Greatest Sonos audio system in 2024

We’re properly previous the times of needing to dig out the massive spool of speaker wire to procure 10 years in the past at any time when it’s time to wire a brand new element. In reality, we’re lucky sufficient to dwell in an age of wi-fi audio, with transportable Bluetooth audio system, headphones, wi-fi earbuds, and different gadgets offered in any respect main retailers. However in terms of wi-fi music, nobody does it higher than a model known as Sonos.

Perfecting the “wire-free” method for properly over a decade now, Sonos audio system solely require an influence cable and community connection to function. As soon as paired to your Wi-Fi, you’ll use the Sonos app to stream your favourite artists and albums throughout all Sonos gadgets, together with soundbars just like the Sonos Arc. You’ll even have the ability to group a number of audio system collectively, permitting you to play totally different music within the totally different elements of your private home.

There are tons of Sonos audio system to select from although, so we’ve gone forward and rounded up all the most effective choices!

Construct your superb Sonos system

There may be greater than meets the attention right here, with 4 tweeters and two woofers packed inside. Every is powered through its personal class-D digital amplifier. One tweeter and one woofer level to every aspect for stereo imaging, whereas one other supplies a middle picture, and the final goals upwards for Dolby Atmos content material. This makes it straightforward to get good efficiency with out placing an excessive amount of thought into speaker placement. The Period 300 presents enveloping, balanced, but detailed sound.

With Dolby Atmos assist, you should utilize the Period 300 as a most important for music and films or as a encompass sound speaker in a house theater array. The Period 300 permits audio playback over Bluetooth along with Wi-Fi, a handy function. Whereas there’s not so much to complain about right here, the Period 300 is not low cost, particularly if you happen to plan to buy a pair or extra. Whereas it helps Alexa, Google Assistant has been omitted.

The Arc does not fiddle. For starters, it has 11 drivers (eight elliptical woofers and three angled silk-dome tweeters) every powered by its personal class-D amplifier. A big soundbar that is adept for each residence theater and music, the Arc thumps with stable, well-controlled bass. On prime of that, you will discover clean treble, articulate midrange response, and an general immersive expertise. Dolby Atmos functionality means the Arc can take full benefit of content material optimized for the codec.

In all probability the largest knock towards the Arc is its excessive value, but it surely does examine favorably to different premium soundbars, that are typically extra reliant on the presence of a subwoofer to supply first rate bass. Whereas the Arc cannot stream audio over Bluetooth, it does supply seamless integration with the Sonos ecosystem through Wi-Fi. The presence of solely a single HDMI port might be a limitation, relying in your TV’s capabilities, however should not adversely impression most customers.

We’re additionally massive followers of the brand new TV Audio Swap. If you happen to personal a pair of the Sonos Ace headphones, you may immediately share the Arc’s audio with these superior wi-fi cans.

That includes twin tweeters and one woofer, the Period 100’s general sonic presentation is full and open. Bass is noticeably current and punchy, whereas the devices have good separation and element with out harshness. If you happen to occur to be an EDM fan or somebody who actually craves a ton of bass, you would possibly need to add a Sonos subwoofer to the combination, however most individuals will probably be happy with out one.

The Period 100 is well able to serving as a single-speaker answer or because the cornerstone of a multi-speaker Sonos setup sprinkled all through your home. It presents Sonos and Alexa voice assistant assist, however sadly, it once more omits Google Assistant. In contrast to its predecessor, the Period 100 presents audio playback over Bluetooth along with Wi-Fi.

Sonos followers will definitely respect Roam 2’s premium sound. It does so much proper, and it ought to, contemplating its $179 price ticket — that’s so much for a conveyable speaker. As anticipated, this second-gen Roam suits effortlessly into the Sonos ecosystem because of the built-in Wi-Fi. The 5.2 Bluetooth connection is equally stable, and the handy devoted Bluetooth button is a much-appreciated improve.

Design-wise, the Roam 2 doesn’t stray too removed from the unique Roam. It’s compact but rugged, with an IP67 ranking that makes it dustproof and water resistant. You additionally get wi-fi Qi charging, so you may ditch the USB-C cable.

As for the audio high quality, properly, it’s Sonos, so you recognize you’ll take pleasure in detailed and clear sound. However don’t count on a booming low-end, given its small measurement. So long as you mood your bass expectations, you’ll be greater than happy.

Nevertheless, there are some drawbacks. For individuals who already personal the unique Roam, there’s no compelling purpose to purchase the Roam 2 — until you actually need that devoted Bluetooth button. Additionally, the battery solely lasts about ten hours, which isn’t spectacular for a $179 speaker. Nevertheless, if you happen to’re searching for a dependable, compact speaker that additionally works together with your Sonos setup, the Roam 2 is definitely value contemplating.

The Beam (Gen 2) presents a stable mixture of options and efficiency at a mid-level value level. Devoted class-D amplifiers drive a middle tweeter, 4 midwoofers, and accompanying passive radiators, offering noticeably higher sound than the first-generation Beam. The Beam presents clear sound with an enveloping sound stage and contains Dolby Atmos to supply enhanced experiences with content material mastered for the codec.

That mentioned, it lacks an up-firing tweeter to take full benefit of 3D audio. It doesn’t present as a lot bass because the Arc, and it could be a good suggestion so as to add a Sub or Sub Mini for extra impactful residence theater and music efficiency.

In fact, the Beam simply integrates together with your Sonos whole-home audio system through Wi-Fi, and might be centrally managed through the Sonos app. Nevertheless, you’ll not get Bluetooth audio right here. Along with Sonos’s personal voice assistant, the Beam (Gen 2) helps Amazon Alexa and Google’s assistant. Though imperfect, the Beam (Gen 2) surpasses its predecessor and strikes steadiness between efficiency and value for many purposes.

If you happen to’re questioning if Sonos’s least costly soundbar is any good, the reply is sure. The Ray presents a respectably open sound stage for its measurement and has balanced midrange and treble efficiency that makes it a straightforward pay attention. Regardless of the absence of a middle channel driver, it handles dialog properly, and music vocals are notably clear. Unsurprisingly, the Ray cannot produce chest-thumping bass, and it is Sonos’s solely soundbar with out Dolby Atmos.

The Ray presents Wi-Fi connectivity and management through the Sonos app, however lacks Bluetooth. At 56cm broad, the Ray is Sonos’s most compact soundbar. Mixed with its accessible value, that makes it a sensible choice for small to midsize residence theater setups.

The Sub Mini is Sonos’s most reasonably priced subwoofer at simply over half the price of the corporate’s Sub (Gen 3). Whereas it is nonetheless not cheap in comparison with comparable subwoofers, the Sub Mini is an effective choice if it is advisable to add slightly additional oomph to a Sonos system. It typically supplies clear, punchy bass, however can get slightly free on very low, sustained frequencies. The Mini is appropriate for small and midsize areas however cannot push sufficient air for giant rooms.

The Sub Mini connects to the Sonos ecosystem through Wi-Fi or Ethernet. It doesn’t have normal audio ports and thus can’t be used with non-Sonos residence theater programs. Whereas that is a limitation, it is probably not an issue if you happen to’re absolutely purchased into Sonos and plan to remain that approach.

Our reviewer praised the Sonos Transfer 2 for its “wonderful sound high quality with clean mids, satisfying lows, and under-control treble,” qualities that assist the speaker earn our advice. Though the Transfer 2 provides a second, angled tweeter in comparison with its predecessor, it nonetheless does not handle to ship a stereo picture with noticeably discrete left and proper channels. Nevertheless, that is not an enormous knock on a conveyable speaker.

Battery life is notably lengthy, at 24 hours per cost. Assuming you do not thoughts its bulk, that makes the Transfer 2 choice for occasions like cookouts and tenting journeys. With an IP56 mud and water-resistance ranking, the Transfer 2 is prepared for no matter rain and mud nature throws its approach, although we would not suggest it for uncovered, everlasting outside set up. Notably, the Transfer 2 helps simultaneous Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, a very nice consumer expertise function.

Create the proper Sonos system in your residence

It’s laborious to imagine we ever lived in a world with out Sonos, however relaxation assured, this can be a model that’s right here to remain. As of Summer time 2024, our favourite Sonos speaker is the Sonos Period 300. Whether or not you resolve to position this titan in a bed room or in your at-home fitness center, you may count on a few of the largest and boldest audio we’ve ever heard from a Wi-Fi speaker. You’ll additionally take pleasure in options like Dolby Atmos assist, and the choice to stream music utilizing Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

Need to bump issues up a notch? Our premium decide for all issues Sonos is the unbelievable Sonos Arc. With only a single HDMI cable linked to your TV’s ARC/eARC port, the Arc delivers the sort of pulse-pounding encompass virtualization that may make you are feeling like you’ve audio system in each a part of your front room. Plus, it features similar to another Sonos system, so you may stream tunes and group the soundbar in with all of your different first-floor Sonos audio system.

Want to avoid wasting a buck, however nonetheless need to go together with Sonos? Our greatest worth decide, the Sonos Period 100, is an exceptional compact speaker that is excellent for bookshelves, counter tops, and finish tables. It’s additionally one of many least expensive Sonos audio system yow will discover proper now; however “low cost” doesn’t translate to high quality! This mighty sphere of sound is nothing to shake a stick at, mates.