SONOS: Its products, its history

Sonos has always been looking for an affordable way to bring sound to the home. Breaking the silence of the home was the advertising slogan from the very beginning. Over the years, several wireless speaker models have appeared, ranging from small formats for bedrooms to larger ones for living rooms.

SONXPLUS was among the first to offer the brand in Quebec, recognizing a long-awaited solution for the serious electronics enthusiast.

Sonos is one of the world's leading sound experience brands. As the inventor of multi-room wireless home audio, Sonos is also known for offering an unparalleled sound experience, meticulous aesthetics and design, ease of use and a crystal-clear, user-friendly platform. Sonos is 4 visionary founders who have worked hard to succeed; but did you know that one of them went to university in MONTREAL and another worked for Apple? Here's the fascinating story of this modern legend's rise to fame.

It all began when a certain John Macfarlane, a computer engineer, sold his pioneering Web messaging software company (www.software.com), which he had founded in 1993. The sale went to Phone.com for $6.4 billion.

With so much money at his disposal, he and a partner from that first venture, Thomas Cullen, decided to team up with two other collaborators from the previous venture to come up with a revolutionary product based on their knowledge of computers and networks. Trung mai and Craig Shelburne were thus an integral part of the original creative team.

Here are the skills of the four founders:

John Macfarlane : a computer engineer specializing in web-based networking.

Thomas Cullen: Became VP Sales & Marketing. During his career, he has worked at Apple Computer, Software.com and Openwave Systems.

Trung mai: trained as an electrical and computer engineer, he did part of his university studies in Montreal (1981-85) at Mc Gill University.

Craig Shelburne: a finance and legal specialist, he set up the company's financial and legal functions. One of his missions was to identify all existing patents, but above all to patent each and every one of the Group's inventions, to ensure the company's long-term future by providing watertight protection against copying by potential competitors.

So all bases were covered! One guy trained in software, another in circuit and network design, a third looking after the grain (finance and rights protection) and finally a marketing expert. How to miss!

John was convinced that a system for distributing entertainment content from a single server on board an airliner would be something interesting, except that... the other three wanted nothing to do with the project!

After several months of brainstorming in the first office in Santa Barbara, California, land of American genius, the joint decision would be to offer both the container and the content in consumer music entertainment. They then drew up an initial theoretical outline of what the network should look like in the home. 

First Research Bureau 2002

With a fortune like that to support a research and development team, you'd think it would be a walk in the park... Think again! We had to invent everything; nothing we mastered today existed.

It was in a large open space above a restaurant that the engineering brigade set to work in early 2003. The first concept consisted of a system of amplifiers to which satellite speakers would be grafted, all linked by a network that would take its source from a bank of files hosted on hard disk. All controlled from a tablet-style remote control.

Concept diagram by John Macfarlane

The first steps involved a wired network linking together several small amplifiers designed on site by John Macfarlane. Then came the Mesh network, derived from military applications. The Mesh principle allows different sources to communicate with each other without the need for a router to "traffic" them. The advantage of this approach is that, by allowing each device to receive the same information and return it to others, we obtain a stable network uninterrupted by outside interference. But don't forget, apart from the army, this didn't exist, and the concept wasn't about relaxing and listening to music! 

In September 2003, prototypes were built, but they didn't work. So it was decided to test the devices under real-life conditions in the homes of team members and their families. One by one, they solved the problems - first the persistent ones, then the intermittent "bugs" that remain the bane of any technician or engineer's existence.

... By the summer of 2004, Sonos had finally solved the problems, prototypes were starting to work reliably, and the organization set about previewing the system to other industry players. The hard work finally paid off...

After 4 years of research and sleepless nights trying to solve the problems of bringing to market a product for which no similar example existed, the young company decided to begin production, in the autumn of 2004, of an amp and speaker, the Zone Player 100 (forerunner of the Sonos Amp) and a wireless controller.

As an indication of what would one day be the Sonos trademark, i.e. perfection in detail, they had to destroy the first batch of product, because the glue on the controller housing wouldn't hold...

Finally, on January 27, 2005, the new Sonos units were on their way to the first buyers! 

First commercial offer 

The rest is fascinating and can be summed up as follows:

The iPhone is launched in 2007, replacing the Sonos controller with a mobile device. In 2008, the recession hits the USA hard, and business slows to such an extent that the founders have to pay out of their own pockets to maintain the company and its employees. Persevering in the midst of turmoil enabled the release in November 2009 of a speaker with its own integrated amplifier, the Play 5, which was an instant success.

Today in 2021, Sonos is the world leader in connected audio equipment, with an insurmountable lead over the competition. Faithful to its initial decision to offer both container and content, Sonos gives you access to various streaming services such as Spotify, Deezer HI-FI, and so on. What's more, this year Sonos became its own content provider at a more-than-affordable price: "Sonos Radio HD" costs just $7.99 a month.

Let's talk about supply in 2021.

Sonos currently offers three main product families: Stereo speakers for the home, portable speakers for the outdoors, and the Dolby Atmos home theater solution.

HOUSEHOLD SOUND SYSTEM.

ONE SL

Launched in 2013 as the PLAY 1, this small, second-generation stand-alone loudspeaker delivers rich sound with bass that's truly remarkable for its size. Add a second and you've got stereophonic musicality. It can be complemented with a Sonos SUB subwoofer, or used as a pair to complete the Sonos 5.1 Cinema sound.

It incorporates Apple AirPlay 2 for Siri voice control. What's more, it's moisture-resistant, with Soft Touch keys and a stain-resistant finish.

ONE

For a few dollars more, the ONE, full version, adds voice control capability to the SL. The Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa is designed to let you play music, check the news, set alarms, get answers to your questions, and more!

FIVE

FIVE is the brand's high-fidelity system. 6 loudspeakers powered by 6 Class D amplifiers guarantee low distortion. The included TruePlay software analyzes your room and configures the acoustics for the best possible technical performance. A quad-core processor and 512 MB of memory ensure maximum efficiency without interruption or hesitation. And let's not forget the continuous software updates. What's surprising about this product is its sonic power, the depth of the bass without the need for SUB, and the clarity of the treble. It features a standard input for connecting various sources such as a TV or turntable.

AMP

The Sonos AMP is the original, modern version. If you want to do away with a traditional sound system, but retain the richness of your columns, this product is for you. However, its most widespread use remains the integration of ceiling speakers. The AMP's 250 watts make it possible to add sound to your rooms more discreetly. What's more, it also features a standard input for connecting various sources, such as a TV or your turntable. I invite you to meet with a qualified consultant to discuss your projects, as the possibilities are numerous...

PORT

PORT is the easy way to modernize your old sound system! Just connect it to an audio input on the back of your traditional amplifier, and voilà! Now you can control your music sources over the web from your tablet or mobile device, giving your stereo set a new lease of life.

WIRELESS OUTDOOR PORTABLES

Long neglected, Sonos now offers Bluetooth solutions - well worth the wait!

MOVE

The MOVE is an intermediate-format loudspeaker between the compact ONE and the high-performance FIVE. It incorporates voice control like the ONE and TruePlay autocalibration like the FIVE.

It's battery-powered for up to 11 hours, and weatherproof. What's more, you can use it anywhere, as it works with both WI-FI and Bluetooth. And, of course, it includes Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri. To recharge, simply place it on its standard charging base - it couldn't be easier!

ROAM

The ROAM fits in your hand and incorporates the same technologies as the MOVE. The sound, though less powerful, remains typically Sonos, with a perfect balance between bass and treble. To recharge, simply place it on the optional contactless induction charging base (a new SONOS feature!).

CINEMA SOLUTION

Completely renewed in 2021, the Sonos range of cinema products is very much of its time.

Both 2021 soundbar models integrate the Dolby Atmos standard. 

ARC

A successful sound bar requires several speakers, each with its own dedicated task of directing the ambient movement. Featuring eleven high-performance drivers for crisp highs, dynamic mids and surprising bass, Arc's slim profile can be wall-mounted or discreetly placed on a cabinet.

Very important in this day and age, this model is very aesthetically pleasing, definitely one of the most beautiful bars on the market...

Once again, we haven't skimped on quality, incorporating 11 Class D amplifiers, one for each driver. The woofers are elliptically shaped for adequate performance in smaller spaces. The True Play system "listens" to room reverberation and adjusts equalization in real time. Of course, you can adjust the presence of bass and treble. Google assistant and Alexa voice commands respond well thanks to the far-field microphone array, which uses advanced beamforming and multi-channel echo cancellation to make them easy to activate regardless of the frames being listened to.

Complete feature list :

• Speech enhancement to clarify dialogue.
• LED status indicator adjusts to ambient light to avoid distraction.
• Soft-touch control.
• HDMI ARC/eARC port to connect to your TV.
• Optical audio connects to the optical audio output of an older TV set.
• Works with AirPlay 2 on Apple iOS 11.4 devices and above.
• Infrared (IR) receiver Synchronizes with your TV remote control for simplified control
• Large memory capacity: 1 GB SDRAM and 4 GB volatile buffer.

BEAM

The new, second-generation Beam offers a compromise. Experience panoramic sound and crystal-clear dialogue for shows, movies and games. And when the TV is off, stream music and more from all your favorite services. Control is as easy as ever with the Sonos app, voice control and Apple AirPlay 2.

Output is certainly lower with its five speakers versus 11 for the more popular "ARC", but it's more compact and therefore easily movable for use as a stand-alone audio source similar to a ONE.

The new features of this second generation 2021 BEAM :

• Dolby Atmos
• ARC-style perforated design.
• 40% faster processor for 3D Atmos sound.
• Improved dialogue enhancement function.
• True Play automatic calibration.

SONOS SUB

Already a^3rd generation for 2021! The Sonos SUB is highly acclaimed. Ask anyone you know who owns one, and they'll tell you just how clean the bass sounds are, with no artifacts or breath noise. The "crate" simply doesn't reason!

The secret is two force-suppressed drivers in the center of the SUB that eliminate vibrations and ill-defined rumble, so you get powerful bass without any distortion. Don't forget, a subwoofer isn't just for the cinema; when you're listening to music, the benefits are real...

The control application makes life easy.

What sets Sonos products apart from the rest is the advanced development of their control software. Believe me, they're not all the same - far from it!

Installing a new Sonos system is child's play: just plug in your new speakers, install the app on your mobile device, tablet PC or IOS system, and in just 4 easy steps you're ready to go!

What's more, some models let you calibrate the sound using the microphone on your tablet or cell phone.

The choice of music sources is, without a doubt, the most comprehensive on the market, with dozens of suppliers offering millions of pieces of music!

A few tips for hassle-free installation

Although the Sonos system can be implemented via your home WI-FI router, I recommend purchasing the "Boost" module to obtain greater stability in playback and response to your commands. Our customers often complain of crashes due to their WI-FI router being overloaded. Installing a Boost is sure to solve this problem. As a bonus, you'll benefit from a longer range, often as far as an outdoor patio.

Our team's listening selections

Although there is a plethora of content providers, 3 stand out as follows:

Deezer HI-FI (formerly Elite): The pay solution, but with unrivalled sound quality. Deezer broadcasts FLAC content, giving CD-like performance. Just search for your song or band, and you're ready to go. A real jukebox!

Spotify: this service is similar to Deezer, but broadcasts in 320 kbs MP3. Note that the free version allows 6 track changes at the user's discretion, which is impossible on most platforms in the free version.

Tidal: A service similar to Deezer, it offers music in lossless format, i.e. FLAC files. This service is not free.

It's a far cry from all-in-one sets with bulky wires or even traditional systems with massive speakers. Sonos has long understood that consumers want solid performance, but with a minimalist footprint. The two Sonos soundbars are definitely more compact than their competitors, but they deliver just as much, if not more, if you include their web-based music playback capabilities. Sounding the whole house when the walls are already closed (everyone's situation except people who are building) is finally affordable for everyone. Many people build their systems within a year or two, adding one room at a time. Flexibility, that's what Sonos is all about!