WHY I am NOT dumping Sonos

The hardware side of the product still remains great, it’s the software side that is letting SONOS down.  I’ve been using SONOS for over 10 years and would tell anyone how good it was as it “just worked”.  Over the last few years, the app has got worse and that really affects the use of the system - I wouldn’t recommend SONOS to anyone currently.

People have spent hundreds to thousands on these products and so will feel stuck with a product that doesn’t meet expectations.

I’ll try and remain optimistic that all of these issues will be resolved, but in the meantime I’m stuck with streaming via Spotify Connect as that “just works”.

Yeah I have too many Sonos units, by the time a sold them all, the app will probably be fixed. I’m getting used to work arounds the current limitations so will wait it out. Hopefully they will keep to their schedule.
 

But I am concerned about the instability, slowness and inconsistencies I see with the app which will probably take longer for them to fix. 
 

I’m happy with the overall app design and if they can make it actually work properly it should be good. 

Here are some additional reasons why I won’t be leaving Sonos anytime soon.

• I have a large investment in Sonos products already.  Obviously, this doesn’t apply to everyone.  I would not look for to the effort in selling the speakers and then finding a suitable replacement system (I could make some sacrafices here) and then to find that the grass isn’t greener on this side.
• I value Sonos voice control.   I’m not aware of any other music system that has voice control without the cloud.  I’d like to see SVC expand to smart home features or blend it with anther local voice control system somehow.
• Sonos has the Mayht woofer tech and BLE audio patents that I expect to see them use in actual products and features over the next few years.
• Despite recent issues, I believe Sonos still has a strong brand and valuable patents. I can see a change in management happen, or perhaps a sale, but the brand isn’t going to just go away with consumers stuck with a dead system.  That definitely could happen with other smaller companies or larger companies who have completely abandoned a product line in the past.

…..That is all very well and true Castalla, until they (Sonos) launched this new app from hell. If some of you can acces and operate your Sonos systems, thats great, even if you have to accepts that some functions and services are not working yet...but A LOT OF US simply cant get the new app to work; we’re caught in a never ending loop of updates, updates that always crashes or ends in “error 1000” messages, and with zero possibility to turn off updates or return to the old functioning S1-app.

Thats just a terrible way to launch an app. And at first I thought it was a little bit funny, since Sonos have spammed my inbox and tech-media with news about this new Jesus-app, the one to save us all. And then somehow they forgot to test it before launch. But now, I’m getting pretty tired of not being able to play anything on the system or just a single unit.

Best regards and congrats on somehow having an app that works.

@Sune A

Yes, I agree with you.  I've heavily critised the new app - it's horrendous. But many who are in despair are probably jumping from the frying pan into another proprietary fire.   If you have money to burn, then go ahead, but be prepared to be disappointed and frustrated.

The Sonos range is high quality and very good sound. Let's see if they can pull themselves out of this ridiculous almost kamikaze dive with the new app. 

Can't you try one of the workarounds? 

I think the key message is that when you get married, divorce is messy. So either don't get married or postpone the divorce as long as you can.

I would not move to anything that is not Roon ready. Roon may not be the greatest thing since sliced bread, BUT, I think the separation of the hardware and the software is imperative. For Sonos the hardware is where the $ is, for Roon the software is where the $ is. Huge difference. Roon works great with any number of different speakers. 

If you can find a Sonos work around great for those of you. But, the independent software opens up a whole new world. Sonos was sold on marrying the two, but clearly thats really not the case. There are tons of brands that let you use Roon, some are inexpensive, some are super high end. Great solution for me. Glad I found it.

I would never spend another penny with Sonos, after this app for one thing. And, just as important, Sonos clearly would like to get away from the local librarys. Lastly, Roon was sold to me as a subscription, thats what I bought. Sonos, which might be trying to get some of that recurring income was sold to me as one and done.

Fair enough - but with a little techno elbow grease you can achieve a Roon-like solution via open source at zero cost.  But I appreciate some want a turn-key solution.  😊🔑

Yes @castalla you are probably right about a switch to another product and there is a reason why we are so many writing, complaining etc etc; because we where very happy with our speakersystems...and then...not so much ;)

Trust me, I’ve tried all work-arounds suggested in all forums; updated firmware on the devices, other devices, factory reset, re-installed the app, new wi-fi (no booster/extender)  and so on and so on...the same thing happens everytime:

1. S1 app kicks me on to the new app with a message that “all my units are compatible with the new app but may need updates”.
2. Enter new app, automatic update prompts and always ends with either crash of app, or simply “error 1000” message and a new try on the update. On and on.

But thanks for chattin’ and supporting ;) I sincerely hope that they’ll fix it someday soon.

Looking at the other side of the mess, the possibility of picking up some gently used and under-priced Sonos gear really needs looked into.

I’m looking for a few S1 capable Play 1s, the ones with real push buttons to add to my mom’s system.