Sonos usually takes a top-down method to its audio system, engineering the newest and biggest options and efficiency for its bigger fashions, after which trickling them right down to the smaller ones.
They do not get a lot smaller than the Sonos Roam 2, particularly when the corporate’s solely different moveable choice within the Transfer 2 is a number of occasions the scale. Regardless of three years between the unique Roam and this presumed sequel, the 2 share rather a lot in widespread.
Sonos launched the Roam 2 in Might 2024 and it ought to be extensively obtainable till the corporate retires the speaker, which most likely will not occur till a more moderen mannequin comes alongside. It begins at $179, a modest $10 enhance over what the unique Roam value when it got here out in 2021. You can discover it from a wide range of retailers, together with Sonos’ personal web site. It is available in Black, White, Sundown, Wave, and Olive.
Sonos Roam 2: What’s good
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Sonos selected to stay to a well-recognized design with the Roam 2. So acquainted, the truth is, that you need to know the distinct variations to note. The colour choices mirror these launched for the unique Roam, solely the second-gen audio system haven’t got the emblem emblazoned in white on all colours (it’s for the white variant, although).
You will additionally discover a devoted Bluetooth button within the rear. This solves a nagging concern the place you needed to maintain down the ability button on the earlier mannequin for a precise variety of seconds to place it into pairing mode — invariably turning it off if you missed the mark. The Roam 2 solely requires you to carry down the Bluetooth button to do this. And if that you must swap between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi mode, you simply have to press it as soon as.
Aside from that, there’s not a lot else to separate the Roam 2 from a bodily standpoint. It has the identical chassis, format, weight, and IP67 mud and water resistance as its predecessor. It helps wi-fi charging the identical means if you place it upright and put the underside of the speaker onto a Qi-enabled charger . Plus, any equipment made for the unique Roam will match proper in with this one.
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The Roam 2 launched with much less fanfare, partly as a result of Sonos additionally launched its first pair of headphones within the Ace . Besides, the Ace cannot be a part of a Sonos system the way in which the Roam 2 can. Including the speaker to a Sonos system is simple and solely takes minutes to verify and full. Certainly, the method is just about the identical because it all the time was regardless of Sonos’ redesigned app.
All of the familiarity extends to the controls, that are located in precisely the identical spots. The play/pause button is flanked by quantity buttons on both facet, together with a microphone button up prime. When the LED above it’s on (and you have arrange voice management within the Sonos app) you should use both Alexa or Sonos Voice Management. Lacking in motion is Google Assistant, a characteristic the unique Roam nonetheless maintains. Till Sonos and Google resolve their authorized points after a decide threw out a judgment towards Google in October 2023, its voice assistant will not be doing any speaking.
Not less than the speaker will not take concern with splashes of water. The Roam 2 would not appear like a ruggedized speaker however its IP67 score is fairly robust by speaker requirements. Utilizing this by the pool or tub should not be an issue. Keep away from saltwater and do not forget that it is extra water resistant than waterproof. You may submerge it for as much as half-hour.
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As soon as the music performs, Sonos’ tuning clearly focuses on readability with out skewing too far in some way within the audio spectrum. It is par for the course for Sonos at this level, and it gives Trueplay as a option to tune the audio based mostly on the place you are really taking part in music by way of the Roam 2.
It is simply that this speaker would not sound any totally different from the unique, so there is not any sonic enchancment. The app’s EQ solely allows you to modify bass, treble, and loudness. Go too far with the bass or loudness, and also you lose a few of the readability within the course of. Discovering the right combination in a sure setting can show to be a problem. Worse but, Sonos nonetheless inexplicably would not allow you to save any presets underneath the misunderstanding that Trueplay is nice sufficient by itself.
On the brilliant facet, you may stereo pair a Roam 2 with a Roam 1 to create true stereo sound with left and proper channels. The app makes this pretty straightforward to drag off, and put collectively, two undoubtedly sound higher than one. For those who use the Roam 1 as the first of the 2, you may retain Google Assistant because the prime voice assistant, however not if it is the opposite means round.
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Sonos charges battery life at as much as 10 hours per cost, however you probably will not get there. That is at default quantity and it is unclear if Sonos means Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. You are extra prone to hit the seven-to-eight-hour vary if you happen to recurrently elevate the quantity greater both means. That is not nice but in addition not unhealthy contemplating the tech concerned right here.
The app allows you to take some management in mitigating battery loss. You may select how lengthy it takes for the speaker to show off on account of inactivity, and a Wi-Fi Energy Save toggle saves energy at any time when the Roam 2 is related to Wi-Fi.
Sonos Roam 2: What’s not good
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When the primary Roam launched in 2021, it stood out as an outstanding moveable speaker that would prolong Sonos’ sonic presence past the house. Three years later, opponents handle to both supply higher worth relative to cost or discover methods to surpass the audio output obtainable right here. It is simply odd Sonos selected to not a minimum of attempt to make the Roam 2 sound higher than its predecessor.
For those who’re into bass-heavy music, do not hassle with this speaker as a result of it should disappoint you that means. Whereas highs and mids are fairly good for the scale, they lose a few of their resonance if you pump up the bass. You are then left with a option to make if you happen to’re after a sure sort of sound.
Not solely that however SBC and AAC are your solely Bluetooth codecs, so neglect any hi-res audio playback outdoors of Wi-Fi connections at residence. To not point out it is Bluetooth 5.0, a reasonably outdated commonplace for one thing that prices this a lot.
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These drawbacks do not apply to a wide range of moveable audio system at present obtainable, a few of which very a lot undercut Sonos in value. Granted, these are Bluetooth audio system with none Wi-Fi compatibility, but it surely’s nonetheless arduous to disregard the comparisons.
As a wise speaker, sure roadblocks additionally pop up. You should utilize Alexa because the voice assistant, solely it could actually’t really play music by request for you. This can really feel unusual if you encounter it as a result of you may management sensible residence units by voice. Ask it to play a tune, album, or playlist, nevertheless, and it could actually’t do it. Even when Amazon is partly responsible for that, it makes the absence of Google Assistant all of the extra evident. Sonos Voice Management is extremely restricted and never a real various.
Sonos would not allow multipoint connections, so two units cannot pair with it directly. When stereo pairing, you want Wi-Fi to facilitate the connection, making all of it however inconceivable to do it away from residence. Thus, if you wish to use a stereo pair to serenade your group or BBQ on the park, your Roam 2 should fly solo.
Sonos Roam 2: Competitors
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The Roam 2 stands out among the many greatest Sonos audio system as a result of it is the smallest within the lineup, however with regards to the greatest Bluetooth audio system , the Sonos Transfer 2 is the corporate’s higher choice. It is a lot larger, but nonetheless cell sufficient inside a house, and delivers sound that trounces the Roam 2 in each audible kind. For those who’re prepared to take it to the park or host individuals in a yard, it should don’t have any downside dealing with a crowd.
For one thing nearer to the Roam 2’s personal dimension, the Final Ears Growth 3 packs an actual punch, particularly with regards to bass response. For clearer sound with an actual presence, the Marshall Emberton II frankly sounds higher. Each of these are available cheaper on prime of that. If you would like bassy sound with a lightweight present to go together with it, the JBL Pulse 5 is exclusive within the class.
Sonos Roam 2: Do you have to purchase it?
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You should purchase this if…
You need a wi-fi speaker to take with you
You might be already within the Sonos ecosystem
You just like the comfort of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
You already personal a Roam speaker and wish to stereo pair
You should not purchase this if…
You need hi-res audio playback
You need booming bass
You need Google Assistant
You favor to spend much less
The Sonos Roam 2 is not an actual sequel when it comes right down to the sum of its components. The upgrades, equivalent to they’re, really feel extra like incremental tweaks, giving me the impression this speaker was extra like a Roam 1.5 than a 2. The largest cause is that it would not sound any totally different and gives no credible enchancment in Bluetooth vary or high quality.
It is a little complicated contemplating Sonos re-engineered its Period audio system to chop above the earlier One and Play fashions. In contrast, the Transfer 2 appears like a way more substantial improve in comparison with its personal predecessor. That does not all imply the Roam 2 is horrible. It is a stable, very moveable speaker. It simply would not stand out an entire lot from the one which got here earlier than it.
Extra like Roam 1.5
The Sonos Roam 2 appears to be like and feels like its predecessor, making this second-gen speaker simply as moveable, be it by way of Bluetooth or a part of a Sonos system over Wi-Fi.
