apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

There is also the Squeezebox, but I think its control options are weak. The Airport Express option (and you can string them together to get a lot of distance quite is quite a bit cheaper, but doesn't have a good remote control solution yet (although I imagine someone will create one for the iPod Touch/iPhone soon). That is probably the way to go though over the Sonos which is a bit priced.

I'd recommend the new Squeezebox Duet (which I believe will is now shipping). The remote is similar (but superior in my opinion) to that of the Sonos, and the system is far cheaper (additional receivers are around $150, so a controller and two receivers would set you back $550 compared to the Sonos at $999).

I've been using DLink wireless streaming media products for 4 years and love them. Right now the DSM-520 is an excellent HD option - wirelessly streams both my audio & video to my home stereo system in very high quality.

If you Google it, you'll see a lot of people have hacked the system to customize how it works, but off the shelf a good system for an excellent price.

Plus, it doesn't look too bad on my component rack. http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=438

If you've already got a good audio system and just want a way to route (and control) your music to it, then there is a gorgeous-looking application for the $299 iPod Touch (or an iPhone) called RemoteBuddy... You'll still need a $99 AirPort Express (or have your stereo near your computer), but this is probably the smartest and nicest-looking coffee table remote solution for the money.

This user seems to really love his setup...

The AirPort Express is the best budget option. There's even an inexpensive Keyspan remote available for it, which costs around $40 I think and allows you to pause and skip, which may be all you need.

We have had Sonos for over a year now and love it. Yeah the remote could be a little prettier, but for overall experience I don't think you can beat it. And it is super simple. You don't have to worry about wiring either, unless you want to have in-wall or on-wall mounted speakers with the sonos hidden in a closet. It is pricey, but I think well worth it. Combining it with a Rhapsody subscription and Pandora makes a killer system that is perfect.

I already own a TiVo Series 3. So I use TiVo Desktop software on my PC to stream mp3's from my PC to my TiVo. The TiVo is hooked up to my big stereo.

My home has a setup with a PowerBook, an Airport Express and the JBL Creature II speakers. There are also scripts/software you can download that lets you use your iPod as a remote for iTunes on your computer too.

Airport Express all the way. Affordable and works great. I'm listening to internet radio on my stereo as we speak.

I would defiantly go for the Airport express, with airtunes. If you are doing multiple rooms that is ideal. Both in prize and in quality. I have 3 rooms and can stream different content to each room and same to all if i like aswell.

www.wearesuperfamous.com if you want more info on gadgets!

iPod Touch (or iPhone) Remote Buddy Airport Express(es) = Perfect control over multi-zone audio playback throughout the house. And the cost will be exponentially less than the Sonos.

sorry...there should have been plus signs between (iPhone) and Remote Buddy and Airport Express(es).

Sonos is having a sale on the ZP-80 and controller for only $600. You can add the Zonebridge for $100.

My advice for PC users? Buy the Zonebridge and the charging from Crutchfield, using a $20 off $100 coupon from www.techbargains.com or other sites. Many Crutchfield purchases will come with a 20% off your next purchase coupon. If you get one and can use it (otherwise, use another $20 off coupon), buy the ZP-80 and controller combo for $600. Total purchase price? $700. You can add additional ZP-80s one at a time, using coupons each time. The nice thing about Sonos is that you can use a NAS like the new Apple Time Capsule instead of having to have a computer on.

Apple users should definitely use the Airport Express if they don't mind the 802.11g.

Since I don't (want to) have a computer in every room where I (want to) have music, I hooked up a little FM transmitter to my computer and I can turn on a radio in any room in the house.

wirelessly! ;)

There are several brands of transmitters and varying quality among them, but I spent about $75 and have no complaints on quality. Several models are only intended to broadcast throughout your car (from your iPod to your radio or from the trunk to the front), so make sure you get one intended to work on a little larger scale.

I'm for multi-use solutions like the TiVo. Works great streaming Mp3's and you get an on-screen display of what's playing.

I haven't tried this 'cause I'm not lucky enough to have more than one big room, but potentially, you could have two different TiVo's, in different locations, accessing music on the same computer, but playing different stuff. Would keep the peace if a couple is working in different areas of the house and has their own tastes.

Or a PS3

http://www.unplggd.com/unplggd/how-to/how-to-stream-any-type-of-video-to-your-playstation-3-046182

The results from my own project planning are:
1) Sonos of course
2) Airport Express,
your own speakers (I like the A5N Bamboo although pricey),
and Signal software where u can use an iPhone, iPod touch, or a Windows Mobile Pocket PC as your remote.

I currently use my TiVo here and there but since I have a laptop, which isn't always plugged in, it kinda sucks.

Good luck.

The Sonos is a premium solution, it costs more but it also delivers.

I just upgraded my brothers home theater system including adding Sonos for 4 zones. Things got so busy that I never had a chance to demo the Sonos to my Sister-in-Law. I just spoke to her last night and she was raving about how easy / great using Sonos was.

Besides great user experience (the Sonos Controller is pretty slick and easy to use (there are very few systems that allow different music to be played in different rooms (based on the same library) that are very easy to use), the Sonos system is very flexible (wired or wireless (it uses its' own wireless mesh network (no configuration (NONE)) and has quality hardware (zone player with or without amp).

Oh, and their tech support is fantastic. You can talk with a tech very easily and they know their stuff inside and out. I have set up Sonos on Mac and PCs and it works equally well on both.

Come to think about it, besides price, I have never heard anyone say anything bad about Sonos. That's pretty crazy. People complain about everything.