We have a client that has Sonos and is moving to a bigger house . We would like to do something else . But Sonos is less expensive and all the apps are free. I was wondering if anybody had reasons they stress to get the Client to upgrade to crestron , rti or élan etc .

Also what are you using for pandora in the bigger systems.

In my opinion there are only a few reasons NOT to use Sonos.

1. There are a lot of video zones that need integration

2. You are using a master control system like Crestron/RTI/Elan/Savant for some other reason, i.e. control of many other subsystems, touchpanels, etc. In which case it is easier to use a native-to-the-control-system DA. When this happens, we use Autonomic MMS for Pandora and streaming integration.

3. The client is more interested in legacy sources than streaming, like turntables, CD players, cable boxes etc.

If these criteria are not involved, I have found Sonos is a better match and has a greater client satisfaction factor.

You mean other then what is best for the client?

What iimig said!

how many zones? have you looked at NuVo? the integration is nice and now the app for the Music Server is free.

If you are doing distributed video I wouldn't even consider installing Sonos. If you are planning on any other integration I would caution against it as well. Personally I would either do Sonos or a fully integration system like the ones you mentioned. I really don't like the DA systems that Nuvo, Russound, etc offer because of their lack of flexibility and how they add another UI into the mix.

It's funny you mentioned this because I have the exact same situation right now! Customer bought a 6K sqft home less than a year ago and called me to say they needed more room so they bought a 10K sqft home. I really tried to steer them away from Sonos and they were very receptive to the automation component. Plus they have Homeworks so that was an easy add-on to the automation portion.

I would look into setting up a Vortexbox. Go to vortexbox.org, read up, and either load the iso file on an old computer or buy one from Small Green Computer. Squeezeboxes are supported by most automation systems and can handle Pandora along with almost everything else Sonos can do.

I don't have a great recommendation for an automation system. RTI is the first and only automation system I've used (on a regular basis) but I'm thinking about switching to Elan.

I really do not think it would be horrible to have a SONOS system installed next to an "everything else but music" integration system. How are they going to control things? Wired touchpanels or tablet/mobile devices? If someone primarily uses say an iPad as the controller for the Crestron, Elan, C4, etc...etc...system, the SONOS app is killer and there really would not be any negative to selecting the automation system app or the SONOS app.....that is just my opinion though. And for someone who already has a full blown SONOS system, they will be used to using different controls for watching TV or turning on the lights, or anything else....so would it really be that impractical or confusing to anyone under the age of 50? :P

Do you do any Control4? Extra Vegetables' SONOS driver is pretty complete and works very well. They even have added zone grouping just as you can do with a native SONOS controller. Not too shabby....I am hoping to be able to give it a full testing in my home sometime. I already have 2 SONOS zones....just need that new 7" wifi C4 TP and the HC250.

If this does not appeal to you, then find something else to serve up all their digital library and streaming services as well as they are used to with the SONOS and sell them on it. Then remove all the SONOS stuff and give it to me. :)

Sonos can be great and I show it to clients all the time, side-by-side with Crestron/RTI or sometimes PRodigy. I show them Sonos and what it can, which people love. Then I show them a integrated system and all the automation type stuff and Usually the fully integrated system really isn't much more than Sonos, especially if you're using higher quality amps. 

Every single person has chosen the integrated solution, even if one of the lesser solutions, simply because they saw more value in the potential for all the Smart home stuff and being able to control from a singel interface. The main thing I get that people what is Pandora, which we can do. 

+1 we do the same


Drew - Elan???? Come on really??

I consider Sonos a DIY product. You can buy it directly from their site. While you can make $ on the install; I refuse to enable the race to the bottom in the CI industry. It's certain to happen but I won't be to blame.

I sell Crestron and only Crestron. If a customer is looking for a cheaper solution; have at it......I'm not interested...

F Sonos!

I would love to sell a music system that does EVERYTHING the SONOS does AND MORE, AND does it BETTER, AND costs 2 or 3 or 5 times what SONOS costs. I would even maybe buy one. What is out there that can do it?

I am talking up to 32 independent zones, access to a plethora of streaming services, of course all local libraries, zone naming, zone grouping, line-inputs for legacy sources, alarm clocks, awesome FREE iOS and Android and PC/MAC control apps, reliable hardware with excellent tech. support, updates that are automatic and do not cause things to break (I will admit to hearing a handful of issues but none were unfixable), etc..etc...

I will point out that we do not actively sell SONOS (previous employer did but not a ton). I own it and love it and would recommend it to anyone for whom it fit their needs. But I would rather sell something that did more for more $$.

U said


But then

then again..


Why does it have to be free. The truth is that we can do a LOT of what Sonos can do and more with integrated system control and source like autonomic, iserver and others, and yes it will cost more money.


@jeff, now that you're jumping on the C4 wagon, I see some Sonos test gear with EV in your future.

Cory,
I sell Sonos now but I will be the first to jump ship when somebody who gives a sh*t about this industry and the dealers that make them who they are comes out with a comparable product.

Yep. same thinking i have.. except we do RTI only. If they want sonos, i tell them to stop by target and pick it up..