sonos

Let me say this upfront: I haven't tried them myself. But the digital media servers from San Francisco-based Olive seem aimed at a weird niche between audiophile and technophobe.

A lot of home audio devices let you stream digital music from your computer to your stereo over a home network. Olive's digital servers also connect to your stereo, but let you rip CDs to digital formats right on the device--no computer required. (Or, if you're you're lazy and rich, the company will do the dirty work for you.) Then you can play the resulting digital files … Read more

Compatibility for Apple's AirPlay network audio streaming is coming to third-party audio products soon. According to an updated page on Apple's Web site, "AirPlay wireless technology will be fully integrated into speaker docks, AV receivers, and stereo systems" from non-Apple hardware partners. Denon, Marantz, JBL, Bowers & Wilkins, and iHome are listed as "featured partners."

The earlier version of AirPlay, known as AirTunes, allows Apple products to be set up as a de facto multiroom audio system. For instance, speakers could be attached to an Apple AirPort Express or Apple TV, which could then … Read more

We just met up with the folks from Sonos, who are in New York showing an alpha version of the company's upcoming free app that turns the iPad into a giant Wi-Fi remote.

As you might expect, the iPad app looks a lot a like Sonos' iPhone app but the iPad's larger screen shows off more info at once, so you don't have to toggle through a couple of windows to set what music's playing on each ZonePlayer. You can even drag and drop songs or services (such as Pandora) onto a Zone to play those … Read more

For the last several years, every time the Sonos PR team meets with us to talk about its new products, we ask when the black version is coming. It's become sort of a running joke, so much so that I like to think we had a little something to do with the company's decision to finally put out a black-colored product after years off sticking to white.

Whatever the case (somehow I doubt the company takes us too seriously), Sonos has a new black option for its single-speaker streaming audio system, the ZonePlayer S5. No, it isn't … Read more

The economy took its toll on digital audio in 2009, with CD sales continuing to decline (even as vinyl makes a resurgence), digital start-ups going bankrupt or disappearing after takeovers, and labels expressing dissatisfaction with would-be digital saviors like MySpace Music. Even so, there was actually quite a lot to cheer this year. The following five products aren't necessarily the best, but to me, they did the most to move the state of digital audio forward in 2009.

Windows 7. Microsoft appears to have recovered from Vista with a new OS that runs efficiently, looks good, and satisfies users. … Read more

Last week, Sonos unveiled the ZonePlayer S5, the first product in its streaming-audio family to boast built-in speakers. Monday, we got the opportunity to see (and hear) it in person for the first time when Sonos reps dropped by our New York office for a demo.

The setup was a two-zone system (two S5s) pulling music from an Apple Time Capsule. The one caveat of a Sonos setup is that at least one component needs a wired network connection. In this case, a ZoneBridge BR100 was connected to the Apple router via Ethernet, which in turn enabled both S5s to … Read more

We've long been fans of the Sonos Digital Music System, which lets you stream all manner of digital audio throughout your home. The latest BU250 bundle is an enthusiastic CNET Editors' Choice, in part because it can be controlled either via the included touch-screen controller or with any iPhone or iPod Touch (running a free Sonos Controller app). Unfortunately, it costs $1,000--not bad for a two-room system, but still out of reach for many consumers--and it needs to be connected to external speakers or audio components to hear the music.

The new Sonos ZonePlayer S5 aims to address both of those issues. It boasts an all-in-one design with built-in stereo speakers, so it's plug and play. And it costs $400--not cheap, but well within the price range of refined iPod speaker systems we've seen from Bose, B&W, and other luxury brands.

Indeed, the latest Sonos combines the features of a ZonePlayer ZP90 with the sort of integrated speaker you'd find on a Bose SoundDock.… Read more

Add the Sonos Digital Music System to the list of Twitter-friendly hardware platforms. The network music streamer (which recently garnered a CNET Editors' Choice Award) will be integrating the microblogging service into its CR200 touch-screen controller, its iPhone app, and its Windows and Mac Desktop Controller software later this fall. In the meantime, it's in beta testing.

According to Sonos, the Twitter function will allow users to post (or "tweet," in the parlance of our times) track and artist info with one click. More interesting for users of the free iPhone/iPod Touch Sonos app is that … Read more

The Sonos CR200 is the wireless touchscreen remote control that's included with the Sonos Digital Music System BU250. It replaces the CR100 that was available with earlier iterations of the Sonos bundle.

Additional CR200s can be purchased for $350 each (with included charging cradle), providing the ability to control the Sonos multi-room audio system from additional locations throughout the house. However, it's important to note that the Sonos Controller App--a free download from the iTunes App Store--will deliver much of the same functionality of the CR200 to any iPhone or iPod Touch.

For more information on the … Read more