One thing non-Sonos owners might not realize about their business model is that it is the opposite of subscriptions. Because the software is so cool (creating an infinite jukebox out of all your music sources and subscriptions, both local and online), you are inclined to buy their boxes.

Sonos doesn't charge anyone for using the software and there are no ads introduced into your listening experience by Sonos. Their idea (and I think it's a great one) is to make the listening experience so great and so unique on their hardware that you are simply compelled to buy more of it and to recommend it.

I started out with a Play:5 and upgraded a year later to a second one to make a stereo pair. I've also used these units in business with 5-7 Play:3s and multiple employees controlling them from their phones. There is simply nothing like this in the Bluetooth or other "smart speaker" worlds.

My house could support two Play:5s in four rooms + outside. Sonos setups offer "Disney-like" sound control where you decide what music plays in what room(s) and at what volume. Were they to convince me to part with that much money, they could sell me $5K worth of speakers just based on the software experience (and the great sound quality, which no one disputes).