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There are many posts and request for a portable or outside speaker on ask.sonos and others for a battery powered Play 1.



The Play 1 is plugged in from the bottom with a very flush and tidy fitting power lead. This makes me think and others might agree that a battery pack could be developed that works like a drill battery and plugs into the bottom of the Play 1 - maybe the power lead could also plug into the bottom of the battery pack to recharge in situ so it is seamless in design and can be used whilst recharging or if battery power is low.



I would opt for a lithium-ion polymer battery as:



Excerpt from wikipedia

“The result is a "plastic" cell, which theoretically could be thin, flexible, and manufactured in different shapes, without risk of electrolyte leakage.”
I think there is a technical reason why it's as feasible for a battery for a PLAY:1 as there is for say and echo. That is that power line in to an echo (or dot) is DC power. The power cord has a transformer at the plug connection to convert from AC to DC power. I'm not an expert, but every battery I know of provides DC power. So therefore replacing a plug with a battery is rather straightforward because they both provide DC.



The PLAY:1 is AC powered. There may be a transformer in the unit itself to convert to DC, but the point is, any power supply for the unit must be AC. So any battery pack for a PLAY:1 would need to be a DC battery, with a conversion to AC to power the unit (and possibly converted back to DC in the unit itself). I haven't done much research on this, but battery packages that provide AC power seem to be rather expensive, and building one that only works with one specific device that isn't it sold in very high volume doesn't make a ton of sense.



I could see where Sonos makes a future product that is DC, with an external transformer like the Echo does. Then again, perhaps Sonos doesn't want to do that if they feel the exterior transformer isn't visually pleasing.
melvimbe: That makes a lot of sense. The conversion from DC to AC and back to DC could be the obstacle I was assuming. The Echo batteries are very simple and cheap--you can get a few for less than $50. A battery base that costs almost as much as the speaker could reduce demand considerably. Thanks for your insight.
battery packages that provide AC power seem to be rather expensive, and building one that only works with one specific device that isn't it sold in very high volume doesn't make a ton of sense.



I could see where Sonos makes a future product that is DC, with an external transformer like the Echo does. Then again, perhaps Sonos doesn't want to do that if they feel the exterior transformer isn't visually pleasing.


Yes, this explanation nails it; as described in the quote, the barrier seems to be techno commercial related to costs v potential payoff via market share/size. Nothing to do with Sonos, except their decision to not make one themselves.



It is of course a consequence of the Sonos design choice to NOT have a transformer hanging off the wall as the Echo has, but to build one into the unit body.



The Darlite idea earlier referred may be of interest: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/darlite/darlite-the-limitless-sonos-experience



It is interesting to see how much the product looks like the battery base being discussed. But it includes a lot of features that would need either hacking or access to Sonos internal protocols/firmware, but it still does not include a battery, possibly because of cost/size reasons. The features promised look quite intriguing to me, and I would have picked up the one unit needed if it ever reached the market. But as the site indicates, it seems that the funding attempt was called off for lack of interest, so that is one indicator to the market interest in such products.
This is only possible if they already planned to do it from the outset.  Battery would be low voltage (12-20v) but current Play 1 takes high voltage (110/240).  There would have to be some internal switching already in place to bypass the transformer



There is the quoted early post in this thread as well, which says the same thing. The original design choice for the power supply dictates that a third party will not be able to address this issue in the absence of a cheap and compact battery set up that can deliver the required minimum of 110 V AC to the unit while fitting in a base platform that can host the 1 unit. And this kind of battery probably doesn't exist yet.



I should have read the entire thread first!
See. That's not so hard now, is it? Come on, Sonos. Don't make me switch systems.
That's a great idea. Makes a change from the usual complaints about the lack of features (like an outdoor speaker) that Sonos haven't yet replied directly to. Pro-active idea sharing welcome here, thanks Dave!

Thank you. Maybe others will see this and add their valued input instead of 100's of different posts on the same subject.
This is only possible if they already planned to do it from the outset.  Battery would be low voltage (12-20v) but current Play 1 takes high voltage (110/240).  There would have to be some internal switching already in place to bypass the transformer so they either:

a) already thought of this and will release it some time (why not already ?)

b) didnt think of it/plan for it and it will never happen.
Good idea, but do you have any idea about the power consumption of the Play:1? (I don't, but it wouldn't be hard to find out). That will dictate what kind of a colossal battery might be necessary considering this device undoubtedly isn't optimised for non-mains use. Eventually (Bose will force this as their multiroom has one) I would assume Sonos will have Play:freedom or Play:0 or similar in the future which I'm sure will be a battery powered speaker, but hopefully will have line in/BT for direct play when you're outside of your network. I honestly think they need to step up their game though, they're not as innovative as they once were and other systems are catching up, making it no longer the de-facto wireless system it once was.
Point taken on the voltage issue, but we need to praise this idea and give it our full backing so sonos can see that there is a market for this product. Let's not have loads of fragmented or negative posts on this idea and focus on the plus side, for me it's a big YES if they introduce a battery powered play to their line-up. As for others catching up, that's just how it is with tech, but always remember sonos came first and other manufacturers were playing catch up.
I think a cheap UPS is the answer since the play one needs 120v.
Just like this!
like this !

http://v2.twice.com/news/speakers/denon-expands-heos-wireless-multiroom-lineup/57080



http://www.superfi.co.uk/p-16832-denon-heos-1-wireless-speaker-denon-heos-gopack-offer-pre-order-for...
Really. The Sonos Play 1 doesn't need 120v. It uses 120v AC and steps it down with a transformer to 24 volts DC. All you need to do is cut that out of the loop entirely and apply 24v. This video uses a cell phone backup battery outputting 5v to a step-up transformer which is going to limit the amperage so it won't be quite as loud. But a Black and Decker 24 volt drill battery might be perfect. I think I'll give it a try.

So does that also apply to a UK 240 volt Play 1?
Really. The Sonos Play 1 doesn't need 120v. It uses 120v AC and steps it down with a transformer to 24 volts DC. All you need to do is cut that out of the loop entirely and apply 24v. This video uses a cell phone backup battery outputting 5v to a step-up transformer which is going to limit the amperage so it won't be quite as loud. But a Black and Decker 24 volt drill battery might be perfect. I think I'll give it a try.

Hey @NickA I'm no sparky so wouldn't know that, however I'm also not going to butcher any on my Play 1's
Really. The Sonos Play 1 doesn't need 120v. It uses 120v AC and steps it down with a transformer to 24 volts DC. All you need to do is cut that out of the loop entirely and apply 24v. This video uses a cell phone backup battery outputting 5v to a step-up transformer which is going to limit the amperage so it won't be quite as loud. But a Black and Decker 24 volt drill battery might be perfect. I think I'll give it a try.

"Butcher" is probably a strong word. Other than taking the screws out and soldering a couple wires to the back of the board, the only other butchering is the drilling of a small hole to let the wires pass through. It still works with the regular power cord as well as long as you don't have both connected at the same time. But putting some more thought into this, I think I'm going to buy this battery: http://www.amazon.com/Toro-88506-24-volt-Battery-Trimmers/dp/B00CUB37I4/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1431026576&sr=8-16&keywords=24v+battery+pack And then see if I can use it without the step up transformer and without the reduced amperage. To take it a step further then, I could buy a second charger for it and disassemble it and mount the top half to the Sonos on the back of the speaker. Then when I want battery power I could simply slide the battery into the mount.
Why can't some third party manufacturer make a battery base for Sonos Play 1 like many others have made for the Amazon Echo? Is there a technical obstacle that prohibits this? I have a $70 base on my Echo that provides 10 hours of juice and enables me to place the Echo on my deck without losing the connection.
Really. The Sonos Play 1 doesn't need 120v. It uses 120v AC and steps it down with a transformer to 24 volts DC. All you need to do is cut that out of the loop entirely and apply 24v. This video uses a cell phone backup battery outputting 5v to a step-up transformer which is going to limit the amperage so it won't be quite as loud. But a Black and Decker 24 volt drill battery might be perfect. I think I'll give it a try.

@Kevin Freels, I'm not about to pull open my Play 1's and wouldn't advice others to do it either. We would like to see an official solution not a DIY work-around. Remember this will invalidate your warranty.
Really. The Sonos Play 1 doesn't need 120v. It uses 120v AC and steps it down with a transformer to 24 volts DC. All you need to do is cut that out of the loop entirely and apply 24v. This video uses a cell phone backup battery outputting 5v to a step-up transformer which is going to limit the amperage so it won't be quite as loud. But a Black and Decker 24 volt drill battery might be perfect. I think I'll give it a try.

lol. Yeah. It does indeed invalidate the warranty. I would assume that anyone taking this on would know that. In my case, the warranty is already expired so it doesn't matter. And no. It's not ideal. I would MUCH prefer a real solution. I'm simply talking about the best way to manage a workaround that seems necessary because Sonos seems unwilling to capitulate to several years of owner requests while every other company is providing such devices. I especially like this article titled "LG Flow Punches Sonos right in its Portable Battery Speaker Hole." http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/12/26/lg_hits_sonos_right_in_its_portable_speaker_hole/ The second point behind my post, aside from helping people who want to do such a thing (not trying to convince anyone to do it though) is to point out how simple it really is and hopefully get more people to put more pressure on Sonos to roll out such a product. They did do a $130 million equity sell-off in December so they have the cash......
Really. The Sonos Play 1 doesn't need 120v. It uses 120v AC and steps it down with a transformer to 24 volts DC. All you need to do is cut that out of the loop entirely and apply 24v. This video uses a cell phone backup battery outputting 5v to a step-up transformer which is going to limit the amperage so it won't be quite as loud. But a Black and Decker 24 volt drill battery might be perfect. I think I'll give it a try.

I'm with you, don't forget I started this thread.



I would suspect that the likes of LG and Denon visit this forum to see that this type of speaker is highly requested.



"Aiming to compete more strongly with Sonos, LG Electronics is updating its streaming Wi-Fi loudspeaker/music-player product line with something that Sonos users have (so far fruitlessly) requested; a portable, battery-powered job"
That's a great idea. Makes a change from the usual complaints about the lack of features (like an outdoor speaker) that Sonos haven't yet replied directly to. Pro-active idea sharing welcome here, thanks Dave!

I agree. I need a battery powered Sonos for my bathroom so would buy one tomorrow
Nice idea but ideally a new Play unit would need to be released as this would require that the battery power (DC) get converted to AC to then power the device which will then convert it back to DC again. That is quite inefficient.
Spend two seconds clicking a "like" on this thread that Sonos actually has put a "under consideration" label on. https://ask.sonos.com/sonos/topics/truly_wireless . Yes I know the thread heading refers to Play:3 and Play:5, but just scroll down in that thread and see that Play:1 is mentioned several times. 



I know that Sonos isn't best friends with Denon at the moment, but the Denon HEOS1-battery is just what many of us has been asking for several years. http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/Denon-HEOS-1-takes-it-outside.shtml Since I have my house covered with Sonos, please let me have a "Play:1-to go". A base charger, and a mini-jack line-in (for occasional use out of wifi-range) Perhaps a headphone line-out as well?



There is a Bose unit that has all those connections in it and the battery lasts up to 6.5 hours that I have tested so far.
That's a great idea. Makes a change from the usual complaints about the lack of features (like an outdoor speaker) that Sonos haven't yet replied directly to. Pro-active idea sharing welcome here, thanks Dave!
ain't no solution for me. Costs as much as a play 1 and is a secondary devices that needs to be carried arround.



I started to put my Sonos gear on ebay to get rid of it as long as its still pricey.



Looking at Denon Heos, who provide a speaker similar to Play 1 with a optional battery pack, the situation is clear in my case. I'm not willing anymore to spend money (a lot of money) on a ecosystem that keeps "focusing on streaming" and a vendor that persistently keeps ignoring users requests and demands.



In my opinion Sonos is heading the wrong direction. And after "Eva Automation" bought Bowers&Wilkins there could appear some interesting products pretty soon.
Has there been any attempt by Sonos with regards to a battery. I really do not want to add electrical outlets for 2 rear speakers if I do not have too.