Bluetooth: 5.0
Connections: USB-C (charging, line-in)
Dimensions: 24.1 x 16 x 12.7cm
Weight: 3 kg
The Transfer 2 sounds higher than its predecessor, and the battery life is greater than twice as lengthy. It additionally has new controls that match the Period 300’s, and a brand new olive inexperienced end. However in comparison with the Period 300, it is slightly wanting within the sound division.
For
- Sounds clearer, extra detailed and extra agile than predecessor
- Large, daring sound
- Glorious streaming options
- Longer battery life
Towards
- Very costly
- Nonetheless too large to be really ‘moveable’
- No hi-res help
- Rivals sound extra nuanced, time higher and are extra spacious
Bluetooth: 5.0
Connections: USB-C (line-in)
Dimensions: 16 x 26 x 18.5cm
Weight: 4.47 kg
Sonos goes spatial. The flagship Period 300 is a superb house speaker, with easy usability, seamless multi-room performance and the power to work as a part of a house cinema setup. And the sound? It has extra scale and authority than a speaker this measurement has any proper to be.
For
- Immense scale of sound
- Detailed, spacious, dynamic and cohesive sound
- Punchy, impactful, deep bass
- Convincing with spatial audio tracks
- Large help for streaming options
- Simple to make use of
Towards
- Dear
- Adapter for wired connection is an additional price
- Distinctive design received’t be to everybody’s tastes
- No Tidal Dolby Atmos help
Sonos makes a number of the finest good audio system on this planet, and the Transfer 2 is one other fantastic entry within the canon. Like its predecessor, it is marketed as a conveyable speaker – although nowhere close to as manoeuvrable because the smaller, cheaper Sonos Roam – however with some key upgrades.
However would you be higher off with the premium Sonos Period 300 wi-fi speaker? They price the identical, so is there any purpose you should purchase the four-star Transfer 2 over the five-star Period 300? Let’s discover out.
Sonos Transfer 2 vs Sonos Period 300: value
The Period 300 is the older of the 2 audio system – it launched again in March for £449 / $449 / AU$749. This being Sonos, the value hasn’t dropped. You may snag a small low cost in a sale – fingers crossed for Amazon Prime Large Deal Days and Black Friday – however large value slashes are exhausting to come back by.
The Transfer 2 has solely simply launched, and prices the identical because the Period 300. With it so new, offers are even much less possible.
** Winner: Draw **
Sonos Transfer 2 vs Sonos Period 300: design
The Transfer 2 is bought as a conveyable Bluetooth speaker. Normally that conjures pictures of dinky little fashions you’ll be able to stash in your bag (assume the JBL Cost 5 or Final Ears Wonderboom 3), however the Transfer 2 could not be farther from that. It is huge. Standing about the identical measurement as a door-stopper hardback like a dictionary or encyclopaedia, it is not the form of factor you will take to a pal’s for a barbecue. As a substitute, you are meant to maneuver it from room to room or perhaps out into your personal again backyard, which you do utilizing the carry deal with on the again.
On the floor, little or no has modified from its predecessor. It has Sonos’ sometimes glorious construct high quality and end, and the IP56 water- and dust-proofing means it’s going to stand up to regardless of the climate throws at it. However there are some new touches.
The icons have been up to date to match the Period audio system’, and it even options the identical quantity trough on the highest. The buttons round again for energy, Bluetooth pairing and mic on/off have been reworked, and there is a natty new olive inexperienced end to enhance the same old white and black choices. Good.
However total it appears to be like like a typical speaker. Not just like the Period 300. This has a novel cinched hourglass form designed to assist its spatial audio output. It is constructed to the identical excessive requirements because the Transfer 2 (and all of Sonos’ audio system), with a pleasant, clear profile. Your color choices are extra restricted than the Transfer 2 although – there is no olive inexperienced in sight.
The controls take the identical model because the Transfer 2’s as nicely, bringing unity to the vary. It helps that they are responsive and really intuitive to make use of.
** Winner: Sonos Period 300 **
Sonos Transfer 2 vs Sonos Period 300: options
An enormous a part of the Period 300’s attraction and design is all about spatial audio. The weird design is critical to include the distinctive association of six drivers: 4 tweeters (one forward-firing, two side-firing, one upward-firing) and two woofers (angled left and proper for stereo playback). Every is powered by its personal class D amplifier. Customized waveguides direct sound forwards, upwards, left and proper to create an immersive listening expertise.
The up-firing tweeter is Dolby Atmos-specified, and displays pontificate the ceiling when taking part in Dolby Atmos music. Nonetheless, for the time being, that is solely supported by Amazon Music Limitless and Apple Music, so Tidal’s Dolby Atmos catalogue is off limits. Hopefully that’ll change quickly.
The Period 300 was the primary non-battery-powered Sonos speaker to function wi-fi and Bluetooth (beforehand, this combo was reserved for the Roam and Transfer). Additionally just like the Transfer 2, it helps Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 6 and Apple AirPlay 2 wi-fi applied sciences. Each have a USB-C port, however whereas the Transfer 2 makes use of this to cost its battery as nicely, on the Period 300 it is solely as a line-in for hooking up a supply like a file participant (although you will want an additional adapter). The Transfer 2 also can use this port to cost your cellular system – useful if you happen to’re removed from an influence socket.
Each help 24-bit/48kHz hi-res music information from Qobuz and Amazon Music providers, and Alexa and Sonos Voice Management are readily available for hands-free playback.
One of many Transfer 2’s greatest enhancements is the battery life. This now stands at a powerful 24 hours, which is over double to 10-11 we bought from the unique Transfer. As earlier than, the battery is replaceable and a wi-fi charging base comes within the field.
The opposite enchancment is stereo sound, with twin angled tweeters alongside a woofer. (You’ll be able to learn how this performs within the Sound part under).
Each units use the superb Sonos app, which makes setup and pairing a doddle. Multi-room has by no means been so user-friendly. They use Sonos’s Trueplay room calibration tuning to fine-tune playback to your setting – particularly useful with the Transfer 2, which is extra prone to be lugged between rooms and gardens.
The Period 300 has a feather in its cap: you should use it as a Dolby Atmos encompass speaker, delivering multi-channel rears for the primary time. Use it partnered with the Sonos Arc or Beam Gen 2 soundbars and Sub, and you’ll put collectively a 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos house theatre expertise. It will price you, however it ought to sound superior.
** Winner: Sonos Period 300 **
Sonos Transfer 2 vs Sonos Period 300: sound
So, aside from spatial audio, there’s not that a lot distinction between the 2 audio system. They’re each on the big facet, each share loads of the identical options and each use the identical Sonos app. However on the subject of sound, the variations between the 2 grow to be slightly extra apparent.
The Period 300 has loads of scale – the sound unfold is immense contemplating it is coming from a single field. It tasks sound additional into the room and overhead extra confidently than every other related wi-fi speaker we’ve heard. However it does not simply unfold the audio far and vast, it makes it sound stable and cohesive on the identical time.
Spatial audio does not sound gimmicky like it may possibly on some audio system – slightly, it seems like the identical music, made extra immersive. Tracks are delivered in a method that is detailed, partaking and completed. And it is enjoyable, which a speaker like this must be.
This can be a very mature, very assured efficiency from Sonos.
The Transfer 2 is an enchancment on the unique Transfer, however it may possibly’t match the Period 300 for bass depth or agility. It spreads sound impressively, and has loads of energy. It is also extra detailed and balanced than the unique Transfer.
For events, it is a blast. Songs are thrown round with abandon, and it has no bother staying composed whereas elevating the roof. There’s extra grip and depth to the bass than the unique Transfer, whereas notes sound cleaner and extra exact.
However it may possibly’t compete with the Period 300 on the subject of energy, element and timing.
** Winner: Sonos Period 300 **
Sonos Transfer 2 vs Sonos Period 300: verdict
The Transfer 2 is an enchancment on its predecessor. With over double the battery life, new controls and higher sound high quality, it’s totally deserving of its 4 stars. However that value! We’re unsure how Sonos can justify charging the identical as for the Period 300, a product it developed fully from the bottom up.
For those who want a speaker you may also take to the backyard and have a Sonos multi-room setup, the Transfer 2 is a no brainer. However for a similar value, with extra options and a superior sound, the Period 300 is our selection, fingers down.
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