Sonos is already a longtime participant within the premium wi-fi speaker market, distinguished for its lineup of sensible audio system and soundbars. Nonetheless, if there’s one space the place the corporate doesn’t have any market share, it’s one apart from the headphones house. That would change very quickly.
In response to Bloomber’s Mark Gurman, the corporate’s working by itself premium pair of headphones to rival Apple’s AirPods Max. Folks acquainted with the matter in Gurman’s report point out that it may very well be upwards of $400, and slated for launch as quickly as April. Rumors about Sonos engaged on headphones have been rampant for some time now, together with a patent submitting again in 2021, however nothing has ever come to fruition.
Moreover, Sonos may very well be planning to broaden its portfolio in a extra substantial method within the close to future as a result of it’s reported that the corporate can also be working by itself set-top streaming field — all whereas persevering with to push ahead with refreshes on current audio system and introducing higher-end audio merchandise.
This all comes at a time when the corporate noticed gross sales decline over the previous yr, so that is a part of a brand new technique by Sonos CEO Patrick Spence that would assist reignite progress. Given the hyper focus consideration that Sonos has positioned on sensible audio system, this new technique could lead on the corporate to new income alternatives.
Right here’s all the pieces we may see.
Sonos Duke: a $400 AirPods Max rival
If there’s one factor that Apple taught everybody, it’s that customers are prepared to pony up prime greenback for a premium pair of headphones. We may lastly get an AirPods Max rival from Sonos that may very well be launched in March and subsequently launched the next month in April.
Code named “Duke,” this is able to be an over-ear-style pair of headphones that’s aimed on to compete towards the AirPods Max — full with two coloration choices, voice management to navigate by means of songs, and the power to synchronize with different Sonos audio merchandise. The latter’s a function that Sonos audio system are recognized for, so it’s a function you’d look forward to finding right here.
Past that, we may additionally see a Sonos model of the usual AirPods true wi-fi earbuds. There can be numerous consideration paid to its sound signature and the power to customise it.
Sonos Pinewood: streaming TV set-top field
One class you wouldn’t assume Sonos can be tackling is TV set-top containers and video. The corporate is alleged to be engaged on a streaming field code-named “Pinewood” that would stream all your favourite streaming companies. Given the strong ecosystem that Sonos has fostered, this set-top field may leverage current Sonos house audio system for much more immersive sound, because of help for Dolby Atmos and Dolby Imaginative and prescient.
Gurman’s report reveals that “Pinewood” will probably be powered by an working system that’s based mostly on Android, however it’ll nonetheless have the power to run completely different apps. This one’s nonetheless within the earlier phases, on condition that it’s hinted to be launched in late 2024 or early 2025.
Sonos Lotus: a refreshed subwoofer
Sonos is reportedly trying to make refreshes on lots of its current audio merchandise, together with its subwoofer line with a brand new subwoofer code-named “Lotus.” This new subwoofer seems to have all of the upgrades, together with help for quicker connectivity courtesy of Wi-Fi 6, which may imply improved latency to match different linked Sonos audio system. There’s no timeline on when it’ll be introduced within the report, neither is there any indication about its worth.
Extra Sonos sensible audio system
The Sonos Roam is among the firm’s hottest audio merchandise, so it’s not stunning {that a} observe up is within the works. Slated for mid-2024, the code-named “Sidecar” is a second-generation Roam speaker. One of many greater redesigns it’s anticipated to get us a touch-controlled slider for quantity management, which is similar to the one featured in its newer audio system just like the Sonos Transfer 2.
Sonos’ Period 100 is a latest addition to its lineup, however the firm is trying to have a pricier model that’s aimed for industrial functions than house use. Code-named “Raven,” this pricer model of the Period 100 would swap wi-fi networking connectivity in favor of an Ethernet port.
Sonos Lasso: a $1,200 soundbar
Good audio comes at a worth. That’s precisely what’s anticipated with the Sonos “Lasso,” which is a $1,200 sound bar that would ship ever higher audio efficiency over the corporate’s current Arc sound bar. The know-how behind the sound bar is reportedly based mostly on Sono’s 2022 acquisition of Mayht Holding BV, a Netherlands-based firm that developed speaker parts, which might in the end ship higher bass and sound high quality.
Sonos Premier: premium amplifiers
And at last, Sonos is rumored to be engaged on a brand new high-end amplifier that may value between $3,000 and $4,000 every — and would most likely require skilled set up. Past the worth vary, nothing else was disclosed other than the report that it’s going to arrive within the second half of 2024, solely to be preceded by new 8-inch in-ceiling audio system.
Extra from Tom’s Information
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Apple AirPods Max was £549 now £499 at Amazon (save £50)
Sure, even with a implausible deal Apple’s wi-fi noise-cancelling over-ear headphones are nonetheless fairly costly. However they’re fantastic to make use of, boast spatial audio help and are one of many very best-sounding wi-fi headphones we have heard. 5 stars
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Sonos Roam was £179 now £134 at Amazon (save £45)
Sonos is understood for its enticing, full-sounding audio system, and whereas the Roam does not fairly hit the heights reached by the likes of the Period 100 and 300 sensible audio system, it is nonetheless a properly made, strong – and transportable – unit stuffed with musical muscle.
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