Digital has completely changed the way we listen to music. Today, songs are stored in computers, play lists are created on iPods and mix tapes are so passé. But who really wants to listen to music sitting in front of a computer? I don't – not when there's a perfectly good set of speakers in my living room, ready to blast the tunes.
Enter the Sonos Digital Music System. It takes music files from your computer and sends them to any room in your home – wirelessly. Simply hook up the speakers, plug your Sonos Zone Player unit in to a power outlet, connect it to your computer and install the easy-to-use Sonos software. After that you can connect as many Sonos Zone Players as you like around the house and they will all be networked to your music on your computer wirelessly. All that's left is to fire up the rechargeable, wireless controller and start playing your music.
Ah, yes, the wireless controller. Weighing less than a pound, the controller is free to roam wherever you please – even poolside (it's splash-resistant). Just drop it in the cradle charger once in a while. Thanks to a built-in motion sensor, it automatically turns on when you pick it up and its scroll wheel, which is nearly identical to that of an iPod, makes navigating the menus on the 3.5-inch color screen a breeze. Just scroll through your music and tap the center button to play.
The music will start instantaneously; a secure peer-to-peer wireless connection ensures the tunes continue uninterrupted (as long as your computer is on). Album covers are displayed on the controller's screen, along with the artist's name, track and time elapsed. You control everything from the remote. Want to see what music's available? Press "music." Turn up the volume? Tap the "+" button. Switch zone players? Press "zones."
You'll probably find yourself using this last button a lot. Up to 32 zone players can be hooked up to one computer. Translation: you can play 32 different songs at the same time throughout your house. Each player has a 50-watt-per-channel amplifier that can handle virtually any type of compressed music, including MP3, WMA, WAV and AAC files.
Since you can only really get your equipment repaired at Sonos, we decided to test out their tech support. Let's just say it was extremely painless. No wait on the phone, quick email responses, and if the unit can't be fixed remotely, they mail you a new unit and then all you have to do is drop the old one in the postage-paid box, so you're never without your beloved Sonos. Clearly, whoever set up their tech support understands what it's like to be on the other end of the line when calling a normal electronics company.
Not only can the Sonos Digital Music System handle up to 40,000 songs, it also allows you to tune in Internet radio stations from around the world. A starter system, which includes two players and a controller, retails for about $1,200 U.S.
For more information on the Sonos Digital Music System, visit www.Sonos.com
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