Back in April, Sonos sent out its official AirPlay 2 support e-mail. I headed straight to the blog post to confirm the rumors about having to buy new speakers to get what I've wanted since I purchased my $2,000 Sonos theater sound system less than 2 years ago (PlayBar, Sub, & set of Play:1s). Alas, it was true. After contacting Sonos support, I learned I can't simply replace one of my Play:1s with a Sonos One—surround sound won't work properly—cha-ching, another $400 in less than 2 years of buying a $2000 sound system!
Now, I understand the need for new hardware to support AirPlay 2, however, Sonos has missed the boat for an existing customer appreciation hardware upgrade program. As a former Product Marketing Manager for a technology company, I've dealt with with both software and hardware upgrade issues for existing customers. And, obviously, it's much less costly to upgrade software. However, since my days in Product Marketing, hardware manufacturing methods have continued to improve which has led to significantly lower manufacturing costs. To that end, if Sonos really wants to "Value" its customer base, then how about one of two hardware upgrade programs:
• A Grandfather Hardware Discount Program: Those Sonos customers who purchased a complete theater sound system with a minimum purchase of a PlayBar, Sub, and a set of Play:1s within 2 years of the release of the Sonos One speakers get a 20 - 30% discount on the purchase of a new set of Sonos One speakers. This discount has to be a "REAL" discount. The typical 10% discounts don't get anyone's heart started nowadays.
• A Hardware Trade-In Program: Sonos offers Sonos Ones at a 40% - 50% discount with the trade-in of an existing set of Play:1s. And, to make it easy for those customer who may have discarded their Play:1 boxes, they can return their existing Play:1s in the Sonos One boxes—they seem to be very similar in size. This is a win-win because existing customers get a much more gently priced set of Sonos One's and Sonos can sell the used Play:1s as refurbs.
I was planning on purchasing another Sonos theater sound system for my master bedroom, however, unless Sonos really reaches out with a hardware upgrade program like on of those I just detailed, I will be buying a different brand from now on.
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My new BMW supports Carplay. My wife’s does not. They are only 1 year apart. I’m going to go complain at BMW and ask for a heavily discounted trade in. Wish me luck.
Have I stepped into a parallel universe?
I used to think that the complaints that Millennials were entitled was nonsense but then this sort of thread comes along.
And as John B says what does the OP expect Sonos to do with the replaced units?
I'm simply not buying it. I've had the same "issues" with buying tech gear over the years. You do your research and close in on your chosen product. You find during that search rumours of said product being updated or replaced with a unit which has a dilithium drive. You don't want or even need that but suddenly you covet the dilithium drive version. So you wait. And you wait. Before you know it you'e had six months without the thing your really wanted/needed half a year ago for the want of a feature you don't needed nor even wanted. And I have been there where I bought a TV, PVR, camera and a few months later a new version came out that was "better". Until it came out I was that happy pig rolling in mud. Bt now, now I'm a really unhappy bunny because my PVR doesn't put recordings in a folder! No, that didn't happen. I just shrugged and cried on enjoying my product.
I used to think that the complaints that Millennials were entitled was nonsense but then this sort of thread comes along.
And as John B says what does the OP expect Sonos to do with the replaced units?
I'm simply not buying it. I've had the same "issues" with buying tech gear over the years. You do your research and close in on your chosen product. You find during that search rumours of said product being updated or replaced with a unit which has a dilithium drive. You don't want or even need that but suddenly you covet the dilithium drive version. So you wait. And you wait. Before you know it you'e had six months without the thing your really wanted/needed half a year ago for the want of a feature you don't needed nor even wanted. And I have been there where I bought a TV, PVR, camera and a few months later a new version came out that was "better". Until it came out I was that happy pig rolling in mud. Bt now, now I'm a really unhappy bunny because my PVR doesn't put recordings in a folder! No, that didn't happen. I just shrugged and cried on enjoying my product.
Hi LoydC, there isn't an upgrade or trade-in program, but I would like to comment on something you mentioned.
When Sonos Connect amp came out and I heard I could connect an airport express to it, hook up our great Polk Audio speakers and use Airplay by using line in, I bought one of those, only to find that line-in is super glitchy, sometimes works with sort of anemic sound that requires I turn the volume all the way up to barely hear it. Other times won't work at all. It seems after every software update, it all stops working and I have to troubleshoot and re-figure out where the ridiculous Sonos app has hidden all the features I need.
Regarding the anemic sound, go into the Sonos app > More > Settings > Room Settings > Line In and set the line-in level to a higher number. That increases the audio level that the line-in is played at, to begin with. Also, if you set the line-in to Airplay and call it Airplay, it will increase the buffer (and the audio delay) but it will also be more resilient which helps fix any audio cutouts you might have.
Also, if you had any Sonos player that can receive the AirPlay 2 stream, like a Sonos One, you could play AirPlay to that player, then group it in the Sonos app with any combination of your other speakers and have them all playing that AirPlay 2 stream.
Regarding the anemic sound, go into the Sonos app > More > Settings > Room Settings > Line In and set the line-in level to a higher number. That increases the audio level that the line-in is played at, to begin with. Also, if you set the line-in to Airplay and call it Airplay, it will increase the buffer (and the audio delay) but it will also be more resilient which helps fix any audio cutouts you might have.
Also, if you had any Sonos player that can receive the AirPlay 2 stream, like a Sonos One, you could play AirPlay to that player, then group it in the Sonos app with any combination of your other speakers and have them all playing that AirPlay 2 stream.
I for one bought 2x ZP-100s over a decade ago, and like OP am outraged that Airplay 2 wasn't considered as an upgrade path back when Sonos was first being formed. If I knew then what I know now, I would not have wasted my money on 12 years of wireless music streaming.
Can I have a refund for the hardware controller that was rendered obsolete by the app? Sonos surely knew that the smartphone revolution was just around the corner...
Can I have a refund for the hardware controller that was rendered obsolete by the app? Sonos surely knew that the smartphone revolution was just around the corner...
So, Mr. BMW: if u were told by BMW the car you were going to buy for your wife would later have CarPlay support with just a simple firmwate update and that update never came, you would've been a quite disappointed when full CarPlay support was available in next year's mode only.
If Sonos in some ‘official’ capacity stated specifically that the system you were purchasing would support Airplay then I can understand your frustration. If you have wvidence of that then I’d expect you have solid grounds for a claim. I purchased the exact same setup PB+Sub+2xP1s less than three months ago, I was hoping for Airplay 2, but knew about the potential limitations so figured it would be a nice to have, I’m not expecting a fefund. Ironically had I purchased from directly from sonos I could have sent them back. But I did not recall any firm commitments for any of those devices to receive Airlay2. I’ve added an AppleTv which can act as a bridge to Airplay for the legacy kit so not too bothered. I’m more interested in the new HDMI device and await the 6th with some hope. Tech moves on. Carplay is not all that either so I’m not that fussed either way
Maybe it's just me, but I don't think trying to get information about upcoming products and features from the tech support is the best way to go. Technically, they represent the company, but there main job is to solve customer issues, not make official announcements. No offense to anyone who does tech support like that, but I'm not basing my purchasing decisions on your word alone. Besides, Sonos is pretty good about making announcement when they are comfortable with making information official.
In regards to starting a discount program back in October, I'm not following your logic here. Sonos didn't know back then what speakers were going to work with it what were not. I could be wrong, but I don't think even Apple knew what the required specs were going to be. In a way, they did offer a discount program because the price on the play:1 dropped $50 soon after the Sonos One was released, but that wasn't because of airplay 2.
Maybe it's just me, but I always thought that the initial Sonos announcement was about a contractual agreement between Sonos and Apple then any kind of statement about what the final function and features would be.
Hmmm. Good luck finding a better alternative!
If a "Sonos Support" person told you in July 2016 that Airplay support "is coming", they were very wrong, or you are misstating the conversation. Sonos stated emphatically, on multiple occasions, from the CEO himself, that they were not going to support Airplay 1. No rep could misunderstand that statement and keep their job.
As for Airplay 2, Sonos didn't announce Airplay 2 support until October of 2017! Somehow I doubt the Sonos rep implied Airplay 2 support was coming a year and 3 months before Sonos announced it and 10 months before Apple even revealed the name. Sorry, not buying it. If somebody is fishing for a refund, they should use more believable bait.
As for Airplay 2, Sonos didn't announce Airplay 2 support until October of 2017! Somehow I doubt the Sonos rep implied Airplay 2 support was coming a year and 3 months before Sonos announced it and 10 months before Apple even revealed the name. Sorry, not buying it. If somebody is fishing for a refund, they should use more believable bait.
I do not see how people who purchased a Home Theatre set-up in toto within the last few years can have any expectation to be given compensation to have their system upgraded.
When those people bought their systems they were obviously suitable for their requirements then and at that point there was no expectation that Airplay 2 would be integrated into any Sonos devices.
When those people bought their systems they were obviously suitable for their requirements then and at that point there was no expectation that Airplay 2 would be integrated into any Sonos devices.
And also don’t forget that ONEs as rear speakers in the home theater setup may not have Airplay functionality.
Ok people, let me provide this clarification—could not edit my post after I submitted it (many forums offer this, but this one does not). I did quite a bit of research prior to my purchasing my Sonos sound system. In addition, I contacted Sonos support and asked about AirPlay suppprt (not AirPlay 2 because it was still an unknown) and was told it would be coming (that was in July of 2016). I also asked about HDMI supporting surround sound (Cable TV box HDMI connection to TV—using optical out from TV to PlayBar). To that end, I did my homework, but was misled into believing the system I wanted to purchase would support AirPlay, but that support never came.
So, Mr. BMW: if u were told by BMW the car you were going to buy for your wife would later have CarPlay support with just a simple firmwate update and that update never came, you would've been a quite disappointed when full CarPlay support was available in next year's mode only.
So, Mr. BMW: if u were told by BMW the car you were going to buy for your wife would later have CarPlay support with just a simple firmwate update and that update never came, you would've been a quite disappointed when full CarPlay support was available in next year's mode only.
He’s already bought it. I think it was a discount that was being saught for an upgrade 😉
Nope. Still not buying it.
I didn't hear it. But I know that you can't use the rear speakers to create a Sonos net, because they are connected to the PLAYBAR via a 5 GHz net. Therefore I don't see AirPlay working like that.
Actually this conversation above has had me thinking, as I have always thought you can't (easily) group bonded speakers unless you decouple them first.
The Sonos blog announcement only talks about sharing/grouping the three specified Sonos AirPlay devices with their older legacy speakers, like a Play-3 for example, via grouping, but how do you group a Sonos One that is already bonded to a PlayBar?
The announcement seems to say (by omission) that the PlayBar is not AirPlay compatible, so I guess that means the Sonos One will need to be decoupled first and then grouped for AirPlay purposes.
Perhaps I'm just not reading these two 'official' documents correctly?
https://www.sonos.com/en-gb/airplay
https://blog.sonos.com/en-gb/airplay2-coming
melvimbe: If you re-read my follow-up post, you'll see that I wrote, "I did quite a bit of research prior to my purchasing my Sonos sound system. In addition, I contacted Sonos support and asked about AirPlay suppprt..." Honestly, does ANYONE read things carefully before making a post anymore? My speaking with a Sonos rep was in addition to research I had conducted.
Having worked for Apple for a number of years (large K-12 account sales), I met quite a number of people in Cupertino whose role was to maintain relationships with manufacturers—I got to be good friends with the person responsible for working with Mattel and learned a lot. Anyway, let me assure you Sonos was well aware in October. Why else did they increase the processing power within the Sonos Ones?
For me personally, I don't care to use my Sonos speakers to control tech in my home. I simply want support for AirPlay (now AirPlay 2). Why, because I want a much easier way for guests to be able to play their music from their devices when they visit. And, I want an easier way to play ALL my iTunes music (library and Apple Music). With the Sonos iOS app, most of my playlists don't appear.
Having worked for Apple for a number of years (large K-12 account sales), I met quite a number of people in Cupertino whose role was to maintain relationships with manufacturers—I got to be good friends with the person responsible for working with Mattel and learned a lot. Anyway, let me assure you Sonos was well aware in October. Why else did they increase the processing power within the Sonos Ones?
For me personally, I don't care to use my Sonos speakers to control tech in my home. I simply want support for AirPlay (now AirPlay 2). Why, because I want a much easier way for guests to be able to play their music from their devices when they visit. And, I want an easier way to play ALL my iTunes music (library and Apple Music). With the Sonos iOS app, most of my playlists don't appear.
Be so funny if sonos announce a trade in or discount scheme for existing plybar owners next week when they announce the ‘next gen’. :8
Then it looks like you will be buying a Play:5, a One, a Playbase, or the new HT unit being announced June 6th.
Like the rest of us who bought older units and want Airplay 2 support. No grandfather, no trade in, no nothing. Just like every other piece of consumer electronics.
Like the rest of us who bought older units and want Airplay 2 support. No grandfather, no trade in, no nothing. Just like every other piece of consumer electronics.
Or run server software to make them all show up in airplay
The old Apple Airport Express was quite good too for those with a Sonos Line-In port. I still use that.
Mattel the toy makers? What have they to do with a tech company like Apple? Regarding compatibility, the ONE will not be the only model supporting Airplay2 'natively'.
HEOS updated their whole line like a year after they introduced it. No update for those that got the earlier model. Same kind of situation but Sonos is like what 15 years between generations. I think that is pretty excusable that the older gen now doesn't get the new shiny stuff.
I believe half of what I read, and none of what I read from the OP. Nothing but unprovable resume claims, Cupertino blah blah blah name dropping, and imaginary conversations with Sonos reps.
Mattel the toy makers? What have they to do with a tech company like Apple? Regarding compatibility, the ONE will not be the only model supporting Airplay2 'natively'.
https://shop.mattel.com/shop/en-us/ms/mattel-games/apples-to-apples-party-box-bgg15
😉
Of course I read it. Why would I have mentioned that I didn't think a tech support rep was a good source of info for upcoming products and features if I didn't read what you wrote? As far as your other research, I'm not aware of what you read. I don't think Sonos official announcement says enough to draw conclusions. Maybe there is something else out there that has more details, but I don't know of it.
Having worked for Apple for a number of years (large K-12 account sales), I met quite a number of people in Cupertino whose role was to maintain relationships with manufacturers—I got to be good friends with the person responsible for working with Mattel and learned a lot. Anyway, let me assure you Sonos was well aware in October. Why else did they increase the processing power within the Sonos Ones?
Well, I'm sure the cost of better hardware has gone down a lot in between the initial release of the play:1 and the release of Sonos One. So they could afford to increase the processing power. More importantly, the Sonos One was not created specifically to support Airplay 2 and whatever else Apple wants to do. It was created to do voice control, which I'd have to believe required more processing power than the play:1 could have handled.
You would do better than the figures you suggest just by putting the existing stuff on eBay. Also, I am curious, if Airplay was what you most wanted, why you bought a system that didn't have it and certainly would not be getting it now if it were still Airplay 1.
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