What Size are the SONOS Play:5 divers ?

The Sonos Play 5 (Gen 1 and Gen 2) are very heavily reviewed both by "professional" and "amateur" reviewers on the web.

My suggestion would be that you buy the Play 5 if it's functionality in all other respects meets your needs as it is most likely that you will be more than happy. Anything beyond that is pure speculation and totally down to your own perception of the Play 5 performance in your home. No matter how much information you can obtain about the construction of the unit is going to help you make an informed decision, in fact I think it will just make it harder.

Most thinking people do research before making a major purpose. Unfortunately, the HiFi press has mostly become a mouthpiece for the worst, most nonsensical “audiophile” manufacturers, who feed on fools with money. One of the few that remains somewhat objective is AVSForum. Have a look at their review of the Play:5, with measurements. It’s certainly good enough to satisfy most ears, especially when stereo paired. Driver size is irrelevant.

http://www.avsforum.com/sonos-play5-review/

But Stuart, the man wants to know if the woofer is the same size horizontally as it is vertically...

Hi augustya, for some reason your post kept getting flagged as spam. I saved them, but deleted most of the duplicates.

Let's all try to keep thing friendly. There are a bunch of posts here that are against our code of conduct on the board, but for the moment I'm leaving them for the sake of the conversation.

I would like to add that the measurements are largely diameters here, it's made horizontally, but the woofer is circular.

You can see an exploded view of the PLAY:5 without its covering here.

Thanks Ryan and this would be also the case with Audio Industry as a whole right ? When an audio company publishes that a woofer or a tweeter is some inches, it generally means and generally the industry standard is to refer it to horizontally, diagonally right ?

The Sonos Play 5 (Gen 1 and Gen 2) are very heavily reviewed both by "professional" and "amateur" reviewers on the web.

My suggestion would be that you buy the Play 5 if it's functionality in all other respects meets your needs as it is most likely that you will be more than happy. Anything beyond that is pure speculation and totally down to your own perception of the Play 5 performance in your home. No matter how much information you can obtain about the construction of the unit is going to help you make an informed decision, in fact I think it will just make it harder.

I understand Stuart.

Thanks Ryan and this would be also the case with Audio Industry as a whole right ? When an audio company publishes that a woofer or a tweeter is some inches, it generally means and generally the industry standard is to refer it to horizontally, diagonally right ?

Often times, these measurements are of circular objects, if there's just one dimension, it's the diameter, no matter which point on the circumference you start with, it's the same to the opposite side.

Also, I removed that post of yours above, please keep it friendly here. The community is always more willing to help when we're all being pleasant.

What matters for bass reproduction is the total surface area of the woofers, and their excursion. Three woofers in concert offer the same surface area as one much larger woofer, while keeping the enclosure size minimal. Long excursion, with powerful magnets to keep it under control, allow sufficient movement of air over the entire surface area that the Play:5, per the article I posted, can faithfully reproduce frequencies down to about 30Hz. As the article notes, it shamed some very expensive bookshelf speakers.

Also, I removed that post of yours above, please keep it friendly here. The community is always more willing to help when we're all being pleasant.

I was genuinely looking out for this info, I did not start it.

OK Augustya_born_again

I’m going to let slide the FACT that your NEW Profile states that you OWN a Play 5 and Sub. If true you’ve wasted mine and the time of others as you already know what the sound characteristics are. As such your questions are moot as you can’t return the product (so you state). I’ll address your previous profile wherein you indicate NO ownership of Sonos products…but this is the last you’ll read from me.

So, given all of what you said (and I’m not unsympathetic to your situation) the size of drivers still do not matter. Look at the size of the Sonos Play 5…obviously (and let’s be correct) the surface area of the cones isn’t that great. What makes the Play 5 sound as good as it does is the TECH behind the speaker design.

Although I’m not a fan of Bose_below is an example of their Accoustimass System that some swear by as producing great sound (personal preference). Obviously, the drivers in the speakers aren’t very huge. What makes the Bose work as an adequate DD5.1 sound system (for some) is the TECH behind the speakers_not the size_discounting the combination sub/processor module.

My point to you in this exercise is to stop worrying about the size of the driver. Thirty to forty years ago when all was analog…driver size was an important aspect. In today’s digital realm the size of the driver is less critical (for home use) as electronics and exotic materials compensate for size.

To go out on a limb_you’d be quite impressed with two Play 5’s in stereo pair and even more so when adding a sub. Truth…many will say that a sub isn’t necessary with two Play 5’s in stereo pair (personal preference). By contrast two Play:1’s or Sonos One’s in stereo pair with Sub out-shine a single Play 5! FYI, you would not purchase a single Play 5 and sub together as their is really no enhancement in sound reproduction.

All said you must consider the fact that Sonos does not support BT. Sonos rely’s on a wireless system which means (even in Boost mode) your internet and Wi-Fi must be up to snuff. So in actuality there may be other options wireless and/or wired you may want to look at. Sonos speakers_even though they deliver impressive sound_are not always the best option.

In your case if you want Sonos you’ll have to base your decision on the numerous independent reviews available and/or what the majority say in this forum. Full disclosure_you’ll be hard pressed to find negative reviews that out-weigh the positive. IMO most negative reviews are due to user error, lack of understanding and/or home environmental issues. I’ll also add_it doesn’t hurt to have some understanding of networking, Wi-Fi, the internet and how Apps work. If one doesn’t have the knowledge I suggest they enlist the aid of someone who does, view the various tutorials on the Sonos website and/ or post in this forum.

I hope this answers your questions (or points you in the right direction) as I have nothing else to offer. Good Luck and Cheers!