Prodigy I

Big hoopla about voice control

26 replies
1595 views

Hi everyone,
I've been a Sonos user since 2008 and currently own:
2x Play:5
1x Play:3
1x PlayBar
1x BRIDGE
I've also owned connects etc., which I retired as I didn't need them any more.

My typical use for Sonos is to listen to music - what a surprise. I utilize Deezer and a few internet stations. I usually select one of the following options:
- a certain artist (an album) and then whilst listening add other ones to the queue
- my Deezer favorites and let Deezer do the work
- use Deezer to provide random music
- use a radio station and let it play

Of course I use my PlayBar to watch TV, at which point I don't use the controller at all since it works flawlessly and without intervention other than the TV remote.

I own an Echo dot and tried it at the beginning and don't find any use for it, noting that I don't have any home automation installed - so it is now sitting unused.

The only place where I currently see use for voice control is inside the car. I use it every day.

At home, I really don't see how it would make it easier for me to listen to music - I can use the controller app and my wife does too (which is a big thing as she isn't into tech).

I also have my doubt that any voice control would work properly when music is playing at elevated levels or when others are having a conversation at the same time.

I've been reading all those excited posts about the echo and the new home pod.

What am I missing? ?

This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.

Show previous replies

T

Toolio

Prodigy II

The best music exploration investment I've ever made is Roon. I bought it for use with my DACs and headphones, and when Sonos functionality was announced it became even better. Plus, it allows playing of high-res files on Sonos. Not cheap, but IMHO well worth it. I have no connection with Roon other than being a satisfied lifetime subscriber. They have a free trial for anyone who wants to experiment.

melvimbe

I tend in the same direction; IMO there is a Sonos user whose requirements are different from those that buy the Echo/Show. I doubt that the Alexa integration of 2017 will do much to change that state of affairs on either side. Perhaps as or if it gets deeper over time, this may happen.

I find myself interested in both, but perhaps I could be the exception. Regardless, I think there is also the point to make that a household could easily have 2 different user profiles living there. One who wants to explore high quality music and one that just wants it quick and dirty, so to speak. It seems to be a common situation here where a man is looking for the slickest system while his wife insists that it have no complexity whatsoever.

Regarding getting used to voice control, it does take some getting used to. In many ways, it requires some retraining. It does seem to feel more natural with practice, and I have no doubt that AI side will get better with time as well.

Danny

U

upstatemike

I think folks are overlooking the Alexa app and Amazon Music in this discussion. Lately I have been building playlists and exploring music within the Alexa environment to ensure I have enough stuff set up to do a proper test of the integration when it is released and this has had me controlling my Echos from within the app rather than with voice control. I think folks sometimes forget that Alexa is not "voice only" but also has app and hard button remote options so you can pick the type of interface that is most appropriate for what you are doing.

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

K

Kumar

Alexa is not "voice only" but also has app and hard button remote options so you can pick the type of interface that is most appropriate for what you are doing.

So hopefully, in Sonos this will mean using Alexa+Sonos app and not the Alexa app...

melvimbe

I think that functionality within the Alexa app is rather new. I don't recall seeing it before the update to include the call feature. Regardless, the ability to build playlists with your Amazon music is easier in the Amazon music app I think. It definitely is useful to be able to control the music selection at a specific Echo from the Alexa app...even remotely. I also like the history feature, so I can see what music my kids are listening to. Alexa doesn't allow you to set music alarms as far as I can tell, and certainly no grouping.

I would not want any sort of blended App between Sonos and Alexa though. I want them to remain two separate systems for the most part, just that they integrate at certain parts. I want echo voice control to be able to control sonos. If you did some sort of deeper integration, I think you'd pretty much have to make it all one ecosystem, to the point where a stand alone echo could be it's own Sonos zone. Or Alexa (app) recognizes sees a stand alone sonos zone as the equivalent of an echo for control purposes. I think that would be a little too friendly for my tastes.

Danny

U

upstatemike

I'm not sure where the integration line should be drawn between the two. They are different ecosystems but when used in the same room it could get awkward if you are listening to music on a Sonos speaker and that speaker had no awareness that you were speaking to the Echo device, regardless if it is to change the music on Sonos or respond to an incoming Alexa voice call or whatever. Hopefully the beta will go into detail in testing how Sonos centric and Alexa centric activities happening in the same room will work together rather than conflict with each other.

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

Sign up

Login to the community