Sonos can be considered a closed system. What this means is that in order to use Sonos products, you are essentially locked into using their ecosystem of speakers and devices. While this can be convenient if you are already invested in Sonos and have multiple products, it can be limiting if you want to mix and match with other brands or if you prefer a different voice assistant.
One drawback of Sonos being a closed system is that you cannot use non-Sonos speakers with their platform. For example, if you have other speakers that you would like to integrate into your Sonos setup, you won’t be able to do so. This means you are limited to the range of Sonos speakers available, and if they don’t fit your specific needs or preferences, you may have to compromise or look for alternative solutions.
Another limitation of Sonos being a closed system is that their voice-control capabilities are not as advanced as those found in dedicated smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home. While many Sonos speakers now have built-in Alexa and Google Assistant, the functionality is not as robust as using these voice assistants on their own devices. For example, you may not have access to all the skills, features, or integrations available on the standalone smart speakers.
In my personal experience, I have found that using Sonos speakers with voice control can sometimes be frustrating. There have been instances where the voice commands were not recognized correctly or the response from the speaker was not as accurate as I would have liked. Additionally, there have been limitations in terms of controlling other smart home devices using voice commands through Sonos. This is something to consider if you heavily rely on voice control for your smart home setup.
That being said, Sonos does offer a seamless and high-quality audio experience. The speakers are well-designed, easy to set up, and can be controlled through the Sonos app or using voice commands. If you are primarily looking for a multi-room audio system and are not too concerned about integrating with other brands or having the most advanced voice control capabilities, then Sonos can still be a great choice.
While Sonos being a closed system does have its drawbacks, it also has its advantages. It ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences when it comes to audio and smart home integration.