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Eddie_15
Contributor I
October 5, 2017

Sonos One vs Play 1

Can somebody explain the difference in terms of output/quality of sound, etc? I understand that Sonos One has Alexa included but if that is the only difference why are they the same price? I ask this as I was thinking of purchasing a stereo pair for another room. I have an old Connect and Play 5 at the moment and I am still using the old Sonos Controler.
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    25 replies

    Eddie_15Author
    Contributor I
    October 5, 2017
    Sorry, it's a Bridge that I have, NOT a Connect.
    Maritimer555
    Avid Contributor I
    October 5, 2017
    really good question. I have 2 fives and a connect. I was thinking of giving my son a Play one for Christmas, but now i'm not sure what to do. I don't think he will care about selecting a song via voice command vs from his Iphone.
    Stuart_W
    Stuart_W
    World-Class Superstar
    October 5, 2017
    Sonos stated in a different thread that there is virtually no difference in the audio quality between a Play:1 and Sonos:1
    Arc + Sub (Gen 1) + 2 x Play 1/ Stereo Play 3s/ Era 100 Stereo in Kitchen, One Stereo in Bedroom, Play 1 stereo pair in Study, Play 1in Bathroom, Sonos Move 2
    bockersjv
    bockersjv
    Local Superstar
    October 5, 2017
    And Play 1's are remarkably good for their size, especially when set up as stereo pair with a sub
    jgatie
    jgatie
    October 5, 2017
    really good question. I have 2 fives and a connect. I was thinking of giving my son a Play one for Christmas, but now i'm not sure what to do. I don't think he will care about selecting a song via voice command vs from his Iphone.

    They are the same price, and there is nothing forcing you to enable the Alexa functionality. If you never enable the functionality, it will operate exactly like a Play:1 (sans mounting hole).
    Kumar
    October 5, 2017
    Sons stated in a different thread that there is virtually no difference in the audio quality between a Play:1 and Sonos:1
    Where do they say this? Link please.
    Stuart_W
    Stuart_W
    World-Class Superstar
    October 5, 2017
    Sons stated in a different thread that there is virtually no difference in the audio quality between a Play:1 and Sonos:1
    Where do they say this? Link please.

    https://en.community.sonos.com/announcements-228985/introducing-the-new-sonos-one-6791304/index1.html#post16149491
    Arc + Sub (Gen 1) + 2 x Play 1/ Stereo Play 3s/ Era 100 Stereo in Kitchen, One Stereo in Bedroom, Play 1 stereo pair in Study, Play 1in Bathroom, Sonos Move 2
    Airgetlam
    Airgetlam
    October 5, 2017
    If I were buying at this point, given that they're both the same price, I'd get the Sonos One, since it apparently not only has the Alexa device in it, but also the future ability to be an Airplay 2 device.

    I suspect that if there were a price difference, I'd have to think more, but since they're the same price, I'd absolutely go with the Sonos One.
    Bruce
    jgatie
    jgatie
    October 5, 2017
    If I were buying at this point, given that they're both the same price, I'd get the Sonos One, since it apparently not only has the Alexa device in it, but also the future ability to be an Airplay 2 device.

    I suspect that if there were a price difference, I'd have to think more, but since they're the same price, I'd absolutely go with the Sonos One.

    If there wAs a price difference, we'd have poeple complaining less about the Alexa implementation and more about the price. Wouldn't affect them amount of complaints (or complainers), it would just shift the target. 😉
      Ryan S
      Ryan S
      Retired Sonos Staff
      October 5, 2017
      They both sound great, personally, I can't really tell a difference in the audio quality, but maybe I'm a bad judge (too many concerts). I've heard that the bass sounds a bit better on the Sonos One, but I don't know if I've noticed that myself.

      Strictly speaking, there are 2 components that are the same between the PLAY:1 and the Sonos One. That would be the power cord and the base of the unit. Everything else is different.
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