My Review: My audio journey has spanned almost every configuration imaginable: basic 5.1 wired sets, LG soundbars, Sony AV receivers with Bose systems, and eventually the standard Sonos 5.1. I recently took the ultimate leap, upgrading via Sevenoaks to the full Sonos flagship setup: the Arc Ultra, two Era 300s, and a Sub Gen 3.
Moving from a standard 5.1 to this 9.1.4 system has been a revelation. Here is my honest take:
The Positives (+)
The Gold Standard of Sound: Sonos is undoubtedly the king of the sound world. It offers a deep, premium quality bass paired with a crispness that is a joy for anyone who listens with "attentive ears." Once you go Sonos, you can’t live without it.
Simplest Setup Ever: This was the easiest system I’ve ever used. Connect the Arc Ultra first, then add the other pieces one by one—the whole system bonds flawlessly. No tech-headache required.
True Dolby Atmos: To truly enjoy Atmos, you need this specific kit. The Era 300s and Arc Ultra work together to create a massive 3D soundstage, especially once you run the Trueplay tuning.
Practical Features: Settings like Speech Enhancement and Night Mode make the system very user-friendly for real-world living.
Premium Value: It’s pricey, but the build quality, brand trust, and extended warranty (like the 6-year one from Sevenoaks) make it a great long-term investment.
The Negatives (-)
The "ARC" Glitch: Random sound drops are a known issue. I often have to switch my TV audio to internal speakers and back to the Arc to "wake it up." For this price, it should be seamless.
The App Prison: The Sonos app feels like a "control freak" environment. You are largely restricted to playing what they allow, often requiring premium subscriptions to even use the added services.
Bluetooth & Connectivity: Even with Bluetooth hardware, you can’t easily just "cast" a song from your phone to the whole system. Adding a personal music library is a hurdle that isn't suitable for non-tech-savvy users.
Atmos Content Gap: True Dolby Atmos content is still hard to find, and when you do find it, it’s often hidden behind the most expensive subscription tiers or labeled with "fake" Atmos tags.
Final Verdict: I love this system day and night. I’m currently running a single Sub Gen 3 and plan to add a Sub 4 in the future. If you want the best sound and easiest physical setup on the planet, buy Sonos … just be prepared to live in their ecosystem on their terms.
I am here to share my experience and open to share suggestions with you guys
**Big WOW Factor** The Gold Standard with a Few Handcuffs
+2
Welcome to the community. Glad to hear you are enjoying your Sonos. I’d like to address the points you feel are negative with a bit of explanation. BTW...I’m a user like yourself meaning I’m not a Moderator nor a member of Sonos Tech Support. My comments are based upon my real-world experience. That said any rebuttal you may have to my comments is welcomed.
On another note...if you are experiencing a specific problem/issue please start a new post. Don’t reference it in this thread. By doing so it will be seen by more community members and not get overlooked in this one. 🙂
The "ARC" Glitch: Random sound drops are a known issue. I often have to switch my TV audio to internal speakers and back to the Arc to "wake it up." For this price, it should be seamless.
IF you are experiencing sound drops you should run a diagnostic within 10 minutes of the next occurrence, make note of the reference ID (do not post it in the community) and then call Sonos Tech support to discuss it. The above is a last resort assuming you are positive there is no fault with cable connections and/or your TV sound settings or needed updates.
The App Prison: The Sonos app feels like a "control freak" environment. You are largely restricted to playing what they allow, often requiring premium subscriptions to even use the added services.
How is it a prison compared to any other company that offers a wireless home speaker system with an app and access to streaming services? The services you are offered are licensed to Sonos via agreement with the source provider such as Spotify, AppleMusic and others. All subscription services offer different levels depending upon what the user is willing to pay for. Sonos merely allows access to whatever services/tier they have purchased.
Bluetooth & Connectivity: Even with Bluetooth hardware, you can’t easily just "cast" a song from your phone to the whole system. Adding a personal music library is a hurdle that isn't suitable for non-tech-savvy users.
What issues are you having with Bluetooth as there may be something we (or Sonos Tech Support) can assist with.
Granted that adding a Music Library can be a hurdle for non-tech savvy people. However, here again the community and Sonos Tech Support have been successful in helping many.
Atmos Content Gap: True Dolby Atmos content is still hard to find, and when you do find it, it’s often hidden behind the most expensive subscription tiers or labeled with "fake" Atmos tags.
I don’t see how this is a negative for Sonos as they are not the content creator. Furthermore, the content creator (streaming source) sets the subscription price.
With regard to
The App Prison: The Sonos app feels like a "control freak" environment. You are largely restricted to playing what they allow, often requiring premium subscriptions to even use the added services.
This has always been the case, even before SONOS. A tape player, for example, can only play tapes. A tuner can only play radio stations located within a small, local geographic area. SONOS can play many, many dozens of online services, Internet Radio, and local devices, such as turntables, tape decks, and tuners. Actually, SONOS provides a no cost developer kit that any online service can use to incorporate their content into the SONOS ecosystem. There is no cost to the SONOS system owner or the content provider to enable a service, however, the service will usually charge a use fee, possibly as embedded advertisements, necessary to support their operating costs. Competing hardware, such as a traditional A/V receiver, might offer access to half a dozen or so, online services, and (possibly) Internet Radio.
With respect to the included, no extra cost SONOS controller that you may not like, there are inexpensive 3rd party controller Apps that can be used for daily operation.
The App Prison: The Sonos app feels like a "control freak" environment. You are largely restricted to playing what they allow, often requiring premium subscriptions to even use the added services.
Atmos Content Gap: True Dolby Atmos content is still hard to find, and when you do find it, it’s often hidden behind the most expensive subscription tiers or labeled with "fake" Atmos tags.
Regarding your concerns above….click this link. You’ll find a plethora of services and learn which ones offer CD quality, Hi-Res and Dolby Atmos. 😊
In the universe of Albums and Videos, relatively little has been recorded in Atmos. Online services cannot make something Atmos that never was. We went through a similar transition from mono to stereo records.
+2Welcome to the community. Glad to hear you are enjoying your Sonos. I’d like to address the points you feel are negative with a bit of explanation. BTW...I’m a user like yourself meaning I’m not a Moderator nor a member of Sonos Tech Support. My comments are based upon my real-world experience. That said any rebuttal you may have to my comments is welcomed.
On another note...if you are experiencing a specific problem/issue please start a new post. Don’t reference it in this thread. By doing so it will be seen by more community members and not get overlooked in this one. 🙂
The "ARC" Glitch: Random sound drops are a known issue. I often have to switch my TV audio to internal speakers and back to the Arc to "wake it up." For this price, it should be seamless.
IF you are experiencing sound drops you should run a diagnostic within 10 minutes of the next occurrence, make note of the reference ID (do not post it in the community) and then call Sonos Tech support to discuss it. The above is a last resort assuming you are positive there is no fault with cable connections and/or your TV sound settings or needed updates.
The App Prison: The Sonos app feels like a "control freak" environment. You are largely restricted to playing what they allow, often requiring premium subscriptions to even use the added services.
How is it a prison compared to any other company that offers a wireless home speaker system with an app and access to streaming services? The services you are offered are licensed to Sonos via agreement with the source provider such as Spotify, AppleMusic and others. All subscription services offer different levels depending upon what the user is willing to pay for. Sonos merely allows access to whatever services/tier they have purchased.
Bluetooth & Connectivity: Even with Bluetooth hardware, you can’t easily just "cast" a song from your phone to the whole system. Adding a personal music library is a hurdle that isn't suitable for non-tech-savvy users.
What issues are you having with Bluetooth as there may be something we (or Sonos Tech Support) can assist with.
Granted that adding a Music Library can be a hurdle for non-tech savvy people. However, here again the community and Sonos Tech Support have been successful in helping many.
Atmos Content Gap: True Dolby Atmos content is still hard to find, and when you do find it, it’s often hidden behind the most expensive subscription tiers or labeled with "fake" Atmos tags.
I don’t see how this is a negative for Sonos as they are not the content creator. Furthermore, the content creator (streaming source) sets the subscription price.
Thanks for the reply. To clarify, I am well aware of how diagnostics work, but a premium system shouldn't require the user to act as a part-time technician to "pinpoint" recurring audio drops that are clearly documented across the community.
Regarding the "prison" comment: it is about the lack of freedom. I work from home (once a week) and want to play my own files directly from my device without being forced through a specific Sonos library index or a subscription-based middleman.
As for Bluetooth on the Arc Ultra, it is frustratingly restricted. It doesn't simply function as a standard open receiver for any music player on my phone … it feels like another "locked" door. You mentioned you aren't tech support, yet you're defending these hurdles as if they’re logical. Why should adding a personal music library be an "overly complicated hurdle" in 2026? It should be a piece of cake.
I love the hardware, but Sonos is taking away user freedom by complicating simple processes. I’m happy with it as a TV system, but for personal music, the "smart" features are actually making it less enjoyable.
+2With regard to
The App Prison: The Sonos app feels like a "control freak" environment. You are largely restricted to playing what they allow, often requiring premium subscriptions to even use the added services.
This has always been the case, even before SONOS. A tape player, for example, can only play tapes. A tuner can only play radio stations located within a small, local geographic area. SONOS can play many, many dozens of online services, Internet Radio, and local devices, such as turntables, tape decks, and tuners. Actually, SONOS provides a no cost developer kit that any online service can use to incorporate their content into the SONOS ecosystem. There is no cost to the SONOS system owner or the content provider to enable a service, however, the service will usually charge a use fee, possibly as embedded advertisements, necessary to support their operating costs. Competing hardware, such as a traditional A/V receiver, might offer access to half a dozen or so, online services, and (possibly) Internet Radio.
With respect to the included, no extra cost SONOS controller that you may not like, there are inexpensive 3rd party controller Apps that can be used for daily operation.
You’ve effectively confirmed my point. Your suggestion that a user should seek out 'inexpensive 3rd party apps' just to regain basic daily functionality is the very definition of a failed ecosystem.
Why should a customer who has spent thousands on flagship hardware be forced to leave the official Sonos environment and rely on 3rd party developers? If those external apps can offer a better, more open experience for a 'layman,' there is no logical reason why Sonos … with all its resources … cannot do the same.
By keeping the system this locked down and the local library process so unnecessarily 'hurdled,' Sonos is essentially pushing its most loyal users to look elsewhere. We shouldn't have to 'fiddle' with a premium system just to play our own music. We want to enjoy the sound, not spend our evening acting as unpaid tech support for our own living rooms.
+2With regard to
The App Prison: The Sonos app feels like a "control freak" environment. You are largely restricted to playing what they allow, often requiring premium subscriptions to even use the added services.
This has always been the case, even before SONOS. A tape player, for example, can only play tapes. A tuner can only play radio stations located within a small, local geographic area. SONOS can play many, many dozens of online services, Internet Radio, and local devices, such as turntables, tape decks, and tuners. Actually, SONOS provides a no cost developer kit that any online service can use to incorporate their content into the SONOS ecosystem. There is no cost to the SONOS system owner or the content provider to enable a service, however, the service will usually charge a use fee, possibly as embedded advertisements, necessary to support their operating costs. Competing hardware, such as a traditional A/V receiver, might offer access to half a dozen or so, online services, and (possibly) Internet Radio.
With respect to the included, no extra cost SONOS controller that you may not like, there are inexpensive 3rd party controller Apps that can be used for daily operation.
You’ve effectively confirmed my point. Your suggestion that a user should seek out 'inexpensive 3rd party apps' just to regain basic daily functionality is the very definition of a failed ecosystem.
Why should a customer who has spent thousands on flagship hardware be forced to leave the official Sonos environment and rely on 3rd party developers? If those external apps can offer a better, more open experience for a 'layman,' there is no logical reason why Sonos … with all its resources … cannot do the same.
By keeping the system this locked down and the local library process so unnecessarily 'hurdled,' Sonos is essentially pushing its most loyal users to look elsewhere. We shouldn't have to 'fiddle' with a premium system just to play our own music. We want to enjoy the sound, not spend our evening acting as unpaid tech support for our own living rooms.
The App Prison: The Sonos app feels like a "control freak" environment. You are largely restricted to playing what they allow, often requiring premium subscriptions to even use the added services.
Atmos Content Gap: True Dolby Atmos content is still hard to find, and when you do find it, it’s often hidden behind the most expensive subscription tiers or labeled with "fake" Atmos tags.
Regarding your concerns above….click this link. You’ll find a plethora of services and learn which ones offer CD quality, Hi-Res and Dolby Atmos. 😊
I appreciate the link and the explanation. I actually managed to get my local files working via Plex, but unfortunately, my external drive crashed shortly after, so I am back to square one for now.
I am not sure if Plex can allow me Dolby Atmos music
+2With regard to
The App Prison: The Sonos app feels like a "control freak" environment. You are largely restricted to playing what they allow, often requiring premium subscriptions to even use the added services.
This has always been the case, even before SONOS. A tape player, for example, can only play tapes. A tuner can only play radio stations located within a small, local geographic area. SONOS can play many, many dozens of online services, Internet Radio, and local devices, such as turntables, tape decks, and tuners. Actually, SONOS provides a no cost developer kit that any online service can use to incorporate their content into the SONOS ecosystem. There is no cost to the SONOS system owner or the content provider to enable a service, however, the service will usually charge a use fee, possibly as embedded advertisements, necessary to support their operating costs. Competing hardware, such as a traditional A/V receiver, might offer access to half a dozen or so, online services, and (possibly) Internet Radio.
With respect to the included, no extra cost SONOS controller that you may not like, there are inexpensive 3rd party controller Apps that can be used for daily operation.
You’ve effectively confirmed my point. Your suggestion that a user should seek out 'inexpensive 3rd party apps' just to regain basic daily functionality is the very definition of a failed ecosystem.
Why should a customer who has spent thousands on flagship hardware be forced to leave the official Sonos environment and rely on 3rd party developers? If those external apps can offer a better, more open experience for a 'layman,' there is no logical reason why Sonos … with all its resources … cannot do the same.
By keeping the system this locked down and the local library process so unnecessarily 'hurdled,' Sonos is essentially pushing its most loyal users to look elsewhere. We shouldn't have to 'fiddle' with a premium system just to play our own music. We want to enjoy the sound, not spend our evening acting as unpaid tech support for our own living rooms.
The App Prison: The Sonos app feels like a "control freak" environment. You are largely restricted to playing what they allow, often requiring premium subscriptions to even use the added services.
Atmos Content Gap: True Dolby Atmos content is still hard to find, and when you do find it, it’s often hidden behind the most expensive subscription tiers or labeled with "fake" Atmos tags.
Regarding your concerns above….click this link. You’ll find a plethora of services and learn which ones offer CD quality, Hi-Res and Dolby Atmos. 😊
I appreciate the link and the explanation. I actually managed to get my local files working via Plex, but unfortunately, my external drive crashed shortly after, so I am back to square one for now.
I am not sure if Plex can allow me Dolby Atmos music
In the universe of Albums and Videos, relatively little has been recorded in Atmos. Online services cannot make something Atmos that never was. We went through a similar transition from mono to stereo records.
That is a very fair comparison. We definitely are in that 'Mono to Stereo' transition phase again.
I was actually wondering if there are any specific forums where people share their experiences with this 'Spherical' music? I've found that when a track is mixed correctly for a 9.1 setup, it’s incredible, but it’s hard to find those gems among the 'fake' Atmos labels.
If anyone knows of a community that specifically reviews and recommends high-quality spatial mixes, I’d love to hear about it
+19This may not apply in your case, but I like Dolby Atmos with classical orchestral music. At least in my setup you don’t hear the rear speakers. What happens though is the room gets much larger. Other genres can do Atmos well, but if the steering throws sounds into the surrounds where it’s obvious where it’s coming from then to me it’s not something I want to hear.
I’m not aware of a site where the focus is on Spacial Audio reviews. From my experience with classical orchestral in Spacial most of the time it is exactly as described in the first paragraph.
I'd love to find some of my old Quad organ music redone as Atmos. Some of them had multiple organs located in different areas of the cathedral and the sound coming from all directions, not just ambience from the rear was truly amazing.
https://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=CDLX7368
This list gives me hope we may see more re-released in Atmos format, not remixed to add height or shuffle things around.
https://www.surrounddiscography.com/quaddisc/quadpall.htm
+19Stanley_4:
I hope so as well. I keep a close eye on what’s coming out in Atmos. Seems as time moves on a higher percentage of new releases are in Atmos. How they are mastered I have no idea. I just listen to see if the music moves me. A good example is the orchestral releases on DG with the BSO / Andris Nelsons. Maybe not always the best interpretation of a piece, but the sound is mostly very powerful and the BSO is an awesome orchestra. There are other very good releases from other labels as well.
I think Atmos will do better than SACD did.
+18As I see it you where not advised to “seek out 'inexpensive 3rd party apps' just to regain basic daily functionality”, just pointed towards them because you seem to dislike the OEM app so much. You are not forced to do anything, but given a choice.
The environments in which Sonos devices have to function are wildly different. While problems may look the same, they can also have very different causes. So if you see al lot of people do playing about hick ups in music, this does not have to mean Sonos does not do anything to solve this. Sonos might have solved one problem and another one arises - or it is not a Sonos problem at all, but something caused by the user’s environment.
+2This may not apply in your case, but I like Dolby Atmos with classical orchestral music. At least in my setup you don’t hear the rear speakers. What happens though is the room gets much larger. Other genres can do Atmos well, but if the steering throws sounds into the surrounds where it’s obvious where it’s coming from then to me it’s not something I want to hear.
I’m not aware of a site where the focus is on Spacial Audio reviews. From my experience with classical orchestral in Spacial most of the time it is exactly as described in the first paragraph.
Thanks for sharing those links Stanley. The idea of multiple organs in a cathedral being reproduced in Atmos sounds like exactly the kind of spherical experience I am looking for. I agree with you MoPac about the room feeling much larger with orchestral music. Even when you can't pinpoint the rear speakers, the sense of scale is what makes the system feel worth it. I'll definitely be looking for those DG releases to test out the Arc Ultra
+2As I see it you where not advised to “seek out 'inexpensive 3rd party apps' just to regain basic daily functionality”, just pointed towards them because you seem to dislike the OEM app so much. You are not forced to do anything, but given a choice.
The environments in which Sonos devices have to function are wildly different. While problems may look the same, they can also have very different causes. So if you see al lot of people do playing about hick ups in music, this does not have to mean Sonos does not do anything to solve this. Sonos might have solved one problem and another one arises - or it is not a Sonos problem at all, but something caused by the user’s environment.
I appreciate the perspective, but the choice to use a third party app only exists because the official experience is failing to meet basic needs for many users. While environments vary, a premium system at this price point should be robust enough to handle standard home networking without the hiccups that are so widely reported.
Please define ‘many’. I’m not familiar with ways to make that judgement, I don’t think I have access to data to tell me numbers of Sonos application users, or third party users. Would love additional insight to support your post.
The OP although they allegedly like Sonos overall but feels there are things lacking either by design or oversight IMO is not going to alter their opinion. To keep looking for jinks so to speak in the OP’s opinion to debate or have them clarify weighs heavily as circumlocution to arrive at a foregone conclusion. We all have our own opinions about Sonos. Some converge at a nexus and others do not. I think this a thread of opinions that will continue on indefinitely with no high percentage of agreement. That’s it for me. Continue on if that’s your desire. Enjoy your Sonos 😊
Back in 2005 I was struggling with SONOS because the default network configuration could not support the type of local traffic that a mult-player system, such as SONOS, needs. After some reading and network adjustments, my SONOS has been fine. As I have updated my network over the years, the “new improved” network kit defaults needed to be adjusted too. For some reason many network hardware companies have not yet noticed that there are devices on the local network that need to chat with each other and the ancient defaults are no longer appropriate. I don’t need to mention names, but one networking company was having issues with SONOS and there was a lot of angry finger pointing with little progress. Finally the networking company made a few changes (along with some grumps) and their access points now work with SONOS. I notice that this company’s sales have since increased dramatically.
With respect to the user interface, to me it seems to follow many Apple conventions. (Sparse screens and lots of scrolling and drilling down.) I don’t know if this is the result of market research, common programmer education, or the hiring of Apple expats. In any case, I’d don’t enjoy this approach. SONOS publishes details that encourage 3rd parties to offer alternatives. The 3rd parties charge a little in order to support their effort.
+18I’m still not sure why you find using the bluetooth function or doing a library so difficult. You state there are “hurdles” and find that “It doesn't simply function as a standard open receiver for any music player on my phone”, but it is still unclear what your trouble with these features exactly is. Same goes for the OEM app.
“Even with Bluetooth hardware, you can’t easily just "cast" a song from your phone to the whole system. Adding a personal music library is a hurdle that isn't suitable for non-tech-savvy users.”
You just follow the steps Sonos sets out for you?
https://support.sonos.com/en/article/share-bluetooth-audio-with-your-sonos-system
https://support.sonos.com/en/article/add-your-music-library-to-sonos
I cannot believe other systems that can do the same things Sonos does are easier to work with.
I disagree with you that there’s a need to be “tech savvy” for Sonos - on the other hand: would it be so bad to gain some knowledge when you own a multiroom audio system that does not work with cables? You might learn something that might com in handy next time your laptop does not work properly.
+19TheWhiteWater:
I did try Apple Music for Dolby Atmos (Spacial Audio), but after several tracks had been played the system would go silent yet appear to still be playing. After the buffer emptied it no longer showed it was playing. So I started using Amazon Music Unlimited to play Dolby Atmos. I have not yet had the same issue with Atmos streaming when using Amazon. The Atmos selection is better on Apple, but playback is not reliable.
Another problem when using Sonos to stream Atmos is that it is not perfectly “gapless”. There is not a true gap ( muted portion ) between tracks that are meant to be seamless. Instead if the transition is higher in amplitude there is a “bump” at the transition. This “ bump” is not detectable if the transition occurs during a quiet portion of the music, but if there is a detectable rhythm ( beat ) to the music the “bump” will throw the music out of rhythm.
+2appreciate the technical history, Buzz. However, my point is less about the network and more about a wider trend of corporate control that is becoming increasingly hostile to the customer.
We are seeing it everywhere: you buy a car, but you can’t use the heated seats unless you pay a monthly subscription. In the same way, the Sonos app often feels like it is prioritising its own ecosystem and premium partnerships over the user’s freedom to simply play their own music. This 'culture of greed' in the tech world is exhausting for the consumer. When I buy premium hardware, I expect the freedom to use it without being steered into specific subscriptions or complex workarounds.
That said, I love the hardware itself. For the first time in my life, I am experiencing movies and music at a truly professional level. I am currently sharing my journey based on the Arc Ultra and Era 300s, which are technological marvels. I haven't yet had the chance to see how the system evolves with the power of the Five speakers or the new Sub 4, but I intend to continue providing this level of honest, deep-dive feedback as I expand. If Sonos is truly looking for authentic, 'real-world' testers to help refine their future releases and bridge the gap between their tech and the user's freedom, I am happy to keep sharing the results of my testing here.
+18I recognise the trend you are mentioning. Sonos at least has not “enshittified” the option to use your own library - though you could say they haven’t expanded it either (65k limit still in place).
To me your critique still seems very vague. It feels like you mention things and then leave us hanging. Could you expand on your earlier remarks on usability of the app and where you find “the Sonos app (…) feels like it is prioritising its own ecosystem and premium partnerships over the user’s freedom to simply play their own music”? Because, to be honest, apart from the inability to remove Sonos Radio from the list of music services on my system, I don’t see it.
+2I appreciate your reply, but your argument effectively suggests that we should simply learn to live with limitations and become submissive to a 'control freak' ecosystem. While some are happy to adapt, I believe we should be vocal about the limited freedom we have left as consumers.
My critique is far from vague. For example, I receive audio files through WhatsApp or use alternative platforms to enjoy content without being bombarded by ads. A truly 'premium' and 'open' system should allow me to cast that audio instantly and easily. Instead, Sonos creates an alliance that practically requires a user to have premium subscriptions to third-party apps just to enjoy their hardware to its full potential. To me, that is both illogical and irrational.
The fact that adding my own local files is such a 'long-winded' process … made even more painful now that my external drive has crashed during the attempt … proves that the system is not designed for user independence. It is designed to steer you toward a subscription-based model.
I love the hardware, and I am finally beginning to enjoy music and movies at a level I never thought possible. But that doesn’t mean I have to ignore the 'culture of greed' that prioritises corporate partnerships over human freedom and welfare. I’ve shared my experience with the Arc Ultra and Era 300s so far, and I hope to continue this honest testing with more advanced units like the Five or Sub 4 in the future. It is precisely because the hardware is so good that the software shouldn't be holding it back.
…Sonos creates an alliance that practically requires a user to have premium subscriptions to third-party apps just to enjoy their hardware to its full potential. To me, that is both illogical and irrational.
The fact that adding my own local files is such a 'long-winded' process … made even more painful now that my external drive has crashed during the attempt … proves that the system is not designed for user independence. It is designed to steer you toward a subscription-based model.
I love the hardware, and I am finally beginning to enjoy music and movies at a level I never thought possible. But that doesn’t mean I have to ignore the 'culture of greed' that prioritises corporate partnerships over human freedom and welfare. I’ve shared my experience with the Arc Ultra and Era 300s so far, and I hope to continue this honest testing with more advanced units like the Five or Sub 4 in the future. It is precisely because the hardware is so good that the software shouldn't be holding it back.
I don’t quite understand this. To play from some third party apps requires some work to integrate the two systems. Should this be provided purely through good will, with Sonos swallowing the cost? Having a two-tier approach gives users the choice. isn’t this a good thing?
Adding a music library shouldn’t be a long-winded process - it sure wasn’t when I set mine up. Maybe your failing drive added to your difficulties? I certainly don’t see a correlation between “I found it difficult” and “you should be using a subscription service”.
I use my music library, I use Amazon Music, I use Spotify, and I listen to radio stations from several different music-streaming services. Nowhere was I forced or even heavily encouraged to subscribe to be able to use this - obviously I subscribe to Amazon, but that’s not a factor of using Sonos speakers.
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