Getting started with Music Streaming using the Sonos Play 1 Wireless Speaker
I wanted to add a wireless speaker to our kitchen that sounded pretty good, was compact and wireless, could stream from the internet, and was easy to use. During podcasts, Jason Snell from Six Colors and others talked about how well they like Sonos. After looking at the large number of online services that work on Sonos speakers and how well Sonos is rated, I bought the Sonos Play:1.
Sonos Play:1 Ethernet Port
Setup of the Sonos is a bit of a process. Initially, the Play:1 needs to be plugged into a router with an ethernet cable so it can pair with the network. After that, the Sonos can work over WiFi.
Next, after placing the speaker in the room, the Sonos Controller app is used to finish the setup. The speaker sound is calibrated for the room it is in using your phone. As the speaker makes a loud thumping sound, you walk around the room slowly as you wave your phone in circles for what seems like a very long minute.
Next, after placing the speaker in the room, the Sonos Controller app is used to finish the setup. The speaker sound is calibrated for the room it is in using your phone. As the speaker makes a loud thumping sound, you walk around the room slowly as you wave your phone in circles for what seems like a very long minute.
Sonos Controller App
You then add the streaming services you want to use into the Sonos Controller app. Sonos works with more than 50 streaming services, which was one of the big draws for me. As with using any of the streaming services, you will need to create an account for each service you use. There are both free and paid services you can choose from.
There are several ways to play music you own on the Sonos. I can stream my music that I have uploaded to Google Play Music for free, as I have described for music streaming to the iPhone. You can also setup the Sonos desktop app on a Mac or Windows computer and stream your music from there, but the computer needs to be on to stream the audio files. Another way is to put your music in a Plex server for streaming.
Although the Play:1 does not support Airplay or Airplay 2, there is a utility app that runs on the Mac to add the Play:1 to your network as an Airplay device.
There are several ways to play music you own on the Sonos. I can stream my music that I have uploaded to Google Play Music for free, as I have described for music streaming to the iPhone. You can also setup the Sonos desktop app on a Mac or Windows computer and stream your music from there, but the computer needs to be on to stream the audio files. Another way is to put your music in a Plex server for streaming.
Although the Play:1 does not support Airplay or Airplay 2, there is a utility app that runs on the Mac to add the Play:1 to your network as an Airplay device.
Sonos Play:1 Controls
I like how easy it is to use the Sonos after setup. There are only two buttons, power and volume. The Sonos remembers the last service used to listen to audio and will continue to use that the next time it is turned on.
The Sonos Controller app is used to change to another one of the streaming services or different stations/playlists/artist/albums/genres within them. The app is also used to remotely run the speaker or apply updates to the Sonos. It is possible to tie multiple speakers together for whole home streaming.
The Sonos Controller app is used to change to another one of the streaming services or different stations/playlists/artist/albums/genres within them. The app is also used to remotely run the speaker or apply updates to the Sonos. It is possible to tie multiple speakers together for whole home streaming.
Since I bought the Play:1, Sonos came out with the Sonos One with integrated Amazon Alexa. The Sonos One has the same compact form factor, but it is also a little more expensive. If you are not interested in a smart speaker that you can talk to and want to save money, the Play:1 is still for sale. If you already have an Alexa device, it can work with the Play:1.
I am not an audiophile, but I think the Play:1 has good sound for a compact speaker. My Sonos Play:1 is used alot and I would certainly buy it again. The only real drawback for me is that it does not have a Line-In audio port. The picture above shows a hole by the ethernet port, but this is just a screw hole for wall mounting.
Update (July 2018): The newer Sonos One now has AirPlay 2 support. Part of AirPlay 2 is that you can ask Siri to play music on an AirPlay 2 enabled speaker. However, the Sonos Play:1 does not support AirPlay.
Update (September 2018): Good news. With iOS 12 and using IFTTT (If This Then That), it is now possible to use a Siri Shorcut to control the older Sonos Play:1. Federico Viticci at MacStories describes how to use Siri Shortcuts and IFTTT Webhooks to control a Sonos. The first Sonos Shortcuts I set up were to Pause and Resume Playing the Sonos.
I am not an audiophile, but I think the Play:1 has good sound for a compact speaker. My Sonos Play:1 is used alot and I would certainly buy it again. The only real drawback for me is that it does not have a Line-In audio port. The picture above shows a hole by the ethernet port, but this is just a screw hole for wall mounting.
Update (July 2018): The newer Sonos One now has AirPlay 2 support. Part of AirPlay 2 is that you can ask Siri to play music on an AirPlay 2 enabled speaker. However, the Sonos Play:1 does not support AirPlay.
Update (September 2018): Good news. With iOS 12 and using IFTTT (If This Then That), it is now possible to use a Siri Shorcut to control the older Sonos Play:1. Federico Viticci at MacStories describes how to use Siri Shortcuts and IFTTT Webhooks to control a Sonos. The first Sonos Shortcuts I set up were to Pause and Resume Playing the Sonos.
Sonos Play:1 Compact Wireless Speaker on Amazon
Sonos Controller on the App Store
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Added 2018-04-19 <> Updated 2018-10-01 <> ID 18041901
Versions - Sonos Contoller 9.1
Added 2018-04-19 <> Updated 2018-10-01 <> ID 18041901
Versions - Sonos Contoller 9.1
