Sonos ZonePlayer S5 review

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Verdict:

The S5 player looks fantastic and sounds brilliant. It's an excellent introduction to the Sonos service or, for existing users, a flexible new player to add to a running network.

Review Date: 21 May 2010

Price when reviewed: £340

Supplier: http://www.amazon.co.uk

Reviewed By: David Ludlow

Our Rating 5 stars out of 5

User Rating

ExpertReviews Award

With all-in-one systems like this the only thing that's hard to overcome is stereo separation, as the speakers are so close together. However, we have to say that the S5 does well. Using the balance control on a Controller to test the full effect we were pretty impressed. Playing Enough Space from the Foo Fighters' The Colour and the Shape album, we found that the swirling guitar intro that sweeps from left to right and back retained its effect well. That's not to say that the S5 is a good as a set of well-placed speakers, but it does well given its small frame.

If you want better stereo separation and money's really no object you can use two S5's in Stereo Pair setting, where one acts as the left channel and one as the right. To be honest, at this point you may as well buy the ZP120 and separate speakers instead.

When the speakers get too much, there's a standard headphone output, so that you can listen to music quietly. There's even a minijack 3.5mm line-in, so that you can listen to another device through the S5's speakers.

Although the S5 can hardly be described as cheap, it does provide a lower-cost way for people to start out with Sonos, or a more flexible way for existing Sonos users to add to their existing network. With excellent sound quality and good looks, the S5's an excellent addition to the brilliant streaming audio service.

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User comments

Call Sonos Experts at 1-877- 816- 3761 and press(1)

Ordered it already !!! I,too, am a SONOS fanatic. Use the system and you will love it. Besides simply charging my iPhone, now I have a portal to stream LIVE365 via its free iphone app throughout the house. Marvelous.I Saved $99 on the Sonos Zonebridge w/ purchase of two S5 Players at www.tinyurl.com/sonosmusic If you are Ready to buy or need to know more Call Sonos Experts at 1-877- 816- 3761 and press(1)

By casey36 on 27 Mar 2011

Great Product

This really is a great product. With music services such as Spotify and Napster available (plus more everyday) you can be sure to listen to whatever music you wish in whatever room you wish. Who could want more than that?
www.gecko-media.co.uk

By geckoryan on 23 May 2011

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