Sonos will launch much more than headphones

We know that Sonos will launch headphones.

First published on November 22, 2023

Updated, March 24, 2024, 8:12 p.m.:

We’re already aware that Sonos has delayed its WiFi headphones: Mark Gurman reported in late February this year – the headphones will launch in June. Now Gurman reveals that another Sonos product will also be launched in the same month: Roam 2, the smallest of all Sonos’ speakers. We tested the first generation in April 2021, and passed it 9 out of 10 points:

Sonos Roam is so small and neat that you don’t have to consider whether you should take it on a trip. Nevertheless, it has a surprisingly good sound. As part of the Sonos ecosystem, the speaker also becomes a nice addition to the home.
Ole Magnus Kinapel, ITavisen, 6 April 2021

At the top we find a touch-sensitive panel in the second generation, which will be reminiscent of the Era 100 and 300 speakers, which we have previously predicted. The Bluetooth errors must be corrected at the same time. Sonos has struggled with the new software for everything new, including WiFi audio, so only the headphones and Roam 2 get support from day one. An update will later add support for Move 1, Move 2 and Roam 1.

The Sonos boss has hinted at more launches….

We reported on 16 November, at the same time that the company had to cut positions, that:

“Sonos’ Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Spence, stated this week that the company will launch a lucrative new product in the coming months – with months we don’t expect them to reach Christmas sales:

In the second half of the year, we will launch a major product in a new multi-billion dollar category that will complement our current offerings, excite customers and generate immediate revenue.” At the same time, three other products are on the way with the internal project names Lasso, Pinewood and Premier.”

Now Bloomberg reveals that the price of the headphones will be at least 400 dollars. Therefore, we can count on the price in Norway to be NOK 5,000 or more. Bloomberg believes the launch will take place in April. Therefore, Sonos, as we expected, will not be able to launch them before the Christmas rush.

…now we know what it is

Something we have not heard before is that the company will also launch a streaming box, i.e. an alternative to Apple TV and the streaming options that can already be found in smart TVs. The device is supposed to arrive on the eve of next year and will be priced much more reasonably: between 150 to 200 dollars should be the price for the box with app support.

It is also revealed that the company is developing new amplifiers, speakers that can be tested on the ceiling (for professional installers) as well as a more expensive soundbar. A new bass box, update of Roam and a model of Era 100 aimed at businesses (with Ethernet) are also on the way. It’s a lot, yes, but there’s even more: the voice control will also be upgraded, there will be a video service and an upgraded mobile app.

A sequel to the headphones, which has been talked about for a long time, will supposedly be earplugs that will resemble the Apple AirPods. Instead of focusing on the technical aspects, the focus should be on fine-tuning for each listener.

Roam.

This is what we know about the new products

About the new app, with the internal name Passport, it will be able to control the headphones and other products even without being connected to the home network. The launch of the updated app is to take place soon, according to the newspaper. The voice control will be majorly upgraded in the second half of 2024 and is called Voice 2.0, but the headphones will be launched with support for the current version.

The Sonos S2 app.

Pinewood is the name of the power box. As mentioned, it will be launched in late 2024 or early 2025. In addition to streaming video to TVs, the device will function as a hub for Sonos equipment. The OS is based on Android. Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision support are included and you will naturally be able to create 3D sound by connecting several Sonos speakers. Sonos is exploring the possibility of launching a Netflix competitor, but this is not set in stone.

Then there was the bass box: it is called Lotus internally and will be an upgrade of the Sub and will get support for WiFi 6. After the launch of the upgraded Sub, a more expensive soundbar will supposedly be launched. The Sonos Arc costs NOK 8,000 and the sub around NOK 7,000. The new and more expensive soundbar will perhaps cost $1,200, i.e. almost NOK 13,000 converted from dollars, and has better bass and generally better sound than the Arc.

And there is more: the Roam is upgraded with a top that gets touch sliders to control the volume, and the new Roam will look more like the Move 2. Finally, the Premier is mentioned, which will be an expensive amplifier that can cost from 3,000 to 4,000 dollars. The launch is supposed to take place in the second half of next year and before the launch of the ceiling speakers.