Greatest Sonos Setup (2023): Which Audio system and Soundbars Ought to You Purchase?
Right here at WIRED, we like Sonos audio system. We actually do. All through the previous decade, we’ve reviewed the entire firm’s wirelessly connectable audio system, from its small shelf audio system to its TV soundbars, and we’ve really useful each certainly one of them. However turning your property right into a Sonos-powered shrine to sound isn’t low cost. Like Apple merchandise, Sonos audio system promote at a premium, beginning at $120 for a fundamental mannequin. However which of them do you have to purchase? Learn on for our suggestions.
Up to date September 2023: We have added our impressions of the Symfonisk Speaker Lamp (2nd Gen) and the Victrola Onyx turntable. We additionally fastened pricing and retailers.
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Greatest Total Sonos Speaker
The Sonos Period 100 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) replaces the Sonos One (Gen 2) as our favourite Sonos speaker, notably for its improved sound and options. It’s the identical form and dimension because the Sonos One, and it has a equally smooth design, which implies it simply blends into most areas. The speaker now comes geared up with a quantity slider (a reportedly highly-requested characteristic by many customers) and a play-pause button so that you don’t need to take your cellphone out everytime you need to management it. It has a USB-C enter as nicely, together with a swap on the again of the speaker to manually disable the built-in microphone for privateness.
The Period 100 has bigger woofers and angled tweeters that create actual stereo sound, together with a sooner processor that enables the speaker to obtain software program updates for longer. WIRED affiliate editor Parker Corridor says the speaker sounds noticeably higher than the 2 generations of Sonos One speaker that got here earlier than it. It packs a punchier, extra outlined bass, crisp definition, and room-filling sound. There’s additionally a room-tuning characteristic that adjusts the audio primarily based on the place you set it (however this works higher on iOS units). We’re additionally blissful to see the addition of Bluetooth pairing, along with Wi-Fi, so you possibly can stream audio and not using a Sonos account and in addition pair it with a Bluetooth turntable.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for a cheaper speaker that is additionally freed from microphones, the Sonos One SL is a strong different. You’ll be able to solely management it out of your cellphone or the contact buttons on it (and you do not have to fret about somebody listening in to your property). The SL can be a great way so as to add extra satellite tv for pc audio system to your property.
Greatest Audio system to Fill Out a Room
In 2022, Sonos reunited with Ikea to launch a second-generation model of its bookshelf speaker. At $130, it’s kind of pricier than its $99 predecessor, but it surely does include a couple of upgrades, together with a rise in reminiscence and a sooner processor. We have now but to check this mannequin, however we did just like the first-generation model.
You’ll be able to mount it proper to your wall or stand it upright on a bookshelf or desk. And if you wish to community a couple of audio system collectively for a bigger room, or linked rooms, that is the most affordable method to do it. It would not immediately take audio instructions, as a result of it has no mic, so you will want a Sonos One, Sonos Period 100, Google speaker, or Alexa speaker that you would be able to yell at if you wish to management it along with your voice. Apart from that, it does every thing you’d desire a Sonos to do.
{Photograph}: IKEA
As with the primary mannequin, the second-generation Symfonisk Speaker Lamp has nice sound, and it makes for a pleasant addition to any room. I preserve it on the media console in my house. The lamp will get vivid sufficient to mild the lounge, and I really like utilizing the speaker to take heed to podcasts each morning. It additionally has a extra trendy and elevated look in comparison with its predecessor—with glass shades that are available in each black and white. But it surely’s a fingerprint magnet. I would advocate the textile shade ($240) if that’ll trouble you. My solely gripe is that it lacks a microphone, so you possibly can’t management it utilizing voice instructions. You’ll be able to, nevertheless, join it to an Amazon or Nest good speaker to make the most of the good assistant assist. If wall artwork is extra your fashion, Ikea provides the Symfonisk Picture Frame with a built-in Sonos Wi-Fi Speaker for $260.
Greatest Giant Speaker
The Sonos Period 300 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) has a somewhat awkward and startling look (we expect it appears like a robotic’s butt), however the sound high quality makes up for it. Beneath the hood are six speaker drivers, 4 tweeters, and a few mid/bass drivers—all of which ship detailed, large, and assured sound. The standout characteristic, nevertheless, is spatial audio. With sound that spreads in all instructions and for a considerable distance with out missing definition, we expect the Period 300 surpasses the Apple HomePod by a large margin when filling rooms. It is value noting that it helps Amazon and Apple’s spatial audio catalog, however not Tidal’s library of Dolby Atmos content material.
As with the Period 100, the Period 300 has bodily controls together with a quantity slider, play/pause, skip ahead/backward, and voice-assistant interplay (with a alternative between Amazon Alexa and Sonos Voice Management). Within the again, you will discover a socket for energy, a swap to mute the mics, a USB-C auxiliary enter, and a button for Bluetooth pairing (which implies you do not have to make use of the Sonos app to regulate it). If you happen to go for the Sonos companion app, you possibly can regulate EQ, tune the audio system to your setting by way of the TruePlay characteristic, and pair different Sonos audio system collectively.
Greatest Transportable Speaker With Bluetooth
The Sonos Roam (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is the corporate’s smallest and most moveable speaker. With built-in Bluetooth connectivity (it is certainly one of our favourite Bluetooth audio system), you possibly can simply throw it right into a tote bag and play music on the go. Utilizing the Sonos app, out there for Android and iPhone, you even have the flexibility to stream from main providers like Spotify, Apple Music (with assist for AirPlay 2), Tidal, and extra. And you’ll management the speaker by way of voice instructions utilizing Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
It could not provide audiophile-approved sound for its stature, but it surely’s nonetheless pretty spectacular. The twin-driver system, subwoofer, and tweeter work in tandem to offer a daring bass and clear highs—with zero distortion when the quantity is cranked up. And with as much as 10 hours of listening, it will final you a full seashore day—after which some.
The Sonos Transfer is a much bigger moveable speaker with higher sound. It packs Bluetooth connectivity, 11 hours of battery life, and onboard microphones that adapt its sound to the setting, plus it is waterproof. Cannot resolve between the Roam and Transfer? You’ll be able to purchase both of them for $548 at Sonos.
Greatest Sonos Soundbar (for Most)
As with the unique Beam (8/10, WIRED Recommends), the second-generation Beam delivers spectacular sound and has a smooth design. By way of upgrades, it has a sooner processor, assist for Dolby Atmos (with appropriate TVs and streaming apps) for enhanced sound, and an HDMI eARC port for higher-definition audio. You will additionally get hands-free Alexa and Google Assistant, and it really works with Airplay 2. You’ll be able to pair it with a Sonos Sub (an costly subwoofer) and two different Sonos audio system for {surround}.
Sonos tweaked the design too, including a polycarbonate grille to the entrance as an alternative of a cloth cowl as seen on the Gen 1 mannequin. That is presupposed to make it simpler to mix in along with your inside decor. It is $50 greater than the earlier mannequin, which is not that way more costly than the already costly soundbar. For non-Sonos options, learn our Greatest Soundbars information.
Sonos sub speaker gen 3{Photograph}: Sonos
The usual Sonos Sub will price you $799 at Sonos. It is excellent however costly. If you happen to’re working with a smaller area, the less expensive Sonos Sub Mini is $430 at Best Buy. Do not trouble shopping for {surround} audio system till you personal a Sub, although. It should make a profound distinction.
Greatest Small Soundbar
If in case you have an house or a smaller room, or are simply getting began within the soundbar division, the Sonos Ray (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is a strong possibility for you. The Ray is available in a compact body, however don’t let that idiot you. The soundbar produces clear, crisp sound that simply fills your area with zooms and booms, quiet conversations, and every other moments you wouldn’t need to miss in your favourite films and exhibits. Plus, with adjustable settings within the Sonos app, you possibly can configure your ultimate listening expertise for each tune in your favourite album.
This small soundbar simply matches on leisure facilities and dressers, or you possibly can mount it in your wall to unlock as a lot treasured area as potential.
Wanna take it to the subsequent stage? You’ll be able to pair the Ray with the aforementioned Sonos Sub Mini to spherical out the sound in your room. The Sub Mini is wi-fi (except for an influence wire), so it connects seamlessly to your present system by the Sonos app.
Greatest for Large Dwelling Theaters
A soundbar could make all of the distinction in a house theater, they usually price rather a lot lower than a full surround-sound setup. And in case you’re on the lookout for one which’s actually highly effective, the Sonos Arc (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is the best way to go. It has full Dolby Atmos assist, and in lots of rooms, it could possibly bounce pontificate your partitions and ceiling nicely sufficient that it feels like you’ve a {surround} setup.
With three tweeters and eight mid-woofers, it delivers deep bass and has extra stability and depth than the Beam. It is also rather a lot longer, stretching 45 inches, or in regards to the width of a 55-inch TV. Its design is elegant and understated within the traditional Sonos method—you will not all the time discover the bar, however whenever you do, it is not an eyesore in any respect.
