Sonos CR200 is going to be left behind in future update

by Volker Weber

ZZ6512D4A2

When Sonos 5.4 is released, Sonos own hardware controller will lose the ability to setup a new system, to add speakers or change the room EQ settings. Sonos does not tell you why that happens, but trust me on this one: it's not because they are lazy, but because they are building something that is impossible for the CR200. They are also dropping the ability to add new music services, and the reason should be easy to understand. For some authorizations you may need a browser, which is not available on this controller.

You will still be able to use all the other features of the controller, that is all the important ones. Select music, set the volume, group speakers, etc.

Android 2.1 and Mac OS X 10.6 will also be left behind. Anybody still using the Soviet iPod?

ZZ31C50D4A

Comments

Yes, the CR100 is still in use here. But just for one-button-actions. When I'd need to turn the wheel, I switch to another controller. Not because it wouldn't work, it's just slower to use than the other controllers for those cases.

Benjamin Bock, 2015-05-21

Still in use in three rooms :-)

Stephan Bohr, 2015-05-21

Yes, here as well. And as the kids grow older and have their own sonos, it will be used more frequently. I dont like my iPads dropping to the floor, You know. and the USSR (aka old SOnos) controllers do their job pretty good.

Chris Frei, 2015-05-21

And here as well. But rarely.

Thomas Lang, 2015-05-21

My 10-year old inherited it, along with a Play:3. Works perfectly for her.

Stefan Tilkov, 2015-05-21

@Thomas: zu Weihnachten erhalten die Kids dann ihr eigenes Sonos, wahrscheinlich je ein Play:3 Ich weiss ja wo ich bestellen muss ;-)

Chris Frei, 2015-05-21

The Soviet iPod has a place of honor in my gadget museum. I don't use it anymore, but I have fond memories of it. It's labelled "Soviet iPod" by the way, in your honor, Volker...

Rob McDonagh, 2015-05-21

Rob, I have been told even Sonos calls it Soviet iPod. At least the CEO does. ;-)

Volker Weber, 2015-05-21

My daughter has inherited the old controller. She mostly uses her iphone, but I use it to switch on the music in her room when I wake her up

Jens-Christian Fischer, 2015-05-21

Still very much using the CR100 here, especially in bathrooms.

Trying to replace with the Samsung S5 now, as that is waterproof too, but haven't dared try a dunk test yet.

My 10 years old CR100s still work well, which is more than can be said for the CR200 controllers on which the touchscreen died many years ago. No loss, it was never a product I liked anyway due to the lack of an easy play/pause function - we can even do this on the players themselves these days.

Ben Rose, 2015-05-21

@vowe: bot only the CEO. Also in internal meetings they name it "Soviet iPod" :-)

Thomas Lang, 2015-05-21

@Chris: Ich freue mich und die Kids sicher auch :-)

Thomas Lang, 2015-05-21

I bought two CR200s just before they were discontinued. I'm pretty mad about the setup restrictions coming with controller 5.4. I am assured I can continue playing my music library with them.

I have the inferior Android controller on a phone and tablet. Sonos have failed 3 times to answer my main concern - if I set up new rooms, music services, favorites, etc. with an Android controller, will I then be able to access these on my CR200s?

Anyone know the answer?

David Holloway, 2015-06-03

No need to be mad. Of course you will be able to access all music services from all controllers.

Volker Weber, 2015-06-03

Old vowe.net archive pages

I explain difficult concepts in simple ways. For free, and for money. Clue procurement and bullshit detection.

vowe

Paypal vowe