Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by mleo 520 days ago
I've had a Sonos system going back 10 years now. I started with 6 or 7 speakers and now it is at 15 [9 zones] Sonos speakers and 12 HomePods [6 pairs]. There have been hiccups along the way:

- Migration from S1 to S2 having to replace early, older models such as Amp and Port. But have received some discounts on new speakers

- Unifi network & Sonosnet issues with STP. Mostly solved by disabling Sonosnet

- Sonos Roam speakers failing

While having occasional issues with the new app design, it hasn't impacted much on a day to day basis. I didn't use much of the features that were lost initially, though I can see how it would be damaging to those who do.

For playing whole home audio, I generally use Airplay integration and just group the speakers through AppleTV or iPad. I occasionally use the app to do so.

The value I receive from each: - Sonos supports surround sound, whereas the HomePods do not.

- Sonos is tied into home automation and some custom TTS announcements

- Sonos Amp works with outdoor speakers and can update the speakers

- The HomePod minis are small and less intrusive in certain areas of the home

- HomePods have access to Siri and home control

At one point I had several Echo devices, but it was annoying to constantly update that system for home automation integration. HomePods replaced all of those except for an Echo Show in the Kitchen.

I never use bluetooth, nor felt it is a missing feature of my Sonos system or HomePods.