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25 of 25 found the following review helpful:
Spectacular Apr 09, 2008
By esanta
"esanta"
This is the absolute best digital jukebox out there, period. As an added bonus, it's flexible, scalable, multizone, wireless... and systems costing twenty times as much do not even come close the ease of use: Sonos currently has the highest Wife Acceptance Factor of any techno-gadget out there, only equaled by TiVo.
Although some amount of technical savvy is required for the initial setup, anybody can pick up the beautiful remote and immediately figure out how to use it (it's a bit like an iPod).
This bundle contains the wireless controller and its charger (but no charging cradle, more on this later), a ZP80 and a ZP100. The main difference between the two zone players is the ZP100 has a built-in amplifier so you can hook up speakers directly to it, whereas the ZP80 doesn't but it offers digital output (coax and optical) which the ZP100 lacks. Both zone players feature an analog input (you could use it for a TV or a satellite radio receiver, for instance) as well as analog line output. It's the perfect starter kit for a two-zone system; you can always add more controllers and zone players later as needed, and seamlessly integrate them into your system.
Sonos has been relentlessly adding features since its initial release: Rhapsody, Pandora, Napster, Sirius Satellite Radio (no antenna needed, you get the feed over the internet). Reliability has been exemplary.
The price may seem a little steep for a music system, but the nearest competitor (Logitech Squeezebox Duet Network Music System) is nowhere near as fully featured (no amplifier, no audio input, no Sirius) and doesn't cost much less for a two zone system. It also seems to be a lot more complicated to setup and use, but I must admit not having any first-hand experience with it.
The only blemish on the Sonos is that they sell the charging cradle separately for a ridiculous amount of money (it's just a dumb piece of plastic) when it's an indispensable part of the system. Considering the fairly high price of the system, I fail to see the rationale behind excluding it from the bundle... It must be the brainchild of some marketing moron. Other than this minor but irritating point... This is just the most enjoyable, reliable, easiest to use system out there.
This NAS box is a perfect complement to your Sonos system and will host the music files so you can turn off your computer and keep the music going: D-Link DNS-323 2-Bay Network Storage Enclosure
The infamous cradle (don't forget to order it): Sonos CC100 Charging Cradle for Sonos CR100 Controller
Edit: the Logitech Squeezebox Duet now supports Sirius.
[Edit August 2008] Sonos released new ZonePlayers, ZP90 and ZP120, part of the new BU150 bundle which replaces the BU130. Don't buy the now obsolete BU130 bundle unless you can get it at a significant discount over the BU150.
12 of 12 found the following review helpful:
Man you gotta get one of these! Jul 12, 2007
By Mike J. Hoare
Fantastic product. Pipe music wirelessly to every room in your house and when you're finished setting that up, send the tunes out to the garage and to the hot tub. I have 6 amps and plan on adding three more, so as you can see I'm hardly objective about the system. And why? Because it just works, and works perfectly. I have access to my entire hard-disked music library via the color remote and when I'm in the mood can stream music via internet radio or via Rhapsody etc. Let me cut this short by saying if you have the cash, this is the way to go. Easy set up, flawless operation. Couldn't ask for more.
14 of 15 found the following review helpful:
great product Jul 01, 2007
By Douglas R. Wieringa
"dwieringa"
I've had Sonos for two years, and have added two zones to my original two. I'll simply say that I haven't bought a piece of consumer electronics in the last 10 years that has given more enjoyment and caused less frustration than Sonos. If you're serious about multi-room audio this is the way to go.
10 of 11 found the following review helpful:
Home Run Jun 29, 2007
By Tom Gimbel
Pros: simplicity, build quality, reliability, flexibility, Pandora
Cons: still expensive, Pandora extra cost
I have been searching for a wireless audio system for my home for years. There have been virtually no choices at the $1000 level. The Sonos founders must have noticed. I am amazed that they got everything right the first time around. I ordered the BU130 bundle plus the Sonos speakers. The setup was simple. Connected one of the two units (either one will do) to my router (using wired connection). The router recognized it immediately and I was in business.
The bundle comes with the 100 (amplifier included) and the 80 (no amplifier). The speakers turned out to be weak - would not get those again. If I had a choice, I would not get the 100 again because I don't need the amplifier. But, the package includes it and the package is cheaper than buying two 80s and a controller. You might find the four 10/100 etherports on the 100 useful (I didn't).
I connected my media system to the 80's line input and I now can pipe that sound all over the house (no wires). I just bought another bundle to add more rooms.
This system is just crazy rich. Besides the obvious flexibility of line-in from any of the units, Sonos includes 30-day trials of Pandora and Rhapsody. If you've ever tried Rhapsody, you may find it hard to go back to radio (broadcast or Internet). Unfortunately, you'll have to pay for it after the 30 day trial. Pandora is basically like satellite radio. I'm not hooked, yet. Sonos also delivers a broad selection of Internet radio genres. All of this is selected from the fantastic remote. Be sure to spend the extra $40 for the cradle.
One last comment. When I first set the system up, I was concerned that the range would be limited. I've had it all over my house, in every room and closet and upstairs far, from the server. No problem.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
 Does exactly what it claims, but a bit pricey Jan 20, 2008
By J. LeCroy
"sarjon"
Strengths: One hour and it was all set up.
Excellent customer support.
Great wireless range (we have trouble with wireless phones but the sonos signal went 50' through old plaster walls and ceilings, no problem).
Excellent audio quality.
Pulls album art on its own.
Intuitive remote. Learn on the fly.
Lots of internet radio stations and has Sirius radio capability.
Weaknesses: Very pricey.
Must use controller wheel, no touch recognition on screen.
Slightly outdated with no video capability.
Needs its own wireless network with at least one unit wired to your computer. Need a $99 Zone bridge if you don't want to leave a full unit attached to the computer.
Won't play protected itunes songs (most of the ones bought on itunes are protected).
Can only handle 50k songs so if you have a huge hard drive of music you cant use it all at once.
No up and down channel controls for Sirius radio. must go to menu w/ track wheel to change channel. Also must add $2.99/month to upgrade internet radio account if you already have a Sirius account.
Music management is not very robust.
Overall its awesome, but at a price. For $999 for the combo set it should not have many of the issues i cited. If Price does not matter to you then it is five star.
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