Second play 5 or sub?

I'll assume it's a gen 2 P:5. In which case for me you'd get the better listening experience from a second P:5. I would say it's a complete no-brainer but I expect someone will come along and disagree.

Stereo separation, double the oomph across the whole frequency range and enough bass to make the Sub unnecessary

Ideally, a pair of Play 5s and a sub. But that's a big investment. I'd start with a second Play 5. The bass is very good on these and you may not miss the sub, depending on what kind of music you are listening too.

Another reason to get a 5 is that this also will allow you to also expand music to another room on occasions.

I concur. Play:5, then Sub when funds allow. The small drop off in bass much less a minus as the increased stereo imaging is a plus.

Many thanks for the advice, second play 5 it is then!

How do I know if my Play 5 is gen 1 or 2 pls as I understand that it is important that the second one should be a match for the first one? I bought the current Play 5 in Dec. 2012.

December 2012 would be the generation 1. Gen. 2 didn't come out until 2015.

Thanks, so the new one will be Gen 2 , will this be ok with the existing Gen 1?

Thanks, so the new one will be Gen 2 , will this be ok with the existing Gen 1?

Unfortunately, you will not be able to pair the two in a stereo pair, for that you would need to locate a Gen 1 via eBay.

The gen 2 is so much better than the gen 1 that i think your first step should be to unload the gen 1 on ebay, not buy a second one. Get at least one gen 2. That in itself will improve your listening experience.

But if you were contemplating getting a Sub, the net cost of selling a gen 1 and buying two gen 2s would not cost any more.