The Coolest House Music--At a Price

By Anita Hamilton

Want to free your digital-music collection from your computer, wirelessly sending songs to speakers far from your desktop? The Sonos Digital Music System is the sleekest solution available--complete with a cool iPod-like handheld controller that allows you to play different songs simultaneously in different zones all around your house. It works with Macs and PCs, can access music stored in many formats (iTunes, Windows Media Player, MusicMatch or WinAmp) and even streams Internet radio.

Now for the downside: it can't play encrypted songs purchased online, and it's a serious challenge to put together. To get started, you attach a ZonePlayer--a 10-lb. white box with a built-in amplifier and wireless receiver--to your PC and stereo. I needed technical support to get it to work. With a starter kit costing a pricey $1,199, Sonos really makes sense only for digital-music junkies with money to burn. --By Anita Hamilton