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The problem with this set of devices is the same problem that all such devices share. The reviewer sells short just how much of a con it is not to play DRM protected content. I have been buying music off ITMS for so long that I seldom listen to MP3s anymore. There are a lot of people out there (more every day) that this same issue applies to. To me this is a full star deduction. Also, the description of setup, having to look at their website to find out about the SMB issue and the adding of music all turns me off. Five stars?? Really? How about 3.5.

I completely agree with alexgauthier. Not being able to play DRM music is a total dealbreaker. I try and buy DRM free when possible through Amazon or on CD if its not available in iTunes Plus, but I have a large back catalog of iTMS music from before Amazon's service even existed. Not being able to access this content would prevent me from purchasing a device like this. All the other integration with music services (that I don't use) sound nice, but not being able to play music that I OWN is ridiculous. Sure, it's easy to point the finger at Apple, but rating this product with five mice simply undermines MacWorld's rating system, especially after reading about the setup hassles with this device. I could see four mice, but it really seems that there are too many caveats with Sonos to merit five.

5 mice? I'll admit, the tech looks cool but really, for $1,000+? Give me 3 AirportExpress units, my Touch, and an AppleTV (we're still under a grand with this) anyday. Not to mention, as others have stated, I can't play any of my iTunes music that is not DRM-free on this thing.
For the other bit that made me laugh - streaming different music to different zones. How is this in any way productive? Yeah, I can sit in my office and listen to Michael Jackson while in the other room play some Jay-Z? Doesn't make much sense to me.

I've had the Sonos for several years. It has worked well and has gotten better with each software update. The audio quality is very good - I use a great deal of high bit rate MP3s and some FLAC.
I view the "problem" with not playing Itunes DRM as an Apple-caused problem not Sonos. To my knowledge, Apple has not licensed anyone to be able to play this DRM music.

alexgauthier said:

What, because Apple won't let other devices play its purchased content? Seriously? So you'd knock Toast because it can't burn movies purchased from the iTunes Store to a DVD? Or Apple's own Logic because it can't slice and dice purchased content into samples? Hell, my iPod won't play the purchased content I have from the Zune Store. Should it lose a star for that too?

Nah.

This is Apple's issue, not the third parties. And to judge those third parties on issues they have no control over is silly.

soloredd said:

You read the section on Why Not Remote, right? Compare and contrast what each can do.

Quote

If you live in a small space, not very. But use your imagination. You live in a bigger space, you'd like to listen to Music A in your office, your wife would like to listen to Music B in her office, your kid would like to listen to Music C in her bedroom.

You don't see that as productive? You want to try that with your iTunes library and 3 AirPort Express units?

I see this every time someone reviews the Sonos system. Those who test or own the system swear by it (I'm in that camp). Those who criticize haven't lived with it. And yes, I'm critical of things I've purchased that failed to meet my expectations.
One way Sonos has exceeded my expectations is by continuing to add cool features, and content with no further expenditure on my part. This has worked to their advantage in that I am a loyal customer, and have added zone players to expand my system, and will continue to do so.

jeffvan said:

That's a good point. Prior to my testing -- just hearing about it -- I thought it was possible to get close with iTunes, a couple of AirPort Express Base Stations, and an iPod touch or iPhone with Remote. As I said in the review, I'm keen on the Remote application -- it's particularly good with the Apple TV -- but after living with the Sonos for awhile I realized just how powerful and compelling it is.

Well, Mr. Breen, A product raiting is not supposed to how hard the manufacturer tried, and what they can not control has no bearing on rating. Plus, to blame this on apple is somewhat true, but not entirely. If they licensed fair play, they would never give the keys to play itunes content, only create their own. Why would they allow another company have the keys to decode their encryption. The real trouble is with the studios. Remember, Apple is ok with selling non drm content, because that will play on the product. It sound like they have convinced the other major studio's too. Once they get past that hurdle, they will still be the number 1 download service simply because they are the best, and the most compatible. Don't forget, Sonos released this product with this limitation in mind, and many people seem to agree it is a major limitation of this product. What they could have done is convince the labels that DRM free is the way to go, come up with some compromises and (give them 5 dollars a unit) to make all digital downloads drm free and release the product then. Then they may be able to EARN 5 stars with a great product that is compatible with everyones library. (Assuming labels let you convert itunes old tracks to itunes plus). Instead they tried hard and failed. (reminds me of early american idol.
I do not disagree that it feels bad that they are a small company being bullied by Apple and the Labels and making very hard to compete, but Again Apple has shown they do not need to tie their music to the iPod because they make the best of the best in both regards. For now apple tv plus airport express is the best of the best. Later, competition may improve both products. Lets hope...
Respectfully,
Dave

davidkisley said:

The rating is not about Sonos trying, it's about them succeeding. You may feel that Apple and iTunes is the best of the best, but in the case of a flexible mutli-room music system (which, again, is what I reviewed), Apple and iTunes is second best to what Sonos offers.

Again, read what the Sonos system can do that Apple can't:

Support for FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, and WMA
Support for subscription music services Rhapsody and Napster
Support for last.fm and Pandora
Support for streaming terrestrial radio stations
Multi-zone playing with different music in each zone
Combining local and streaming music in a single playlist

If you actually use these features (and I do, as do many people who have real enthusiasm for playing scads of music around their homes) this is an impressive list of features. And beyond just the features, all this stuff works together remarkably well.

Again, I've used this stuff. Before doing so I was nearly convinced that Apple's solutions -- Remote app, iTunes, AirPort Expresses, Apple TV -- were just as good. After spending a couple of weeks with the Sonos system I now understand I was wrong. Were you to try one yourself, you might have a similar revelation.

BTW, I have no issue with this "limitation" with iTunes DRM. First of all, I now buy 99% of my music either on CD, which I rip, or through Amazon.
Second, for my existing collection, I used Fairplay to remove the restrictions.(Counting Macs in my home, along with each Mac running Windows via Parallels which counts as 2 machines, I'm way over the 5 machine limit, which is absurd these days). I don't "share" music, it's strictly for my own use.
Would it be nice to not have to do this? Of course. But to me it's a small trade-off.
My last point is I think Sonos is analogous to Apple vs. PC for this type of device. Sure PC's are "cheaper" to buy for similar specs, but use a Mac for a while and try going back to Windows!

Yep. I didn't want to go into great detail on that particular point, but if your entire objection to the Sonos system is that it can't play Apple protected content, it's hardly rocket science to get around that restriction.

For my purposes, even without stripping DRM, it's no big deal as I can have Rhapsody play the tunes that are restricted in my iTunes library.

The ability to have separate streams of music to different rooms is very useful if you have a family. I have been tossing up between this and an Apple system. I think the Apple system wins for me because I want video as well, and also I am an optimist. I expect Apple to add similar features over time. Without the video aspect, it would be Sonos.