Best of Tech Design – Yanko Design Awards 2023

Posted on 27/12/2023 by JC Torres

It’s that time of year again when we take stock of the past 12 months and reflect on the ups and downs in order to get a brief glimpse of what lies ahead. It has been a pretty active year for the tech industry in many segments, from companies recovering or folding from the events of the past 3 years to the explosion of AI-powered services. Of course, there has also been a torrent of new designs and product types, such as the gaming handheld fever that’s gripping the PC market. In other words, there has been a great storm swirling in the tech and consumer electronics world, and now that the dust has finally settled, we’re taking a look at some of the best product designs that you can grab today or in just a few months.

Best Mixed Reality Headset – Apple Vision Pro

After years of speculation and waiting, Apple finally revealed its hand and showed the world its vision for its mixed reality platform. Of course, that includes the hardware that will become the gateway to that reality, the Vision Pro. In typical Apple fashion, the headset isn’t just a rehash of any old VR/AR gear and is specifically designed not only to showcase the power of Apple’s Spatial Computing but also to provide convenience and comfort in all aspects.

Designer: Apple

Why it’s noteworthy

As expected from any Apple product, the Vision Pro has a minimalist, understated design where every part is made with meticulous attention to detail. In addition to luxurious, comfortable materials, the headset is designed to be lightweight and well-balanced, allowing for long hours of use without straining the head. It was also made to immerse the wearer in a virtual world without taking them away from the real world, especially when communicating with others by making eye contact. Apple’s visionOS platform is carefully tailored to mix the real and the virtual seamlessly. Admittedly, the pricing for the Vision Pro is going to be high, but that’s also on par with any high-quality product that Apple makes.

Best Gaming Handheld – Lenovo Legion Go

Although some manufacturers have been churning out portable gaming PCs for years now, things really heated up when the big names in the industry started jumping in. Valve got the ball rolling with the Steam Deck, followed closely by the ASUS ROG Ally. Lenovo may just be the latest to jump on board, but thanks to both its expertise and the advantage of hindsight, the Lenovo Legion Go is pretty much ahead of the game not just in terms of specs but also in design.

Designer: Lenovo

Why it’s noteworthy

Yes, the Legion Go looks big, but mostly because it has the biggest screen among handheld gaming PCs in the market today. Its removable controllers give the perfect Nintendo Switch vibe, but the FPS mouse mode also delivers a new and unique way to play games. The high-performance hardware leaves few complaints, aside from the usual battery life, and the built-in kickstand removes the need for a separate accessory. There’s definitely still room for improvement, so it’s actually exciting to see what Lenovo has planned next for this device category.

Best Foldable Phone – OPPO Find N3

Foldable phones are becoming mainstream to the point that there might be too many to choose from at this point. While Samsung still has the lion’s share of people’s attention, it has long relinquished being the best in this market. It has easily let its rivals pass it by, and OPPO, who is relatively new to the scene, has just produced what is pretty much the best foldable phone you can buy (depending on where you are).

Designer: OPPO

Why it’s noteworthy

The OPPO Find N3 combines not just the best specs but also the best designs currently available in this category. It folds flat, has stylish color options, and has a more normal, wider shape that makes it more usable as a regular phone when folded. And it doesn’t skimp on the cameras, which is something that most foldable phones still have a hard time getting right. This particular model might not be available in all markets, but the OnePlus Open is a dead ringer and might be available in countries where the OPPO Find N3 isn’t.

Best Laptop/Portable PC – HP Envy Move

When thinking of “portable computers,” most will probably think of laptops since those are the most common designs available. They’re not always the best, though, especially when you consider the ergonomics involved. Desktop PCs, however, are just too large and bulky to be portable, even the thin all-in-one PCs are firmly rooted to desks. HP is challenging that status quo with a unique PC that is as portable as a laptop yet as usable as an all-in-one desktop.

Designer: HP

Why it’s noteworthy

The HP Envy Move is, for all intents and purposes, an AIO or All-in-One PC that was designed to be carried around, especially thanks to a built-in foldable handle and a pocket for storing a wireless keyboard. Its large 23.8-inch screen has plenty of room for work and entertainment, and you won’t have to crane your neck down every time you use it. Yes, it’s probably going to be awkward to carry it with you everywhere, but when you have a few fixed places to set up work or sit down for a movie, this computer will give you the full desktop experience in no time flat.

Best Portable Power Station – Bluetti AC500 + B300S

A stable supply of electricity has almost become a luxury these days. Power grids can go down without prior notice, or you might find yourself spending days and nights outdoors. Gas generators no longer cut it and are dangerous liabilities rather than assets, but there’s, fortunately, a large selection of safer and greener battery-powered generators now available today. Perhaps too many, in fact, since they come in all sizes and capacities, but Bluetti’s latest modular AC500 inverter and B300S expansion batteries offer the perfect flexibility for all your power needs.

Designer: Bluetti

Why it’s noteworthy

The modular design of the Bluetti AC500 means that you can stack as many as four of these 3,072Wh batteries if you need to, enough to power a home for a day or two. Or you can only bring the inverter and one battery module if you just need to go camping over the weekend. Best of all, you can charge the batteries using solar power, so you don’t even have to worry about power outlets in case of emergencies or being stuck outside. It’s a great way to enjoy the conveniences of modern life by having access to safe and sustainable power at any time.

Best Powerbank – Anker 737 GaN Prime 24K

Our dependence on computers and smartphones becomes pretty obvious when we start scrambling for a charger and find no power outlet available. There’s a variety of portable batteries, a.k.a. power banks, available today, but not all of them deliver the power you need to charge multiple devices, let alone a power-hungry laptop. Anker is one of the leading brands in this space, and it has a solution that addresses that need without forcing you to carry a veritable brick in your bag.

Designer: Anker

Why it’s noteworthy

The Anker 737 GaN Prime 24K offers portability and power in a compact package. It has enough output and battery capacity to charge a MacBook, for example, which means smartphones, accessories, and even drones are no sweat at all. GaN (Gallium Nitride) technology makes charging not only faster but also safer, while a helpful LCD display shows all the necessary stats you need to keep tabs on the power bank itself as well as the devices it’s charging. The block is admittedly chunky, but compared to power banks of similar capacity, it’s surprisingly compact and light, making it the perfect all-around partner for any mobile worker.

Best Smart Speaker – Sonos Era 300

The hype around smart speakers may seem to have died down, but that’s mostly because they have become almost too common. Every modern Bluetooth-enabled speaker these days has some smarts now, leaving manufacturers more freedom to explore other designs. Sonos is one of the pioneers in the wireless speaker space, and it continues to push through with new designs even in the face of unrelenting competition. Its new Sonos Era 300 this year makes an impact not only with its design but also with its commitment to the environment.

Designer: Sonos

Why it’s noteworthy

The Sonos Era 300 has a distinctive shape that almost looks like a flattened speaker icon, with a front half that flares out and a back that is more or less uniform in size. That shape isn’t accidental, as it allows the multitude of woofers and tweeters to be positioned for maximum efficiency and performance. What really makes the Sonos Era 300 extra special, however, is the attention that it gives to sustainability, picking materials, lowering power consumption, and encouraging quick repairs in order to reduce its negative impact on the environment.

Best Wireless Earbuds – Sony WF-1000XM5

Apple may have made wireless earbuds popular, but it is far from being the only game in town. When it comes to design and especially sound quality, the AirPods are easily eclipsed by products from more experienced brands. Reclaiming its foothold in this audio space, Sony has launched a new pair of high-end buds that truly immerse you in your favorite music, regardless of your environment.

Designer: Sony

Why it’s noteworthy

The Sony WF-1000XM5 boasts one of if not the best noise canceling experiences that tiny buds can offer. It even uses some AI special sauce to also reduce noise interference when you’re making calls, allowing for clear and crisp audio on both ends of the line. Best of all, its minimalist design doesn’t call attention to itself, but its stylish appearance won’t embarrass you if people do notice.

Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner – SwitchBot S10

We have long gone past the days when robot vacuum cleaners only vacuumed floors and still left everything else to humans. Now they can dump their dirt into bins on their own and even wipe the floor with a mop when needed. Human intervention can’t be removed completely, like in taking out the dust bin or refilling water in the tank, but the SwitchBot S10 further reduces the need for manual interaction by making the robot smart enough to dump its own dirty water and stock up on clean water all by itself.

Designer: SwitchBot

Why it’s noteworthy

The small and narrow auto-emptying station of the SwitchBot S10 is rather deceptive, making you think it’s less capable than its larger competitors. But that’s because the exciting action happens away from that bin and at the separate water station that lets the robot vacuum exchange dirty water for clean one using the same pipes that you already have for drains and faucets. It can even refill a humidifier’s water tank on its own, presuming it’s SwitchBot’s humidifier, of course. These almost completely automated processes reduce the need to get your hands dirty, literally, and reduce the risks of getting contaminated and sick from handling waste materials.

Best Smartwatch – Apple Watch Ultra 2

Just like with smart speakers, the smartwatch market has more or less normalized by now after a long struggle in trying to carve out its niche. Designs may no longer be changing drastically, but innovation hasn’t stopped completely either. Now it’s a race to put the best health sensors you can cram in such a small space, but Apple has long been ahead of the race and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 cements its lead even further.

Designer: Apple

Why it’s noteworthy

The Apple Watch Ultra series delivered what users have been asking for a long time, more space to see the information they need at a glance without having to tap their way through screens. It also adds a new double tap gesture so you won’t even have to use your other hand for basic actions like stopping a timer, ending a call, or better yet, taking a photo from your iPhone. It also introduces Apple’s first carbon-neutral products, offsetting the negative impact the production of its smartwatches has with “carbon credits” from nature-based projects and parts.

The post Best of Tech Design – Yanko Design Awards 2023 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Sonos Era 300 Review: Spatial Audio with a Heart

Posted on 29/03/2023 by Aki Ukita

PROS:

Strong sustainability efforts

Excellent sound quality

Distinctive design

Easy to setup and use

CONS:

Inconsistent spatial audio performance

No Google Assistant support yet

Single USB-C slot for both line-in and Ethernet

Very expensive

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS

ERGONOMICS

PERFORMANCE

SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY

VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The Sonos Era 300 offers impressive sound quality wrapped in a unique, environment-friendly design, though its unreliable spatial audio performance makes its rather high price tag a bit harder to swallow.

There is a staggering number of wireless and smart speakers in the market today coming from numerous brands both big and small. But even before Amazon dumped the Echo on people’s tables, Sonos was already making a name for itself in the industry. With today’s confusing plethora of smart speakers, there is an urgent and critical need to stand out, and not just by looking different, though that also works for a brief period of time. Sound quality is almost a given, so the competition often turns toward new features and traits that set speakers apart. The new Sonos Era 300 has the trending Spatial Audio as its battle cry, but it’s far from being its most distinctive feature. In fact, it could even be its weak spot, so we gave it a test to check if it is truly worth its weight in gold.

Designer: Sonos

Aesthetics

From the very first moment you lay eyes on it, you can immediately tell that the Sonos Era 300 is not your run-of-the-mill smart speaker. Most of its peers would come in simple shapes like cylinders or boxes, but the Era 300 seems to have a different form depending on which side you’re looking at. From the front, it would seem like it’s a normal oval speaker, but looking at its tapered halves from other angles makes it resemble an hourglass instead. In addition to its large size, there is no way the Era 300 won’t catch your attention, though it’s debatable whether your appreciation of its design will be favorable or not.

The shape that Sonos chose isn’t just for the sake of being visually different, though. For the designers, it’s the only shape that makes sense, given how the different drivers are arranged inside. There are two woofers, one on the left and the other on the right, and four tweeters facing up, forward, and sides. Their positions aren’t by accident, either, since each one has a specific role to play. The two woofers at the sides, for example, deliver powerful yet balanced bass, while the front-blasting tweeter takes care of vocals and high ranges. The tweeter at the top directs sound to the ceiling so that it would reflect back down to create a more believable spatial audio experience.

This extra-large Sonos speaker comes in black or white options, but it is the latter that has a more interesting story to tell. In line with its sustainability goals, the Era 300 uses 40% post-consumer recycled plastics, and those in the manufacturing industry know how the nature of the material can affect the final color. It’s difficult to hit the nearly pure white that some products have when using recycled plastics, so Sonos opted for a softer shade of white that happens to blend better with home interiors. Perhaps it’s time for the birth of a new “Responsible White” color.

It’s hard to argue that the Sonos Era 300 has a unique and quite memorable design that you won’t find on other speakers, though it’s debatable whether most will find it aesthetically pleasing. The best parts of its design, however, are the ones that you won’t see or even read about, like its sustainable design and innovative driver arrangement. Fortunately, those don’t detract from the speaker’s value as long as it actually sounds great.

Ergonomics

The Era 300’s large size may be justified, but that doesn’t exactly make it less problematic. At 4.47kg, it’s not something you’d move around a lot anyway, but it does mean you’ll want plenty of space for it on a shelf or table. A better option would be to put it on a very minimalist stand built especially for the speaker, though that will send you back around $169 on top of the speaker’s price.

Fortunately, you won’t be juggling it around so much to use it because all of its most important functions are either on its top or accessible through a paired mobile device. There are capacitive touch controls for playing, pausing, and skipping tracks, as well as a groove made for adjusting the volume. There’s a speech bubble icon there as well for disabling the voice assistant temporarily, but if you’re really concerned about privacy, there’s a hardware switch on the speaker’s back to mute the mic.

Setting up the Sonos Era 300 is just as easy. You just need to download the Sonos app on your phone, create or log into your Sonos account, and add the detected speaker there. You’ll need to connect the app with music streaming services if you’ll be using those as well, but the process will be pretty familiar to anyone who has handled Bluetooth speakers before. Sonos also has a special fine-tuning feature called Trueplay, where it can automatically change its settings depending on where it’s located in a room. It does so by listening to its own sound output using the built-in mic, which is as easy as just letting the app run the tests. For more accurate tuning, however, there’s an “advanced” manual mode that requires walking around the room with an iPhone or an iPad.

Performance

With no less than six drivers inside, you’d expect the Era 300 to sound fantastic. Fortunately, it doesn’t disappoint. The audio coming from the speaker is nothing short of phenomenal, with loud and full sound across the board and frequencies coming out clear and distinct. With how powerful the bass comes out, those not familiar with the Era 300’s specs might presume there’d be a subwoofer hidden somewhere. The angle of the drivers definitely creates that stereo effect, though the audio industry has started moving toward another direction when it comes to surround sound.

Spatial Audio is the new hype in the industry, promising a 3D surround sound experience without the multitude of speakers. It’s still in its infancy, but the who’s who of the market are jumping at the opportunity to blaze a trail, and Sonos is no different. In fact, you could say that Spatial Audio is the headlining feature of the Era 300, or at least it’s supposed to be. In practice, it sounds like one of the speaker’s very few flaws. The experience of Spatial Audio on this large audio equipment seems to be a hit or miss, depending on what you’re playing. Sometimes, the difference from the regular stereo version is as clear as night and day; other times, it might take a true audiophile to discern the nuances. There are even some cases where the Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio version sounds a little bit worse than the original because of the larger amount of reverb. This is especially true for music remastered to be compatible with Spatial Audio, and you will have better luck with newer pieces recorded with Spatial Audio in mind right from the start.

In short, the Sonos Era 300’s key feature seems to be its weakest, but that doesn’t erase the fact that it is still a strong and solid speaker without the Spatial Audio feature. The slightly good news is that there are still too few albums and services that offer Spatial Audio, so you can keep on enjoying quality sound from the Era 300. Unfortunately, that also means you might be paying for technology that you might be using most of the time anyway, which makes the cost of the speaker feel a little too steep.

While the speaker is already powerful on its own, disregarding the Spatial Audio spiel, it can also be used in tandem with other Sonos products for an even more immersive listening experience. For example, pairing two Era 300 speakers will create an actual stereo speaker setup, though you won’t be able to control which is the left and which is the right. If you want a more traditional 7.1.4 surround sound setup, you can combine a Sonos Arc, two Sonos Era 100s in the front, and two Sonos Era 300s in the back, though that will definitely burn a hole through your wallet as well.

As a wireless speaker, the Era 300 has support for almost all possible sources, from streaming services to Bluetooth devices. As a smart speaker, you can control it using your voice via Amazon Alexa or the company’s own Sonos Voice Control. In the past, Sonos speakers supported Google Assistant as well, but recent events seem to have muddled relationships between the two. Sonos thankfully included options for wired connections, but you might have to spend extra for that capability. There is a single USB-C port on the back for external sources, but you will need a USB-C to Line-in Adapter if you want to connect a traditional 3.5mm jack. The speaker can also connect via Ethernet, but you will have to buy the Sonos Combo Adapter for that as well.

Sustainability

Spatial Audio might be the Era 300’s key feature, but its strongest point might be the one that buyers might never know about. More than just a revolutionary new look, the speaker represents Sonos’ strongest sustainability effort as well, and it goes beyond just using some recycled material. Of course, that’s important as well, and both black and white versions of the speaker use 40% post-consumer recycled plastics, which is still a large portion considering how few speakers today even use recycled plastics.

Sonos, however, is taking a more holistic approach to sustainability, going beyond manufacturing and shipping and stepping into the “use phase” when the speakers are already in consumers’ hands. The company takes into account the greenhouse gas emissions generated by using the speaker itself, especially when they’re left on standby. To help reduce that figure, the Sonos Era 300 and its smaller sibling, the Era 100, use less than two watts of power when idle.

The very structure of the speaker itself was made with longevity in mind, even if you can’t easily repair the speaker yourself. The speaker was made to be easily disassembled at the end of its life so that parts can be quickly sorted and reused or recycled if possible. The Era 300’s grill uses velcro to attach to the system rather than being bonded to the frame directly. This would make repairs by authorized service providers a bit easier while also making it more convenient to refurbish speakers for sale later on.

And, of course, there’s the packaging, which uses 100% recyclable materials. Such materials often get a lot of flak for their durability, but Sonos has ensured that not only is the Era 300’s box more long-lasting, but that it also looks and feels as premium as the speaker that’s lying inside. There are plenty of smart speakers littering the market today, but only the new Sonos Era speakers can proudly claim they’re designed not to litter the planet.

Value

Getting straight to the point, the Sonos Era 300 is one expensive piece of audio equipment, though it’s not the company’s priciest product either. At $450, it sits well below the Sonos Five, which has been hailed as the speaker to beat in this family. At the same time, however, you can have two $250 Sonos Era 100 speakers to create a true stereo setup for just a little bit more. It’s always a matter of balancing the pros and cons, and, unfortunately, the scales tip slightly against the Era 300 in this aspect.

Make no mistake; the Sonos Era 300 is an excellent speaker, producing solid audio that can embrace you in rich tones on all frequencies. Its key feature, however, is Spatial Audio, and it’s the one area where the speaker doesn’t put its best foot forward, not for the lack of trying. When you consider that there are two other speakers that support this technology at half the price, you might easily feel that the Era 300 is a tad overpriced. That said, this is also Sonos’ most sustainable speaker yet, and a purchase of the Era 300 could also be seen as a sign of support for this effort.

Verdict

For years, audio engineers and musicians have been trying to find ways to recreate how we naturally hear sounds but using as few speakers as possible. The latest technology to attempt that is being marketed as Spatial Audio, and the Sonos Era 300 is one of the extremely few wireless speakers that try to deliver that to music lovers and audiophiles. That technology is still in its infancy, and it definitely shows in the inconsistent performance of the speaker, depending on the kind of music and how it was made to embrace Spatial Audio.

If you manage to overlook this one major flaw and its high price tag, the Sonos Era 300 definitely meets the expectations of a powerful, high-quality stereo speaker. Its unique design is definitely eye-catching, and its ease of use is a breath of fresh air in the midst of advanced but complicated smart speakers. Sonos definitely deserves kudos for its sustainability efforts that cover manufacturing, packaging, and even “use phase” emissions. It is definitely a solid performer, which justifies the costs a little bit. It just might be ahead of its time, given how the world isn’t completely prepared for Spatial Audio just yet.

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The Sonos Era 300 with six drivers and Dolby Atmos challenge Apple in their ‘spatial audio’ battleground

Posted on 07/03/2023 by Sarang Sheth

The Sonos Era 300, along with its smaller sibling, the Era 100, packs massive sound in a small package. While the Era 100 serves as an upgrade to the Sonos One in size, hardware, and sound, the Era 300 is the Sonos’ “breakthrough spatial audio speaker”, with drivers that fire audio in every conceivable direction (including even upward) to turn any room into a concert hall. “With next-level audio that hits from every direction, Sonos Era 300 doesn’t just surround you, it puts you inside your music”, say the folks at Sonos.

Designer: Sonos

The Era 300 is Sonos’ open challenge to Apple’s Spatial Audio. Its hourglass-shaped design hides four tweeters that direct sound left, right, forward, as well as upward. This unique architecture helps efficiently utilize the space the speaker is located in, with that cleverly engineered upward tweeter using the ceiling as a bouncing board to create that spatial audio experience. Along with the four tweeters are two woofers that provide a rich creamy layer of bass, and custom waveguides that enhance audio dispersion for an expansive soundstage.

Sonos currently supports Dolby Atmos Music via Amazon Music Unlimited for the Spatial Audio experience.

While designed to work remarkably as a solo unit, the Era 300 delivers a much more hypnotic multichannel experience when two are paired as a stereo home theater setup. Movie fans can connect two speakers with Arc or Beam (Gen 2) for a hyperrealistic 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos sound experience that’s greater than the sum of its parts.

The Era 300 boasts WiFi connectivity to let you stream the highest-quality audio formats (including Dolby Atmos via Amazon Music) from anywhere in your home without any interruptions. The speaker works with all popular music streaming apps, with support for AirPlay 2, and even has Sonos Voice Control for controlling playback via your voice. For the more traditionally-minded, however, there’s Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB-C line-out that lets you connect your speaker to a turntable or any other wired source (via the Sonos Line-In Adapter).

Touted as the next-gen smart speaker, the Era 100 is the smaller of the two new speakers from Sonos. Designed as a visual and performance upgrade to the Sonos One, it sports a similar size but with a cylindrical profile, and boasts a dual-tweeter array that produces a detailed stereo separation, along with a significantly larger midwoofer for a richer bass. Unlike the One, the Era 100 has Bluetooth connectivity, along with a USB-C line-in that lets you connect wired sources to your speaker.

The Era 100 doesn’t have Spatial Audio like its larger sibling, notably because it doesn’t possess an upward-firing tweeter. Instead, the Era 100 provides detailed stereo sound thanks to two angled tweeters and custom waveguides that amplify the dispersion of sound waves to create a wider soundstage. Its upper surface houses the familiar dimpled control panel that lets you control and configure playback.

The Era 100 also boasts WiFi connectivity along with support for Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and wired audio. You can also play music and manage your system hands-free and privately with Sonos Voice Control.

Setting up both the Era 100 and Era 300 is simple, thanks to the Trueplay app that measures the acoustics of your room and then fine-tunes the EQ of your speaker to deliver the best audio quality for your space. For more custom controls, the Sonos app lets you manually adjust bass, treble, and loudness to suit your personal needs.

Both the Era 100 and Era 300 are made with post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic and packaged in 100% sustainably sourced paper, while highlighting a design that’s built for serviceability by reducing the use of adhesives and transitioning to screws for easy disassembly and repair.

Available starting March 28th, 2023, the Sonos Era 100 is priced at $249, and the Era 300 sports a price tag of $449.

A look at the Sonos Era 300 through a transparent outer body

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Victrola Stream Onyx turntable makes your wireless Sonos party a bit more affordable

Posted on 06/01/2023 by JC Torres

Although the hype around vinyl records and turntables has died down a bit, they haven’t completely disappeared. Every now and then, we still see major brands putting out new models to cater to this niche but passionate market. There is definitely still room for plenty of improvement and creativity, as shown by countless design concepts on how to give the old music device a new face. With plenty of options, it might be overwhelming to pick one for your home. But if your home is already set up with a group of Sonos speakers spread throughout the house, turntable maker Victrola just made that choice a bit easier.

Designer: Victrola

There have been many new spins on the turntable design, some completely ditching even the standard box shape. These can sometimes become more complex and even distracting, calling attention more to itself than to the music that it plays. The Victrola Stream Onyx, in contrast, is understated and almost invisible, especially if most of your decor is dark or black. At the same time, however, it still has a distinctive and polished character that adds a subtle beauty to any space it’s in.

The Stream Onyx is actually the brand’s second turntable with this exact same design, with the Stream Carbon being not only older but also more expensive. In other words, this is the cheaper version of that premium device in both senses of the word. It has some features that remain similar, like the illuminated volume knob, the belt-driven metal platter, and the overall minimalist aesthetic. In other aspects, however, the Stream Onyx cuts a few corners in materials and finishing to reach a $599.99 price point compared to the Stream Carbon’s whopping $799.99.

The Victrola Stream Onyx, just as its name suggests, is all black, removing the silver accents of its pricier sibling. There are parts where Victrola swaps metal with thick molded plastic, like the plastic cartridge replacing aluminum. The tonearm of the Stream Carbon is made from carbon fiber, while the Stream Onyx makes do with aluminum. The materials may differ, but for all intents and purposes, the Stream Onyx still exudes the same design language and, more importantly, is promised to deliver the same audio quality.

What makes both turntables notable, however, is that they are certified to be “Works with Sonos” compatible. That simply means they can easily stream wirelessly to any and all Sonos speakers you have in your house, making it trivial to flood your home with music that speaks to your soul. There is a traditional RCA jack for connecting a cable to a wired speaker if you don’t have a Sonos, but then again, you would probably opt for a more affordable turntable at that point.

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IKEA’s new Symfonisk speaker is also a floor lamp you can customize with a shade of choice

Posted on 09/12/2022 by Gaurav Sood

It was in 2019 when furniture giant IKEA and sound system manufacturer Sonos got together to create home furnishing products integrated with good sound. The instant collaborative result was the Symfonisk line designed with the intention to help people conserve space on the nightstand or table. Now, with the new floor lamp speaker, the intent reaches down to maximize floor space in smaller apartments.

The latest outcome of IKEA x Sonos teamwork is the Symfonisk speaker which doubles as a floor lamp. Whether you choose to call it a speaker lamp or floor lamp speaker, the Symfonisk speaker is an incredible space-saving appliance. But this incredibleness comes at a premium: the floor lamp speaker (I choose this reference) is the most expensive speaker in the collection.

Designer: IKEA

Expected to officially hit markets in January 2023, the Symfonisk floor lamp speaker will retail starting at $260. The price includes a tripod stand, a lamp that functions as a speaker, and bamboo shade. The Sonos-branded IKEA speaker lamp can also be purchased with separately sold lampshades made in different materials and textures. These options would however beef up the lamp cost by $50 odd (depending on the choice of material).

If the price is secondary to you, the speaker lamp proposes to be a good buy. Compatible with other Sonos products, the floor lamp speaker can be paired seamlessly for a multi-room audio setup or to tap into a wonderful list of music services from Sonos.

A functionality downside is the unavailability of a built-in voice assistant for additional controls. However, the collaborative speaker lamp can conveniently sync with HomePod, Google Assistant, or Alexa devices for voice control. Additionally, it has a firm base that can double as a vase stand. However, the entire standing tripod up to the lampshade is empty. It could have easily had additional shelving integrated, but this is how it is for now.

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The best earbuds, headphones and speakers to give as holiday gifts in 2022

Posted on 07/11/2022 by Billy Steele

The holidays are a good time to upgrade an audio setup, whether it's for yourself or for someone on your shopping list. We’ve compiled a group of the best audio gear that ranges from noise-canceling headphones to true wireless earbuds and speakers. There are also a range of prices for each product type, so you don’t necessarily have to break the bank unless you’re really looking to splurge this year.

Sony WH-1000XM5

If you’re shopping for the complete package in a new set of headphones, there’s one clear best choice. No other company packs in as many features as Sony does on the WH-1000XM5, and they’re combined with a stellar sound and effective ANC. With this model, Sony redesigned its flagship headphones, making them way more comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The company also made noticeable improvements to the active noise cancellation, adding a separate V1 chip in addition to the QN1 that was inside the M4. The 1000XM5 still has all of the features that typically make Sony’s premium headphones so good. 30-hour battery life, a combo of touch controls and physical buttons, Speak-to-Chat automatic pausing when you talk, and the ability to change noise modes based on your activity or location. — Billy Steele, Senior News Editor

Buy WH-1000XM5 at Amazon - $398

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2

If sound quality is the primary factor in your next set of headphones, Bowers & Wilkins pair impressive audio quality with solid ANC performance. The Px7 S2 are my favorite headphones I’ve reviewed this year in terms of sound. There’s also a more refined design that doesn’t look overly plasticky and the headphones fit comfortably even after hours of use. Call quality, ambient sound and automatic pausing need some refining, but they get the job done. At the end of the day, the design, sound quality and noise cancellation make the Px7 S2 a strong pick in the current field. Plus, they’ll last way beyond the stated 30 hours of battery life. — B.S.

Buy Px7 S2 at Amazon - $399

Sennheiser Momentum 4

When picking the best-sounding headphones from 2022, it’s difficult to choose between the Px7 S2 and the Momentum 4. However, Bowers & Wilkins gets the edge in terms of design, but they’re evenly matched on sound quality and the rest of the competition isn’t close. Sennheiser does have an impressive 60-hour battery life in its favor and improved ANC performance. Those two items alone might be enough for you to overlook the very generic design for the music lover on your list this year. — B.S.

Buy Momentum 4 at Amazon - $350

Audio-Technica M20xBT

Audio-Technica’s affordable wireless headphones have consistently offered solid performance that would make a great gift, even with the lack of noise cancellation. The company’s latest are the M20xBT, a Bluetooth version of the A-T’s popular M20x wired cans. A comfy fit and up to 60 hours of battery life will cost you just $79. Connect to multiple devices at once with Bluetooth multipoint connectivity and reliably control tunes with physical buttons. The design isn’t as refined as the company’s pricer models like the M50xBT2, but you get the bulk of what makes Audio-Technica’s cheaper options so good. — B.S.

Buy M20xBT at Amazon - $79

Sony LinkBuds S

Sony’s first set of LinkBuds were a unique open-wear concept, but they weren't for everyone. To expand the lineup with more universal appeal, the company debuted the LinkBuds S back in the spring. These earbuds may be tiny but they still offer active noise cancellation and the smaller size means they’re more comfortable to wear for long periods of time. That’s the entire point of the LinkBuds S as Sony built them to be worn all the time, although you can expect up to six hours of use with ANC enabled. Transparency mode makes this possible and features like Speak-to-Chat and Adaptive Sound Control highlight the list of additional features. — B.S.

Buy LinkBuds S at Amazon - $198

Beats Fit Pro

If you're shopping for a set of workout earbuds this year, the best option is the Beats Fit Pro. These offer a lot of handy features from AirPods thanks to Apple's H1 chip. The overall size is smaller than a lot of earbuds, which leads to a comfy fit. Plus, the added wing helps keep them in place during physical activity. Punchy bass brings energy to cardio sessions but the low-end tone remains balanced, rather than overpowering, and six-hour battery life should be enough to get you through the bulk of the day. — B.S.

Buy Beats Fit Pro at Amazon - $200

JLab Go Air Pop

Thanks to JLab, you can give a decent set of true wireless earbuds as a stocking stuffer. For $20, the Go Air Pop covers most of the basics. Eight-hour battery life, on-board controls, EQ presets, IPX4 moisture protection and the ability to use just one earbud at a time are all on the features list. The Go Air Pop is smaller than its predecessor, the Go Air, and this model comes with a case that completely closes. What’s more, the company kept the integrated USB on the charging case, so you don’t have to worry about looking for a cable when you’re out of power. — B.S.

Buy JLab Go Air Pop at Amazon - $25

UE Wonderboom 3

If you’re shopping for a Bluetooth speaker this year, the UE Wonderboom 3 is an affordable, tiny option that still packs a punch. It’s adventure-proof thanks to an IP67 rating, audio quality is bright and an outdoor mode boosts treble and bass so sound can be heard over a greater distance. You can also easily pair two Wonderboom 3 units for stereo sound, which won’t cost you a fortune thanks to the low price. And with up to 14 hours of battery life, you should be able to keep the tunes going for a while. — B.S.

Buy Wonderboom 3 at Amazon - $100

Marshall Tufton

If someone on your list asked for a Bluetooth speaker but has a more refined audio taste, perhaps the Marshall Tufton will fit the bill. It’s pricey, but the investment gets you up to 20 hours of battery life and the option of a wired connection via 3.5mm aux jack. As is the case with all of the Marshall wares, the Tufton carries the look of the iconic guitar amps and this model has an audio quality that’s equal parts dynamic, warm and almost analog in its performance. On-board treble and bass knobs are also there to assist with any adjustments. — B.S.

Buy Tufton at Marshall - $450

Marshall Acton III

While portable Bluetooth speakers are great on-the-go, there are benefits to the set-it and forget-it options like Marshall’s Acton III wired model. It’s ideal for someone’s bedroom, living room or kitchen and offers 60-watts of power for just $280. Marshall’s classic amp-styled exterior looks great too, with its fabric grille and soft-touch exterior made up of 70-percent recycled materials. On top, you’ll find backlit physical controls so you can adjust settings in the dark and won’t always need a phone to control playback.

The Acton III delivers a rich and dynamic sound across a wider soundstage than previous models, with a bass response that’s also hefty for its size. On top of the sound quality, you get app support with EQ controls, OTA updates and a placement compensation feature to adjust for the acoustics in your space.

The overall build quality and sound makes it a gift anyone can appreciate, even as a stationary companion to a small portable speaker. There are two larger options as well, if you know someone who likes it loud. Either way, you’ll be a shoe-in for the party that will inevitably follow. – Jon Turi, Homepage Editor

Buy Acton III at Marshall - $280

High-res streaming subscriptions

Wireless white headphones on yellow pastel background.

If you’re unsure of what to give the music lover in your life this holiday season, why not allow them to give high-resolution streaming a shot. Several services offer the option of higher quality audio, but unfortunately not many of them allow you to gift a subscription. Instead, you’ll simply need to purchase a gift card that your recipient can apply to a high-res plan. Gift cards are available for Apple Music, Amazon Music Unlimited, Tidal and others, although you may just need to buy a generic gift card for the company in cases like Amazon and Apple. I’d also suggest giving an App Store or Google Play gift card for someone to apply to a Nugs.net plan to unlock a vault of high-resolution live performances from Bruce Springsteen, Jack White, Pearl Jam, Dead & Company and more. — B.S.

Shop Apple Music gift cards Shop Amazon gift cards Shop Tidal gift cards

The best smart speakers for 2024

Posted on 27/07/2022 by Nathan Ingraham

There’s never been a better time to get a smart speaker, especially if you’re a music fan. When voice assistants first started infiltrating these devices, hands-free controls were really the star of the show. Even now, one of the most common ways that people interact with Siri, Alexa and the Google Assistant is through a smart speaker. But now you have dozens of options to choose from, and most of the sound much better than the first smart speakers did. Sonos recently entered the game with its own voice assistant on its stellar-sounding speakers, and even lower-end models like the Echo Dot and Nest Mini have better audio quality than their first iterations did. If you're struggling to pick the best smart speaker for your needs, we at Engadget can help. We've outlined our top picks below, plus all of the things you should consider before buying a smart speaker today.

Picking an assistant: Google vs. Alexa

The first thing most people should do is decide what voice assistant they want to use. Google Assistant and Amazon's Alexa are both well-supported options that are continually evolving, with new features added at a steady clip. A few years ago, Alexa worked with more smart home devices, but at this point, basically any smart device worth buying works with both.

It's mostly a matter of personal preference. If you already use Google Assistant on your Android phone, it makes sense to stick with that. But while Alexa isn’t quite as good at answering general knowledge questions, it syncs just fine with things like calendars from your Google account. And it works with perhaps the widest variety of smart home devices, as well. If you’ve never used Alexa or Google Assistant, you can download their apps to your smart phone and spend some time testing them out before buying a speaker.

There are downsides to having a smart home device that’s always listening for a wake word, as giving more personal information to Amazon, Apple and Google can be a questionable decision. That said, all these companies have made it easier to manage how your data is used — you can opt out of humans reviewing some of your voice queries, and it's also less complicated to manage and erase your history with various digital assistants, too.

Sonos vs. Apple

If you buy a Sonos device with a microphone, you can also use the company's own voice assistant, voiced by Giancarlo Esposito. It's focused purely on music control, so you won't use it to do things like send messages or ask the weather forecast. But as a music assistant, Sonos Voice Control is generally quite fast and reliable.

As for Apple, you won’t be surprised to learn the HomePod and HomePod mini are the only Siri-compatible speakers on the market. Apple's Siri has a reputation for not being as smart as Alexa or Google Assistant, but it’s totally capable of handling common voice queries like answering questions, controlling smart home devices, sending messages, making calls and streaming music. Technically, Siri and Apple’s HomeKit technology doesn’t work with as many smart home devices as the competition, but it’s not hard to find compatible gear. And Apple has most definitely improved Siri’s capabilities over the last couple years, with handy features like and Intercom tool and routines that take advantage of the built-in temperature sensor in the HomePod and HomePod Mini.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-smart-speakers-151515264.html?src=rss

The best smart speakers for 2023

Posted on 27/07/2022 by Nathan Ingraham

Voice assistants are everywhere now – on your phone, in your TV, possibly even in your kitchen appliances. But one of the most common ways that people interact with Siri, Alexa and the Google Assistant is through a smart speaker, and there are now a wide variety of such devices available at a wide variety of price points. There are downsides to having a smart home device that’s always listening for a wake word, as giving more personal information to Amazon, Apple and Google can be a questionable decision. That said, all these companies have made it easier to manage how your data is used — you can opt out of humans reviewing some of your voice queries, and it's also less complicated to manage and erase your history with various digital assistants, too.

The good news is that there's never been a better time to get a smart speaker, particularly if you're a music fan. For all their benefits, the original Amazon Echo and Google Home devices did not sound good. Sonos, on the other hand, made great sounding WiFi-connected speakers, but they lacked any voice-controlled smarts.

That's all changed now. Sonos released its own voice assistant in 2022 and also supports Alexa on its latest speakers. Google and Amazon, meanwhile, made massive improvements in sound quality with recent speakers. Even lower-end models like the Echo Dot and Nest Mini sound much better than earlier iterations. With the growing popularity of these speakers, there are now more options than ever. Let’s walk through our choices for the best smart speakers at different price points and for different uses.

Picking an assistant

As for Apple, you won’t be surprised to learn the HomePod and HomePod mini are the only Siri-compatible speakers on the market. Siri has a reputation for not being as smart as Alexa or Google Assistant, but it’s totally capable of handling common voice queries like answering questions, controlling smart home devices, sending messages, making calls and playing music. Technically, Siri and Apple’s HomeKit technology doesn’t work with as many smart home devices as the competition, but it’s not hard to find compatible gear. And Apple has most definitely improved Siri’s capabilities over the last couple years, with handy features like and Intercom tool and routines that take advantage of the built-in temperature sensor in the HomePod and HomePod Mini.

Best smart speaker under $50: Amazon Echo Dot

Most people's entry point into the smart speaker world will not be an expensive device. Amazon's fourth-generation Echo Dot and Google's Nest Mini are the most obvious places to start for two important reasons. One, they're cheap: Both the Nest Mini and Echo Dost cost $50. Two, they're capable. Despite the low price, these speakers can do virtually the same things as larger and more expensive devices.

The Google Nest Mini was released in late 2019, but Amazon just refreshed the Echo Dot last year. The Echo Dot is the best small smart speaker for most people. Amazon keeps improving the audio quality across its Echo device line, and the Echo Dot is no exception. It produces much louder and clearer audio than I’d expect from a $50 speaker. The Nest Mini doesn’t sound bad, and it’s perfectly fine for listening in the bedroom while getting ready for the day, but the Echo Dot is a better all-purpose music listening device.

From a design perspective, Amazon broke the mold with the latest Echo Dot. Instead of a small puck like the Nest Mini, the new Dot is shaped like a little globe. It’s much bigger than the Nest Mini, but that size gives it room for higher-end audio components. The Dot keeps the handy physical volume buttons and mute switch on top, along with a button to activate Alexa's voice control. While the Dot doesn’t look as sleek as the Nest Mini, having physical buttons makes it easier to adjust volume and mute the mic. I do wish the Dot had a way to physically pause music; on the Nest Mini, if you tap the middle of the device, the music stops.

Another benefit the Amazon Echo Dot has over the Google Nest Mini is its 3.5mm audio out jack, which means you can plug it into other speakers and instantly upgrade the audio quality. When you do that, you can ask Alexa to stream music, and it'll output to whatever speaker you have connected. That'll help you get more mileage out of the Dot in the long run. The Nest Mini answers with a handy wall mount, for people who want to keep their counter or shelf clear. The Echo Dot’s new bulbous form is definitely not suited to this, so if you want a speaker you can really hide, the Nest Mini is probably the better choice.

Overall, the Dot is the best choice for most people, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Nest Mini, either. I generally prefer using Google Assistant over Alexa, and anyone who feels the same should go ahead and get the Nest Mini. The Dot does sound notably better, so if you plan to listen to audio on a regular basis, that’s probably the way to go. But if you only plan to use it for a quick song or podcast when you’re getting ready in the morning, just pick your favorite assistant and go from there.

Best smart speaker under $100: Amazon Echo

Amazon, Apple and Google all have $100 smart speakers: the fourth-generation Echo, the HomePod mini and the Nest Audio, respectively. All three companies claim superior audio quality, so for lots of people these speakers will be the sweet spot between small speakers like the Echo Dot and Nest Mini and bigger, more expensive models like the Sonos Era 100.

Once again, Amazon punches above its weight. Like the Dot, the latest Echo is totally redesigned and the new internals were made with music in mind. It combines a three-inch woofer with two 0.8-inch tweeters — a more advanced setup than either the Nest Audio or HomePod mini. (The Google Nest Audio uses a three-inch woofer but only a single 0.75-inch tweeter, while the Apple HomePod mini makes do with a single “full range” driver and two passive radiators.)

In practice, this means the Echo is noticeably louder than either the Nest Audio or HomePod mini and much better suited to filling a large room than the competition. It also delivers an impressive bass thump and powerful mid-range frequencies. In fact, my main complaint with the speaker is that highs aren’t quite crisp enough. Compare the Echo to a Era 100 and the 100 sounds much more lively, while the Echo comes off a bit muddy. Then again, the 100 costs more than twice as much as the Echo.

While the Echo may beat the Nest Audio and HomePod mini on volume and bass, Google and Apple’s speakers are not bad options. The HomePod mini is the quietest of the three speakers, but it still sounds balanced across the entire audio spectrum. The bass isn’t too assertive, but there’s more presence than I would have expected given its tiny size (it’s by far the smallest of these three speakers).

And it has a few nice perks if you’re using an iPhone 11 or newer. Thanks to the U1 “ultra-wideband” chip in recent iPhones, the HomePod mini can tell when there’s a phone near it, which makes handing off music from your phone to the speaker (or vice versa) quite simple. Playback controls for the HomePod mini will automatically pop up as well, and your phone’s lock screen will display music suggestions if the speaker isn’t currently playing. Setup is also dead-simple — just bring an iPhone or iPad near the speaker and it’ll automatically start the process.

Google’s Nest Audio is also quite pleasant to listen to. It’s a little louder than the HomePod mini, and has stronger bass, to boot. It doesn’t have the same overall power and presence that the Echo does, but for $100 it’s a well-balanced speaker that should serve most people’s needs.

All three of these speakers support stereo pairing as well, if you want more volume or crave a more immersive experience. For $200, two Echoes will fill a large room with high-quality sound and enough bass to power a party. A pair of HomePod mini or Nest Audio speakers aren’t quite as powerful, but it makes for a great upgrade if you’re a more avid listener. A pair of Nest Audio or HomePod mini speakers sounded great on my desk during the workday. I don’t need overwhelming volume but can appreciate the stereo separation. And two of those speakers together can easily power a larger living space, although the Echo is the better choice if volume is a priority.

Here too, I think that picking the assistant that works best in your house and with your other gadgets is probably the most important factor — but given Alexa’s ubiquity and the new Echo’s superior sound quality, it’s the best smart speaker at this price point.

Best midrange smart speaker: Sonos Era 100

If you have more than a passing interest in music, the Echo Dot and Nest Mini aren't really going to cut it. Spending more money to upgrade to a speaker designed with audio quality in mind is one of the best decisions I've made. For years, I didn't have a proper home music solution, but in the end the modest investment has made my life much more pleasant.

For years, the Sonos One has been a favorite of mine, combining a reasonable price with good sound quality and a plethora of useful features like easy multi-room audio, stereo pairing and compatibility with tons of services. This year, Sonos replaced the One with the Era 100, a $250 speaker that is an improvement in almost every way you can think of. Most importantly, it uses a new speaker array that includes two tweeters instead of just one as well as a woofer that’s 25 percent bigger. The end result is that the Era 100 handily bests the One in sound quality, with impressive bass, surprisingly huge volume and increased high-end clarity thanks to the additional tweeter.

There are a lot of other improvements beyond just sound quality. The Era 100 uses its built-in microphones for much easier Trueplay tuning, which optimizes the speaker’s output based on where you place it. Previously, you had to use an iPhone and walk around the room waving the phone to optimize your Sonos speaker, but now the process is much simpler. The Era 100 also includes line-in via a USB-C port and also has Bluetooth for when you just want to quickly connect a device to the speaker. It’s a bummer that you need to buy an adapter to hook up a turntable or other audio equipment to the Era 100, but since the One didn’t support line-in at all, I’m still glad it’s an option.

There are a handful of other small but solid improvements, like redesigned controls on the top that make it easier to skip tracks and a mic mute switch that cuts the power to the mic for extra security. Like the One, you can set up Alexa or the Sonos voice assistant here, but the Era 100 doesn’t support the Google Assistant – so if you were previously using a Sonos speaker and relied on Google, you’re unfortunately out of luck here. Other than that one change, though, the Era 100 is an excellent all-around performer. It’s a great speaker on its own and is also a great starting point if you want to build a multi-room audio setup.

Amazon’s Echo Studio remains an excellent-sounding speaker as well, and at $199 it’s a good bit cheaper than the Era 100 as well. If you want to save some cash or already have a bunch of other Echo devices, it makes sense as a speaker for higher-quality music playback. But given that it’ll be four years old this fall, I think it makes sense to opt for a newer device that’ll get longer support and updates.

Best smart speaker for music lovers: Sonos Five

As nice as the Era 100 and Echo Studio are, there's only so much you can get out of them. If you crave more bass, clarity and stereo separation, the $550 Sonos Five is one of our favorite pure music speakers. It has many of the conveniences in the Era 100 and sounds significantly better than any other Sonos speaker. It also sounds much better than the Echo Studio and anything Google is currently selling.

That said, the Five stretches our definition of a smart speaker here because it doesn't have a built-in voice assistant. But it's so good at music playback that it's worth recommending you pick one up along with an Echo Dot or Nest Mini. Both of those speakers work with Sonos, so you can use voice commands to control the Five just as you would a dedicated Alexa or Google Assistant device. Sonos also refreshed the speaker two years ago with a new wireless radio as well as more memory and a faster processor. This means it should stay current and work with future Sonos software updates for years to come.

Since we're talking "best" here, I'm going to go ahead and recommend that true music junkies splash out on two Five speakers and pair them in stereo. Put simply, it's the most enjoyable experience I've had listening to music in years; I found myself picking up new details while listening to albums I've heard over and over again. It's a wonderful experience and worth saving for if you're a music lover. I didn't know what I was missing until I tried the Five.

Sonos also just released the Era 300, a $450 speaker that supports Dolby Atmos spatial audio from Apple Music and Amazon Music Unlimited. I’ve found that the quality of spatial audio mixes can be very hit or miss, but the good news is that the Era 300 sounds outstanding whether it’s playing back Atmos content or just standard tracks. It’s not quite as good as the Sonos Five, but it does have built-in microphones for voice assistants and easy Trueplay tuning as well as Bluetooth and the redesigned controls on the Era 100. Again, the main downside is that Google Assistant isn’t supported here.

Finally, if you’re an Apple Music user or have a lot of Apple hardware in your home, the second-generation HomePod is definitely worth considering. At $300, it’s a lot cheaper than these Sonos speakers but supports spatial audio like the Era 300. The Era 300 and Sonos Five are better speakers overall (and certainly much louder), but there's a lot to like about the HomePod’s audio quality at its price point. It’s a clear, crisp vocal-forward speaker, and its design and software processing does a great job of making music sound like it’s all around you, even if you’re not playing back Dolby Atmos tracks.

Best portable smart speaker: Sonos Roam

While many people will be happy with a few speakers strategically placed throughout their home, you might want something that works outside as well as inside. Fortunately, you can find speakers that pair voice controls and strong music playback performance with portable, weatherproof form factors. For my money, it's hard to beat the Sonos Roam for sheer versatility, not to mention audio quality.

When used inside the home, the Roam works like any other Sonos speaker. It fits in with an existing multi-room Sonos setup, or you can get a pair for stereo playback. Like most other Sonos speakers, it works with the Sonos Voice Assistant, Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, and it supports essentially every major music service available. It sounds very good given its tiny size; it’s quieter and not quite as clear as the Sonos One or the Era 100, but it still packs a surprising bass thump and distinct highs.

Since it was designed with on-the-go usage in mind, the Roam has a battery and Bluetooth so you can take it anywhere and use it far away from your WiFi network. And its diminutive size makes it easy to take it everywhere, both around the house and out and about. It’s also the first Sonos speaker that is fully waterproof, as well as dust- and drop-resistant, so you shouldn’t worry about taking it to the pool or beach.

The Roam gets about 10 hours of battery life, whether you're on WiFI or Bluetooth. There are other portable speakers that last longer, so if you’re really going to push the battery you might be better served by another option.

Sonos also has another portable option, the Move. It’s much larger and louder than the Roam and has better sound quality, which it should given that it costs $400. But, rumors indicate Sonos is getting ready to replace it this fall with a new model. With that in mind, I’d recommend most people interested in a speaker like this wait to see what Sonos has coming up – $400 is a lot of money to spend on hardware that’s about to be replaced.

A better choice than the Move, unless you already have other Sonos products, is the $399 Bose Portable Smart speaker. It supports Alexa and Google Assistant commands, and since it can connect to WiFi, you can ask your preferred assistant to play music from Spotify, Amazon Music and other services. On top of that, it produces well-rounded sound, sports an IPX4 design with a convenient carry handle and will last up to 12 hours on a single charge.

Bose also has a good alternative to the Roam. The $149 SoundLink Flex supports Siri and Google Assistant commands, plus it has an IP67 design that's roughly the size of a small clutch bag. It pumps out bright, dynamic sound and can pair with other speakers for stereo sound, too – it's excellent and slightly cheaper than the Roam.

While this guide is all about smart speakers, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention all of the solid portable speakers out there that either have limited smart features or none at all. We have an entire guide to the best portable Bluetooth speakers, so if you’re purely concerned with portability and less about having an ecosystem of connected speakers, there are lots of options worth investigating.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-smart-speakers-151515264.html?src=rss

The Sonos Ray is one affordable yet powerful soundbar for your TV

Posted on 14/05/2022 by Rei Padla

Sonos has always been a known maker of premium quality audio devices. However, they are never that affordable as prices are always in the higher range.

Not many people noticed, but the company actually increased the prices of their products last year. That is understandable because the consumer market is still struggling. Items under $200 are not that cheap but somewhat affordable for most people.

Designer: Sonos

The latest product from Sonos, the Ray Speaker, can be had for $279. That’s already a reasonable price, but it has yet to be available in the market this coming June 7. The Sonos Ray Soundbar offers an improved audio experience from the usual built-in TV speakers. In addition, it can be wireless with WiFi connectivity which means you can stream your favorite songs or podcast episodes from different streaming media apps.

Thanks to the multi-room playback features, the Sonos Ray can also work with other Sonos speakers. Such a setup may be better and offer a fuller surround sound experience. The soundbar also works with Spotify Connect and AirPlay 2, and many other related apps. It’s wireless, but you can use it with a cable.

The Sonos Ray soundbar lets you upgrade your music, TV, and gaming experiences with more solid bass and crisper dialogue. Expect a more balanced sound and flexibility, especially if you want a multiroom or surround sound system.

Sonos says this small standalone soundbar is ready to blow your mind away. It is prepared to deliver a more robust and clearer sound than ever before possible. It’s stereo sound only, but the custom acoustics allow high and mid-range frequencies to harmonize. A proprietary anti-distortion technology produces perfectly weighted bass.

The soundbar is ideal for your TV as it ables you to enjoy surround audio. It makes you feel like you’re in the center of a scene with the sounds and dialogue going around you. What makes the audio better are the advanced processing and split waveguides projecting sound from wall to wall.

The Sonos Ray Soundbar is sleek and slim, so it can be hidden if you don’t want to see any clutter. Not that it’s an eyesore, but you can keep things neat and clean, especially with electronics that tend to look cluttered with the wires. This thing works with a compatible app and can efficiently work with most TVs and PCs when you want to elevate your gaming experience.

How can Sonos keep the price down if the features are almost premium? Well, it offers less audio bandwidth because it uses optical audio instead of HDMI. The latter is available in Sonos Arc and Sonos Beam that’s why they are more expensive. It only features Dolby Digital, DTS Digital Surround, and Stereo PCM. They are already good enough but not Dolby Atmos level. There is no microphone so you can’t “talk” to Google or Alexa.

The post The Sonos Ray is one affordable yet powerful soundbar for your TV first appeared on Yanko Design.

Sonos Roam SL defies expectations with powerful audio and minimal aesthetics

Posted on 02/03/2022 by Rei Padla

Sonos Roam SL Where to Buy

Sonos is a name almost synonymous with premium audio quality. The brand always comes up with unique products with maintained simplicity and beautiful design. But, of course, excellent quality is also a promise, and Sonos never fails to deliver.

The company has vastly improved its product lineup since we reviewed a product. The Sonos S5 from a decade ago offered an ultimate streaming experience. Today, we are learning about the SONOS ROAM SL, which we believe is miles ahead. It is a follow-up to the Sonos Roam released last year.

Designer: Sonos

Sonos Roam SL

The new Roam SL speaker from Sonos is ready for the outdoors. It is lightweight and boasts a compact form, so you can bring it anywhere with you. It can also be a great companion when you go camping or trailing, especially with its long-lasting battery. Over ten hours of continuous audio playback is possible with the built-in rechargeable battery.

This one can be an ideal Bluetooth speaker for every room in your house because it is easily controllable via a compatible app. You can set up additional Sonos speakers around the home for multiroom listening and more detailed sound. In addition, you can group the Sonos speakers in a system to listen everywhere in your house. All you need is a reliable WiFi network so the audio setup will work.

Sonos Roam SL Details

Like most Sonos speakers, this one works with the Sonos app. This means you have freedom of control. You can easily connect to your favorite streaming services, including Sonos Radio. Play your favorite songs on the speaker straight from your smartphone or tablet. The play/pause/skip/repeat buttons will make it easier for you to enjoy listening to music wherever you are. Controlling the treble, bass, and other audio frequencies is also possible right on the app.

Wireless music is not just a fad because it has become a standard feature of speakers. The challenge for every manufacturer is how to make connections reliable and fast. You will rarely get a spotty wireless speaker compared to in the early days. Those speakers available now in the market no longer break up or skip.

Sonos Roam SL Rugged Speaker

The Sonos Roam SL gets an IP67 rating which means the device is waterproof. It has button controls, WiFi, Bluetooth connectivity, and a battery that can last beyond ten hours. It also offers support for Apple AirPlay 2. The speaker is rugged and durable enough and can survive a drop from a certain height. This rugged durability also tells us the Sonos Roam SL can be submerged under one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. The small speaker is primed for all types of terrain and weather, so you do not have to worry about it being damaged.

Sonos Roam SL is ready for all your listening adventures, whether you want to liven up a party, wind down after a hard day at work, or while going for a peaceful walk in the woods. Your chill time at the beach or by the pool can also be a spectacular time with your favorite music blaring from the Bluetooth speaker.

Sonos Roam SL Speaker

The unmatched Sonos experience is a guarantee together with seamless listening over WiFi or Bluetooth. The speaker also works as an intelligent companion because it offers Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Reliability and speed are provided as the speaker connects to the WiFi network at home. It then searches for devices and pairs with them quickly.

Sonos Roam SL Features

Sonos Roam SL Design

Sonos ROAM SL is shaped like a curved prism. It is like a very chunky and large Toblerone you want to bring on your next camping trip. Color choice is only between the Shadow Black and Lunar White. Both colors come in a matte finish for that minimalist yet elegant look and feel. The device is small, but it can offer depth and clarity, thanks to precision-engineered acoustics. Sonos is defying expectations with the Roam SL, so we believe it is worth the $159 price tag.

Compared to the previous model from the same Sonos lineup, this one boasts a more redefined design. It can match any interior and fit every corner of your room. It is lightweight and compact, therefore, easy to carry. The ergonomics of the speaker is basic yet offers efficiency to the user.

Sonos Roam SL Design Images

The post Sonos Roam SL defies expectations with powerful audio and minimal aesthetics first appeared on Yanko Design.