Sonos introduces new portable Bluetooth speakers

The loudspeaker manufacturer Sonos is known for its smart multi-room boxes that are networked with each other via WLAN. With the Sonos Move, Sonos already has a portable Bluetooth speaker in its range. However, this is quite large and heavy and hardly comparable to conventional Bluetooth boxes.

Now Sonos has introduced a small, portable loudspeaker that was designed for use anywhere. Accordingly, the Sonos Roam is WLAN and Bluetooth-capable, has a built-in battery, is low in weight and has a compact design. And a new function of the Roam could take the entire Sonos system to a new level.

Sonos Roam in the WLAN

However, the Roam can also be integrated into the WLAN-bound Sonos system as usual. Multi-room playback and stereo pairing are also possible.

The Roam is controlled via the Sonos S2 app, so that the respective streaming services, radio stations and locally stored music files can also be played.

Sonos Roam with Bluetooth

If you leave the house, the Roam automatically switches to Bluetooth. Outside of the in-house WLAN, the compact Sonos loudspeaker can be used like a normal Bluetooth box.

The weight of the Roam is 0.43 kilograms and the music playback time on one battery charge is 10 hours. It is also protected against dust and water in accordance with IP67.

When you come back home, the Roam should automatically connect to the WLAN and be able to be used again as a normal Sonos loudspeaker.

Sound swap

What sets the Roam apart from the Move is a central function – namely sound swap. This allows the roam's sound to be sent to the nearest Sonos loudspeaker.

Theoretically, this means that you can send the music of a YouTube video from your mobile phone to the Roam via Bluetooth, for example, and the Roam then forwards the data to the existing Sonos system.

So far, it has not been possible to play audio sources outside of the known streaming services and locally stored music files on Sonos speakers.

Voice Control, TruePlay, wireless charging

The Roam has integrated microphones, which means that the voice assistants Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant can also be addressed. Apple's Siri is not supported.

In addition, the compact loudspeaker has integrated Auto-TruePlay. The roam measures its surroundings and can adapt its sound to the respective environment.

The Roam is charged via USB-C. Wireless charging using the Qi standard is also possible. Sonos offers a corresponding wireless charging station for $ 49.

Pre-orders are now possible

The Sonos Roam is available in the colors Shadow Black and Lunar White. Pre-orders are accepted immediately. The loudspeaker will be delivered from April 20th. The price is 179 euros