SONOS FIVE
At first glance, this seems similar to the Play:5. But it merits a deeper look.
If necessity is the mother of invention, then it should come as no surprise that the latest version of the Sonos Five looks and sounds remarkably like the model it’s meant to replace. Its forerunner, the Sonos Play:5 Gen 2, has been wildly successful since its release in 2015, offering a simple, curvy monochrome design, precise, robust and adaptable sound and well-integrated streaming smarts.
But despite outward appearances, there have been changes made internally, including increased memory and a more powerful quad-core 1.4GHz CPU processor. This indicates that Sonos is future-proofing this model for potential firmware upgrades that could include the long-rumoured addition of hi-res music support.
While you can directly stream music and radio from the S2 app, Spotify Connect or Apple Airplay 2, there’s no Bluetooth streaming onboard. This may put some users off, but as this is designed for use on a wireless network, it’s not a great loss. However, a more significant omission is the fact it doesn’t contain any in-built microphones for voice control, although it will work with Alexa and Google Home if you already have a control device.
Priced at $799 for a single unit, the Play Five is pricey compared to newer competitors in the multi-room wireless speaker market. But Sonos’ excellent app and ease of use as part of the company’s wider ecosystem mean that for those looking to build a reliable multi-room set-up, it’s still an attractive choice.
The Sonos Five really delivers in being a single speaker that can fill a room. Used alone in its horizontal position, its dispersion is extensive and consistently detailed, making it a great listen even in awkward spaces like kitchens and bathrooms.
Considering the compact size of the cabinet, the Sonos Five’s low end is punchy and distinct, particularly at higher volumes, and there’s excellent sonic separation across the board. It’s the warmth of the mid-range and treble, though, that is the most striking feature of this compact system. Occasionally we found it lacking a touch of top-end sparkle, but the voicing that Sonos has chosen manages to retain transparency without verging on harshness across a range of volumes and musical styles.
The Five is a classy speaker that can deliver audio in a manner that is both well-pervading for background music and sonically sophisticated enough for more concentrated listening. For users already invested in the Sonos ecosystem or those looking for a future-proofed streaming solution, it’s a great option.
Its dispersion is extensive and consistently detailed, making it a great listen.