Design
Available in black or white models, both of which have black front panels consisting of speaker grilles, the Play:5's look is minimal and sleek. It seems meant to blend into a setting rather than stand out. Measuring 8 by 14.3 by 6 inches (HWD) and weighing 14 pounds, the Play:5 features a single button for Play/Pause, with volume controls on either side of itall of whichare centrally located on the top panel.
The volume controls are capacitiveeach looks more like four tiny pinholes than a button, and it's almost surprising when they work so well. From a visual standpoint, it keeps the top surface looking minimal and uncluttered. The volume levels work in conjunction with the master volume levels in the Sonos app. Furthermore, the volume controls act as track navigation tools when you swipe from one to the other. It's a simple, smartdesign that makes the most of the speaker's surface.
Behind the grille, the Play:5 boasts three tweeters and three midrange drivers that are all driven individually by six class-D digital amplifiers. The back panel, where the power cable plugs in, also houses an Ethernet cable connection (to connect to your network directly) and a Joinbutton for connecting the speaker to an already present Sonos system. There is also a 3.5mm aux input to which the speaker will automatically switch when it detects a signal (though no 3.5mm audio cable is included).
Bill Callahan's "Drover," a track with less in the way of deep bass content, gives us a better idea of the Play:5's overall sound signature. The system's drivers definitely have the capability to boost the drums to unnaturally hefty levels like some bass-forward systems tend to do, but instead the drums sound full and powerful without getting boosted in the deep lows. Callahan's baritone vocals have an excellent rich presence in the low-mids that the Play:5 highlights beautifully, and compliments with a solid presence in the high-mids. The guitar strums on this track also benefit from the strong high-mid presence, and from some extra brightness in the highs. This is a slightly sculpted, but balanced, sound signature.
On orchestral tracks, like the opening scene in John Adams' The Gospel According to the Other Mary, the higher register strings, brass and vocals own the spotlightthey sound crisp and articulate through the Play:5. When there is lower register instrumentation, it is delivered in a balanced manner, and the occasional sub-bass sound gets the appropriate level of presence in the mix. Absolute purists might find things a bit too boosted in the lows, but most listeners will find the overall mix well-balanced, rich, and crisp.
The main reason Sonos has stayed relevant against AirPlay and Bluetooth is the continuous improvement of its speaker lineup. Simply put, the Play lineup sound great. If you're looking for an excellent wireless speaker, but don't need the multi-zone capability, consider the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Wireless and the Bang & Olufsen Beolit 15, or the more affordable Marshall Stanmore and Audioengine B2.If you want to start a bit smaller and much less expensive, the Editors' Choice Play:1is a more compact, less powerful Sonos speaker available for under half the price of the Play:5.
For $500, the Play:5 isn't cheap, but it doesn't sound, look, or behave like a cheap system. Sonically, the Play:5 is a winner, and from a multi-room home audio standpoint, Sonos still leads the pack. That makes it our Editors' Choice.
