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Controlling the Sonos ZonePlayers

Other than volume buttons and a mute button, there are no control buttons on ZonePlayers. ZonePlayers are wholly controlled remotely. But the control options are plentiful.

Sonos can be controlled by a program on a computer, an app on iPad or iPod or iPhone, an app on Android phones and tablets, or by using the optional Sonos controller. The controllers let you pick the music playing and where you want to play it.


Using the controllers, you can stream music from Rhapsody or Pandora onto a ZonePlayer in your living room, at the same time you are playing music from your computer on your bedroom ZonePlayer.

To set up the Sonos system, or to add ZonePlayers, simply pair the controller with a ZonePlayer or ZoneBridge by pressing the add button on the controller (or controller app), then pressing a combination of buttons on the Sonos device. Voila! The Sonos network has been set up.

While you can instantly start playing music on any single ZonePlayer, the controller makes it easy to group any combination of ZonePlayers together to simultaneously play the same music on more than one ZonePlayer. Play music from Napster in the kitchen and your office upstairs, while you play lullabies in the nursery.

Use the controllers to set up alarms and timers to play music on any of your ZonePlayers. The bedroom ZonePlayer can wake you to music in the morning, and the ZonePlayer in the kitchen can play internet radio every day when you get ready for work.

Any ZonePlayer can be controlled from anywhere in your house. If you carry aniPhone with you that has the Sonos controller app, you can play music on any of the ZonePlayers at any time. This means you can mess with your family by playing music where they are hanging out. Each iPhone or iPad can have the Sonos controller app, so each member of the household can control any ZonePlayer.

If you prefer a dedicated remote control, Sonos sells a color touchscreen remote control - the Controller 200. This rechargeable controller is about the size of aniPhone and has a menu system that may be easier to use for the more technologically challenged members of your household.

Create Queues With Music from Your Music Library Combined With Online Streaming Music

Sonos can stream music from your iTunes libraries, from your Windows media player, or from NAS drives.

The Sonos system can also access a number of online music streaming and cloud services so you don't have to buy and download music that you like. These include:Rhapsody and Napster for unlimited on-demand music; Rdio, Sirius XM and other internet radio stations; Slacker, Last.fm and Pandora for radio stations based on songs or artists you like.

You can create a music queue by adding music, then save the queues as a playlist to play again later. What's particularly exciting with Sonos is that you can create music queues that combine your own libraries of songs with songs from online services. Create a party list with songs you own, add recent albums from Rhapsody, and play them all together for your guests.

Sonos Products and Possible Configurations

While you can use a player in just one room, as mentioned, the magic happens when you are creating a whole-home music experience by combining ZonePlayers and a ZoneBridge to suit the music systems you already have at home.

Sonos Products include:

• ZonePlayer 120 - Amplified player, $499 (). This player connects to speakers directly and does not require connection to a stereo.
• ZonePlayer 90 - Connects to stereo, $349 (). This player plays as a source on your stereo. The stereo receiver must be powered on to play through it.
• ZonePlayer S5 - $399 each (). These ZonePlayers have built-in speakers and are easy to carry around the house, so you can play music in whatever room you are in. They can also be paired up to create stereo in a room.
• ZoneBridge BR100 - $99 (). The ZoneBridge can connect to your router and creates the Sonos network for your ZonePlayers.
• Controller 200 - $349 (). The controller has dedicated buttons and an easy-to-use menu system. Still, there iPhone and Android Sonos apps work just as well;and $349 would go a long way toward buying the iPad where you can download the Sonos app.

Here are some ideas of how you can configure your Sonos system.

• Connect the ZonePlayer 90 to your AV receiver. Set up your Sonos this way if you want to stream music to your high-quality sound system. This set-up requires the AV receiver to be powered on to play from the Sonos system. In contrast, the S120--which connects to speakers-- is always ready, so you can just choose music on your controller and hear it without having to physically go to the ZonePlayer and turn it on.
• Connect a CD, DVD or Blu-ray player or other music player to a ZonePlayer using the headphone jack (line-in) and share the music with ZonePlayers in other rooms.
• Connect a ZonePlayer to an Apple Airport Express and use AirPlay to stream music to the ZonePlayer from your iPhone, iPad, iPod or from iTunes on your computer. This lets you play music from iTunes playlists and Genius mixes.
• Carry the ZonePlayer S5 around the house so you have music whenever you want it.

Final Words

Sonos' unique system makes it possible to set up multi-room music in the way that works best for you.While it is not the cheapest whole-home audio option, it is rich in features, and it can stream from a number of online music services. Plus, you can start with just one portable ZonePlayer and a ZoneBridge and add more rooms as your budget allows.

For an additional perspective on the Sonos system, check out the review posted at About.com Stereos.