A mobile electronic device operating with other mobile electronic devices forming a group for coordinated playout of audio media content, the mobile electronic device comprising: a wireless network interface circuit configured for communication with the other mobile electronic devices through a wireless communication link; a microphone; a speaker; a processor operationally connected to the microphone, the speaker, and the wireless network interface circuit; and a memory storing program code that is executed by the processor to perform operations comprising: determining a common time sync shared with the other mobile electronic devices; determining a timing of occurrence of a sound transient that is sensed by the microphone relative to the common time sync; receiving timing reports from the other mobile electronic devices, wherein each of the timing reports indicates a timing of occurrence of the sound transient sensed by a microphone of a respective one of the other mobile electronic devices relative to the common time sync, wherein the sound transient sensed by the mobile electronic devices is generated at a preferred listening location; and coordinating timing of play out of audio media content by the group of mobile electronic devices responsive to comparison of the timing of occurrence of the sound transient sensed by the microphone of the mobile electronic device and the timing of occurrences indicated by the timing reports. a wireless network interface circuit configured for communication with the other mobile electronic devices through a wireless communication link; a microphone; a speaker; a processor operationally connected to the microphone, the speaker, and the wireless network interface circuit; and a memory storing program code that is executed by the processor to perform operations comprising: determining a common time sync shared with the other mobile electronic devices; determining a timing of occurrence of a sound transient that is sensed by the microphone relative to the common time sync; receiving timing reports from the other mobile electronic devices, wherein each of the timing reports indicates a timing of occurrence of the sound transient sensed by a microphone of a respective one of the other mobile electronic devices relative to the common time sync, wherein the sound transient sensed by the mobile electronic devices is generated at a preferred listening location; and coordinating timing of play out of audio media content by the group of mobile electronic devices responsive to comparison of the timing of occurrence of the sound transient sensed by the microphone of the mobile electronic device and the timing of occurrences indicated by the timing reports. determining a common time sync shared with the other mobile electronic devices; determining a timing of occurrence of a sound transient that is sensed by the microphone relative to the common time sync; receiving timing reports from the other mobile electronic devices, wherein each of the timing reports indicates a timing of occurrence of the sound transient sensed by a microphone of a respective one of the other mobile electronic devices relative to the common time sync, wherein the sound transient sensed by the mobile electronic devices is generated at a preferred listening location; and coordinating timing of play out of audio media content by the group of mobile electronic devices responsive to comparison of the timing of occurrence of the sound transient sensed by the microphone of the mobile electronic device and the timing of occurrences indicated by the timing reports.