Sonos have announced an update to their PLAY:5 speaker. The new refined design has a very different look to the original PLAY:5 and also has some great smarts in the software.
Trueplay is software exclusive to Sonos that raises the bar for home audio. This works by adjusting your PLAY:1, PLAY:3, and PLAY:5 speakers to sound even better in any room of your home. It does this by using the microphone in your iPhone or iPad to measure how the sound reflects off the room’s walls and other surfaces, then fine-tunes your speaker to make sure it sounds great, no matter where you’ve placed it.
Sonos says the new PLAY:5 will turn every song you’ve ever loved into a richer listening experience. You’ll hear your favourites, old and new, in completely fresh ways. With greater sonic detail and separation. And connect with your music on an even deeper level.
Specifications for the new PLAY:5 are:
Amplifier
Six Class-D digital amplifiers perfectly tuned to match the speakers and acoustic architecture.
Tweeters
Three tweeters create a crisp and accurate high-frequency response.
Mid-woofers
Three dedicated mid-woofers ensure the faithful reproduction of mid-range frequencies crucial for accurate playback of vocals and instruments, while also delivering a deep, rich bass.
Audio line-in
Auto-detecting 3.5mm audio line-in connection
Stereo Pair setting
Turn two PLAY:5s into separate left and right channel speakers for an intense stereo listening experience. Place vertically for a deeper, more focused sweet spot, or sideways for wider, more shareable sound coverage.
5.1 Home Cinema
Add two PLAY:5 speakers to a PLAYBAR and SUB for a true surround sound experience.
Wireless connectivity
Works on your home WiFi network with any 802.11b/g, 2.4GHz broadcast capable router.
Also works on SonosNet, a secure AES encrypted, peer-to-peer wireless mesh network dedicated exclusively for your Sonos system to reduce WiFi interference
SonosNet Extender
Functions to extend and enhance the power of SonosNet 2.0.
Ethernet Port
One 10/100Mbps Ethernet port
Weight
14 lbs (6.36 kg)
Dimensions (H x W x D)
8.03 x 14.33 x 6.06 in. (203 x 364 x 154 mm)
Package contents
PLAY:5, power cord, Ethernet cable, QuickStart Guide, and Legal/Warranty information
Power Supply
AC 100-240V, 50-60Hz, universal input
Storage temperature
-20°C to 70°C
Operating temperature
32°F to 104°F (0°C to 40°C)
Controls
Touch interface with volume up/down, previous/next track and play/pause.
Status Indicator
Light indicates PLAY:5 status.
Humidity resistant
Designed to withstand high humidity, such as in a bathroom with a running shower. (The PLAY:5 is not waterproof or water resistant.)
Product finish
White matte or Black matte enclosure, graphite grille.
Rubber and felt feet
Built-in rubber feet
Multi-language support
Sonos System Software supports : Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Swedish and Brazilian Portuguese.
For those of us who own PLAY:5 speakers already, Sonos says they’ll continue to support them with software updates and support for years to come.
Trueplay will be released as a free software update later this year and will sell for A749.00. The PLAY:5 still comes in just two colours, black or white. It’d be great to see Sonos add some options here to fit in with people’s decor.
More information at Sonos.
