Google Home Max vs Sonos 5

I'm not convinced how much of a battle it really will be, since it's unlikely that Google will support all of the sources of music beyond Google Music. So people who are Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, etc, will probably be unmoved.

As Bruce mentioned this is why Sonos has to go the "agnostic" route of supporting multiple platforms. If Apple, Amazon, and Google insist on their walled gardens (and history suggests they will) then being able to support them all is a decided advantage.

I'm not convinced how much of a battle it really will be, since it's unlikely that Google will support all of the sources of music beyond Google Music. So people who are Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, etc, will probably be unmoved.

I am pretty I heard Google mentioned the support of Spotify Free and Spotify Premium as well as other music subscription services in the Keynotes.

I'm not convinced how much of a battle it really will be, since it's unlikely that Google will support all of the sources of music beyond Google Music. So people who are Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, etc, will probably be unmoved.

I agree it probably won't be a battle with all that Sonos offers but Google will probably support many platforms, they already do on Chromecast and Chromecast audio. It also wouldn't make sense for Google to take on an industry that it wants to adopt it assistant.

Next year, we will see more of Sonos-like products from major tech companies such as Apple, Google, and Amazon. I personally like Sonos and the idea that the product I am buying now won't be obsolete next year. Thus, I find more value for Sonos and possibly the Apple HomePod when it launches than any other wireless multi-room audio systems.

I'm not convinced how much of a battle it really will be, since it's unlikely that Google will support all of the sources of music beyond Google Music. So people who are Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, etc, will probably be unmoved.

I am pretty I heard Google mentioned the support of Spotify Free and Spotify Premium as well as other music subscription services in the Keynotes.
Fair, it's likely they will support everything Chromecast does. So Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and TuneIn if I recall. It's better, but it stands to reason they'll likely not support Apple Music or Amazon. Those are big chunks of users.

More importantly though, I remain unconvinced that Amazon, Apple, or Google actually want to be in the "speaker game". The speakers are the method of delivery for their digital assistant into your life, and I actually expect them to somewhat back out of the game as specialists like Sonos serve as a conduit. This is well reflected by what Amazon's doing with the Echo in other markets.

I certainly hope so. I'm a fan of the "platform agnostic" view, it pains me that each one of these companies are anti each other. And I certainly don't expect Apple to support much beyond Apple Music and maybe the services that aren't associated with Amazon or Google.

While I can understand a bit of the "they have to stay in my garden" thinking, it really limits my choices for hardware. And I like choices. Currently, Sonos is my choice.

I'm not convinced how much of a battle it really will be, since it's unlikely that Google will support all of the sources of music beyond Google Music. So people who are Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, etc, will probably be unmoved.

I am pretty I heard Google mentioned the support of Spotify Free and Spotify Premium as well as other music subscription services in the Keynotes.
Fair, it's likely they will support everything Chromecast does. So Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and TuneIn if I recall. It's better, but it stands to reason they'll likely not support Apple Music or Amazon. Those are big chunks of users.

More importantly though, I remain unconvinced that Amazon, Apple, or Google actually want to be in the "speaker game". The speakers are the method of delivery for their digital assistant into your life, and I actually expect them to somewhat back out of the game as specialists like Sonos serve as a conduit. This is well reflected by what Amazon's doing with the Echo in other markets.


I agree Google's aim is not in the speaker business, but my main point is: Google now is stepping into the speak domain with a Google Home Max ($399) which looks to serve the folks who care about their music (sound quality). These group of people will now have to choose between Google Home Max vs Sonos. Well, both speaks obviously at similar price point, similar functionality, similar look and feel. No one can deny that.

Frankly, I really hate to see that because companies like Amazon, Google (or even Apple) are trying to be "Technopoly". These companies stepped into every aspects of our lives and, for the sake of integration, making it harder to use other non-Google, non-Amazon products or devices. Here is another examples: NEST (Google bought NEST).

I am afraid awesome companies like Sonos will be outplayed by Tochnopolies. That'll be a shame. 😞

If it is anything like Apple's (iPod Hifi) or Google's (Nexus Q) former audio streaming offerings, Sonos has nothing to worry about. Those are two of the biggest failures in streaming history. One of the things about Technopolies, they can afford to fail. So often times they do.

This is a very interesting thread. Ultimately there is concern among we Sonos fans about the state and intensity of competition from these big guns.

I think another dimension to this is price points. I think this is where having another speaker with a price point between the Sonos One and the Play 5 is important. They current Play 3 is not modern enough and frankly starting to be sidelined by Sonos themselves. Having a Play 3 or new Sonos Three would put more pressure in the Google Max. If someone is concerned about sound quality and want to step up past the Sonos One they may find the Play 5 $499 a bridge too far. They may look at the Google Max and of course ppl consider the mix of sound quality, supported services, platforms etc.

I would suggest that Sonos revitalize the Play 3 in line with the Sonos One. Ensure there is a recognizable step up in audio quality against the Sonos One. You could price this unit anywhere between 299 and 349. I would do that after this holiday season so as not to convolute the battle against Apple in the holiday season when the HomePod comes out.