first-hand knowledge - it seems that even volume control may require an internet round-trip; I really hope they didn't decide to move what is purely a local function - particularly a function that people expect to respond instantly - to the cloud.

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press250

Prodigy III

From all I’ve been reading - no first-hand knowledge - it seems that even volume control may require an internet round-trip; I really hope they didn't decide to move what is purely a local function - particularly a function that people expect to respond instantly - to the cloud.

Hi @John_61, volume control does not require an internet round trip. Per Andy Pennell, however, volume control is much chattier than in the Old Days …

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-happened-sonos-app-technical-analysis-andy-pennell-wigwc

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John_61Author

Contributor III

From all I’ve been reading - no first-hand knowledge - it seems that even volume control may require an internet round-trip; I really hope they didn't decide to move what is purely a local function - particularly a function that people expect to respond instantly - to the cloud.

Hi @John_61, volume control does not require an internet round trip. Per Andy Pennell, however, volume control is much chattier than in the Old Days …

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-happened-sonos-app-technical-analysis-andy-pennell-wigwc

Thanks for that link - I had stumbled across that, but hadn't read his updates.

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Stanley_4

Grand Maestro

The now working - revert to S1 option seems to be finding a few takers here in the forums. That sure is a direction I’d be thinking Sonos would be hoping folks don’t go.

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John_61Author

Contributor III

From all I’ve been reading - no first-hand knowledge - it seems that even volume control may require an internet round-trip; I really hope they didn't decide to move what is purely a local function - particularly a function that people expect to respond instantly - to the cloud.

Hi @John_61, volume control does not require an internet round trip. Per Andy Pennell, however, volume control is much chattier than in the Old Days …

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-happened-sonos-app-technical-analysis-andy-pennell-wigwc

Just reading through that article again, and the recent update, it's unclear - to me, at least, that volume control doesn't require an internet out-and-back. Andy does indeed say that volume control is more 'chatty', but with what, if not the Sonos cloud🤔

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controlav

Lead Maestro

From all I’ve been reading - no first-hand knowledge - it seems that even volume control may require an internet round-trip; I really hope they didn't decide to move what is purely a local function - particularly a function that people expect to respond instantly - to the cloud.

Hi @John_61, volume control does not require an internet round trip. Per Andy Pennell, however, volume control is much chattier than in the Old Days …

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-happened-sonos-app-technical-analysis-andy-pennell-wigwc

Just reading through that article again, and the recent update, it's unclear - to me, at least, that volume control doesn't require an internet out-and-back. Andy does indeed say that volume control is more 'chatty', but with what, if not the Sonos cloud🤔

Reading the network logs is not an exact science, but I could not see cloud calls during volume. (It does use a local version of the cloud API, which also means webockets and the crypto overhead I described). Even with a single device group, volume responsiveness on my system still sucks, compared to the instant response of UPnP-based Sonos apps on the same hardware/network.

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Author of the leading independent Sonos apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, Windows and Xbox.

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craigski

Local Superstar

Even with a single device group, volume responsiveness on my system still sucks

If I don’t hit the dot exactly before I slide volume, it appears to be unresponsive. If I hit the dot its instant, even in group.

I would prefer an Apple Music type volume control, where you can touch anywhere on slider, and slide, ie not have to hit the ‘dot’ exactly before sliding.

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