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Sonos has constructed out a big assortment of sensible audio system, soundbars, subwoofers, transportable gadgets, and extra. And we will’t neglect concerning the many Symfonisk audio system that the corporate has launched in partnership with Ikea. 2023 has seen the corporate introduce main new merchandise together with the Period 100 and Period 300, and extra are on the best way.

With such a broad portfolio of {hardware} at costs ranging wherever from $120 to $899, selecting the very best Sonos speaker in your wants isn’t at all times as easy because it may appear. You most likely have some concept of the class of speaker you need — soundbar, desk speaker, or one thing transportable — however even then, it takes some narrowing all the way down to land on the proper product.

I’m The Verge’s audio reviewer and have carefully adopted Sonos over the past a number of years. I’ve additionally spent many, many hours listening to every of those gadgets, so I’ve bought you lined on the subject of the proper suggestions.

Sonos landed on a profitable system for a sensible speaker with the Sonos One. And with the Period 100, the corporate has improved upon the One in quite a few methods. It’s very comparable in measurement — nonetheless good for any desk, bedside desk, or countertop — however the newer speaker is able to stereo playback, whereas the One may solely do mono (except you had two of them in a stereo pair). The improved bass response can be immediately noticeable. Regardless of its comparatively compact measurement, the Period 100 produces a full, properly balanced sound signature.

Apart from higher sound, the Period provides help for Bluetooth playback and line-in audio. The previous makes it simpler for associates to play music from their very own gadgets when visiting, and the latter lets you run a turntable by your Sonos system. That was beforehand a a lot pricier proposition and required both the Sonos 5 or one thing just like the Amp. It’s nice to see it come to the entry-level tier.

The Period 100 retains the One’s hands-free voice controls and sensible assistant capabilities, however sadly, Google Assistant isn’t obtainable on this speaker. As a substitute you’re left with Amazon Alexa and Sonos Voice Management. Sonos revamped the topside controls, so that you get devoted monitor controls and an indented bar for quantity changes. The brand new entry-level Sonos speaker is barely costlier than the Sonos One was, however it provides sufficient new performance to simply justify a value improve.

Should you transfer round the home lots all through the day or end up outdoors, it could be price contemplating the Sonos Transfer transportable speaker as your place to begin. It doesn’t sound fairly as wealthy because the Period 100, however it packs loads of quantity and good general audio high quality right into a speaker that you may carry wherever you want it.

Learn my full assessment of the Sonos Period 100.

The Symfonisk lineup of audio system is collectively developed by Sonos and Ikea, and they could be a nice entry level to the world of Sonos. There’s maybe no higher deal in your complete portfolio than the versatile bookshelf speaker, which sells for underneath $120. This fashionable unit is nice for thus many various use instances: it’s a terrific possibility for anybody getting began with Sonos, delivering sound high quality that’s principally on par with a Sonos One in a unique type issue that some individuals would possibly favor. Keep in mind that you may pair two bookshelf audio system collectively for stereo audio (or to make use of as encompass audio system). Ikea sells loads of equipment for it, together with a flooring stand and wall bracket. 

What the Sonos 5 lacks in smarts (there are not any built-in mics on this product), it makes up for with pristine sound. Excluding soundbars, the Sonos 5 is Sonos’ largest, strongest speaker. Play a few of your favourite tracks by the 5, and also you’ll shortly come to know why it ranks above the remainder of the lineup in audio constancy, element, and general efficiency. It’s among the many easiest standalone audio system in the marketplace at its value level and can outclass any HomePod, Echo, or Nest Audio speaker you take a look at alongside it. Pair two of them collectively in stereo, and your music will sound chic; a pair of Fives may also be used as rear surrounds, although there are extra reasonably priced choices for that state of affairs.

It additionally outperforms the Period 300 — a minimum of on the subject of stereo playback. The newer speaker has a singular benefit with spatial audio music; the 5 isn’t able to taking part in Atmos mixes because it’s a standard, stereo unit. However it nonetheless sounds higher general and particularly once you crank the amount. Should you care about lossless audio and getting the best stage of constancy out of your Sonos system, that is the corporate’s easiest possibility.

Apart from its highly effective, enveloping sound, the 5 has one comparatively distinctive {hardware} characteristic among the many Sonos lineup: there’s a 3.5mm aux enter that can be utilized for plugging in a file participant or one other audio machine of your selecting. The one different Sonos gadgets with line-in performance are the Amp and Port. 

Sonos’ unique Bluetooth speaker isn’t “transportable” in the identical sense because the a lot smaller Roam, however it’s simple sufficient to lug round totally different rooms of your own home or haul out to the yard for a celebration. It’s a hefty little factor at 6.6 kilos, however a minimum of there’s a deal with molded into the again of the speaker for simpler carrying. 

Sonos advertises as much as 10 hours of steady playback when the Transfer is off its wi-fi charging base. Like the corporate’s different audio system, you’ll be able to stream music over Wi-Fi utilizing the Sonos app. However with the Transfer, you may as well flip the change on the again to Bluetooth mode and pair a cellphone, laptop computer, or another audio supply to hear that method. 

Sound-wise, the Transfer would possibly very properly be Sonos’ greatest speaker greenback for greenback. It’s fuller and bassier than the outgoing Sonos One, which might’t be used unplugged, and is greater than highly effective sufficient to fill an outside patio space with sound. The Period 100’s change to stereo places it above the Transfer for me; it’s bought higher readability and sounds extra dynamic because of this. However with the Transfer, you’re nonetheless getting excellent audio and complete freedom for the place you place it. And better of all, Sonos’ transportable audio system have computerized Trueplay, which means they use their very own built-in mics to supply the very best audio for no matter atmosphere you’re utilizing them in. At any time when the Transfer (or Roam) is picked up and put someplace new, this course of routinely occurs within the background when you hear. One very last thing: Sonos has made efforts to assist the Transfer final lengthy into the long run by providing a battery substitute equipment that may be bought when the included battery now not holds a passable cost.

Learn my full assessment of the Sonos Transfer.

The Sonos Roam is a small, light-weight Bluetooth speaker that’s simple to toss into your bag and produce wherever or journey with. It additionally makes for a terrific toilet speaker and may be positioned all through the house in areas that could be missing audio protection out of your different Sonos gadgets. When used round the home, the Roam will play music over Wi-Fi similar to your different Sonos audio system — and it has built-in mics for voice controls. Take it on the street, and it really works like several Bluetooth speaker. And in the event you occur to personal a turntable that helps Bluetooth, you’ll be able to play your vinyl assortment throughout your complete Sonos system by pairing the turntable with the Roam.

You possibly can solely anticipate a lot from the tiny Roam by way of sound high quality. It outputs clear, detailed audio and might fill small rooms, however the bass and general presence are not any match for one thing just like the Sonos Transfer or the Period 100. You possibly can at all times hyperlink two Roams collectively for a extra immersive stereo listening expertise. 

Learn my full assessment of the Sonos Roam.

The Sonos Period 300 is a promising glimpse into the way forward for music. With six drivers inside (together with an upward-firing speaker), it’s constructed to showcase spatial audio. Discover the proper Dolby Atmos monitor from Apple Music or Amazon Music and it may be a mind-blowing expertise: you’ll actually really feel like music is coming from past the speaker’s comparatively small footprint. The Period 300 bounces pontificate your partitions and ceiling to intensify immersion and provides songs extra dimensionality.

The Period 300 can be the one Sonos speaker that may ship full Dolby Atmos audio — together with peak results — once you use a stereo pair as rear surrounds for an Arc or Beam (Gen 2) soundbar. Should you’re a house theater fanatic, that perk alone could possibly be sufficient to decide on this speaker over the Sonos One SL, which might in any other case be my advice for rear surrounds.

However we’re nonetheless within the early days of spatial audio from streaming music companies, and the standard of Atmos mixes can range wildly from album to album. If you wish to expertise the very best of what’s on the market, the Period 300 is a worthwhile funding. However in the event you’re nonetheless largely listening to stereo in 2023, the 5 stays the best way to go.

Learn my full assessment of the Sonos Period 300.

At $899, the Sonos Arc soundbar doesn’t come low-cost. However this Dolby Atmos soundbar is a real powerhouse that can carry out probably the most from the most recent Hollywood blockbusters or your Netflix streams. With 11 drivers in all (together with two up-firing peak audio system), the Arc delivers really immersive house theater audio. The corporate has continued to enhance its flagship soundbar with firmware updates which have targeted on clearer dialogue and different enhancements. 

The Arc contains mics for voice assistants and sensible speaker performance, however you’ll be able to optionally buy the Arc SL from Costco in the event you’d favor to go with out them. Should you’re severe about your own home theater system and wish the very best, strongest soundbar that Sonos presents, the Arc is the transfer. You’ll shortly recover from the steep value when you hear it.

Learn my full assessment of the Sonos Arc.

Stepping all the way down to the mid-level Sonos Beam doesn’t imply you’ll be settling for lackluster sound. Whereas it lacks correct up-firing peak audio system for Dolby Atmos content material, the second-gen Beam does a powerful job of virtualizing these channels in a method that’s convincing to your ears — particularly in small- to mid-size rooms. The inclusion of eARC means you don’t have to fret about any lip sync points when watching films or audio delay whereas gaming.

Whereas the second-gen Beam is analogous in measurement and weight to the primary, it contains a perforated plastic grille as an alternative of the hard-to-clean material of the unique mannequin. And priced at $449, it’s actually simpler in your pockets than the flagship Arc.

Learn my full assessment of the Sonos Beam (Gen 2).

With its optical-only design and no HDMI connection, the entry-level Sonos Ray is greatest suited to smaller rooms or secondary TVs. You don’t get any Dolby Atmos help with this $279 soundbar, and it doesn’t have a devoted heart channel for dialogue. Nonetheless, the Ray offers balanced, crisp audio and surprisingly large sound for its comparatively small measurement.

Bass output is restricted in comparison with Sonos’ pricier soundbars, however in the event you’re in search of a easy resolution that sounds good for each films and music, the Ray isn’t a nasty buy. I’d suggest saving a bit extra for the Beam in case you have any plans to construct out your own home theater system with extra Sonos audio system, nonetheless. 

Learn my full assessment of the Sonos Ray.

If you wish to unleash the complete potential of any Sonos house theater setup, the Sub is an important piece of equipment. It’s bought loads of growth and floor-shaking energy (if you need it) for these blockbuster motion sequences, and the Sub additionally provides one other layer of depth once you’re taking part in music by your system. 

The Sub can both be positioned upright or laid flat on the ground; you’ll be able to conveniently cover it underneath a sofa, which might’t be mentioned of the cylindrical Sub Mini. However there’s no denying that the very best low-end rumble that Sonos presents comes at a stiff premium: the Sub prices $799, and gross sales on the subwoofer are uncommon to come back by. 

The Sub Mini can’t absolutely match the loudness of the full-size Sub, however it will get you surprisingly shut — and for considerably much less cash. It’s additionally arguably extra fashionable, buying and selling the dust-magnet shiny end for a matte design. The Sub Mini’s lowered measurement makes it simple to position discreetly someplace close to your TV with out calling a lot consideration to the {hardware} itself.

Learn my full assessment of the Sonos Sub Mini.

The Symfonisk bookshelf speaker is a superb deal, however it nonetheless appears to be like like a speaker. Should you’re trying to camouflage tech in your house in order that it blends in with different decor, that’s the place the Symfonisk image body speaker shines. When mounted in your wall, it appears to be like like a bit of paintings — albeit with an influence wire popping out of the underside. Should you don’t love the default sample, Ikea sells a rotating number of substitute artwork panels, together with these colourful limited-edition ones.

Behind the entrance piece of artwork are Sonos drivers and waveguides that assist distribute sound from the image body speaker all through a room. There are a lot of prospects and potential use instances for this factor: you’ll be able to mount two image body audio system collectively on the identical wall for encompass sound with any Sonos soundbar. And when the TV’s off, they match into the room higher than any conventional speaker can.

Learn my full assessment of the Symfonisk Image Body speaker.

One unlucky factor about Sonos gear is that it not often goes on sale. Often the corporate will low cost some merchandise, however if you wish to lower your expenses, your greatest guess is to buy the Sonos licensed refurbished retailer. I additionally suggest checking your closest Finest Purchase(s) for open field audio system; you’ll be able to land some wonderful offers this fashion, and the merchandise typically look model new.

Usually, I counsel individuals to stay to the present lineup of Sonos {hardware}. However there are exceptions. For instance, the second-generation Play:5 and Sonos 5 sound similar and provide the very same options. The newer mannequin has extra processing energy, however that’s not going to matter to your ears, is it? If you could find the older speaker for the proper value, go for it. You may additionally wish to search out previous merchandise in the event you’re making an attempt to type a stereo pair. However on the subject of different gadgets just like the Beam soundbar, the second-gen mannequin presents considerably higher sound. There’s ample purpose to select the most recent revision.

If you wish to retrofit your current passive audio system and produce them into your whole-home Sonos system, that’s the place the $699 Amp is available in. Sonos additionally sells the cheaper $449 Port that you may hyperlink to a receiver or different audio gear for a similar finish end result. The large distinction between them is energy: the Amp presents 125 watts per channel, so it’s capable of energy floor-standing or bookshelf audio system that lack their very own amplification.

Whereas Sonos presents a collection of voice-enabled sensible audio system, the corporate may be very privateness acutely aware. The brand new Period 300 and 100 each embody two methods of turning off the built-in microphones: there’s a button on prime that briefly mutes them, and if you wish to absolutely disable the mics, there’s a bodily change on the again of every speaker for doing so. Sonos additionally sells “SL” fashions of its Arc soundbar (a Costco unique), Sonos One, and Roam that don’t embody microphones. When utilizing Sonos Voice Management, all requests are processed domestically on-device and never despatched to the cloud.