Sonos Something Not So Big Is Coming

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review: the top soundbar for small spaces

Read on for our full Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review.(Image credit: TechRadar)Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review: price and availability$449 / £449 / AU$699Released in October, 2021The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) launched in October, 2021 for $449 / £449 / $699, which is more expensive than the original.(Image credit: TechRadar)Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review: designCompact buildNew plastic grilleTouch controlsLike the original Beam, the new Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a compact soundbar that can easily fit under most TVs on a cabinet or be mounted to a wall to keep your living room clutter-free.

(Image credit: TechRadar)Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review: setup and connectivityWorks with wider Sonos ecosystemTruePlay room calibrationEasy-to-use appSetting up the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is very simple; you need to download the Sonos S2 app and follow the instructions to connect the soundbar to your Wi-Fi network and any music streaming services you’d like.If our Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review has you considering other options, then here are three alternative soundbars to check out.

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review: More immersive sound into the same

A similar high-end pint-size buildJacob Krol/CNNUnlike the flagship Arc, the Sonos Beam is downright pint-size at just 25.6 inches long and just under 4 inches in depth.The rear of Sonos Beam Gen 2 is where all the ports and a pairing button live.It’s also a great way to broadcast sound to a HomePod, HomePod Mini and Sonos speakers at the same time.

Rich sound with a focus on immersionJacob Krol/CNNAs we expected, the Sonos Beam sounds really good, and it’s roughly on par with the original Beam.

Bottom lineSo with all that beaming done, it’s fair to say that Sonos Beam does punch above its weight.

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Review: Big upgrade for small TVs

The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a few millimetres wider than the original, so there’s practically no difference here, either.While the Sonos Arc has upwards firing speakers for the overhead channels for Dolby Atmos, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) does not.

Tested over the course of several days Tested with real world use and different TVs Tested with lossy and lossless audio formatsFAQs What’s the difference between the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) and Sonos Beam?

Can you pair two Sonos Beam (Gen 2) speakers?

Can you wall mount the Sonos Beam (Gen 2)?

Sonos Roam Review: Tiny Speaker, Huge Value

DesignThe first thing that strikes you when you unbox the Sonos Roam is just how small it is.UsabilityIf you’ve never used the Sonos app and the Roam is your first Sonos product, you’re in for a treat.Smart speaker skillsThe Sonos Roam is by far the most affordable portable speaker that can also double as a smart speaker — and it’s one of the few that gives you a choice between Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

If freedom of choice is important to you, the Sonos Roam is clearly the best option.Yes, I highly recommend the Sonos Roam whether you intend on starting a new Sonos system, adding it to an existing system, or using it all on its own.

Sonos Roam review: Take the exceptional Sonos sound anywhere

Ben Patterson/IDG Capable of standing vertically as well as resting on its side, the Sonos Roam makes for a great cook’s companion.If you already own a Sonos speaker, all you’ll need to do is tap the Add Product button in the Sonos app.

Specifications The Sonos Roam comes with a pair of drivers: a 16mm tweeter and a mid-woofer with an oval (aka “racetrack”) design.

Features and functionality Thanks to the Sonos wireless platform, you can group the Roam with other Sonos speakers on your home network.

Plex users can also stream their music libraries to the Sonos Roam and other Sonos speakers, provided they’ve enabled remote internet access on their Plex servers.

Best Sonos Setup (2022): Which Speakers and Soundbars Should You

Best Overall Sonos SpeakerThe Sonos One (Gen 2) is just about the smallest Sonos speaker, but it packs enough oomph to fill most rooms.We recommend other Sonos speakers in this guide, but you also can’t go wrong by just getting more Sonos Ones to fill up your house.

Best Speakers to Fill Out a RoomPhotograph: SONOS Sonos and Ikea Symfonisk Bookshelf Speaker (Gen 2) $120 at IkeaEarlier this year, Sonos reunited with Ikea to release a second-generation version of its bookshelf speaker.

You can pair it with a Sonos Sub (an expensive subwoofer) and two other Sonos speakers for surround.Sonos sub speaker gen 3 Photograph: SonosThe standard Sonos Sub will cost you $749 at Sonos or Target.

Sonos Ray Review: The start of something awesome

Now we have the $279 Sonos Ray.Video reviewDesignIn typical Sonos fashion, the Ray — which comes in your choice of black or white — is an understated affair.

Sonos recommends giving the Ray 5 millimeters of clearance on the top and sides, but that’s effectively nothing at all.As with all Sonos speakers, the Ray has a warmth to its sound that I find very enjoyable.

Our takeThe Sonos Ray is an ideal soundbar for small-to-medium-sized TV rooms.

The Sonos Arc is an outstanding soundbar, on its own or with

BasicsThe Sonos Arc is a soundbar that’s designed to integrate wirelessly with your Sonos home audio system, as well as accepting audio from your TV or A/V receiver via HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC).Arc looks like a spiritual successor to the Sonos Beam, the first Sonos soundbar to feature a built-in mic and support for virtual voice assistants including Google Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa.The updated Sonos appSpeaking of that app, the Sonos Arc is exclusively compatible with Sonos’ new, forthcoming mobile app, which arrives on June 8.

This new Sonos app, which I used as a beta during the testing period for the Sonos Arc, is not as dramatic a change as I was expecting.

If you want the best, most versatile and well-designed wireless soundbar available, the Sonos Arc is the speaker for you.

Sonos gets portable

This is the Sonos that many have no doubt been waiting for.With the Move, the premium audio company is finally getting into the portable Bluetooth speaker market — but is doing so in a way that is decidedly Sonos.There are, of course, already plenty of Bluetooth speakers to choose from.Again, there are a billion cheaper, more portable Bluetooth speakers on the market.

It can also take a pretty hearty drop — which isn’t something too many premium speakers can say.

Sonos Beam Gen 2 review: excellent value for those who want a full

⊕ Great performance and sound quality ⊕ Space-friendly design ⊕ Great value for money ⊖ 3D surround sound not convincing ⊖ Can only calibrate via iOS devicesThe Sonos Beam Gen 2 is the latest version of Sonos’ wildly popular Beam soundbar from 2018.Whatever your intentions for multi-room audio and home cinema systems are (or aren’t), here’s how the Sonos Beam Gen 2 fares.There’s no remote control included, so you’ll need to download the Sonos app (iOS, Android) to fully control and configure the Sonos Beam Gen 2.Sound qualityThe sound quality of the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is excellent, especially considering its size.

But with the Sonos Beam Gen 2, while everything still sounds great, that sense of immersion just isn’t as convincing.

The portable $399 Sonos Move is like having two great speakers in

You can use it as a standard Sonos Wi-Fi speaker, connecting it to your Sonos account and having it show up in your Sonos app the same as any other speakers made by the company, which you can group and control as usual.Voice assistants and Auto TrueplayThe Sonos Move also features built-in support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, both the virtual assistants that are also available on the Sonos Beam and the Sonos One.

Where it fits in the Sonos lineThe Sonos Move is unlike any other speaker in the Sonos lineup.

That said, it’s a solid choice as both an addition to an existing Sonos network or as your first Sonos device.Bottom lineAt $399, the Sonos Move is definitely expensive for either a Bluetooth speaker or a wireless home smart speaker.

Sonos Sub Mini Review: All About That Bass

Luckily, the Sonos Sub Mini doesn’t require much more than that to add way more bass to an existing Sonos soundbar, but would it have enough power to fill my living room?If you’re after a compact way to add more bass to your Sonos system, this is just the ticket.

Adjustable BassI love that the Sonos Mini Subwoofer is wireless.

On the contrary, the Sonos Mini is small, cylindrical, and stylish (much like its other Sonos brethren).

My other minor gripe with the Sub Mini is the cost.

Sonos Move review: house shaker, not road warrior

It’s more than a typical Bluetooth speaker, though, because the Move also supports the classic Sonos Wi-Fi system and integrates seamlessly with Sonos’ other speakers.Sonos speakers all have a similar sound signature, which is not quite clinical but very pleasing to listen to.To use the Sonos Move, and any other Sonos speaker, there’s one mandatory thing you need to agree to: Sonos’ privacy policy.

You will be forced to agree to it while creating a Sonos account, which is required to set up a Sonos speaker.As you’d expect, you can also group the Move with other Sonos speakers in your home for simultaneous whole-home listening.

Sonos Arc Review: A Solid Soundbar For The Dolby Atmos Era

Whether your primary aesthetic is low-key Darth Vader or low-key Stormtrooper, there’s a Sonos Arc to suit your tastes.Atmos MusicHowever, there is a caveat to my caveat: Dolby Atmos Music.Our takeThe $799 Sonos Arc is the home theater upgrade that Sonos fans have been waiting for.

If you love the idea of a Sonos Dolby Atmos soundbar, but would prefer not to have a microphone in your living room, the Costco-only Sonos Arc SL delivers that option, for $50 less than the regular Arc.

For Sonos users, the Sonos Arc is an absolute no-brainer.

8 Best Smart Speakers (2022): Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri

The simple-to-use Sonos ecosystem works with Google Assistant and Alexa, and the speaker has Bluetooth for when you're out of Wi-Fi range.★ Another Alternative: The second generation of Bang & Olufsen's Beosound A1 ($279) added Alexa voice assistant to the mix.It's a gorgeous flat speaker that comes with Google Assistant onboard—or you can buy it without a smart assistant for the same amount of money.Why We Prefer Google Assistant Speakers (for Now)There are a lot of reasons to love Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant, and it works pretty well.Speakers with Google Assistant work better when you network them together, and they're compatible with a wide variety of Google apps and services.

Sonos Arc vs Bose 900: Which Soundbar Is Best?

And how do two popular options, the Sonos Arc vs Bose 900, stack up against one another?Of course, the Sonos Arc vs Bose 900 debate cannot be resolved with a simple response.

In order to come up with an answer, we’ll begin by making a full comparison of the Sonos Arc vs Bose 900.

Sonos Arc vs Bose 900: Full ComparisonFirst and foremost, both the Sonos Arc and the Bose 900 are top-of-the-line soundbars that deliver amazing sound quality at a premium price.Bose Smart Soundbar 900 Dolby Atmos with Alexa Built-In, Bluetooth connectivity - Black Bose Smart Soundbar 900 — It’s the most immersive Bose voice control soundbar.

The Complete Beginners Guide To Sonos

Check out our complete walkthrough on the Sonos app.Similar to Sonos’ music speakers, you can group the TV audio to any other Sonos speakers you may have in your home too.Sonos App Voice control (Via Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant) On-device control Direct App control (native control from Spotify / Tidal Apps)The main way most users control their system is with the Sonos app outlined above.

Sonos One SL Sonos One Gen 2 Sonos Five Sonos Roam Price £179 £199 £499 £179 Colour options Black / White Black / White Black / White Black / White S1 & S2 compatible?Learn MoreThe Complete Sonos Buying GuideThe Sonos App: How it WorksWhat devices can I use with the Sonos App?

Sonos Roam Review: A Durable Smart Speaker You'll Want to Take

Besides appreciating its versatility, durability, and portability, here's why I think the Sonos Roam is the best portable speaker for under $200.You also have the option of pairing two Roam speakers together to create a stereo soundstage.This feature worked wonderfully when I handed off the audio from my Roam to the Sonos One speaker in my bedroom.

It's not uncommon for a Bluetooth speaker battery to get 12-18 hours of power.

It can be synced up with other Sonos speakers, plus, it's durable and highly portable.

Sonos Ray review: A compact soundbar that's big on sound

More: Thinking of buying a Sonos Ray soundbar?Check out our guide to the Sonos Ray vs. Sonos Beam (Gen 2) vs. Sonos Arc.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)Sonos Ray review: DesignOn the outside, the Sonos Ray looks and, to a lesser extent, feels the part.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)Sonos Ray review: Sound qualityIn many respects, the Sonos Ray is the ideal compact soundbar.Sonos Ray review: VerdictIf you already have a Sonos speaker or two, and are after a usefully compact soundbar with some genuine performance highlights, go right ahead: the Sonos Ray is here to charm and delight you.

Sonos Ray Review: Best Small Soundbar

While the picture quality is bad, the sound quality is even worse.However, as my editor says, most TV experiences are made better by a soundbar, so I plugged in the new Sonos Ray.

It wasn’t until I actually used my new soundbar that I knew what earned Sonos such gravitas in the sonic world.Simply put: The Sonos Ray was the easiest piece of electronics I’ve ever set up.

There weren’t many cords to wrangle, and the app only took a few minutes to get the Ray up and running.

Best smart speakers 2023 reviewed: Sonos One, Echo Dot and more

Smart speakers are to speakers what smart phones are to phones; a technology that turns a simple, utilitarian device into something that can do so much more.But there are many shapes, flavours, and form factors for smart speakers, so read on to find which is the best smart speaker for you.

But if you want good sound and a genuinely smart, smart speaker, it is the best on offer at a jaw-droppingly good price.Most of the time a smart speaker can also work as a Bluetooth speaker, but the best feature of smart speakers is they work with each other, wirelessly.

Smart speakers can make your home smarterSpeaking of smart home devices, adding a smart speaker to your home makes controlling any home automation gadgets you have much easier.

Sonos Arc review: The only soundbar you'll ever need

Sonos Arc review: Should you upgrade the audio from your flatscreen TV with the latest from Sonos?Out of the box, Sonos Arc supports Apple AirPlay 2, Alexa and Google AssistantSonos Arc: 60-Second Review Sonos Arc is a blockbuster upgrade to any movie night.

Sonos Arc performs impeccably when wirelessly beaming your favourite albums, radio stations, and podcasts with any other Sonos speakers around the house too.Coupled with built-in support for chatty AI assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant, Sonos Arc is the complete package.

We tested the Arc with a 55-inch Samsung Smart TV and the Sonos Arc fit perfectly in front of the screen.

Review: Sonos Ray soundbar is an easy upgrade that will leave you

Sonos went a bit further downmarket recently with the Ray, a smaller and cheaper soundbar than the Beam, itself a smaller, cheaper soundbar than the Arc.But Sonos knows that its customers are willing to pay considerably more for its slick integration and advanced features.

Not everyone has been so lucky, but that’s the trouble with “smart” speakers; they’re not always smart in the right ways.It’s not that the Ray is bad at all — it’s compact, attractive, easy to set up and sounds good.The Sonos Ray starts shipping next week.

The best smart speaker 2022

After all, when it comes to the best smart speaker, it's more than just about picking the best-sounding or the best-looking one.With Black Friday just around the corner, we've also included the best smart speaker deals.

The best smart speaker 2022Why you can trust TechRadar Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.How to choose the best smart speaker for you When it comes to choosing the right smart speaker for you, there are a number of factors to consider.

Others really like Alexa after snapping up an Echo as soon as the smart speaker was first launched.

Sonos Play:5 review: The best-sounding wireless speaker system we

In fact, there are few bits of tech that I've encountered—outside of Apple stuff—that's as easy to set up as the Sonos Play:5.My music service of choice is Spotify, but the Play:5 works with Amazon Prime Music, Google Play Music, and Tidal to name but a few.You have two main options for getting music to the Play:5: music streaming services or local files.

Either way, unlike the Chromecast that lets you use your own music player of choice, you have to use Sonos' app.This is one of the few areas where the Sonos app could do with some UI improvements.

Sonos Five Speaker review: Powerful and clean

As for drawbacks, the Sonos Five is a rather dark-sounding speaker at low volumes, which also impairs the distance rendering.Dynamics 127 Sonos Five 137 Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge Bowers & Wilkins Formation WedgeOur dynamics tests measure how well a device reproduces the energy level of a sound source, taking into account attack, bass precision, and punch.Spatial 98 Sonos Five 111 Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge Bowers & Wilkins Formation WedgeOur spatial tests measure a speaker’s ability to reproduce stereo sound in all directions, taking into account localizability, balance, wideness distance and directivity.

Playback directivityAs the Five is a front-firing speaker, sound isn’t evenly distributed at 360°.

The Sonos Five being a front-firing speaker, sound isn’t evenly distributed around it.

Best Sonos speakers 2023: Which one to buy

Sonos One The best all-around Sonos speaker The One is the best combination of sound quality, features and price in the Sonos lineup.$219 at SonosSonos Roam The best portable Sonos speaker Sonos Roam Sonos The Roam produces a big sound from a small package, and it's easy to take outside your Sonos system, thanks to its 10-hour battery and Bluetooth connectivity.

$179 at SonosSonos Arc The best Sonos soundbar SONOS The Arc produces a wide sound, clear voices and booming bass without a subwoofer.$899 at SonosBest home speaker: Sonos One$219 at SonosSonosThe $219 Sonos One is a great fit for first-time Sonos buyers or as an addition to an existing Sonos system because it can do so much.

That’s where the smaller Beam fits into the Sonos lineup (see other Sonos speakers to consider below).

Sonos One review: Smartest smart speaker choice

Sonos One: 60-Second Review Sonos One is a stunning speaker that packs superb sound and a long list of smart features in a compact package.That's just not true for almost any other voice-activated smart speaker in this price range.

Sonos One plays music from Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, YouTube Music, Amazon Music and dozens moreSound QualityThe second-generation Sonos One delivers where it counts: sound.As it's been available for a few years, retailers often drop the price of this smart speaker, so there are some brilliant deals to be had.

And that's simply not true for every voice-activated smart speaker in this price range.

Best smart speakers 2023

We’ve been testing smart speakers for years, reviewing each new iteration as it hits the market, and we’ve whittled the long list of smart speakers down to the best four:Echo (4th generation) The best smart speaker overall Amazon The fourth-gen Echo Dot pushes out a soundstage that’s unmatched at its price point.$99.99 at Best BuySonos One The best sounding smart speaker Sonos One If sound quality is the be-all and end-all for you, the Sonos One is the Goldilocks of smart speakers.

The mini smart speaker’s form factor belies the decibels it can push out.

Best budget smart speaker: 4th-Gen Echo Dot ($49.99; amazon.com)AmazonThe fourth-gen Echo Dot is really just a miniature version of the fourth-gen Echo.Convenience also carried over into its smart home capabilities and how these smart speakers can integrate.

Sonos Beam (2nd gen) review: Sonos Arc's smaller sibling

For those with less room and a tighter budget, the just-refreshed and more affordable Sonos Beam might make for a better fit.While the Sonos Beam supports Dolby Atmos, it does not support DTS:X, another object-based audio format from Dolby competitor DTS.

Aside from its HDMI-eARC interface, the Sonos Beam also has an ethernet port, along with a power port and a button for pairing additional Sonos speakers.

Overall, my feelings about the Sonos Beam’s audio following my initial impressions are mostly unchanged.That said, there are also reasons to give the new Sonos Beam a pass.

Sonos Move 2 Release Date

Sonos fans are highly wondering what the release date of the Sonos Move Gen 2 will be, and what updates the company will offer in the new device.Recommended in 2 articles: Sonos ARC 2Sonos Sub Gen 4The Release Date of the Sonos Move 2Let’s talk about whether a new Sonos Move 2 speaker can be released.Since then, there has been no official announcement from Sonos, nor any news or rumors about a release date for the new Sonos Move GEN 2 speaker.

With this information, we can assume an approximate release date.

The Sonos Play:5 (Five)Play:5 (Gen 1) – November 2009Play:5 (Gen 2) – November 20, 2015Five (Play:5 Gen 3) – June 8, 2020The Sonos Sub:Sub (Gen 1) – June 19, 2012Sub (Gen 2) – 2016Sub (Gen 3) – June 8, 2020The Sonos Beam:Beam (Gen 1) – July 17, 2018Beam (Gen 2) – October 5, 2021Full list of current and past Sonos productsWe see that all models came out with great frequency.

Sonos Sub Mini Review 2022: A Smaller, Yet Still Powerful

But to suss out if the Sub Mini actually holds up against its bigger, beefier counterpart, I put the Sub Mini to the test in my cramped city apartment for a couple weeks to see how it fared.Size-wise, the Sub Mini is less than half the weight of the Sub, coming in at a light 14 pounds.

Wait, so the Sub and Sub Mini are basically the same?, you may be thinking.

Classic rock jams, like the almighty AC/DC's “Back in Black” shine when played with the Sub Mini, especially the opening riff.The Sub Mini brings those death-defying aerial sounds to your home just like Tom Cruise intended (not really).

Sonos Beam Gen 2 Soundbar Review: Immersive beauty

About the Sonos Beam (Gen 2)Credit: Reviewed / Lee Neikirk No offense to my TV, but the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is definitely the most handsome thing in my living room (besides me).This helps to create the immersive height element of Dolby Atmos and other 3D audio formats.

We received a white Sonos Beam Gen 2 review sample on loan from Sonos, ahead of the product’s official launch on October 5th.Credit: Reviewed / Lee Neikirk In general, the Beam Gen 2 sounds just as robust and organic as the original model, if not even better.

Like the original Beam, the Beam Gen 2 is available in matte white or black finishes.

Sonos Port review: flexibility for a price

I was halfway through reviewing the Sonos Port when the company called me to say the price was going up by $50 to $449.The first of those products, the Sonos Amp, was a total reboot of the older Sonos Connect:Amp.

The Port worked flawlessly in my testing, and it offers a tremendous amount of configuration options that allow Sonos to work with almost any kind of audio system you might have.If you have a Pioneer or Onkyo surround receiver, it can even power them up over the network so they integrate into your Sonos system.I also used it as an AirPlay target to stream audio to the rest of my Sonos system, and that worked just fine as well.

Sonos Sub Gen 3: Your Top 5 Questions Answered

Why add the Sonos Sub to your Sonos System?A popular addition to any Sonos system, the trusty Sonos Sub Gen 3 will add substantial bass and drama to both your favourite films and beloved tunes.

Saying this, if you did want to take the plunge and opt for the Sonos Sub along with your other Sonos equipment, we do have a range of discounted Sonos Bundles including the Sonos Sub that you might want to check out:2.The Sonos Sub has non-directional, force cancelling drivers, meaning it doesn’t matter where in the room you place the Sub, it’ll still sound great.

We appreciate that £749 is a big investment, and as previously covered, the Sonos Sub definitely isn’t for every person.

Ikea Symfonisk Table Lamp Review: More Light, More Sound

Ikea Symfonisk Table Lamp Gen 2 hands-on review: More light, more sound MSRP $179.00 Score DetailsI’m still not convinced that putting a wireless Sonos speaker in the base of a table lamp is a great idea, but if you want to disguise the source of your music, the new version of Ikea’s Symfonisk Table Lamp is probably the easiest and most affordable way to do so.Bye-bye, mushroomThe first version of the Symfonisk Table Lamp, which debuted alongside the Symfonisk Bookshelf Speaker, struck a lot of people as kinda funny-looking.

It looked like it was both an on/off switch and a dimmer for the light bulb — but it only switched the light on and off.Instead of drawing curious glances, it simply looks like a table lamp, which after all, is the whole point.As part of the effort to make the Table Lamp Speaker more lamp and less speaker, it works.

Sonos Ray Soundbar Review: Great TV Sound on a Budget, Even Better

The $279 Sonos Ray may look deceptively simple with its cut-down feature set, but it still manages to rival the more expensive Sonos Beam in some ways.SonosSimple design, basic featuresThe Sonos Ray follows in the tradition of its higher-end siblings the Beam and Arc.How does Sonos Ray sound?I compared the Sonos Ray against two other soundbars, the more Sonos Beam and the Polk React, which costs about the same.

The high frequency and bass effects sounded less boisterous on the Sonos Ray, but on the flip side it wasn't as exhausting to listen to.

Sonos delivers a near-perfect portable speaker with the new Sonos

The all-new Sonos Roam is a compact, portable speaker with a built-in battery and Bluetooth connectivity — but still very much a Sonos system team player, with wifi streaming, multi-room feature, voice assistant support and surprisingly great sound quality.The basicsPriced at $169, the Sonos Roam is truly diminutive, at just over 6 inches, by roughly 2.5 inches for both height and depth.In addition to wifi streaming, Sonos Roam can also connect to any device via Bluetooth 5.0.Despite its small size, the Sonos Roam offers impressive sound — likely the best I’ve yet encountered for a portable speaker in this size class.The Sonos Roam is the most thoughtfully-designed, feature-rich and best-sounding portable speaker you can get for under $200 (and better than many more expensive options, at that).

Sonos Roam review: the portable speaker you'll want to use at home

The Roam has a few tricks up its sleeve if you have other Sonos speakers.Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The GuardianUnlike other Sonos speakers, Roam cannot be paired with a sub or used as surrounds in a home cinema setup.PriceThe Sonos Roam costs £159 on its own or £203 bundled with a wireless charger and ships from 20 April.For existing Sonos users after a portable speaker, the Roam is a no-brainer.For others what you get is far more than a simple Bluetooth speaker for much the same price as top competitors.

The best smart speakers for 2023

Since then, Apple and Google have followed suit, and now there's a huge variety of smart speakers available at various price points.Let’s walk through our choices for the best smart speakers at different price points and for different uses.

Best smart speaker for music lovers: Sonos FiveBest smart speaker for music lovers Sonos Sonos Five The Five stretches our definition of a smart speaker here because it doesn't have a built-in voice assistant.Best portable smart speaker: Sonos RoamBest portable smart speaker Sonos Sonos Roam It's hard to beat the Sonos Roam in this space for sheer versatility, not to mention audio quality.

While this guide is all about smart speakers, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention all of the solid portable speakers out there that either have limited smart features or none at all.

Sonos Beam Review: The soundbar for the purists

The Sonos Beam soundbar will be among the devices the company uses to endear itself to the Indian audience.The Sonos Beam certainly has the design to stand out, being the most compact TV soundbar I have ever seen.

(Image credit: Nandagopal Rajan/ Express image) The Sonos Beam certainly has the design to stand out.(Image credit: Nandagopal Rajan/ Express image)The Sonos Beam also has a very minimalist design with just a play/pause button flanked by volume controls.

At the special festive price of Rs 37,399, the Sonos Beam is on the steeper side.

Best Sonos Speakers of 2022: Find Out Which Sonos Speaker Is Right

The Best Overall Sonos Speaker: Sonos OneSonos One $219 Sonos Buy NowIf you're going to add just one Sonos speaker to your home, make it this One.For the Cinema Buff: Sonos ArcSonos Arc $899 Sonos Buy NowWe've already talked about the Sonos Beam, and for double the price of the Beam, you get the impressive Sonos Arc.

The Best Sonos Speaker for a Backyard Party: Sonos MoveSonos Move $399 Sonos Buy NowWe love the Sonos Roam, but that speaker is meant more for traveling.Sonos Speaker ConfigurationsThe fun of buying Sonos speakers is largely in part to having them connect to each other for an excellent sound system.

The Best Mid-Tier Sonos Sound SystemSonos premium entertainment set with Arc $1,648 $1,568 Sonos Buy NowAlone, the Arc is an exceptional speaker to add.

Sonos Amp review: This is the best Sonos music streamer by far

Best Prices Today: Sonos AmpRetailer Price Sonos $699 View DealNo one does multi-room audio better than Sonos, but its wireless speakers are limited when it comes to stereo.But if you buy a $599 Sonos Amp, you can use any conventional loudspeakers that spark your fancy.The new Sonos Amp is light years ahead of those products, both in terms of specs and performance.

The Sonos Amp isn’t aimed at casual music listeners.

In this scenario, the Amp can drive wired front left and right channels, any other pair of Sonos wireless speakers (apart from Sonos soundbars) as surround channels, and a wireless Sonos Sub (or any wired powered sub connected to the Amp) for low-frequency effects.

Sonos Arc review

Sonos Arc technical specsThe most expensive Sonos soundbar is, as already mentioned, quite large.Sonos Arc SoundNow let’s move on to the actual Sonos Arc review.

For this test, we will only use the Sonos Arc without the Sonos Sub or other speakers like the Sonos One or Sonos Five.

Summary of the Sonos Arc reviewThe Sonos Arc review shows what a soundbar has to bring to the table in order to keep up in the high price segment.Sonos Arc Design and workmanship Sound quality Features Value for money 93/100 The Sonos Arc offers very good sound quality especially for movies and series.

Old Sonos Speakers Received Sad News This Morning

UPDATE 1/23 : You should read the post below to understand the Sonos situation, but today, the company announced changes that should let your legacy products works longer and co-exist with your modern Sonos devices.Sonos announced today that some legacy products, including the first-gen Play:5, will lose software update support in May of this year.

If you own any of these products and have a Sonos account, you should have received an email this morning with the news.In possibly worse news, if you keep older legacy products active in your system that are mixed with newer products, Sonos says that your newer ones may not receive updates either.

Because Sonos needs everything in your system to stay on the same software, this is the path they have decided to take.