Sonos Playbar

25 reviews

May, 2013

General overview
Price comparison
Product Specifications

We have collected and analyzed 22 expert reviews and 3 user reviews from international sources. Experts rate this product 88/100 and users rate it 95/100. The average review date is Mar 19, 2013. We have compared these reviews to 202343 reviews from other Speakers. The alaScore™ for this product is 100/100 = Excellent. Last update: May 18, 2013.

Review analysis

(Based on 25 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Showing 1 - 10 of 17 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (8)

Expert review by: Thomas Houston (theverge.com)

Sonos Playbar review: wireless audio invades your living room

The simple home stereo is struggling in the digital world. Little black boxes and audio sources are proliferating under the TV, remotes litter the coffee table, and docks clutter the bedroom and kitchen. Countless inputs and apps, disparate interfaces,...

Ease of setup and use ; Offers true wireless 5.1 ; Fantastic sound for movies and TV

No 3.5mm input ; Apps feel clunky ; Over-reliant on optical audio ; Not ideal for music listening

The Playbar may be the Trojan horse Sonos has needed all along

Mar, 2013

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Expert review by: Matthew Moskovciak (cnet.com)

Sonos Playbar

Sonos perfected multiroom digital music for the home. It wasn't the first company to take on the task, but Sonos' system is so easy to use and undeniably superior that it's easy to recommend, even at a premium price.

The Sonos Playbar integrates the company's best-in-class digital music software into a thoughtfully designed sound bar. It's dead simple to set up and works seamlessly with other Sonos products, and can even be expanded to a true wireless 5.1 system by...

The Playbar's heavily processed sound won't please purists. It's also expensive and there are considerably better-sounding alternatives in its price range. Many buyers would be fine with cheaper AirPlay or Bluetooth alternatives.

The Sonos Playbar is cleverly designed and does great fake surround, but it's better suited to current Sonos customers than newcomers.

Mar, 2013

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Expert review by: Chris Davies (slashgear.com)

Sonos PLAYBAR Review

Movie and TV audio for music lovers: that's how Sonos describes its new PLAYBAR, the first product from the whole-home audio company to tackle sound that comes with moving pictures, rather than audio for its own sake. Speaker-bars aren't a new concept,...

Still, our own experience with Sonos is that its simplicity means that even the most gadget-averse soon come to recognize its charms, and the PLAYBAR has that appeal in spades. The audio performance for both music and movies is excellent, and even if...

Mar, 2013

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Consumer review by: KGilfillan (cnet.com)

"Another great addition to the Sonos ecosystem"

As a happy owner of 2 Play:3's, SUB and Wireless Bridge, I was excited to hear Sonos was adding a TV sound bar to their connected audio system lineup. I have always enjoyed the fine sound quality, workmanship and app support that are Sonos hallmarks...

Decent sound from stereo source

Single optical input only

Apr, 2013

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Consumer review by: mattliptak (cnet.com)

"Huge improvemnt over Sony 3D sound bar home theater"

I had a Sony 3D sound bar to pair with my 55" Sony Bravia and I was looking for something a bit better. I visited Best Buy and the Magnolia guys demonstrated this for me and I was blown away! It is technologically advanced and innovative allowing you...

Awesome sound and quick and easy set up paring with wifi and iPad. Sound is awesome with no clutter of wires or receivers.

A bit large and without the sub woofer not as good on bass, but good enough for a stand alone bar

Mar, 2013

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Expert review by: Stuart Miles (pocket-lint.com)

Sonos PlayBar review

The Sonos PlayBar is the company's latest speaker and one designed specifically to sit under your TV. But does it work, should you bother, and what's it sound like? Pocket-lint has been using one in our home, watching as much TV as is healthy, to find...

Easy to install, sleek, good sound, can connect to Sonos Sub and two Play:3 speakers for surround sound

No HDMI, no 7.1 support, streaming to other components require they are in the same zone

The Sonos PlayBar is a fantastic piece of kit that really delivers on its promise of simplicity, and quality. It isn't cheap, but it does add to your Sonos network and make for an even more flexible system

Mar, 2013

Partner Source

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Expert review by: Kate Solomon (techradar.com)

Hands on: Sonos Playbar review

Can Sonos make soundbars cool?

Better than TV audio ; Good looking ; Expandable ; Nice audio for music ; Wealth of music apps

Expensive ; Not brilliant at dialogue

Feb, 2013

Partner Source

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Recommended!

Expert review by: Andrew Williams (trustedreviews.com)

Sonos Playbar

An excellent, classy and convenient soundbar that doesn't come cheap.

Fantastic design and build quality ; High-detail, wide and engaging sound ; Easy streaming from Spotify and suchlike ; No HDMI inputs

Creating a Sonos 5.1 system is expensive

The Sonos Playbar is a lounge-unifying device that will let you dump your remote controls and your old hi-fi in the bin. Once you've set it up, it’ll also let you control both your TV and your audio system with your phone. For everything but the most...

Apr, 2013

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Expert review by: (expertreviews.co.uk)

Sonos Playbar review

Sonos has built its reputation on its high-quality multi-room audio system and players, but for the Playbar soundbar the company is trying its hand at home cinema. This being Sonos, this isn't just another soundbar, as it fully integrates with the...

It's expensive, but it looks gorgeous, sounds brilliant, can be extended into a 5.1 system and it can join your existing Sonos multi-room system

Mar, 2013

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Expert review by: (stuff.tv)

Sonos Playbar Review

This isn't a soundbar, this is a Sonos soundbar, and it's really rather awesome

Sonos Playbar review – introAny Sonos announcement is greeted by a ripple of excitement around these parts. Heck, even the announcement of an announcement (yep, it’s one of those companies) is enough

Mar, 2013