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Post by Porscheguy on Feb 16, 2010 19:06:21 GMT -5
The Sonos is a lot more money, looks like a lot more money, and operates on its own proprietary wireless format, not WiFi.
So, which is better sonically and ergonomically and all the other plusses?
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Feb 16, 2010 19:19:11 GMT -5
The Sonos is a lot more money, looks like a lot more money, and operates on its own proprietary wireless format, not WiFi. So, which is better sonically and ergonomically and all the other plusses? IMO the sound quality of the Sonos DAC is better than the SB if you intend to use the analog outputs. If you use the digital outs and run it through an external DAC of some sort, there is no difference other than the operating systems. Of course the Sonos system offers their own amps, speakers, etc. if you need those, which Logitech does not. |
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Post by Porscheguy on Feb 16, 2010 19:30:40 GMT -5
The Sonos is a lot more money, looks like a lot more money, and operates on its own proprietary wireless format, not WiFi. So, which is better sonically and ergonomically and all the other plusses? IMO the sound quality of the Sonos DAC is better than the SB if you intend to use the analog outputs. If you use the digital outs and run it through an external DAC of some sort, there is no difference other than the operating systems. Of course the Sonos system offers their own amps, speakers, etc. if you need those, which Logitech does not. I'm hearing that a lot. It's 3 time s the price of the Squeeze Box. Although I can use my iPod Touch and eliminate the $345.00 controller....... And how cool does the Sonos look? I'm all about image - the fool that I am  |
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Chris
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Post by Chris on Feb 16, 2010 20:34:05 GMT -5
As a long time Squeezebox owner I am of course biased. There are many reasons I believe the Squeezebox is the better way to go. Some of these are:
1. The Squeezecenter server software is open source and it can live on long after Logitech abandons the product. I'm not saying this is going to happen but does give you hope that the product won't be orphaned.
2. All current products up to the Transporter (it supports 96k/24b) support natively 48k/24b files which gives you options to listen to the growing number of better than CD resolution albums you can buy online. I believe the Sonos is stuck at 44k/16b. This may have changed but I am not aware. Also, the latest version of Squeezecenter incorporates something called SOX which will down convert higher bit rate files (e.g. 96k/24b) down to 48k/24b on the fly with good audio integrity. It works and sounds very good.
3. The Squeezecenter software runs on almost every popular os software platform and makes it easy to DIY your own server at minimal cost and time. Not sure how the Sonos works in this area.
There are many other reasons. I suggest you hang out at the very active Slimdevices forum. You can also download the Squeezecenter and install it for free. Also download the Squeezeplay client which will run on any PC and emulates the Duet interface so you can get an idea how the system works. All for no money and just a little time.
-CB
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Feb 16, 2010 21:04:28 GMT -5
By the way, I agree that the Squeeze center software is far superior to the Sonos software, and in fact I use two Squeezebox 3's and one Duet in my systems. I didn't mention this before because I was trying to be unbiased. The analog output SQ from the SB3 (and the Duet) is pretty poor, IMO. |
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ratso
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Post by ratso on Feb 17, 2010 9:26:40 GMT -5
i have owned both. i currently have a sonos, but have had both a squeezebox and a transporter in the past. the biggest limitation i can see these days with sonos is lack of hi-rez file playback (although the duet doesn't either - you would need to go up to the new SB touch one). also of course, the price. the sonos has a much more elegant interface, you can EASILY run it off a NAS so no computer needed (you can also with SB but it's a real PITA unless things have really changed), and for me it gave less dropouts. as for sound quality i would say they are both about equal, but i run through an external DAC anyways. please note, i am not a 'fanboy' of either one, and i think both of them have limitations that need to be fixed. but overall, i think that either one is well worth the investment, and i use them as my main music source in my system.
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Post by Porscheguy on Feb 17, 2010 10:33:39 GMT -5
I'm even more confused ratso, what R U using for a DAC? |
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Post by strindl on Feb 17, 2010 11:29:33 GMT -5
There are apps to run your squeezebox from your itouch or iphone as well. I have it on my iphone and it does everything the duet controller does.
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Post by strindl on Feb 17, 2010 11:34:05 GMT -5
I'm even more confused ratso, what R U using for a DAC? I'm using three of the Duets in my house so I have access to all of my music and internet music sources at any of my audio systems. I use the dacs in my pre/proc in all cases, not the dacs in the duet receiver. As others have mentioned, the built in dacs are just ok. I went to the duet system a year or so ago and I can't imagine how I ever got along without it. I listen to my music far more with it being so convenient and every day I rediscover music that I had forgotten I owned. |
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ratso
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Post by ratso on Feb 17, 2010 20:22:08 GMT -5
i didn't mean to imply that you HAVE to use a DAC to make either sound good. they sound similar stock too as many 'shootouts' between the two have shown. i'm just saying that later if you want to upgrade a bit, you could always run either through a DAC.
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Post by bigred7078 on Feb 18, 2010 16:14:38 GMT -5
I have been playing with the latest Sonos system that our store got in a few days ago and I must say its a pure joy to play around with. The sound is awesome, it's incredibly easy to use, the interface is VERY good, and if you are wanting to use several systems in your home the Sonos is amazingly customizable. I give it a big thumbs up |
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Post by techfan on Feb 21, 2010 10:54:12 GMT -5
I am a big advocate of Sonos, as well. I have owned a SB3 and a Duet, and sold them both. I like the fact that you don't have to have *any* server software running for the Sonos. I never cared for the Logitech software, but I know a lot of people like it just fine...it is just a personal preference, and perhaps it has improved a lot. I just thought it seemed far less elegant than the rest of the system. I haven't had a PC running at the house other than my work laptop for several months (my desktop died awhile back and I can't decide what to do to replace it) and I am still using my Sonos gear all the time...playing Pandora, Rhapsody, CDs I ripped to FLAC stored on my cheap little NAS drive...that is a huge bonus for me. YMMV...
Randy
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Post by Porscheguy on Feb 21, 2010 11:27:20 GMT -5
Well I got the Sonos bundle, very cool, very well made and it sounds pretty darn good. While I wait for the snow to go away (the zone player 120 is for the patio speakers) I decided to let it run my zone 2 with my Snell type J's just to see what it would sound like.
The zone player 120 is a stand alone with a 50W per channel digital amp. I don't know what the amps design is class D I'm sure - they would not tell me, not sure why. My Snells are not very efficient (87db) so there is not a ton of volume. I have several older CD's that simply do not have a lot of signal output and on those even with the amp all the way its just moderately loud. But for most material, the amp is adequate. I'm pretty impressed with the high fidelity and soundstage - albeit a bit bright but never the less quite impressive.
Its so convenient to have the zone 2 set up this way though. I don't have to go downstairs and power everything up (or down) to listen, I just grab the controller and voila!
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Post by SeattleHTGuy on Feb 21, 2010 15:16:39 GMT -5
Porscheguy,
I admittedly have zip experience with the squeezebox but what I do know is that anyone I have recommended SONOS too has come back and been radically appreciative of the help choosing the SONOS. SONOS is not about perfect sound or all the lossless audio. It appears to be a great solution for whole home audio..... period. I have played with it and loved it. we have an Escient system in my house and although it works fine, it is simply not as portable and user friendly than the SONOS. In fact, we often don't turn it all on except for parties and the kids wanting music to goof off to.
Congrats. Again all you Squeezebox lovers, that thing looks pretty great as well, expecially the very expensive wizbang model with all the lossless options. Me thinks these are slightly different target markets.
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Post by Porscheguy on Feb 22, 2010 8:26:17 GMT -5
Thanks Seattle. Yeah, I know very little about the SB either. I love the interface on the Sonos and the whole product line exudes quality. Heard a lot of good things about the SB, but the Sonos system is more versatile with stand alone speakers and zone amps.
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hemster
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Post by hemster on Feb 22, 2010 15:27:45 GMT -5
I hope I get a tax refund this year.. I'll add to the economic rebound(!) by purchasing Sonos...
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Post by strindl on Feb 22, 2010 22:36:40 GMT -5
The bottom line is that as long as you use a lossless format to rip your cd's, and you use something other than the built in DAC in either the sonos or the squeezebox, they are pretty much going to sound identical. Where the personal preference part kicks in is the ergonomics of each..and the only way you will know which you prefer is to go to a place that has them, and play with them for a while.
I've been very happy with my duet systems for over a year now. I'm sure had I bought a sonos system I'd be very happy with that as well. Either does the job.
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Post by strindl on Feb 22, 2010 22:39:25 GMT -5
I hope I get a tax refund this year.. I'll add to the economic rebound(!) by purchasing Sonos... I look at getting a tax refund as a failure in my financial planning. I have no desire to give the irs an interest free loan. The perfect scenario for me is for my tax returns to show that I paid in about what I ended up owing. |
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Post by RuggSkins on Feb 26, 2010 9:30:39 GMT -5
I do not have any experience with Sonos or Squeezebox. I however use the PS3 to interface my server to home AV system. Although the Sony interface is a little weak... they are now downloadong cover art to tag to the files.
In addition to audio file playback, the PS3 also plays Photo files, and movies stored on the server... and Blue Ray Discs, DVDs, CDs, Streams NETFLIX movies and of course games (although I'm not much of a gamer).
Can any one please comment on if they have compared the Sonos and Squeezebox to the PS3... or for that matter the XBOX?
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Post by bigred7078 on Feb 26, 2010 15:26:28 GMT -5
I do not have any experience with Sonos or Squeezebox. I however use the PS3 to interface my server to home AV system. Although the Sony interface is a little weak... they are now downloadong cover art to tag to the files. In addition to audio file playback, the PS3 also plays Photo files, and movies stored on the server... and Blue Ray Discs, DVDs, CDs, Streams NETFLIX movies and of course games (although I'm not much of a gamer). Can any one please comment on if they have compared the Sonos and Squeezebox to the PS3... or for that matter the XBOX? I've used all of them and I like the PS3 the least. Its a great unit, and is awesome if you already have it and dont want to spend more money. BUT for someone comparing it to the Sonos or logitech...it just doesnt hold its own. The PS3 is a jack of all trades, but it hasn't mastered any of them. The Sonos and Logitechs only job is to be a audio streamer and they do it in style  |
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