Review: Sonos S5 ZonePlayer

The Sonos S5 ZonePlayer can be controlled with an iPhone. Photo / Supplied

Since it launched its first multi-zone network music system way back in 2004, Sonos has pretty much set the benchmark.

Able to be set up in mere minutes after undoing, the Sonos Multi-zone network music player system is also expandable to anything up to 32 unique music zones by adding additional ZonePlayers.

Able to stream music stored on a PC/Mac or network drive from over a wireless or wired network to Sonos ZonePlayers, the whole system can be controlled either via a Sonos wireless touch screen controller or an iPhone/iPod Touch using a free controller application.

Each Sonos Zone player can play individual and unique music streams or they can be combined in what Sonos call "party mode" to fill your entire home/section with the same music.

Until the S5 however, the one downside of going down the Sonos route was the hidden costs associated with buying a zone player.

Coughing up extra cash for speakers (and an amplifier assuming if you'd purchased an unamplified ZP90 ZonePlayer) meant that justifying an additional ZonePlayer for casual listening, simply didn't stack up.

Thankfully Sonos has recognised this gap in its line-up, and launched the Sonos S5. Essentially an all-in-one amp/speaker/ZonePlayer, the S5 functions just like a standard Sonos ZonePlayer, but offers a complete and affordable out-of-the-box solution for casual listening, with no additional speaker or amp-related costs.

Resembling a plug-in boom box, with top mounted volume and mute controls, the S5 is available in black or white and will make a stylish addition to most listening environments.

As with other Sonos ZonePlayers, the S5 can also access hundreds of internet radio stations and has a 3.5mm auxiliary input for plugging in other MP3 players or headphones.

Last - but by no means least - the S5 also has also two ethernet ports that allow you to connect other networked devices should the need arise.

The S5 contains two tweeters, two midrange drivers, and a solitary subwoofer. Each speaker is driven by a digital amp, and in concert sounds superb, especially when considering the S5's reasonable $999 sticker price.

Musically, the S5 definitely impressed. Streaming some Lou Reed to the S5, saw it deliver room filling audio that seem bigger than any room I'd ever be likely to out it in.

Given its petite form factor, I was also pleasantly surprised by its ability to deliver full bodied vocals and a wide, three-dimensional soundstage with surprisingly rich, velvety bass.

At the time of writing, Sonos's latest firmware update had added several several nifty features. ZonePlayers now get independent alarms that are able to wake you at different times for each day of the week, making the it ideal as a bedside clock radio (as long as you can live without a clock display).

Even more impressive, you can also use a pair of S5's as left and right speakers, making them ideal for impromptu parties or in situations where speaker wiring simply isn't a practical option.
Whilst the Sonos solution commands a price premium, it's pretty much unbeatable when it comes to seamlessly delivering digital music around the house. By adding integrated amplification and speakers, Sonos manage to deliver a practical compliment that's bound to appeal to virtually all Sonos users.

Sonos S5
RRP$999 Inc GST

More info here