Need Outdoor Speakers
Userlevel 4
I know there has been a lot of request's for outdoor Sonos systems. I enjoy your product throughout my house and do not feel like getting below quality third party outdoor speakers and a connect or amp to drive them. I believe it is just time to develop an outdoor rated soffit speaker se we can enjoy Sonos quality audio on our Patio, instead of plugging and unplugging a Play 1 or 5 every time we go outside and linking it up to our phones, way easier to carry around a Bluetooth, but then you lose out on the Sonos sound quality. I understand they have been researching this for like 3 years, time to take a leap and be proactive as I believe this would be a huge selling point for Sonos, instead of urging us to buy competitors products. I believe that when Sonos recommends this, most people skip out of buying the Connecticut and/or Amp and buy a complete separate Bluetooth or other system when makes it a pain in the ass to have so many sound systems that could easily be averted by producing a simple outdoor Patio speaker that can be set up ready for use anytime the weather permits. If you need a product tester please let me know, just my two cents anyways.
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How's that any different than controlling any other speaker, be it in the house, on the patio, in ceiling, etc. Of course you need some control device, be it a laptop, smartphone, or tablet. And in today's world, who doesn't have a device close by at most times?
I PERSONALLY feel it would be MUCH more inconvenient to have a stand-alone battery-powered speaker that can be lost, stolen (I live between 2 cops and not at all worried about theft, but it is a reality), knocked over, or inevitably without juice. Much more inconvenient than reaching for my iPhone to control the pair of speakers securely attached to the wall that work every single time.
I PERSONALLY feel it would be MUCH more inconvenient to have a stand-alone battery-powered speaker that can be lost, stolen (I live between 2 cops and not at all worried about theft, but it is a reality), knocked over, or inevitably without juice. Much more inconvenient than reaching for my iPhone to control the pair of speakers securely attached to the wall that work every single time.
Userlevel 7
+22
Because the controller needs to connect to the Wi-Fi on which Amp or connect is on. I believe one type of controller (Phone) can connect to SonosNet but without additional effort neither will be available where the speakers are. You could daisy chain Play1s every 10' or so I suppose............................
Good point, Stuart_W...My response assumes that the outdoor area has needed wifi coverage and your device(s) are on the same network as the Sonos system.
Don't agree with that, my outdoor speakers are a standard stereo setup, sounds good sitting on the patio and acts as decent background music in the rest of the garden.
Userlevel 6
+11
I understand Kumar, stereo sounds much better indoors. Sound reflects, you still hear everything and the sound stage moves around properly. Outdoors however, depending on your yard, there can be much less reflection. The stage gets lost and you tend to hear mainly one side. The larger and more open the yard, the worse it will be. A smaller yard with closer speakers though may sound just fine. A good example is a live band or concert, it's in mono..
@Toolfool: the live band example is an obvious one that I had not known about, thank you.
For some time, I have occasionally posted here that it would therefore be nice to have a mono toggle in the controller for the Connect and Connect Amp. One day perhaps, Sonos will agree. There is a hardware workaround that involves adding resistors to the outputs of the amp that doesn't appeal to me, so for now I am living with the issue that isn't as much as it may be for people with a need to have music in a large yard or open space where the stereo imaging advantages aren't available.
FWIW, I would also really like to see a 'convert to mono' checkbox on the room settings for the CONNECT:AMP (and since it'd be easy, they should probably add it to the CONNECT as well). Things like ceiling speakers in a bathroom are another perfect example of where stereo field is pretty much non-existent and mono sounds better.
Mono ia also useful for parties spread across the space where it is more helpful to have each speaker output content from both channels. Indoors, there is however the option of using play units that can each work in mono as independent grouped zones, or as stereo paired units, as desired.
The Connect Amp could also use another option that would be very nice, to run as a one channel supplier with 110 wpc into 8 ohms. It would then have adequate power to meet the needs of all but the most difficult speaker loads in large spaces, by using one amp for each speaker. Another thing I don't see happening...
The Connect Amp could also use another option that would be very nice, to run as a one channel supplier with 110 wpc into 8 ohms. It would then have adequate power to meet the needs of all but the most difficult speaker loads in large spaces, by using one amp for each speaker. Another thing I don't see happening...
Userlevel 2
So this thread has been going on for 3 years and SONOS still has NOT added any OUTDOOR SPEAKERS to their product line. So disappointing as we have the entire system, plus the PLAYBAR & SUB inside and would love to extend it to the outdoors. We do have other speakers outside now but know that the SONOS quality is second to none!!! Before I go out and buy (2) new sets of Bose speakers that were damaged in Hurricane Matthew, please let me know if there are any indication as to when you might add outdoor speakers to your product line?
Good luck in getting a usable answer from Sonos - I doubt there is an external speaker in the works.
I find that my Bose 251 external speakers continue to sound very good even 12 years down the line - the caveat is that they need to be installed in the way Bose sets out in their user manual, with speaker wire of adequate thickness for the length of the wire.
I find that my Bose 251 external speakers continue to sound very good even 12 years down the line - the caveat is that they need to be installed in the way Bose sets out in their user manual, with speaker wire of adequate thickness for the length of the wire.
I think I recall reading in one of these threads that several years ago they were working on one, and abandoned the project. If true, I suspect it was due to the fact that 1) the market isn't quite large enough for it 2)There are some technological challenges to get it to the level of quality that they wanted.
You're certainly not the first person to request this, there have been several, nor do I think you're the last that will do so. However, I'd recommend not holding your breath. If it does happen, we'll all find out when they announce it. But based on previous history, they won't tell us before it's basically ready to be sold.
You're certainly not the first person to request this, there have been several, nor do I think you're the last that will do so. However, I'd recommend not holding your breath. If it does happen, we'll all find out when they announce it. But based on previous history, they won't tell us before it's basically ready to be sold.
I have been following this thread for a while now and like most of you I have given up hope that Sonos will ever build an outdoor speaker. I have two outdoor covered patios(19*10) that I am trying to get music to and went back and forth between sonos and chromecast audio. I am learning towards getting 2 sonos Play 1 speakers, rather than getting outdoor speakers connected to a sonos amp. Do you think they play 1's would provide sufficient coverage? Since the patio is covered, do you foresee any problems?
Thanks
Thanks
Thanks Chris.
Pass the news to your R&D team faster, heos got a battery powered speaker.
Where is yours ?
Where is yours ?
Userlevel 7
+22
They supposedly researched adding one and axed the project according to rumors.
time to look at HEOS then ! 🙂
Before getting more hardware 🙂
Thanks 🙂
Before getting more hardware 🙂
Thanks 🙂
Userlevel 7
+22
What works best for you. Best of luck.
Can I use my Play 3's within the confines of a covered outdoor patio without ruining them? I've got them ceiling mounted and away from any direct rain or water. We live in South Florida.
Sonos hasn't released an outdoor/weatherproof speaker because they can't figure it out. There are a myriad of issues when going to a weather proof audio product. Maintaining brand standards on all fronts (from sound to durability, reliability, price etc) is very difficult.... as proven so far by Sonos and their absence in that market.
Best case is 2 main options:
1. Connect their Sonos amp, which is about 50 watts per channel and wire up outdoor speakers.
2. If sound quality is your main hang up, then install a Sonos Connect (no ampage) then install an aftermarket, specialized amplifier of your choice. Then connect higher quality, higher power outdoor speakers to the amp. You can actually have the best outdoor sound you would want and can dream up.... and it can all be connected to your Sonos system.
It is of course possible to temporarily connect a Play 1 or Play 5 etc to an outdoor zone but the sound quality is actually not right for that type of open air use (only saying this because of your concern of having "Sonos quality sound"). The decibel output ratio to cubic feet of air space as well as the sound radius and audible spectrum is neither calibrated nor able to be calculated with a standard Sonos speaker of today.
Considering your concerns, you are a prime candidiate for either a Sonos amp and aftermarket outdoor speakers or a Sonos connect, then aftermarket amp and outdoor speakers.
Best case is 2 main options:
1. Connect their Sonos amp, which is about 50 watts per channel and wire up outdoor speakers.
2. If sound quality is your main hang up, then install a Sonos Connect (no ampage) then install an aftermarket, specialized amplifier of your choice. Then connect higher quality, higher power outdoor speakers to the amp. You can actually have the best outdoor sound you would want and can dream up.... and it can all be connected to your Sonos system.
It is of course possible to temporarily connect a Play 1 or Play 5 etc to an outdoor zone but the sound quality is actually not right for that type of open air use (only saying this because of your concern of having "Sonos quality sound"). The decibel output ratio to cubic feet of air space as well as the sound radius and audible spectrum is neither calibrated nor able to be calculated with a standard Sonos speaker of today.
Considering your concerns, you are a prime candidiate for either a Sonos amp and aftermarket outdoor speakers or a Sonos connect, then aftermarket amp and outdoor speakers.
Userlevel 2
+3
I know it's not the ideal answer, but for us, our patio extends right the way across the back of our house, and if we open the sliding doors and turn the Play 5 through 180º we get the best of both worlds with very little effort 😃
One more customer who would like to buy outdoor Sonos speakers.
Sonos must realize that a high-end, whole-home sound system must include the outdoor living space. For many of us, it's where we spend much of our time enjoying music. Sonos can spend millions working, thinking, pondering, analyzing and experimenting on their own system or go out and find a quality outdoor speaker company and make it Sonos. Or partner with an outdoor speaker company, or license / partner with a company to embed Sonos tech until Sonos figures it out for themselves. Seriously, this should not be rocket science. I personally have hardwired outdoor rockustics around the pool and bose speakers in screened porch, all driven off my denon two-zone system. The sound is terrific, but I am moving in a couple of years and would like to just put Sonos everywhere in the new home. Sonos, your move....
Userlevel 2
+1
I/We wonder then what new exciting space Sonos IS trying to crack? Seems obvious to me they have a lot of existing customers who for years have said they are ready to buy waterproof Sonos speakers. Thats pretty good intel. Will investigate third party solution when I move to a new home. Thanks.
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