Again in 2019, Sonos launched its first transportable speaker, the aptly named Transferwhich had quite a bit to love about it, however its considerably excessive $400 worth. Now the sequel is right here with some modest design upgrades, a lot improved battery life (as much as 24 hours) and a brand new dual-tweeter acoustic structure that Sonos says permits the Transfer 2 to ship “vast, spacious stereo sound, a primary for a Sonos transportable speaker.” It ships on Sept. 20 in black, olive or white with a wi-fi charging dock for $449 (£449, AU$799), or $50 greater than the unique.
Like Sonos’ new wired Period 100 and Period 300 audio system that have been launched this previous June, the Transfer 2 options the identical new contact management system on high of the speaker. You need to use the contact controls to play, pause or skip a monitor, and swipe your finger alongside the quantity slider to regulate the quantity ranges. As earlier than, you possibly can management the speaker along with your voice, with each Amazon Alexa or Sonos Voice Management supported, although not Google Voice Assistant. The built-in microphone array can also be used when calibrating the speaker’s sound with Sonos’ TruePlay sound calibration system that customizes the sound for a selected house, whether or not it is indoors or exterior.
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Preorders are actually open for the Sonos Transfer 2. If you wish to be among the many first to get your arms on one, place your order at one of many beneath retailers.
I reviewed each the Transfer and the RoamSonos’ smaller transportable speaker that retails for $179. Each the Transfer and Roam are designed for use as Bluetooth audio system whenever you’re open air away from your property WiFi community and built-in into your Sonos multiroom system whenever you’re at residence. Nonetheless, it was slightly tough to maneuver from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth, a problem Sonos seems to have addressed with the Transfer 2 (it ought to be simpler now however we’ll have to check that). Apple customers can even instantly stream audio from their gadgets to the speaker utilizing AirPlay 2 through Wi-Fi.
I have not used the Transfer 2 but however we’re getting a overview pattern prematurely of its Sept. 20 ship date. Evidently, I am most intrigued by the way it sounds and whether or not it could actually produce stereo sound (you can too hyperlink two Transfer 2s wirelessly to create an actual stereo pair). Usually, as a result of the drivers are so shut collectively in a single speaker, it is onerous to create any stereo separation. The unique Transfer had mono sound.
Transfer 2 within the backyard.
For Sonos customers, the attraction of the unique Transfer was that it seemed like an indoor speaker and slot in nicely from an aesthetic standpoint along with your current Sonos wired audio system. But it surely was additionally deceptively rugged and held up nicely open air.
Like the unique, the Transfer 2 has an IP56 ranking, which makes it each water- and dust-resistant (it isn’t waterproof, nevertheless). It weighs 6.61 kilos (3 kg) together with its battery, which is replaceable, and has an indentation close to its high that serves as a deal with, making it pretty simple to hold from location to location.
The Transfer 2 is designed for indoor and outside use.
As I mentioned, the opposite large enchancment is to its battery life. The speaker is now rated for as much as 24 hours of use at average quantity ranges, in accordance with Sonos. That is up from the unique Transfer’s 11-hour battery life ranking.
Whereas the speaker comes with a wi-fi charging dock, you can too cost through the USB-C port, which doubles as charge-out port for charging your gadgets. On high of that, Sonos confirmed that you are able to do audio through the USB-C port utilizing Sonos’ Line-In Adapter accentwhich it sells individually for $19.
Search for CNET’s full overview of the Sonos Transfer 2 round Sept. 20. Within the meantime, this is a fast rundown of the speaker’s key specs.
Sonos Transfer 2 key specs, in accordance with Sonos
- 6.61 kilos (3 kg)
- Overhauled dual-tweeter acoustic structure permits Transfer 2 to ship stereo sound
- 24 hours of playback on a single cost.
- Prices through USB-C or included Wi-fi Charging Base
- IP56 ranking (water- and dust-resistant)
- Constructed to face up to unintended falls, bumps, rain and moisture, mud, UV rays and excessive temperatures
- Automated Trueplay tuning frequently optimizes the Transfer 2’s sound for its environment
- Contact controls
- Stream through Bluetooth to a stereo pair of Transfer 2 audio system when related to Wi-Fi or seamlessly group Transfer 2 with the remainder of your Sonos system
- Detachable and replaceable battery
- Value: $449/£449/499 euros/AU$799
