They say “necessity is the mother of invention” and that is certainly the case with Thenos, makers of the new PlayBox enclosure for Sonos speakers.
It’s not uncommon for integrators to recognize a gap in a product line. Usually, they pick up the phone and call some manufacturers with the idea to fill the gap. But some, like Chris Manouel of Honest Install in Richardson, Texas, take it a step further and leap into the manufacturing side of the business.
The solution was created from a common problem Manouel encountered in the field: Clients were placing their Sonos speakers on a table, credenza, or randomly on a counter only to have it get knocked around or accidentally unplugged, not to mention the messy cord. So, Thenos was born, makers of the PlayBox, a custom enclosure that allows an integrator to take a SONOS Play:1 speaker and recess it in the wall thus eliminating unsightly cables/cords.
There are three versions of the PlayBox: The $139 (MSRP) PlayBox Pro designed for direct wiring using the nearest electrical source; the $159 PlayBox EZ, which is the same as the Pro but with a power relocation unit that plugs into the nearest outlet; and the PlayBox COM designed for commercial use in bars, offices and restaurants. The box comes in either black or white and the grille is paintable.
Major benefits of the unit are the same as using wireless Sonos multiroom audio … no wiring needed and no amplifier or head unit.
About 200 of the units have been in beta with integrators across the U.S. for the past several months, and Thenos just received its first batch of 250 units for resale. The company is seeking integrators to sign on as authorized resellers and has created sales collateral.
