Sony SRSZR5 Wireless Speaker with Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Like many of you, I've been waiting for years for wireless speakers that work with Google Cast and can compete with Sonos but offer more connectivity options. The ZR5 has more than met my expectations. It sounds great to my non-audophile ears, plays loud, offers ample bass, and is relatively easy to use. Its biggest strength is the number of connection options: Google Cast, Bluetooth, HDMI, USB, and audio line-in! None of the comparable Sonos speakers can compete on this front; the similarly-priced Sonos Play 1 doesn't offer a single connection other than wireless audio.I have a Sonos Play 1 and to me, the ZR5 sounds better, at least in terms of bass and sound stage. Where Sonos wins out is its ease of use and reliability, but that's largely because I feel Sonos is so limited. Google Cast allows to stream from your smartphone, tablet, or even computer via the Chrome browser, plus you have all the wired connection options.Also, Sony wireless speakers with Google Cast support can now be combined with any other Chromecast Audio and Cast speakers in a multi-room setup using the Google Cast/Home app. Basically, this means you can mix and match speakers for a customized multi-room audio system. I just don't see how Sonos is going to compete with this flexibility going forward (although Sonos can probably better "tune" its audio mesh since it controls the hardware).FLAWS- You really need the Songpal App in order to make your life easier when using the ZR5 since there's no mini LCD display. There are a number of buttons and blinking lights, but you need to read the manual to understand what it all means (orange blinking vs green). Just use the app. (Keep in mind that the Sonos Play 1 and most other competing speakers offer even fewer hardware controls)- The Sony Songpal app can be finicky, especially when moving in and out of Speaker Groups.- Relies on Google Cast primarily for wireless audio but Google Cast can also sometimes be finicky when I'm manually connecting and disconnecting. I don't think it's a fault of the ZR5, as I've experienced this with Casting to other devices, but keep in mind that wireless a/v is still not as reliable as wired connections.- Too little documentation on all the available settingsI purchased a pair of ZR5s and combined them with the NT5 soundbar for a surround system setup. I'll write about my surround sound experiences in a forthcoming review of the NT5. Short version - it's been a great experience so far with some caveats, and I highly recommend this setup if you're looking to replace a traditional receiver and wired speakers.

Great product, sounds good, but do not buy to link with Sony Soundbar as surround speaker. I purchased 2 of these, they connected, but then you cannot cast or connect other devices via wifi to ther soundbar when you do. Crazy design. When you link as surround speakers to a compatable Sony soundbar, it cripples the soundbar and will not allow casting via wifi without a wired link. How wierd is that. Read the details about this before using as a surround speaker. I think it would work great by itself. I think if you linked as a stero pair, which you can, it would also not allow casting, which is why I purchased the soundbar and these surround speakers. Come on Sony...this issues is well documented and theres no workaround.

FYI this is Ciao Bella's husband ;-)I purchased one of these speakers initially to work with my Google Home and the Plex app. In our home we have three Chromecast Audio's too. The initial setup was a lil problematic (the reason for 4 stars instead of 5). The documentation is not very clear regarding setup with Google Home and wifi, because the initial setup must be done via Bluetooth.However, once the speakers have been connected to your wifi you can see the speakers in the Google Home app. When you combine these speakers to Google Home with GoogleCast is where these speakers shine. As mentioned in other reviews, you can group the Sony speakers with other Chromecast Audios in your home to have the same music in all rooms, great for a party or get together.When combined with Plex you have your music library at your command with Google Home's voice control. You must start the initial playlist manually via the Plex app, but once you have the music playlist going you can use voice control to tell Google Home to play the next song, pause, resume the music.I would definitely recommend this speaker for people that use Google Home. You can also use these speakers to play other supported music apps with Google Home. Depending on your settings in Google Home you can have Google Home play whatever is their library by voice on these speakers too.Besides the documentation being less than perfect, the bass seems a lil heavy to me at lower volumes, but not so much that is bugs me. The other thing I see is a problem is that the price seems a bit high. If you can find a warehouse deal and you are a Google Home user, what are you waiting for?

I bought Jesé back in May of this year (2018). Be it they are Sony, I figured they were of some type of quality, but the issues is when sync to my Sony CT-790 sound bar they sound horrible, actually you can’t hear anything at all but distant static, plus the movies are never sync with the speakers, there’s a delay. But what’s interesting about them is that when not sync with a sound bar and they are sync with another SRSZR5 speaker they soundGood When linked to my Bluetooth phone when playing music, so I’m not sure why when connected to a Sound bar the quality of the sound diminishes? It’s baffing!

Purchased a pair of these speakers to set up the surround system for my HTNT5 soundbar. Sound quality is great.Be aware of that once you set up the surround system, you cannot use any of them (these speakers and the soundbar) as a wireless system, as the surround system uses the wifi channel for internal communications.

Great as part of soundbar surround sound in theatre set up! No wires and reliable connections

With the all the conneCtivity you could ever want. Works flawlessly with m'y soundbar.Pour

Great speaker. Best multi room speaker on the market!!!!

Ne vaut pas ce prix et l'application songpal plante bwaucoup