Why Can't I listen to my music through my Computer?

Pretty useless comment. After the VERY SIGNIFICANT amount of money that I have invested in Sonos hardware, I don't feel shy about saying that the computer that (a) stores the music library and (b) controls the Sonos system should also (c) be able to play the music that I'm hearing elsewhere in the house.

Just saying. Why would wanting to avoid an additional significant outlay be something deserving of disdain?

What disdain? The fact you interpreted my comment as disdain is curious.

What disdain? The fact you interpreted my comment as disdain is curious.

Curious? The attitude on this thread is appalling.

If the Sonos software is running on the PC then there is absolutely no reason why it could not output to the PC speakers. That's it. The fact that they don't is a money grab.

Fortunately for me I do not own any Sonos hardware yet. I was about to start investing for speakers throughout my house but this lack of simple functionality has made me want to wait for a better solution. That coupled with the fact that the people who buy Sonos are such snobs judging by this thread.

Nick

Curious? The attitude on this thread is appalling.

If the Sonos software is running on the PC then there is absolutely no reason why it could not output to the PC speakers. That's it. The fact that they don't is a money grab.


Somebody is laboring under the false notion that the Desktop Controller is actually fetching, decoding, processing and/or otherwise handling the actual music files. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Don't believe me? If one starts a track playing from the Desktop Controller, then exits the Controller application, the music keeps right on playing. If the music had anything at all to do with the Controller, then the music would stop. But it doesn't, which means maybe (just maybe) the Desktop Controller is just a controller, and has no music playback capabilites whatsoever.


Fortunately for me I do not own any Sonos hardware yet. I was about to start investing for speakers throughout my house but this lack of simple functionality has made me want to wait for a better solution. That coupled with the fact that the people who buy Sonos are such snobs judging by this thread.

Nick

This "basic lack of functionality" has only been present on one multi-room, multi-source music system - Squeezebox - and synching between the PC and the actual players was impossible. I wish you well in your search for this "simple" functionality, but you aren't going to find it in a system that comes close to Sonos in other facets.

And by the way, if you want to see snobs, check out the Linn systems. They make us seem like mere common folk.

Pretty useless comment. After the VERY SIGNIFICANT amount of money that I have invested in Sonos hardware, I don't feel shy about saying that the computer that (a) stores the music library and (b) controls the Sonos system should also (c) be able to play the music that I'm hearing elsewhere in the house.

Just saying. Why would wanting to avoid an additional significant outlay be something deserving of disdain?

Has nothing to do with disdain, we all want Sonos to be around for the long hall. They charge $0 in monthly fees and $0 in annual fees. Sonos components I bought 5 years ago are still getting free updates. If you could download the Sonos app and use it on your PC for free, this would put a significant dent in their income.

The proper way to think of your PC, is that it is nothing other then a Remote Control. That is all it is. That is all it was ever advertised to be, any expectation you have beyond that is unrealistic and not going to happen.

The proper way to think of your PC, is that it is nothing other then a Remote Control. That is all it is. That is all it was ever advertised to be, any expectation you have beyond that is unrealistic and not going to happen.

I am not up to date with their advertising, but the PC isn't even a remote control, to be honest.

Using a computer in a Sonos set up is very inconvenient, for those of us that aren't before it all the time, and who don't have it on 24/7. Playing music sitting in it, requires it to be wired to the router as well - another inconvenience.

Sonos is a multi room, multi source music system, and one source is stored music files, sitting in a device that is hardwired to the router. The simplest/cheapest way to get this source running is for the device to be an external HDD wired to the router. The other source is music from the router from the net.

For controlling all of this, Sonos gives away for free a decently designed controller that can be hosted by most handheld devices in the market.

Sonos isn't cheap, but is value for money to most users. Expecting a free zone player out of a computer that contains music is fine, but Sonos not meeting that expectation isn't a money grab. Zone player hardware is how they earn money.

And by the way, if you want to see snobs, check out the Linn systems. They make us seem like mere common folk.

A question I haven't yet seen an answer to.

Like Linn, Naim too has a lot of expensive streaming hardware now. I am sure there are a few others, and most brands now have network players/streamers that are more modestly priced.

What do these systems offer a user that Sonos does not, in terms of SQ, features and convenience? Apart from the hi res stuff?

Equivalent set ups can cost multiples of Sonos, so why do people spend that kind of money?

This isn't rhetorical, I truly want to understand.

A question I haven't yet seen an answer to.

Like Linn, Naim too has a lot of expensive streaming hardware now. I am sure there are a few others, and most brands now have network players/streamers that are more modestly priced.

What do these systems offer a user that Sonos does not, in terms of SQ, features and convenience? Apart from the hi res stuff?

Equivalent set ups can cost multiples of Sonos, so why do people spend that kind of money?

This isn't rhetorical, I truly want to understand.

I've not looked into their streamer offerings, so I'll not speak to them, but I do know Linn and Naim are audiophile brands. That right there is mainly what they offer. I'm not saying they are not high quality, but they certainly have that exclusivity and brand elitism going for them.

If one is inclined towards that type of thing, they get a quality product with a price which mainly reflects the reputation and exclusivity. Combine this with the audiophile's need to believe the more $$$ they spend, the better the sound, and you have a valid marketing strategy, even if you are selling 10% engineering quality + 90% snake oil at 5000% profit.

As always, good speakers are a must, lest all the "benefits" of the $$$$ you spend slip away.

If one is inclined towards that type of thing, they get a quality product with a price which mainly reflects the reputation and exclusivity. Combine this with the audiophile's need to believe the more $$$ they spend, the better the sound, and you have a valid marketing strategy, even if you are selling 10% engineering quality + 90% snake oil at 5000% profit.

As always, good speakers are a must, lest all the "benefits" of the $$$$ you spend slip away.

Very true, the last part. And that is the same extra spend for Sonos as well as these brands.

But the price difference is not a price point, it is multiple price points.

Granted they may have better build quality/components, but in this kind of tech, I am not sure it makes sense. In five years all existing solutions may be obsolete, and I am guessing that around that kind of service life is what Sonos designs, builds and therefore charges for its boxes.

I have some Linn speakers.

I am underwhelmed by them.

Cheers,

Keith

Have you got a sound system in your house? if so seems a waist not to use the Sonos Connect on that instead of your computer much better sound with sub ans all!