Sonos PlayBase

De Sonos Playbase is een prima speaker. Hij past goed bij bepaalde situaties, bijvoorbeeld als je een bescheiden tv-meubel hebt waar je televisie op staat. Vergeleken met bestaande soundbases is de Playbase een betere speaker, ook wel vanwege de intuïtieve bediening en goede streamingondersteuning waar Sonos om bekend staat. Tegelijkertijd is de speaker met zijn prijs van 799 euro wel aanzienlijk duurder dan de meeste concurrenten, in zoverre je deze nog in de winkel kunt opsporen.

De Sonos PlayBase is een aanwinst voor elke huismaker. Wie de PlayBase kan plaatsen onder de tv moet deze echt overwegen in plaats van de PlayBar. Wij vinden de PlayBase net wat beter klinken dan de PlayBar. Bediening is prima. De afstandbediening ondersteuning was in ons geval meer gedoe dan gewoon de app gebruiken.

Sonos heeft met de Playbase een product op de markt gezet, waarmee het haar eigen glazen ingooit. Sonos heeft namelijk al een product voor geluid bij de tv; de Playbar. Daarbij komt dat de Sonos Playbase onder de maat presteert met muziek. Een zware tv kan er niet op gezet worden en tv’s zonder optische aansluiting komen van een koude kermis thuis. De Sonos Playbase is een trendy woonaccessoire die thuishoort in een aflevering van VT wonen.

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The PlayBase is very close to being a brilliant TV speaker solution, but it falls just short. It’s undeniably a huge upgrade over the sound produced by any TV, offering width, scale, dynamism and excitement that will blow your mind if that’s what you’re used to. Even compared to the vast majority of other soundbars and bases the Sonos is in most ways streets ahead, and that’s before you consider all of the regular Sonos features this has and which rivals do not. But there’s a fly in the ointment, and that fly is treble that’s sharp and harsh enough to distract and detract from the other things that the PlayBase does so well. In a battle between the PlayBase and the PlayBar, it’s the PlayBar that I’d take. Yes, it has its own flaws - it isn’t as full-bodied, punchy or dynamic as the PlayBase - but its treble is far better controlled and that goes a good way to making up for its other flaws. But, as mentioned, the PlayBar doesn’t work very well unless you’re wall-mounting. If you’re not and you’re a Sonos fan looking for a speaker you can plonk your telly on, there’s still loads to like with the PlayBase - and remember, that generous returns policy means you can always try one out for yourself.

A convincing argument for throwing out your stereo.

The Sonos PlayBase is beautifully designed as the perfect sound-enhancing solution for your telly. It delivers excellent sound quality and enough bass to be sufficient as a top notch standalone speaker too. And if you want to add other Sonos speakers and the Sub then it can also be setup as the ultimate 5.1 system.

The Sonos Playbase continues the company’s philosophy of making easy to use and good sounding speakers in an attractive package. But, due to the lack of support for many surround sound formats, artificial sounding processing and ecosystem lock-in, cinephiles will want to look elsewhere.

THE GOOD The Sonos Playbase is a low-slung sound base with impeccable design and impressive sound. Its bass is even better than the Playbar's, so there's no need for a sub. Sonos' app and other speakers make it part of one of the best multiroom systems available. THE BAD The wide effect needs breathing room -- unadorned walls, too, if you please. No DTS support, HDMI ports or Bluetooth. If you have a "clawfoot" TV, it may not fit on top. THE BOTTOM LINE The Playbase adds excellent home theater and music sound to Sonos' superb multiroom music system. Just make sure your TV fits.

If you’re eyeing up a Sonos Playbase, you’re probably the sort of person who isn’t too bothered about a lack of hi-res support, and that’s fine. What Sonos offers is simplicity, style and a stunning sonic upgrade over any and every flatscreen telly in existence. Which is why it’s such a great shame that that harsh treble prevents the Playbase from achieving what would otherwise almost certainly be a five-star rating. Still, if you’re a dedicated Sonos fan looking for a lounge speaker that you can plonk your telly on, there’s loads to like about the Playbase. Just don’t expect perfection if you buy one.

But not everyone will care. Nilay pretty much already nailed who the Playbase is for: "Someone who already has a Sonos system and doesn’t mind paying a huge premium to add another Sonos-integrated speaker under their TV." This is for the existing Sonos customer who is willing to pay a lot of money to improve their TV’s bad speakers with something that sounds excellent and fits into the Sonos ecosystem. The pitch is a lot harder to make if you haven't already bought into the Sonos world. A standard soundbar or bargain 5.1 surround system will do the same job, albeit with less flexibility and without the same effortless user experience. Personally, I’m more excited about whatever comes after the Playbase. This feels like a long-in-the-pipeline Sonos product for a certain consumer: people with unmounted TVs. It's one hell of a living room speaker.

The lack of HDMI input is limiting, however optical digital audio connections aren’t going anywhere any time soon, so we’re not going to knock the Playbase over that concern. As for build quality, the Playbase is rock-solid and should last well into the future. Should you buy it? Do buy the Sonos Playbase if you don’t mind spending a little extra on the best product in the soundbase category. It sounds better than many competing (albeit slightly less expensive) sound bars, it’s extremely easy to use, and it virtually disappears in your entertainment center. The addition of additional Sonos speakers only makes the experience better. Don’t buy the Sonos Playbase if you want ultra-high resolution surround sound, multi-channel music, or anything else best carried out by a full-on surround sound solution.

Op het eerste gezicht leek de Playbase mij een spuit elf, maar ik ben in de loop van de week van gedachten veranderd. Het virtuele stereogeluid is goed, maar kan niet concurreren met een brede soundbar. Toch vind ik de Playbase een fijner product dan menig soundbar. De geïntegreerde subwoofer in de Playbase is namelijk zo goed gelukt, dat ik er niet gek van zou opkijken als dergelijke systemen in de toekomst de externe subwoofer voorgoed uit de woonkamer zouden verbannen. De Playbase heeft mijn interesse voor dergelijke speakers in ieder geval weer aangewakkerd.

The Playbase’s sound quality is what I’d expect from a £700 speaker, and despite not being as immersive as the more expensive Dolby Atmos-enabled Samsung HW-K850, it has remarkably accurate sound, that’ll make the audiophile in you smile. However, the Playbase is anything but perfect. The vibrations resonating from the top of the speaker are disconcerting for your TV’s lifespan and its lack of Bluetooth, HDMI, 3.5mm, DTS, physical remote and high-res audio support are all questionable. If none of the above bother you, though, this is an excellent speaker that can stream pretty much anything, and is expandable to boot. If you have £700 to spare, it’s well worth considering.

Deze Sonos soundbar heeft een groot formaat en weegt ongeveer 9 kilo. Bij deze soundbar zit geen afstandsbediening. Met wifi kan je de soundbar met het internet verbinden.