When Sonos revealed its first-ever Bluetooth-toting transportable speaker, the Sonos Transfer, in 2019, it’s protected to say it wasn’t fairly what we’d anticipated.
Bucking the development of small, rugged, carry-in-your-bag transportable Bluetooth audio system that we have been used to seeing (from the likes of JBL, Final Ears and others), the Transfer was an enormous, chunky beast that you may realistically solely shuffle in between rooms or enterprise out into your own home backyard. It additionally got here filled with all the ordinary Sonos wi-fi streaming and multi-room smarts, and was priced on the premium finish.
The eventual sequel, the Sonos Transfer 2 we’re reviewing right here, hasn’t modified this template one bit. In actual fact, Sonos has totally embraced the Transfer 2’s uniqueness on this market by sticking to its cumbersome dimension and its bulging characteristic set, bettering the sound high quality and providing it at an much more costly value – is it a profitable gamble?
Worth
The Sonos Transfer 2 might be yours for the hefty sum of £449 / $449 / AU$799. Not solely is {that a} £50/$50 rise in value over the earlier Transfer (£399 / $399 / AU$649), but it surely’s additionally fairly steep for a ‘transportable’ speaker.
What’s puzzling to us is that it’s now priced near-identically to the Sonos Period 300 wi-fi speaker additionally launched this 12 months at £449 / $449 / AU$749. The Period 300 was designed from the bottom up, with a singular inside driver association devoted to spatial audio playback, boasts high-resolution audio streams over wi-fi and is, alongside the Sonos 5, the height of Sonos’s premium wi-fi audio system. The Transfer 2, whereas incorporating lots of the design and have upgrades launched within the new Period 300 and smaller Period 100 audio system, stays an evolution moderately than an entire reinvention of the unique mannequin’s USP. In value alone, it now sits alongside the model’s flagship speaker fashions as an equal.
At this increased finish of the wi-fi speaker market, the merchandise that mix high-quality Bluetooth streaming with transportable design are few and much between, and the characteristic set varies wildly between them, too. Our Award-winning Dali Katch G2 is Bluetooth-only however is luxuriously constructed and is extra genuinely transportable at £329; whereas the brand-new Final Ears Epicboom goals to provide Sonos a run for its cash with a equally cumbersome dimension and value (£330 / $350 / AU$499.95).
Options
After all, none of those rival audio system is furnished with the huge array of streaming options that the Transfer 2 is, because of it being a part of Sonos’s much-lauded ecosystem.
Which means alongside Bluetooth (5.0 model, an enormous step above the unique Transfer’s 4.1), you may also play music wirelessly utilizing Apple AirPlay 2 and Wi-Fi 6.
Connecting to Bluetooth is so swift that we barely have time to blink between urgent the pairing button on the again and the Transfer 2 showing in our iPhone’s settings. We lamented the shortage of any higher-quality codec in our first-gen Transfer evaluate and we’ve to echo that sentiment right here. Sonos, like Apple, hasn’t felt the necessity to embody aptX HD, LDAC or in any other case in its gadgets, with the usual SBC and AAC codecs nonetheless out there.
Over wi-fi, nevertheless, there’s help for streaming in as much as 24-bit/48kHz high quality in the event you’re an Amazon Music Limitless or Qobuz subscriber. In order that’s one thing. In case you favor the wired route, now you can join exterior audio sources (an MP3 participant or perhaps a turntable) into the Transfer 2’s USB-C connection, though keep in mind you’ll want a selected and separate line-in adapter from Sonos to make use of this enter, which is an extra price. Arguably extra usefully, you’ll be able to cost your smartphone utilizing this USB-C port and a normal USB-C cable.
Sonos Transfer 2 tech specs
Energy N/A
Bluetooth? Sure (5.0)
Wi-fi? Sure
Mains- or battery-powered? Battery-powered
Battery life 24 hours
Options Stereo pairing, Sonos Voice Management, Amazon Alexa, Automated Trueplay, Adjustable EQ, multi-room
Connections USB-C (charging, line-in)
App? Sure
Dimensions (hwd) 24.1 x 16 x 12.7cm
Weight 3 kg
Finishes x3 (white, black, olive inexperienced)
In case you’ve used a Sonos product lately, you gained’t be shocked by how straightforward it’s to make use of the Transfer 2 from the second it’s arrange. For these unfamiliar with Sonos, you’ll get pleasure from simply how slick and user-friendly it’s, particularly when utilizing the well-organised app. From the preliminary set-up to common playback and every day use, enjoying music by the Transfer 2 is easy it doesn’t matter what methodology you utilize.
By the app, there’s entry to an enormous variety of streaming companies and web radio stations, from Absolute Radio and Apple Music to Tidal and TuneIn. You may also tweak varied speaker settings, add the Transfer 2 right into a larger Sonos multi-room ecosystem (when you’ve got extra Sonos merchandise in your house) and create a stereo pair with two Transfer 2 models (in case your pockets can accommodate it).
One level of distinction between your customary Bluetooth speaker and a Sonos Bluetooth speaker is that you’ll want to arrange the Transfer 2 utilizing the app and join it to wi-fi earlier than you’ll be able to even hook up with Bluetooth. This may really feel like an added complication, however contemplating the quantity of the way you’ll be able to play music by the Transfer 2, it’s a vital step. It’s additionally essential to have wi-fi arrange if you wish to use any of the Transfer 2’s further options, from voice instructions (Amazon Alexa and Sonos Voice Management) to streaming songs over Bluetooth to a stereo pair.
Having the Sonos app at hand additionally enables you to monitor the Transfer 2’s battery life, because of the tiny icon and proportion displayed subsequent to its identify. The Transfer 2’s battery life has elevated twofold to 24 hours now, a large enchancment over the beforehand paltry 10-11 hours.
As earlier than, the battery is replaceable and a wi-fi charging base is included within the field. In case you’re not utilizing the Transfer 2, we’d advocate holding the speaker positioned on it so its battery is all the time topped up. What’s good is that this new base additionally works with the unique Transfer – one other nod to Sonos’s drive to be extra sustainable.
One other returning perk is Automated Trueplay, which calibrates and optimises the Transfer 2’s sound at any time when it’s moved to a brand new location. You’ll need to hold the inner mic turned on all the time, but it surely’s price it if you find yourself shifting the Transfer 2 round usually. Just like the Apple HomePod 2, you’ll be capable to hear minute however particular adjustments within the speaker’s sound because it adjusts to new environment.
Construct & design
We’ve intimated simply how massive and ponderous the Transfer 2’s design is compared to different transportable audio system, and whilst you would usually want two arms to choose it up, the cleverly recessed again enables you to choose it up with one hand simply.
The size are unchanged from the earlier mannequin, measuring 24.1 x 16 x 12.7cm and weighing 3kg. You gained’t be capable to sling it into your bag or backpack like you’ll be able to with a JBL Flip 6, however the Transfer 2’s dimension can be indicative of its function to ship a a lot greater and extra highly effective sound.
Other than the longer battery life, the most important replace to the Transfer 2 comes within the type of stereo sound. The Transfer 2 now sports activities twin angled tweeters alongside a woofer. Customized waveguides additionally assist to direct the frequencies, whereas there’s a Class D amplifier for every of the three drivers.
Externally, little or no of the Transfer 2 has modified. The speaker itself is constructed to Sonos’s usually excessive requirements, with a minimal end and responsive contact controls and buttons. We additionally just like the addition of the brand new olive inexperienced colourway, which makes a pleasant change from the normal crisp matte white or black end we see throughout Sonos’s product household. The speaker is IP56 rated as effectively, so ought to be protected in opposition to water splashes and mud ingress, whereas Sonos claims its powerful shell will survive the odd knock and bump, too.
The highest of the speaker has had a beauty refresh that’s now equivalent to the Period 300 and Period 100’s design, with up to date icons and a quantity “trough” you could slide your finger alongside to make incremental quantity adjustments. The buttons on the again (energy, Bluetooth pairing, microphone on/off) have been reworked too, and all of it works easily.
Sound
There’s been a step up in readability and class with Sonos’s new Period audio system, and we hear the identical with the Transfer 2. The big unfold of sound with highly effective heft returns, but it surely’s accompanied by a sound that’s properly balanced, clear and detailed, and straightforward to take heed to.
Comparisons with the older Sonos Transfer make it clear as day that the Transfer 2 is the higher performer. The Transfer sounds moderately cluttered, with voices sounding muffled and the bass lumping alongside inelegantly in contrast with the Transfer 2’s extra deft and agile supply when enjoying Run The Jewel’s Legend Has It. There’s extra depth, grip and tautness to the bassline. It’s nonetheless a beast of a speaker that prioritises throwing sound out at celebration ranges, however there’s more room and organisation with the Transfer 2.
There’s simply sufficient snarl and chew to EL-P and Killer Mike’s vocals, with the Transfer 2 in a position to ship the variations in texture and tone of their voices extra convincingly than earlier than. Play Coi Leray’s Gamers and the speaker handles the playful, funky tune admirably with clear, value edges and a punchy beat – it will get your toes tapping and fingers snapping. We discover the Transfer 2 has the upper frequencies underneath higher management, too, and it sounds extra composed when pushed to louder volumes. General, it’s a extra composed, refined and detailed sound than earlier than.
There’s respectable solidity to the piano notes in Taylor Swift’s Exilewhereas the gruff texture of Bon Iver’s voice has depth and grit. However these components all sound extra detailed, extra layered and spacious by our Award-winning Dali Katch G2. The Dali opens up the tune much more, locations devices extra exactly within the soundstage and relays voices with a richness and authenticity that sounds extra real than the Transfer 2. Piano notes are extra elegant and nuanced by the Dali, too – you’ll be able to hear the resonances and decay of notes extra faithfully by the Katch G2.
As compared, the Transfer 2 sounds a contact bass-heavy with its emphasis on boldness and punch. How does it fare in opposition to its non-portable however similarly-priced sibling, the Period 300? Even ignoring any spatial audio tracks, the Period 300 delivers extra energy, extra element and an even bigger, spacious sound than the Transfer. Songs sound that bit extra balanced, stable and detailed, voices have extra texture, they usually time higher by the Period 300. Dynamically, the Period speaker ebbs and flows with larger fluidity, and delivers higher bass depth and agility. The Transfer 2’s barely ahead stability will reward you when listening outdoor, however in the event you needed to spend £450 of your cash on one product solely, it’s the Period 300 that earns our agency advice.
Verdict
The Sonos Transfer 2 stays a curious proposition, however we will see a spot for a premium wi-fi speaker that has the comfort of portability and isn’t completely tethered to the mains. Whereas it could not seem to be an enormous reinvention, the longer battery life and extra mature and clearer sound make the Transfer 2 a compelling case in the event you’re after the actual area of interest it covers.
That prime price ticket is what is going to deter many and the truth that you may get rivals at this value that supply a extra nuanced and extra rhythmic sound, albeit with fewer streaming options. In case you’re after high-quality wi-fi sound that gives the perfect Sonos expertise, go for the Period 300. In case you’re after high-quality transportable sound, the Dali Katch G2 is your finest guess.
The Sonos Transfer 2 is caught in the midst of each worlds, however we think about its versatile design, quite a few options and pleasant sonic strategy could have its followers. So long as they’ll afford it, after all.
SCORES
MORE:
Learn our evaluate of the Dali Katch G2
Additionally contemplate the Sonos Period 300
Greatest Bluetooth audio system: transportable audio system for each finances
