Sonos releases the Play:3, a networkable speaker for $299

By Jeffrey Van Camp July 20, 2011

sonos-android-app-play-3 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Imagine a set of speakers in every room that can play different sound, link together, or perform whatever audio wizardry your heart has so long desired. Well, we don’t promote magic, but Sonos may have already figured it out. Today, the company introduces the new Sonos Play:3 line of speakers, a $299 speaker powerful enough to fill a room by itself, but smart enough to play a small part in a massive speaker network, if that’s what you’re going for.

The power is in the versatility. I was able to try out the Sonos:3 in person yesterday, and I was thoroughly impressed by the product. Sonos works by attaching itself to your Wi-FI connection. Install one $49 Sonos Bridge and you’re good to go. Each of the Play:3 speakers connect wirelessly to the bridge and each other, enabling you to daisy chain as large of a wireless speaker network as you desire.

After you set things up, the iPhone or Android app allow you to play music on any one, or all of the Sonos speakers independently or together. Set up your own networks or run everything simultaneously; it’s your decision. Better yet, the network runs Spotify, Last.fm, MOG, Napster, Pandora, Rhapsody, SiriusXM, Stitcher, and many others, so if your Mac or PC music collection isn’t enough, there are plenty of streaming services to compliment your experience. We were extremely impressed with the responsiveness of Sonos’s Wi-Fi 802.11 N network.

“PLAY:3 gives music fans an incredibly easy way to listen to all the music on earth,” said John MacFarlane, CEO, Sonos, Inc. “PLAY:3’s innovative design sets a new bar for Hi Fidelity audio in a compact package and makes it simple to amplify the music experience in any room of the home.”

The new Sonos speakers are available today for $299.

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Jeffrey Van Camp

Former Digital Trends Contributor

As DT's Deputy Editor, Jeff helps oversee editorial operations at Digital Trends. Previously, he ran the site's…

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