The Play 5 is effectively (3) Sonos: One speakers in a single enclosure. It's got a BIG voice from lots of cone area. And, paired with the Sonos Sub...it would put a smile on 95% of listers ears. As to the Play: One's sound, yes, in a store or large environment, they don't impress. But, in a home--especially when there's a stereo pair--they punch far, far above their weight. My personal view is they're too cheap. They outperform just about any $179 speaker out there, then there's the fact they include amplification, room correction and the streaming.