{Photograph}: Sonos
Hello-Res Audio? Possibly Not
Regardless of Sonos’ efforts to maintain the Transfer 2’s technical specification below wraps, it’s doable to tease out a element or two through the course of an prolonged pay attention. For example, utilizing Apple tools to stream to the Sonos (an iPhone 14 Professional and a MacBook Professional operating Colibri software program) means utilizing AirPlay 2—and the Transfer 2 is very happy to take receipt of lossless audio information. However there’s no means of realizing the decision they find yourself without delay the Sonos DAC has completed its factor, in fact.
Switching to Bluetooth streaming from an Android Nothing Cellphone (2), although, reveals that the Transfer 2 is appropriate solely with the bog-standard SBC and AAC codecs—so regardless of the very fact the Cellphone (2) is able to hand over audio information utilizing the higher-resolution aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC codecs, the Sonos shouldn’t be ready to just accept them. So is that this, the truth is, a high-resolution audio gadget? It appears unlikely, and Sonos simply isn’t saying.
Finally, although, the technical specification (or lack thereof) doesn’t inform you as a lot a couple of speaker’s efficiency as sitting down and listening to it does. And whereas Sonos has made issues tough for the Transfer 2 in quite a few methods (its dimension, its weight, and its price, to call a few of the extra vital), there’s no query that it is a speaker that by no means sounds lower than good, and in the correct circumstances it could possibly sound superb certainly.
Be sure that loudness is switched off within the management app earlier than Trueplay does its factor (in the event you’re listening indoors, as a result of it makes the speaker sound muscle-bound and plodding—in the event you’re outdoors, the shortage of bodily boundaries makes loudness a good suggestion), and that’s in regards to the extent of the preparation that’s required. After that, simply stream your favourite tunes utilizing your most popular methodology, and the Transfer 2 has lots of pertinent observations to make about them.
Convincing, Unified Sound
From the antiquated charms of Fanny’s “Hey Bulldog” as a Bluetooth stream through TIDAL to the marginally extra up to date attract of “Two Weeks” by FKA Twigs delivered as a hi-res file through the laptop computer, the Sonos is an observant, detailed, and periodically fairly insightful pay attention. It retains a detailed eye on the extra minor and extra transient occurrences in a recording, giving them acceptable weighting and context—and because of this, you by no means really feel as in the event you’re lacking out on any very important data.
Tonality is convincing from the highest of the frequency vary to the underside, with a pleasant evenhandedness that makes the Transfer 2 sound unified quite than a group of a number of particular person elements. There’s substance to enhance the chew and shine on the prime of the frequency vary, good management of the underside finish (so long as the loudness management guidelines have been noticed) in order that rhythmic expression is naturalistic and convincing, and a correct diploma of perception and understanding via the midrange. Irrespective of how completed (or in any other case) a vocalist could be, the Sonos grants them a stack of character and expression—so even FKA Twigs’ whispered and muttered imprecations are disclosed in full.
