Sonos Digital Music System (www.sonos.com) offers an easy way to play music from your computer throughout your home, office, business or any place--wirelessly. Sonos is definitely worth a look for playing music from one of the online sources (such as Pandora), one of thousands of Internet radio stations, or from music files already on your computer.

The newest version consists of S5 Zone Players, which are integrated wireless units (each measuring 14"W x 4.5"D x 9"H) incorporating digital amplifiers and five speakers. The Zone Players come with PC or Mac software, including an on-screen controller. Installation was incredibly easy: install the software, power up the Zone Player and plug in the network cable. Each Zone Player will be identified by location, such as family room, dining room, garage, or wherever. Then set your PC music folders to "share." Done.

Sonos uses a proprietary wireless network that is secure, matrixed and able to interact with all Zone Player(s). The Controller(s) provide unparalleled flexibility and wireless coverage anywhere in your home for up to 32 Players. The units work wherever there is an AC power plug. Plug a unit into a wall outlet, push the button, and the ZonePlayer automatically connects to the Network. It’s that easy to add or move units.

There are several options for controlling your music system: from your PC or Mac, iPhone, Android cell phone or iPad. Free apps turn the last three into remote controllers. Or use the optional wireless hand-held Controller 200 (it’s slightly wider than a small cell phone).

All controllers provide several ways to play music. Select any song from music stored on your PC, set up a queue of songs to play and/or save as a Sonos playlist, or play a previously-saved Sonos or iPod playlist. Using any of the controllers, you can select and command each zone individually. Play the same selection in a single zone, linked zones or in all zones. While one selection is playing in one zone(s), you can choose a different selection for another zone(s) and even mix and match music from Pandora, Internet radio stations or an auxiliary input. An auxiliary output or an optional unit can connect the system to you home stereo system.

Volume and equalizations can be independently controlled or linked, and if you mute a zone or two, unmuting ramps the volume up rather then suddenly blaring on. That’s just one of many nice touches the system offers. The hand-held Controller(s) and the PC control program display information (including album art) about the selection being played, provided this info is included in the song track’s metadata.

Sonos Digital Music System offers terrific usability features in a compact package, and we especially enjoyed its flexibility and convenience. Sound quality is great. Recommended.