Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I have two CR100 controllers in heavy use for almost 2 years now. From that experience, I can say that they are solid and hold up flawlessly. I don't remember ever having to reboot. Personally I think that the size and weight are a plus for this purpose. The CR100 is well-designed: It does an excellent job controlling the sonos system. I like that it wakes up just by shaking it. On the downside: screen is mediocre quality and does not show full album and track names, searching large music libraries (e.g. Rhapsody) can be a challenge. Battery life is so-so, but good enough. And when compared to an Iphone or an Ipod, the CR-100 feels like a Chevrolet Lumina next to a Porsche: old-fashioned, clumsy, and looks a bit cheap for $399. But it does the job. The CR100 is at least 2x too expensive for what it contains. I'm waiting to an iphone app to control sonos. Technically that is possible and I would be willing to pay for that.
Update October 2008:
One of my CR-100 died spontaneously last week. This is disappointing: a product at
this price point simply should not die within 3 years of purchase. Since it was
out-of-warranty, Sonos replaced it by a new one for $100. Sonos tech support is
excellent and fast, but I have mixed feelings having to pay $100 to replace a faulty product.
Update November 2008:
The Iphone Sonos app is out! This totally obsoletes the CR-100, since the Iphone
with a brilliant touch screen is so much easier to use than the CR-100. Sonos did a great job
in designing this app: it is nearly flawless. Searching for music is much easier
using the keyboard interface than with the click-wheel of the CR-100.
And... its free. I expect Sonos to discontinue
the CR100 soon, since a $220 Ipod touch or a $200 Iphone does a much better job
at it than the $400 CR100. From any angle, the iphone is far superior.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Sonos Controllers Wireless control of your Sonos Multi-Room Music System
If you're a serious music lover, and you're looking for a quick, intuitive way to access your entire digital music collection, then look no further than the powerful, handheld Sonos Controller CR100. Tap into songs, albums, and even playlists from anywhere in your home, inside or out. That's because the Sonos Controller uses SonosNet, a secure wireless mesh network that extends the range of your controller throughout your entire home. Forget about running to your PC every time you want to pick a new tune, skip a track, or crank up the volume, just grab your CR100 and your music is at your fingertips.
Watch a demo of the Sonos Digital Music System.
The CR100 works in tandem with both of the Sonos ZonePlayers -- the ZonePlayer ZP100 or ZonePlayer ZP80 -- to control digital music throughout your home. In fact, you can use up to 32 controllers for each ZonePlayer. With multiple controller functionality, Sonos brings digital music control to every room and floor in your house.
Browsing and Queuing Browse your digital music collection by artist, album, genre, track, name, composer, or even playlist. The CR100 also empowers you to queue the right tunes for the right moment -- with this controller you can build, edit, and save playlists right from the palm of your hand. Of course, what you may want to hear might differ from your spouse working upstairs. Sonos has covered all the angles so you can have multiple music queues. Use any Controller to build a separate queue of music to play in each zone or a group of zones throughout your house. If you desire, you can pipe classical music into the kitchen while there's a rock opera blasting on the back porch -- Sonos gives you the tools to make music happen where you want to hear it.
The Screen and Controls The high-resolution, 3.5-inch LCD color screen makes everything on the screen bright and easy-to-see, including full-color album artwork, if available. You can view full-screen or thumbnail views of album art, plus detailed track information from this palm-sized device. Sonos designed the CR100 with a backlit screen and buttons, which makes it easy to operate in low-light conditions. You can even adjust the brightness of the LCD and buttons to suit your style or extend the battery life. The scroll wheel makes it easy to flip through large music collections and make selections, or you can power scroll by letters to jump ahead to find an artist, album, or track.
The Controller's button layout is intuitive and provides complete music management and control. Two buttons are dedicated to providing direct access to the Controller's main menus -- Music and Zones -- for quick, snappy control. The CR100 is also designed to conserve battery life with a movement sensor that automatically turns the Controller on when you pick it up, and a light sensor that only turns on backlighting when it is needed.
Also, be sure to check out the Sonos CC100 Charging Cradle, which serves as a handy charger and holder for the Controller.
Sonos In Depth The CR100 is just one part of a complete Sonos Digital Music System. To make your system complete, you'll also need a Sonos ZonePlayer. With the ZonePlayers in the rooms of your choice, you can play the same song in different rooms, or different songs in different rooms. You can have up to 32 Sonos ZonePlayers throughout your house -- from the bedroom to the backyard. Connect your first ZonePlayer to your router and all the others work wirelessly. Choose between the ZP80, which connects directly to your home theater or stereo, or the ZP100, which features its own built-in amplifier. Or better yet, choose both for the ultimate in multi-room music.
With the CR100 in hand, you'll have instant access to all your digital music, plus Internet radio, subscriptions to online audio services, and even music from your favorite CD or MP3 player. Turn off the upstairs music while you're downstairs. Change the song in the kitchen from the den. To start listening, just pick a room, pick a song, and hit play.
If you're just getting started with your Sonos system, you'll want to check out Sonos' ZP80 and ZP100 Digital Music System Bundles, which combine two ZP80 or ZP100 units respectively with a Sonos Controller. The bundles offer an easy, economical way to get in on the Sonos action. Then, when you're ready to expand you can purchase a ZP80 or ZP100 for more rooms in your home.
If you choose to extend your system with a ZP100 you can use your own speakers with it, or connect a pair of Sonos SP100 Loudspeakers, which are aesthetically and acoustically designed to look great with your Sonos Digital Music System.
What's in the Box Sonos Controller CR100, AC adapter, power cord, and controller documentation.
