I have just spent a week or so playing around with the best audio notification system. I did not want to spend $400 for a pair of Sonos.
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I tried Echo Speaks. I did not like the idea of having to run a server to monitor cookie changes and authentication services. Also, I did not want Heroku knowing every command I send.
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I tried Google Nest speakers. I liked these. I used one for a couple days and it worked great. Then, I learned about making Nest speaker groups. So, I ran out and bought a second Nest, grouped them from the Google app, and that is when all hell broke loose. Nothing would work consistently. One speaker kept dropping out and had to be manually initialized. The Google app would keep losing the group. It just became an unmanageable mess. Returned both Nests!
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I use a tablet for my dashboard mounted on the wall next to the main door. It runs the Fully Dashboard. I found a driver, Fully Kiosk Browser Controller, which allowed the tablet to be recognized as a TTS device from hubitat. Awesome! But.... it just was not loud enough. It worked great; no delays; no drops; immediate responses... just not loud enough. Sigh...
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I read about raspberry pi's; home brewed software and mods; arduino boards and the like. Knowing I could handle the task; I did not want to reinvent the wheel. Certainly there had to be something...
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Two days ago, I broke down and went to Best Buy to get a Sonos One. $200. Ouch. I came home, plugged it in, downloaded the Sonos app, and it was recognized immediately. I linked my Spotify from the app to play a song, and WOW. The sound is absolutely stunning. Deep, immersive and simply outstanding. Next, I went to Hubitat dashboard and installed the native Sonos app. Once again, device was recognized immediately.
Now, I am SUPER happy with audio notifications. It is loud, clear and crisp. There is hardly ever a delay (if there is, it's barely noticeable). I will be going to Best Buy again today to purchase another; and see how it works with different zones; paired; etc.
I have no plug with Sonos. I would be in the front of the line complaining about the price. But... at the end of the day... the Sonos integration was by far the best choice for me.
