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abramq
abramq
Trending Lyricist I
January 3, 2024

Buying Play:1 just to familiarize myself with the ecosystem - does that make sense? (what to pay attention to /software/hardware?)

Hello,

I plan to buy multiroom audio system, but I am a novice in this area. Because the final project (several rooms) is going to take a significant budget, I would like to try it first with something cheap (Play:1 speaker).

I know that it is not a new model, so I wonder what kind of limitations I can expect - does the new application on Android will work? Do they still pull firmware upgrades for the speaker? Something else?

Thanks in advance!

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16 replies

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John B
January 5, 2024

I think that my main point is that you cannot get any sort of feel for the Sonos multiroom ecosystem with a single speaker of any kind.  If there are any aspects that seem like shortcomings on a Play:1 or Symfonisk, you won’t know if the same issues would arise on more recent speakers.  You won’t be able to explore grouping or stereo pairing.  Sound quality has improved.  Set up is different.  There is Airplay and voice control, including SVC.

This is a purely personal opinion, and others may strongly disagree, but this idea seems worse than pointless to me, when a much better, risk-free alternative exists. 

    melvimbe
    melvimbe
    January 5, 2024

    I think that my main point is that you cannot get any sort of feel for the Sonos multiroom ecosystem with a single speaker of any kind.  If there are any aspects that seem like shortcomings on a Play:1 or Symfonisk, you won’t know if the same issues would arise on more recent speakers.  You won’t be able to explore grouping or stereo pairing.  Sound quality has improved.  Set up is different.  There is Airplay and voice control, including SVC.

    This is a purely personal opinion, and others may strongly disagree, but this idea seems worse than pointless to me, when a much better, risk-free alternative exists. 

     

    Agreed for this.  You’re really only going to get a look at some of the features of the Sonos app with this approach, but not really the full functionality.  I know some people who own a single speaker, or a home theatre setup they only use for TV, who really have no idea what all a Sonos system can do.

    Danny
      abramq
      abramqAuthor
      Trending Lyricist I
      January 5, 2024

      The PLAY:1 does not have any Bluetooth at all.

      Maybe it has BLE Bluetooth? I wonder how the initialization (of new speaker) is made, using app. Only via Ethernet? Or via WiFi? (well, WiFi is password protected and the brand new speaker doesn’t know my password).

      Airgetlam
      Airgetlam
      January 5, 2024

      No. The PLAY:1 has no Bluetooth capability at all. Either BLE for setup, or regular Bluetooth for music. As has been said by several folks, if you’re trying to understand the current state of the Sonos ecosystem, a single speaker of several generations ago is not likely to be of any significant help, particularly for the setup process. The PLAY:1 was supplanted by the Sonos One. Then the Sonos One was supplanted by the Era 100. 
       

      Please reread @John B and @melvimbe ’s posts, if you’re serious about understanding the Sonos ecosystem. 

      Bruce
        abramq
        abramqAuthor
        Trending Lyricist I
        January 5, 2024

        Thank you, please notice, I have no problem with the ecosystem, I have red/watched many what is online. But

        • as you can see not all we can find in manuals. Manuals are for people who do not need details. That’s why I am asking. This is primo.
        • Secundo is that I have such budget as I have, so a look for speaker I can buy. Giving advice to buy something twice/triple expensive will be not to use (or option is someone will give me their credit card number ;-) )

        Ok, all was said, thanks for everyone who who gave me their time! Greetings!

        John B
        January 5, 2024

        I am now a bit hazy on Play:1 setup, it being about a decade since I did this.  One thing I am confident about is that it has no Bluetooth of any sort, as @Airgetlam has stated.

        My hazy recollection is that the easiest way to set up the first speaker in the system was by temporarily wiring it.  However, it could be done wirelessly, Sonos setting up a temporary network to allow this.

        I don’t think you can complain about our suggesting more expensive speakers.  Your thread gives the didtinct impression that the Play:1 is just for testing, before a “proper” purchase.  I apologise for the misinterpretation.

        Anyway, Sonos is a great system, and I am sure you will be impressed even if you go for older speakers.  Good luck.

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