I have yet to join the Roon community as I am trying to discern whether it is a good alternative over the horrendous Sonos app to run a fairly extensive system involving seven speakers and a port. Could a few Sonos users give me some insight into the viability of using Roon to run it all? As a note, I’m looking at it for all the enhanced meta data and combining a decent stereo setup into the mix.
Welcome, @telosman33
The Sonos app debacle was part of the reason I initially evaluated Roon, as I already subscribed to Qobuz. No going back now, in large part because I discovered how great Roon’s MUSE DSP is for my (non Sonos) headphone listening.
The Roon server on my modest NUC11 streams without problem to my Sonos devices, using the ‘Sonos streaming’ protocol option as opposed to Airplay. Roon downsamples as required to 44.1/48kHz for Sonos. Where necessary I still group the players in Sonos rather than in Roon. I should point out that I rarely require more than one stream at a time from the server.
There are however a few wrinkles which may or may not be important. While volume control at the Sonos level works fine – in the app or at the speaker itself – transport controls (play/pause/stop/next/prev) do not behave properly. Transport must be controlled upstream through Roon.
Also the Sonos app displays nothing of use: some variants may show a randomly named FLAC file playing with blank artwork, while others think nothing is playing at all.
Suggestion: start a Roon trial by installing the server on a handy Windows or Apple computer and see how things go. I did so, and within 24 hours had ordered a NUC box and taken out a full year’s Roon subscription.
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AFAICT, yes.
I listen to some “sleep” sounds every night using Roon to send to my Sonos ARC surround setup in my bedroom - works like a charm, never any interruptions, never any issues.
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Greatly appreciate your response Giles.
So from my understanding, I will have the ability to make zones for various Sonos speakers within the Roon app and push my choice of music to them? And for myself, I may run two streams from the server, but rarely more.
Pertaining to your comment “ the Sonos app displays nothing of use” - are you saying that if for example Tidal is used to push some music to my Sonos zones, I will not see the appropriate cover work on the Sonos app, but it would be displayed on the Roon app?
I infrequently use the physical controls on the Sonos speakers, so if the Roon app responds quickly enough, I don’t see a huge issue.
Just trying to get a better understanding of all this……
Tom
Yes that’s right. Sonos devices are automatically discovered on the network and Roon then gives you the option to enable them as endpoints. Sonos room names are detected, but I choose to rename them with a “Sonos” prefix to distinguish them from other Roon endpoints such as iPads, phones, WiiMs, FiiO SR11 bridges, USB devices on my PC, and so on.
Correct. The Sonos app hasn’t a clue what’s playing, as the Roon server is just sending the player a FLAC stream to render. Roon is in charge so its app is the one to use.
Like I say, get a Roon licence on trial and try it. If you’re as disillusioned with the Sonos app as many are you’ll find the Roon app a much much richer and more rewarding experience. It’s also a media renderer in its own right too of course, unlike the Sonos app which is just a controller.
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I only have Sonos speakers in my system and have used Roon for about four years now. I have never had a problem. The only drawback is that if you pair two Sonos speakers manually—pressing the play button on a non-playing Sonos speaker pairing it with another Sonos speaker playing music—the Roon app will be unable to unpair them.
You can pair them through the app, however. I’m speaking of those instances when one happens to be away from a Roon remote and wishes to pair two Sonos speakers.
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Did trial a few months back. I don’t how Qobuz or tidal so it was just for my FLAC collection.
Worked amazingly well and I never had connection issues
Sonos Only house.
Stereo Paired 5s
Stereo Paired Era100s + sub3
Move 2
2 Roams in separate rooms
Arc
Beam 2.0
Had Roon setup with custom EQ settings to smooth out harsh 90s remasters. Great stuff for sure
I am looking at going Qobuz+Roon+FLAC but Roon failed to deliver anything meaningful for Black Friday for prior subscribers.
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I use Roon almost exclusively. The only time I use Sonos is for podcasts.
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I would not overthink it, if you have budget for it and Roon adds value to your music listening/collecting hobby, then I would just subscribe and don’t think about waiting for a Black Friday etc offer.
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I do exactly the same thing. In about five years of almost nightly use I’ve had very few issues.