PLAY:3 or Two PLAY:1's?

I'm new to the game here, so bear with me...Is it the stereo separation driving the recommendations to purchase two Play:1s instead of a single Play:3? I would assume that the Play:1s would have very anemic bass and (relatively) tinny sound due to their size and lack of a radiator.

Actually, you will be surprised at the bass capability of the Play:1. It's not up to the level of the Play:5, but it can make the Play:3 pretty redundant. And a pair? I wouldn't hesitate to by a pair of Play:1 over a pair of Play:3, never mind a single Play:3.

Actually, you will be surprised at the bass capability of the Play:1.
I'd go beyond that to say that not just about the bass capability, but at its overall capability.

This may cause sniggers, and even disbelief in some quarters, but I was so surprised at how good my first play 1 sounded, that as soon as I got another to stereo pair it, I ran a side by side test comparing that to a pair of Harbeth speakers - expensive kit - driven by Quad amplification. I was shocked to see how little the difference was except at very loud levels where the Harbeths ran cleaner. And this, without a Sub added to the 1 pair. Since the loud levels that the expensive speakers were capable of wasn't ever going to be a need, once I was over the shock, I sold the Harbeth/Quad amplification and found the same levels of listening pleasure in a play 1 pair + Sub set up. Elevated the appearance/usable space of the living room, cleaned up a mess of cables, threw away a component rack, and as a by product, made some money via the change.

IMO, the Play I is a champion and overall, the best product in the Sonos portfolio. The Sub is a close second for how it can be used to elevate the performance of the 1 unit to the next level.

I have 18 Sonos-
NEVER BUY A PLAY:3.
Get two play:1:s 110%.
If you are going to buy any other single speaker save and get the new play:5-otherwise two play:1s.
Did I mention never get any play:3? Worst value...

@Chirosone: Why never get play 3s? This Friday, I had planned on purchasing two Play 3s for the tears in my 5.1 Surround (already have Playbar, Sub, and connect) but if I understand you correctly, you are saying to get two Play 1s? Are you referring to only in a music setup or in general "avoid Play 3s?" Thanks again for any all advice. If you possibly could point me in the specific direction (rather than generally speaking i.e.Google) with some info that would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

I had planned on purchasing two Play 3s for the tears in my 5.1 Surround (already have Playbar, Sub, and connect) but if I understand you correctly, you are saying to get two Play 1s?
In this specific case, only because the 3 units are an overkill; the 1 units are all that is needed for the demands of the rear surround application. The 3 units will do all that the 1 would, but no more - why then spend more?

two thoughts:
1.) Large Room
2.) would the two-Play 3s offer a better/more enjoyable listening experience when used for playing music versus 5.1 surround, i.e. Movies, Home Theater?

I think there is broad agreement that as the price goes up, so does the performance for music play, where the three play unit models are concerned. Many however think that the 3 units aren't as much better for their price, as the 5 units are for theirs. Bear in mind that these however are subjective assessments.

Subject to that, I'd say yes to your question - in a music playing stereo paired mode all their capability can be used, unlike when used for surround sound. There seems to be consensus that in surround mode, there isn't anything to be gained by using either a 3 or 5 pair in preference to a 1 pair.

I'm new to the game here, so bear with me...Is it the stereo separation driving the recommendations to purchase two Play:1s instead of a single Play:3? I would assume that the Play:1s would have very anemic bass and (relatively) tinny sound due to their size and lack of a radiator.

Perhaps you should try listening to them before you make that kind of judgment?

Wow, seems like the dual Play:1s are highly favored. Looking around our kitchen, we'd most likely put them within 2 feet of each other. Does this change anyone's opinion, considering that the difference stereo separation won't be that great?