Sonos cutting support for older devices starting in May

Sonos is dropping support for certain devices starting in May, and is warning users that legacy devices in a mix will prevent newer devices from gaining crucial updates as well.

The announcement was made in a blog post, with the company attempting to explain why they're pulling support for the now-legacy devices.

We're extremely proud of the fact that we build products that last a long time, and that listeners continue to enjoy them. In fact, 92% of the products we've ever shipped are still in use today. That is unheard of in the world of consumer electronics. However, we've now come to a point where some of the oldest products have been stretched to their technical limits in terms of memory and processing power.

The legacy products losing support are the original Zone Players, Connect, and Connect:Amp (launched in 2006; includes versions sold until 2015), first-generation Play:5 (launched 2009), CR200 (launched 2009), and Bridge (launched 2007). The devices will no longer receive software updates or new features.

In addition to pulling support for the products, users who continue to use the Sonos legacy products in a sound system will not receive updates to their modern devices. This would likely stop improvements to features like AirPlay 2, Apple Music from reaching even the newer devices.

Unsurprisingly, outraged customers have taken to Twitter to air their grievances.

You have really not thought this through have you? People aren't going to pay again 6 years later for a whole new system with your pathetic discount. You will hemorrhage customers overnight and your reputation is down the pan. #sonos #ripoff
— Sam (@CountessDracula) January 21, 2020

Feeling so disappointed that @Sonos has chosen to ignore their old and faithful customers by no longer providing software for their older products like the PLAY:5.

This is a bad move for #Sonos and I think it'll scare a lot of new potential customers away
— Sren Granfeldt (@MrGranfeldt) January 21, 2020

Anticipating the backlash, Sonos has offered customers two options for moving forward. The first is simply to keep using their legacy products. This will prevent modern devices from getting updates, which will likely stop them from functioning perfectly down the road.

The second option is to trade up to a new product. Sonos is offering a 30% credit for each legacy product a user recycles.

If a user chooses to participate, the products will enter "Recycle Mode," which deletes identifiable information and prepares them for recycling by locking them down completely after 30 days. Users will then need to take their products to a certified recycling facility. If no recycling facility is available, Sonos will pay the user to ship a product back to Sonos for recycling.

Whether or not a user is choosing to participate in recycling, Sonos suggests users check to see if their products are losing support by checking the System tab in a sonos.com account.

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36 Comments

Fatman

said about 4 years ago

This is a good argument to buy the ‘old school’ way ... buy excellent quality ‘dumb’ speakers - that will last for decades - and wire them to the latest tech receiver. This way you update/replace one component instead of every speaker in your home.

libertyandfree

said about 4 years ago

Not cool Sonos.

EsquireCats

said about 4 years ago

What a compelling reason not to buy Sonos.

It's reasonable to keep a home sound system for 10 years. I'm sure many of you likely have seen people keep systems for far longer than this, but for the sake of the argument it's best to cap it here.

I think this shines well on Apple's efforts to keep their devices relevant - the latest version of iOS is still supported on devices as old as the iPhone 6 (released about 4 years ago) despite the addition of significant features, and the bulk of consumers upgrading handsets between 1 and 3 years.

polymnia

said about 4 years ago

EsquireCats said:

What a compelling reason not to buy Sonos.

It's reasonable to keep a home sound system for 10 years. I'm sure many of you likely have seen people keep systems for far longer than this, but for the sake of the argument it's best to cap it here.

I think this shines well on Apple's efforts to keep their devices relevant - the latest version of iOS is still supported on devices as old as the iPhone 6 (released about 4 years ago) despite the addition of significant features, and the bulk of consumers upgrading handsets between 1 and 3 years.

I’m sure you know that the rest of your A/V components receive limited updates as well.

For example, my high end Marantz SR7009 cannot pass through HDR signals, even though it can pass through 4K and decodes Atmos (added via firmware update, IIRC). I was bummed out since I’m thinking of upgrading my main TV to a 4K HDR setup and adding the Atmos-required overhead speakers.

The reality is that Sonos have supported their very first speakers & amps much longer than is typical for this type of device. It’s like calling Tom Brady a coward should be finally decide to retire from NFL football in his mid-40s. You’ve completely missed the point of what a remarkable career he’s had. To be clear, I’m no Tom Brady fan, but he makes a good case study.

I have both a Sonos Connect & Amp, so I’m affected by this support decision. Still, I’m excited for what Sonos can do by targeting a more capable hardware platform. I love the AirPlay 2 functionality in my newer devices. I’d love deeper intervention with the streaming services, both in the Sonos app as well as 3rd party apps. Hopefully ending support of the oldest, most limited hardware will let the new hardware shine.

ITGUYINSD

said about 4 years ago

All my Sonos components are "legacy" ZonePlayers (the amplified and non-amplified versions). They've worked perfectly over the MANY years I've had them and still continue to be 100% serviceable. The only component that kicked the bucket years ago was the Sonos "brick" remote. With the advent of the Sonos app, no need for that hefty remote.

For me, I do basic streaming. Nothing fancy. No AirPlay. My Sonos system will be useful (to me) for another 10 years assuming the parts still work!

I am thankful that they (Sonos) is still allowing my ZP's to work. I could care less about updates as I prefer things to stop changing and just stay the same and work.

I'm not sure if that means that I cannot update the Sonos app anymore, or if they mean that future app updates won't update my ZP's, but the latter seems like it could be a problem.