Sonos vs Bose

[ach5]

Hello,

For a few months now I have felt that my Bose Soundlink Mini isn't quite up to the job any higher volumes or in bigger rooms.

I have spent ages googling Bose and Sonos speakers bit I am lost.

There are countless threads here that touch on what I need, but I wondered if I could get a consolidated, uptodate opinion.

I don't have huge rooms, and don't often play at huge volumes but the soundlink mini is a little thin on the occasion I do crank it up.

I have an eclectic musical taste, but think Metallica for when I want to play it LOUD.

I think, from my googling only, I am in the soundtouch 20 / sonos 3 sort of area for my need but would consider sound touch 30 / sonos 5 if the advantages are there at lower volumes also.

Currently not too bothered about networking or anything fancy - just wireless phone-to-speaker in the room I happen to be sat in (standard home rooms - nothing huge or cavernous!).

I have been to John Lewis for a play a couple of times but am too self conscious to test them fully, and a warehouse sized showroom isn't the same as what I'd hear at home anyway.

Thanks a million for any practical advice.

[Tifa]

Not a lot to choose between them sound wise.
The Sonus needs to be linked to your router/internet, whereas the Bose will work with a bluetooth connection (the Sonus won't) I believe Bose now have a router/internet system also now?...Not sure...
Whatever, you won't be disappointed with either...just make sure you get one with enough welly.

[100thmonkey]

I have the Bose at work and at home a Play 3 and Play 5 and the Sonos is the absolute winner in everyway, sound, ease of use, works perfect and wouldn't have anything else

[ach5]

Sonos don't have Bluetooth?!

Ok, that's a surprise - I overlooked that (pretty important) spec as I just assumed it would have Bluetooth.

I don't always have my home wifi on... in fact I only have the router powered up when I want to actively use the internet, so that would be a nuisance just to use the Sonos.

How do you stream from your iPhone with the Sonos - does it need special apps? I want minimal faff!

[ach5]

On a slight side note, do you guys have a dedicated iPod for streaming?

I just stream off my iPhone but every time there's a text, or I use certain apps the music cuts out and it drives me mad!

[dougair]

On a slight side note, do you guys have a dedicated iPod for streaming?

I just stream off my iPhone but everything there's a text, or I use certain apps the music cuts out and it drives me mad!

No experience with Bose (other than my QC25) but have a play 1 which I use with my iphone and Apple Music. It works brilliantly and the Sonos app is simple. I can do anything else pretty much on my phone with no interference to music.

It might be an issue that you don't always have wifi on...ours is on all the time as we use the internet all the time plus heating etc all run through wifi...can't imagine ever turning it off to be honest!

I wouldn't go with anything else now I've got the sonos.

[Alansmithee]

Sonos don't have Bluetooth?!

Ok, that's a surprise - I overlooked that (pretty important) spec as I just assumed it would have Bluetooth.

I don't always have my home wifi on... in fact I only have the router powered up when I want to actively use the internet, so that would be a nuisance just to use the Sonos.

How do you stream from your iPhone with the Sonos - does it need special apps? I want minimal faff!

Out of interest - why do you turn off your router?

[reecie]

Out of interest - why do you turn off your router?

Not sure that is a great idea. Exchanges look for stable connections that are not dropping.
They train to a stable connection rate over a number of days and then it should not be up and down all the time.

[Captain Morgan]

Out of interest - why do you turn off your router?

If you have adsl turning off your router will impact your link speed and hence download and upload speeds.
Unless you mean turning off wifi for some reason?

[ach5]

Out of interest - why do you turn off your router?

Because I don't like leaving electrical equipment on when I'm out of the house, or not using it e.g. Overnight. I mostly worry about it over-heating etc, but also I try to save electricity wherever I can. Never had an issue with internet speed after switching it on...

[MB2]

Sonos don't have Bluetooth?!

Ok, that's a surprise - I overlooked that (pretty important) spec as I just assumed it would have Bluetooth.
!

I use an Avantree Bluetooth receiver (19.99 on Amazon) which connects to a Sonos Play 5 (I am not sure if the 3 has an input) for BT purposes.

It is handy for playing You Tube etc but mostly I use Spotify or my NAS and the radio. There is a "from this phone" option on the app now too so possibly the BT adaptor no longer needed.

[Utred]

i recently picked up a Bose Soundtouch10 (Couldn't be happier and am considering getting another) - after testing out the equivalent Sonos & Yamaha options.
FYI - Bluetooth or through the Bose app works very well.

I think it can be quite a personal thing - a lot of people like the sonos sound, I much prefer the Bose (bit "deeper" sounding to me which i like) - I'm certainly no audiophile....so might just need to test them on whatever shop you can as a starting point.

[IanK]

If you're thinking of going down the Sonos route, check out the Denon Heos range. All the convenience and potentiality of the Sonos system, spotify connect included, bluetooth included and a superior sound to my ears.

[subseastu]

If you're thinking of going down the Sonos route, check out the Denon Heos range. All the convenience and potentiality of the Sonos system, spotify connect included, bluetooth included and a superior sound to my ears.

I think these will play Hi - res as well but I could be wrong. I've a small sonos setup of a gen 1 play 5 and a connect hooked up to my home hi fi system. Music is streamed from my NAS that is hard wired to my router. I'm pleased with it all but did start looking at the denon as I think they maybe slightly more audiophile though in reality I'd guess the differences are small

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[Alansmithee]

If you're thinking of going down the Sonos route, check out the Denon Heos range. All the convenience and potentiality of the Sonos system, spotify connect included, bluetooth included and a superior sound to my ears.

These
are constantly on clearance in Richer Sounds so you can pick these up pretty cheap...

[Croftrock]

I use Bluesound which is absolutely superb. However, for ease of connectivity with other products and value for money, I often wish I'd gone Sonos.


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[j0hnbarker]

This might be a little left field, but have you considered the Bang and Olufsen Beosound 2?

Admittedly it is a lot of money but it has all the features you want. I picked one up last week for our kitchen and it is fantastic. Really deep and punchy bass for its size. I just listen to Apple Music connected via Bluetooth. Build quality is second-to-none too.

[Rocket Man]

Sorry to hijack your thread OP but coincidentally my old Bose soundDock died today so I need to find a replacement and am considering Sonos.

However, I've never used a wireless system before - my Bose was simply an iPod dock. I'd appreciate any advice guys.

[mickylall]

Sorry to hijack your thread OP but coincidentally my old Bose soundDock died today so I need to find a replacement and am considering Sonos.

However, I've never used a wireless system before - my Bose was simply an iPod dock. I'd appreciate any advice guys.

You put the Sonos app on your phone or tablet, my music is stored on a WDMycloud hard drive, no music on my phone. The app works great allowing you to create instant playlists plus I think there are about 120,000 radio stations on the app you just type in what music you like - 80's, 90's etc and it picks out the stations that suit you
I started with a three which is fine and fills a room no problem but then I got a five and that's a large step up in sound quality.I've also got 2 ones upstairs that sound fantastic when you pair them
I looked at all the alternatives but I'm glad I chose Sonos purely because the app is so great

[Rocket Man]

You put the Sonos app on your phone or tablet, my music is stored on a WDMycloud hard drive, no music on my phone. The app works great allowing you to create instant playlists plus I think there are about 120,000 radio stations on the app you just type in what music you like - 80's, 90's etc and it picks out the stations that suit you
I started with a three which is fine and fills a room no problem but then I got a five and that's a large step up in sound quality.I've also got 2 ones upstairs that sound fantastic when you pair them
I looked at all the alternatives but I'm glad I chose Sonos purely because the app is so great

Thanks, very helpful.

Sorry if these are stupid questions but do I just need to buy the Sonos speaker or do I also need a boost/bridge?

Also, I'm assuming that I'd be able to access the iTunes library on my windows 10 laptop?

As I am a technophobe this all sounds like wizardry to me at the moment!

[mickylall]

Yup, you need a bridge to plug into your router.I'm a complete techno buffoon but had it all up and running in about 10 minutes.I've never used itunes with Sonos so can't help there but before I bought the seperate hard drive it was running through an old Windows laptop no problem

[Phil Lee]

Yup, you need a bridge to plug into your router.I'm a complete techno buffoon but had it all up and running in about 10 minutes.I've never used itunes with Sonos so can't help there but before I bought the seperate hard drive it was running through an old Windows laptop no problem

You don't need the bridge anymore. You can set the Sonos up to connect directly to the WiFi network. The Bridge can help if WiFi is poor where your Sonos is.

[dougair]

Thanks, very helpful.

Sorry if these are stupid questions but do I just need to buy the Sonos speaker or do I also need a boost/bridge?

Also, I'm assuming that I'd be able to access the iTunes library on my windows 10 laptop?

As I am a technophobe this all sounds like wizardry to me at the moment!

You just need the speaker. I use the iTunes on my phone along with Apple Music via the Sonos app so not sure about the laptop question.

[Fords]

I use a bose solo 15 seriesII linked to my main tv it dose the job very well, tv and movies sound great as well as the tv's digital radio + Bluetooth for the iPhones no messy wires looks neat as well, fills our lounge with sound nicely.

[Rocket Man]

Thank you gentlemen for all the helpful posts, and to the OP for starting this thread.

I now have a Sonos Play:5 and am really happy with the sound quality.

Setting it up was easy, I just need to update my iTunes library so that I could access my playlists.

I'm a convert.

[Mr Curta]

I've put various models of Sonos speaker into each of the main rooms and linked a Deezer subscription. I added a Boost unit to extend the range as the WiFi proved a bit unreliable to the furthest rooms at first. The kids can stream their own choices from the hard disk music library or Deezer in their rooms whilst my wife and I listen to what we want to in the rest of the apartment. When they are all out I bung it in party mode and crank the volume up. I do have a Bluetooth adaptor into the Play:5 but hardly ever need it. The app is quite intuitive, I rarely have to consult the children on how to use it.

[Neilw3030]

Just recently bought a sonos system for the house, spent ages looking around and just got more confused so went to richer sounds. Explained what I wanted to do and they recomended sonos, a 5 for the lounge and kitchen diner and a 3 for the bedroom was what they recommended for the room size, I was convinced a 3 and two 1s. Went with his recommendation and have to say the sound is good and doesn't need to be cranked up to fill the room, took me awhile to figure out the app but it's pretty easy to use and I still can't get my head round playing 3 different tracks from the same device at the same time from different speakers, not that I need to do that really, all in I am pleased with it, the only downside to me is not being able to hook up a CD player, need to copy everything to my iTunes account, but that's another day.

[bootneck]

As someone else suggested if it's a standalone unit for just one room B&W zeppelin is superb however ours is now linked to a Sonos system which is throughout the house they breed like rabbits. If you think at any point you'd like music in other rooms too then buy a Sonos it really has changed the way we listen to music along with a Spotify account, we now have too many to count throughout the house the sound whilst probably not audiophile quality is very good imo and it's a joy to use.

[Rocket Man]

Explained what I wanted to do and they recomended sonos, a 5 for the lounge and kitchen diner and a 3 for the bedroom was what they recommended for the room size, I was convinced a 3 and two 1s.

I'm stuck on the same decisions, not sure whether to get a PLAY:5 and a PLAY:3 or a PLAY:3 and a PLAY:1?

or maybe just one PLAY:5 would be enough?!

Has anyone else tried these different set-up's?

[TimeOut]

Richer sounds are having a pretty good sale. I've picked up some nice office speakers (Q acoustics 3020) for under £150. Bromley branch had a pair for £129 ex demo. Work well with the Sonos amp.

The Bose, B&W and B&O Bluetooth speakers all sound better than Sonos' own speakers IMO.

[ach5]

Thanks again for all the replies, especially the offer of a personal home demonstration! Really appreciated!

I am still slightly put off by the fact you need the Sonos app, and that they don't have Bluetooth which seems ubiquitous... apparently you can't play YouTube video audio through the Sonos speakers!! I do this quite a lot with my Soundlink. Sonos therefore seem quite restricted... having said that, they seem super popular and are doing well so they must be ok in reality...

Anyway, thanks again!

[Saint-Just]

Bluetooth is a weakness compared to wifi on most levels.

[dougair]

Sonos is very good at what it does...but it seems you're looking for something different so I'd probably stick with Bose.

[Pitch3110]

Another Sonus vote.

Ease and sound are winners, check out the reviews.

[ach5]

Sonos is very good at what it does...but it seems you're looking for something different so I'd probably stick with Bose.

I'm beginning to think the same...

It seems to me (maybe incorrectly?) that Sonos is for pure music streaming...

Once you start to want more flexibility, it seems to fall short (e.g. YouTube or app audio)

[Alansmithee]

I'm beginning to think the same...

It seems to me (maybe incorrectly?) that Sonos is for pure music streaming...

Once you start to want more flexibility, it seems to fall short (e.g. YouTube or app audio)

Yep - you can fudge it but it's intended for the most easy music streaming. If that's one your main method of listening to music, I'd avoid sonos. Having said that, as a Sonos owner, I'd say for a lot of people they are over-priced and you'd be better off with a decent bluetooth speaker given what you have said so far with your usage.

[Mr Curta]

As I mentioned, I have a Bluetooth adapter connected to the Line In of a Play:5 which works fine but sees very little use. There are several available, I went for the Logitech one at around £30. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-98.../dp/B00IJYG4FY

Deezer prices seem to be adjusted for local markets, my Premium+ subscription is a bargain at COP 10990 per month which is around £3 and seems to give access to the full library and all the radio channels.

[bootneck]

The only other option I have experience of if you're using an iPhone is airplay for YouTube vids etc on the B&W Zeppelin, the sound is better than the Sonos play 5 also lovely at lower volumes ours is connected to a Sonos connect to make it part of the system. In all honesty though personally I'd buy a Sonos and a bluetooth adaptor if that important to you.


Just had a read of this

http://www.imore.com/sonos-play5-vs-bose-soundtouch-30

Maybe the soundtouch range is exactly what you're after basically a bigger soundlink with Sonos like wifi capabilities, I've never used one so can't comment personally.

[alanm_3]

Being in a similar quandry of Bose vs Sonos, I found this link to an app called "SonosTube" which allows streaming of YouTube to the Sonos.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sono...124115025?mt=8

[Phil Lee]

The Play 5 has an Aux In. You can connect an Apple AirPort Express to it then use AirPlay for app audio.

You can also get Bluetooth dongles to do the same thing.

http://www.colourmyliving.com/home/e...via-bluetooth/

[Ashtennisguru]

We have a pair of Play 1's linked in stereo in our lounge and even having come from a full on hifi experience in my old house, I can't really fault the Sonos. They may be teeny but as a stereo pair they fill the room perfectly well and don't distort. Ours came with a years free Deezer subscription, which we have continued - as someone else said, it's like having access to a record shop 24 hours a day and creating playlists for different people or events is a doddle. I too have quite eclectic music taste, so to be able to cater for that on a whim is brilliant. Couldn't be more simple to set up either via the Sonos app.

[Chalet]

NAS = Network Attached Storage

Basically a drive that sits on your network.

[ach5]

NAS = Network Attached Storage

Basically a drive that sits on your network.

Ahh ok, so a USB stick or HDD plugged into the back of the router (mine has a USB slot, amongst others)... presumably requiring specialist software to access it in a sensible way? I will go and google this now to get the jist of it.

[lawler]

Sonos for ease - Bose for quality

[Saint-Just]

I believe the sound you get is ALWAYS a compromise. If you want the same sound quality in other rooms as the one you already have, even running wires will not do as sound will suffer with that length of wiring.
I am a (very) recent convert to Sonos but I must admit that, associated to a premium music streaming service (for quality) it trumps everything in terms of convenience for the sound quality. Plus I can control what I play from my iphone or computer, rather than faffing around to find the CD. Most of mine are now in the loft after having downloaded them on my hard disks.

[subseastu]

One thing I found was after hooking up my connect to my Roksan kandy k3 amp it did alter the sound somewhat. It sounded like a sheet had been dropped in front of the speakers. I over came this by adding a dedicated valve DAC to the system and that sorted it right out

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