SA-NS500
3
5
8
8
Working right after a year
I've had two of these for almost a year to replace the SA-NS300s I had. When I first got them, I had them setup for WIFI and one would always cut out. I fixed the problem by using Ethernet. I have Ethernet jacks through out the house. Since firmware 2.01.2.04 the WIFI problem seems to be fixed. It only took Sony a year to fix the problem.
The device has a battery for use without AC but it seems kinda pointless because you still need an access point to use it. It not very mobile with the battery because there is no bluetooth or direct connect to use it on a picnik or tailgate party. Bluetooth or direct connect would have made since if is has a battery. The could made it withour a battery to keep cost down, only reason I got this was because it had airplay. The SA-NS300 did not have airplay and I did not think I would need airplay until I discovered the iphone app is almost useless. You can not access music on the stored on iphone or even on android devices to send to the device.
The new firmware did add internet radio support but still has a horrible iphone app to navigation stations. I do not think the people who designed the Iphone or adroind app ever had to use it or have a lot of music. The app is very slow and tedious to use.
Maybe sony will wifi direct connect with a firmware release, but knowing sony they will probably just make a new version to buy instead of adding the feature to the current version.
September 20, 2012
AirPlay works great after update
Many old reviews on here are stating horrible AirPlay performance, however since the last firmware update (I believe from 3/2012) the issues with dropping AirPlay signals have been fixed and it works flawlessly now.
July 19, 2012
Great Product
I purchased two of these units a few months ago. Set up was a bit different than I have had to do for other products connecting to my wireless network. The only issues I have had was that I had one unit that would drop the signal after a few minutes. However, moving the location of my wireless router solved the issue.
I also am an all Mac, iphone, iPad user. I have no issues with Airplay from any of these devices. I also recently installed an Apple Time capsule with the built-in wireless router and the set up went well and have had no further connection issues.
May 20, 2012
Great design/sound, POOR AirPlay performance
I was eagerly awaiting the release of this speaker because I liked the design and the possibility of using it as an AirPlay device.
The speaker looks great and is nice and compact. It definitely fills the room with nice quality sound, but does not get very loud (which is sometimes useful, i.e. party). When placed on the floor, the bass is actually pretty good!
HOWEVER, and this is a big however, unless you actually have something physically plugged into it via a stereo cable, this speaker is useless! It is constantly dropping the sound and/or disconnecting from the network. AirPlay works for 5-15 minutes and then drops out. There is a known issues with iPhone 4S and AirPlay sound dropping, however, a similar issues occurs when streaming directly from a computer with iTunes, albeit after about 30 minutes.
Hence, this speaker cannot be recommended as a wireless/AirPlay device. I do like the way it looks and sounds, but unless Sony fixes the firmware, I have no choice but to return it.
February 24, 2012
