I have been using my Play 5 Gen 1 for a couple of months now and thought I would share some thoughts. I managed to find an excellent used, boxed model will all documents and original leads as I am on a limited budget. I owned one previously, but sold it chasing the holy grail of hi-res and voice control!

Why this model? I live in a nursing home with very poor WI-FI and find the Play 5 Gen 1 with S1 Controller connects to the poor WI-FI with ease and complete stability. I have borrowed later Sonos speakers to try and they do not like nursing home Wi-Fi systems. 

Yes, the older Play 5 limits you to cd quality, but I doubt my old ears can now appreciate higher quality 🙂. For me, the sound is mellow and easy, with just enough clarity. Because of my condition, I listen for several hours a day every day. I have never experienced the volume dropping or any dropouts with prolonged use; as with some of my previous speakers.

I use Tidal, which offers some unusual music and has a pleasant UI, BBC Sounds and Radio Paradise. All are a constant joy to listen to with no dropouts. I like the simplicity of the S1 Controller and having no voice control. I wanted and elegant one box solution that enabled me to enjoy my listening reliability. I have owned 'better' speakers that I have not been enjoyed listening to, or they have not been reliable. If you don't enjoy the listen, what's the point? My Play 5 Gen 1 gives me reliable pleasure day in day out? 🙂 It has made me ask across the board of many things, do I enjoy them🙂.

Sorry for this 'book' folks 🙂 hope it helps and provokes some thoughts. Happy listening 🙂. Keep up this wonderful community, it is a joy - thanks all.