End of Software Support - Clarifications

When I first started investing in Sonos products, they was really the only show in town for the money. I have continued adding to that system because it worked pretty seemlessly for most of the time and so it was the easiest thing to do (although my Beam has been disappointingly unstable compared to the ‘legacy’ products in my system - how ironic) . Now Sonos go and announce this debacle.

It is also ironic that I am now made aware of all the competitors that have emerged over the last 5 years - Bluesound, Bose, Denon to name a few - from angry customer posts on Sonos’ own website!

Sonos would do well to remember that many of their new competitors have other revenue lines/streams other than multi-room hifi - as far as I can see Sonos does not. To alienate their historic customer base, whilst at the same time putting doubts into the minds of future customers as to just how long their premium products will work for, seems a pretty dumb plan.

Some would say they are “Doing a Ratner…..”

I was such a sponsor of Sonos before this, in fact, I think I should have been paid commission!  But with this situation, I now feel responsible for allot of friends getting systems that are almost all considered legacy.  I’m afraid I feel this is more greed than anything else.  I’m doing my research right now and will probably move away from Sonos, not because the alternatives are better solutions, but because I feel this is morally wrong and my trust has gone.  Furthermore, quite insulted with the discount on RRP when I can get discounted products locally.  Makes no sense to through more money at Sonos.   

I think i’m also away to speak to my fund manager, make sure I don’t own any stock - I suspect that’s going to continue to drop as consumer confidence tanks.

As others have said, clarifying “Sonos will work to maintain the existing experience and conduct bug fixes” would be very useful.  Mainly, if a provider changes their integration, will legacy products be updated accordingly?  Obviously nobody expects AI or voice recognition or any other new features on their legacy products, just the ability to keep using what we have.

Sorry Sonos, I’m a fan, but you’ve dropped one here. I know many will now not consider buying a product as you will continue to make them out of date. 
maybe you should consider a possible hardware solution patch or make upgrading cheaper. 30% discount just doesn’t do it on an expensive item that should last a lifetime. 
With a phone, some people buy the latest one to get the tech, but at least the old versions continue to work! 
really damaging for your system and reputation and I will not be buying any more.

Like many here I have been a Sonos user and supporter since it’s early days. I suppose it was people like us that enabled Sonos to grow. Nobody explained to me that my functioning Sonos equipment would become obsolete. Like many I bought the Connect amp to play through my two traditional Wharfedale speakers. As I see it I’m going to have to shell out at some stage @ £400 to replace the amp if the Trade Up scheme remains in operation; £600 if it doesn’t. Equally how long before the Play 1 speakers I have in other rooms will become obsolete. It’s a quandary and doesn’t sit well with me. 

No new story here - just the same complaint. I, too, have spent thousands on products over the years, all of which are suddenly to become obsolete.  30% off is not a smart trade off when I consider that my 25 year old JBL speakers still sound and work as well as they did the day I got them.  

 Goodbye, Sonos.

Wow, 71% bad reviews already on Trustpilot.

Sonos have reacted way too slowly to the backlash.

I can’t see this ending up well at all.

Short of press release today revoking legacy, this is looking like game over.
Such a shame.

I’ve done all my ranting and believe they are set in their ways and will not change so…

My personal solution:

I’ve now decided to build a new Wi-Fi network that will not be connected to the internet.

Local network files such as mp3 and FLAC (as long as not 24bit) will continue to play OK.

Plugged into my 4 year old ’Legacy’ Sonos Connect (which sounds amazing btw through a Benchmark DAC, Naim 42.5/110 and AE1’s)

A new PC with digital output could achieve Internet radio and Spotify (whatever floats your boat) being accessed by a Remote Desktop client on my phone. A bit more clunky than the Sonos App but wouldn’t change every week.

Most importantly, would be cheaper and last longer than 5 years (now known as Sonos years).

I’d love some ideas on how to improve this concept if anyone has any.

I’ll start with just a 2nd SSID on a separate network but may have to have a 3rd VLAN.

You used to be so good Sonos, what happened? ☹️

I’ve added a review and I encourage everyone else to do the same. Sonos will probably decide to suppress this forum discussion sooner or later, but they can’t remove the reviews on other sites.