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

"No cost at all to them"? Really? Say that to the other company which allowed this function, except they don't exist anymore. Well, actually they do sort of exist, because there are a bunch of people still using their software to recreate their hardware using inexpensive PCs. But that couldn't have contributed to their demise, could it?

So Apple doesn't exist any more?

The point is that I *CAN* listen to my library on an "inexpensive PC." I'm doing that right now, as I write this note (via Itunes---Sonos is linked to the same music folder. Nightingale does the same thing, as would Google's player if you back up your collection to Google. Nightingale supports the Apple Remote app as well). Why do you imagine that that's difficult to do? If being able to stream my library to my "inexpensive PC" was going to drive Sonos out of business, it would have done it long ago. I bought the Sonos to connect the computer to my existing stereo system over the network, something that it does better than Apple's Airport. A Connect is smaller and (marginally) cheaper then devoting an entire "inexpensive PC" to the same purpose, and there's no real difference in sound quality). The point is that that it's inconvenient to deal with two music apps, and their strategy does not prevent me from streaming to my PC or give them any sort of lock in. it does, however, annoy many customers, judging by the comments on this thread.

I should also add that an Apple Airport Express and the iTunes remote will work fine if you don't want zones (I don't). However, iTunes is a pain. I bought a Sonos because I prefer the Sonos *software* to iTunes. That is, I'd happily buy the software as a stand-alone iTunes replacement.

Justify it any way you wish, it's not going to happen.

So Apple doesn't exist any more?

The point is that I *CAN* listen to my library on an "inexpensive PC." I'm doing that right now, as I write this note (via Itunes---Sonos is linked to the same music folder. Nightingale does the same thing, as would Google's player if you back up your collection to Google. Nightingale supports the Apple Remote app as well). Why do you imagine that that's difficult to do? If being able to stream my library to my "inexpensive PC" was going to drive Sonos out of business, it would have done it long ago. I bought the Sonos to connect the computer to my existing stereo system over the network, something that it does better than Apple's Airport. A Connect is smaller and (marginally) cheaper then devoting an entire "inexpensive PC" to the same purpose, and there's no real difference in sound quality). The point is that that it's inconvenient to deal with two music apps, and their strategy does not prevent me from streaming to my PC or give them any sort of lock in. it does, however, annoy many customers, judging by the comments on

I should also add that an Apple Airport Express and the iTunes remote will work fine if you don't want zones (I don't). However, iTunes is a pain. I bought a Sonos because I prefer the Sonos *software* to iTunes. That is, I'd happily buy the software as a stand-alone iTunes replacement.

And this post right here is the issue people are struggling with. Especially that last paragraph comparing iTunes to the sonos controller.

iTunes is a MEDIA PLAYER - Sonos controller IS NOT A MEDIA PLAYER! Say if with me people, SONOS CONTROLLER IS NOT A MEDIA PLAYER.

You don't expect to watch TV on your TV's remote control do you? Because that's what you seem to think you can do with the Sonos controller. It's a remote control for the sonos equipment. It's not "playing" anything. Pick up your TV's remote or your DVD players remote or any physical remote control. Hold it in your hands and say out loud "This is what the Sonos controller is - a remote control, nothing more." Period. Close thread we're done.

If only we could close the thread. But your explanation is 100% true. Unfortunately, 100% of the folks who want this feature won't bother to comprehend it

This was easy to setup with a CONNECT. People who have special needs/expectations, but want it for nothing, you are most amusing.

There is a very simple reason for wanting to play Sonos on my PC. When I'm putting together a playlist before a party (or whenever I feel like it) I shouldn't have to unplug a Sonos speaker and bring it into my office so I can screen my choices. I don't need high-fidelity, just enough to make my choices. The lack of this feature is NOT cool.

The lack of this feature is NOT cool.
As has been pointed out countless times, the lack of this feature ensures that Sonos stays in business. If a pure software Player was available someone would put it on a Raspberry Pi in a jiffy, thereby cannibalising Sonos hardware sales. Consider the fate of the Squeezebox as a text-book example.

I'm rather surprised and disappointed that I can't just play Sonos through my existing high quality studio monitors that are already plugged into the very same computer that and are already powered by a high quality digital quality digital audio controller.

I recently aquired one Sonos speaker, and was considering investing further into the system by buying speakers for other rooms, but this is an absurd deal-breaker. I hope reasonable people are able to understand why this situation is unacceptable to some people.

The notion that someone would just by a Raspberry Pi is absurd. I am equally shocked to find so many people putting down others who are making this very simple and reasonable request. I fear that Sonos is only getting a rather insular point-of-view from a minority of their most fanatical fans, to their detriment.

The notion that someone would just by a Raspberry Pi is absurd.

No, it's not. Sonos' chief competitor used to be Squeezebox. They created a "software zone", exactly like what is requested here. It was no secret you could cobble together an extra Zone or two by using a Raspberry Pi, if you didn't want to pay the premium for regular Squeezebox hardware. It didn't sync well, but nobody cared. Nowadays, Squeezebox is long gone as a brand, but do you know what lives on? The Squeezebox "software zone" running on Raspberry Pi computers.

Fast forward to today, and there are a half-dozen or more Sonos competitors. You know what they all have in common? They all do not have a software player to play over computer speakers. Looks like the market learned its lesson.