I have three Pure Jongo units. The app is appalling, connecting takes an age, radio drops out. I spent over an hour this morning trying to play an album, then gave up. It won't cache a list of songs on my NAS and takes forever to load everything past M as you scroll, then if you hit the back button you're taken to A again and have to scroll and reload.

It doesn't have gapless playback, will drop the connection between songs. And lacks even the most basic playlisting functionality beyond "play this particular album".

It has no connectivity with services outside the app. The one advantage is that you can use Bluetooth, but this is too short range, drops out and has poor audio quality. Plus, its using my phone to decode instead of just issuing a command to the hardware to pull up the file/stream and play it. Then calls and notifications come through the speakers or music pauses when you do something else.

I want to replace it for something that actually works.

I need:
1 connection to a hi-fi amp and speakers.
1 small kitchen radio type speaker.
1 medium/large speaker for the bedroom and office room.


I've been looking at Sonos (Connect, Play 1 and Play 3) but have reservations, particularly with BBC iPlayer.

I just want great quality audio that works with files in my network drive, files on my phone, Google Play Music, Spotify and BBC iPlayer. It needs decent playlisting, such as play next, editable queue, random and shuffle. If possible, the smallest would have a battery pack as well as mains, but that's not essential.

Is that too much to ask for in the world of proprietary music systems?

Sonos does what you need.

BBC iPlayer isn't on Sonos, all BBC radio is obtained via the Tunein radio service.

From looking at Sonos discussion, it looks like they don't have proper catch up with some programmes not available and some turning up days later. But I might be out of date on that, have they fixed it? We listen to quite a bit of radio 4 on catch up. They appear to be at the mercy of TuneIn and they didn't have programmes from Friday when I looked yesterday.

It would be easiest if everyone just implemented Chromecast support! You could then use the service's own app, get full features, favourites and all the usual functions. It seems this is how Sonos support Google Music so hopefully it'll roll out to other services.

What about a couple of Chromecast Audio's?

Chromecast needs a speaker setup to plug into.

I could buy a couple to plug into the Jongos but then I've got two sets of plugs and cables and everything else. Plus, I do like to be able to take the Jongo S3 out onto the patio!

Well £25 per unit compared to a few hundred per Sonos unit and you've already mentioned you've got reservations with Sonos, if the extra plug and lead is that important then fair do's but budget wise the Chromcast are pretty cheap and work well now they've added multiroom support.

Yes, to be fair it is an option I've considered. Just seems a bit mad to add dongles to make a £500 system usable!

Chromecast Audios are reduced to £15 at John Lewis today.

They've been £ 15 in Currys and PCW for the last week or so.

you get 2 years guarantee with JL though so I'll always recommend them first over Currys/PCW if you have one local.

Hi all,

I know there's a thread below but don't want to tread on their toes.

I have a PC with local files (although this isn't essential) and Samsung Tablet/2 phones that play spotify.

I'm seeking a good quality speaker that'll allow us to play music outdoors or when camping, in the park etc using one of or both of our phones. Any recommendations? Was thinking of something like this.... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00N9QU2...d_i=5883341031

Additionally, we have a home cinema system already but was looking to either upgrade to a wireless hi-fi system (but would this be able to hook up to TV as home cinema currently does) or we'll upgrade in the future to a new home cinema system but will chromecast into the input jack of the home cinema system to allow music to be played through our home cinema in our living room as well. Does this make sense or any recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

ignore...
Last edited by cubby : 05-05-2016 at 11:43

Unfortunately, I can't afford them this month. But I think it's probably the way to go with this.

You can't afford £15, yet you are considering Sonos?

Sonos can do what you want but is expensive and locked down. For example, if you create playlists on the system sonos provides no way to back them up / export them. This is important because when things go wrong you'll need to reset your system and that wipes all your playlists. The UI is not very user friendly when it comes to controlling your speakers/music, and badly needs a rethink. They've also fired a lot of engineering talent recently and the future seems uncertain.

For what is effectively a £15 dongle, the length of the warranty is pretty much irrelevant.

FWIW I've got one of the original Chromecasts hooked up to a non-smart TV and that's got to be about 4 years old now. The likelihood of failure in the first two years is somewhere between tiny and miniscule and for £ 15, it's less hassle to just buy whatever the new version is.

Well, it's £45 since I need three. Else it's not multiroom and I still can't do what I want.

I'm considering whether to slowly save up for a Sonos (probably a 12-18 month job) or ask for them gifts, or whether there's a different option. If I'm going to commit any of my limited budget, I want to make it right this time. Because I can't afford to waste more money!

As it stands, Chromecast will probably do it. So when I have some money over the summer I'll look at those.

you could also use the chromecast with the sonoc connect, it has input and output connectors, so would suit your needs, this is what i do and it works perfectly, a big thumbs up to sonos from me, one of the best purchases ive made

Just popped back to say that I plugged in three chromecasts and they work brilliantly. Couldn't be happier. Don't bother with any of the other wireless systems any more, these are superb and £15 a pop!

Interestingly enough I've got three Pure Jongos and have never had any issues once I ignored the Pure app and just used the BT audio connection and any other streaming service (personal preference is Napster). The S3 in particular is an excellent bit of kit. Sonos is probably a superior system but for the price the Pure system is great.