Zone Audio Part Two: Sonos Bundle 150 Multiroom System

Sonos is a company that knows that multizone audio is a typically-unfriendly arena that many would love to have in their homes, but fear the cost. The Sonos 150 system is the second reviewed in the two-part series that covers easy multi-zone audio systems.

The Sonos 150 bundle is one of the most attractive systems for this application, not only due to form factor, but ease of installation. Out of the box, the 150 is offered in amplified or unamplified flavors, the latter perfect for adding to an existing system. Like the reviewed NuVo Grand Concerto system, the amplification from the Sonos 150 is designed for smaller bookshelves or in-wall/ceiling applications where high power is typically not needed nor desired. The Bundle 150 utilizes the uber-slick CR100 handheld controller, first introduced in 2005 to much fanfare. Pioneering the concept of freeing your computer's music into multiple zones of your home with control, the CR100 controller shows artist, track, and cover art information on its 3 1/2" screen - very similar to carrying a large iPod - with control over your entire music collection and (potentially) unlimited capacity. The only real limitation to this system involves range. Although the remote is allegedly capable of operation within 100' of the base, things start getting a little fussy around 60-75', and almost go away outside. This is an issue installers or DIYers should consider when discussing outdoor speakers and placement of the Sonos system.

One of the best parts about the Bundle 150 is capacity - or lack thereof. Computer hard drive storage is extremely inexpensive today, with 1TB drives available under $100. The Sonos is designed to access and amplify your music; not store it. As a result, costs can be kept down (proprietary hard drives are mysteriously still expensive on a variety of devices today, far out of proportion with standalones), capacity is as unlimited as your budget and music collection, and interface to access this collection remains familiar. The CR100 remote offers the ability to quickly access this (potentially) large library through an intuitive A-Z listing format, although the scroll wheel is not quite as nice as the near-perfect iPod version. Refreshingly, the Sonos offers the ability to play back nearly any format (except protected AAC formats, for which there are workarounds), so existing iTunes collections can remain accessible through one program. The Sonos Bundle 150 can be augmented with the ZoneBridge unit, for scenarios where wireless access is required.

Designed to potentially stand alone in a second zone, the powered ZP120 incorporates a 55WPC amplifier and built-in 80HZ crossover to add a subwoofer. This is a nice touch, and addresses the fact that these little boxes are slightly anemic in their output, unless speakers are sufficiently efficient. Adding a subwoofer takes the brunt of the hard work away from these smaller amplifiers, adding impact and dynamics where they might previously be absent. Also, any outboard device connected to the Sonos system is accessible in other zones (minus metadata of course), and both the amplified and unamplified flavors offer digital audio connectivity for hookup to receivers with potentially superior D/A converters.

With the ability to access an entire existing music collection with a minimum of fuss, and access Internet-based subscription services like Pandora, the Sonos Bundle 150 is very possibly the most focused and cost-effective zoned music system available. Although not driven through wall-mounted keypads or 15" touchscreens, the Sonos system is a compact and reasonably-powerful package that should satisfy the DIYer wanting to add great audio to his entire home.