It was a giant deal when Sonos launched its unique Transfer again in 2019. It signaled the beginning of an evolution of types; not solely was it the corporate’s first transportable speaker, however it was additionally its first to have built-in Bluetooth in addition to Wi-Fi, enabling house owners to make use of the Transfer each like a conventional Sonos speaker — one that you simply group along with your different Sonos audio system in your house — or a traditional transportable Bluetooth music participant. It was Sonos’s first speaker that you might carry exterior the house.
Since then, Sonos has continued the evolution of its transportable music machines. It launched the Roam and Roam SL, basically ultra-portable variations of that unique Transfer; they work the identical means, however make much more sense for taking up adventures, since you may simply match them in a bag. After which there’s the newest Period 100 and Period 300 audio system, which are not transportable however do supply extra methods to play music because of built-in Bluetooth and help for USB-C line-in.
Quick ahead to this fall, and Sonos has launched the Transfer 2. For these conversant in the upgrades Sonos gave to the Period 100 over the One, Sonos has mainly executed the identical factor with its largest transportable speaker: the Transfer 2 has an additional tweeter so it may play stereo sound; it has the identical connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and USB-C line-in) and fashionable look and controls because the Period audio system; it has a drastically longer battery life; oh, and it now is available in an olive coloration possibility.
I have been testing the Transfer 2 for the final a number of weeks — I even introduced it with me on my trip — and it is a rock star of a conveyable speaker. It is each a refinement and a giant improve over the unique Transfer (which I’ve examined prior to now, however wasn’t in a position to evaluate side-by-side with the Transfer 2 for this evaluation). However it’s additionally a conveyable speaker primed for Sonos lovers — and, admittedly, it is likely to be overkill for some.
Sonos Transfer 2: What We Suppose
The Sonos Transfer 2 improves on what was already an awesome transportable speaker. It sounds means higher and has a vastly improved battery life. Sonos has additionally given the Transfer 2 a brand new look and a bunch of additional options — akin to USB-C line-in, help for multi-room streaming over Bluetooth, reverse charging capabilities — that, if I am being sincere, most individuals will in all probability by no means use. The one downsides are that the Transfer 2 prices $449 (a $50 uptick over the unique Transfer) and it does not help Google Assistant.
The Transfer 2 is surely the last word transportable speaker for Sonos lovers — and as any individual who owns a bunch of various Sonos audio system, I adore it. That stated, I do suppose it is for a specific goal. As an alternative of a conveyable speaker that you simply take wherever and in all places with you, the Transfer 2 is not a speaker destined for long-distance journey. As an alternative, it is best for yard barbecues, pool events and carrying room-to-room in your own home.
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The killer function? The additional-long battery life
Battery life is not essentially the sexiest factor to speak about, however it’s fairly necessary in relation to transportable audio system — and Sonos has managed to greater than double the battery lifetime of the Transfer 2. It’s rated for “as much as 24 hours” of playtime (at a average quantity), which is large — and a heck of rather a lot higher than the unique Transfer’s “as much as 11 hours.” Sonos has managed this by placing a barely greater battery contained in the Transfer 2, whereas additionally tweaking the software program for effectivity features.
And the battery lifetime of the Transfer 2 actually is nice. I’ve spent the final a number of weeks carrying the Transfer from room to room round my home (and trip rental), then bringing it exterior to the seashore for hours. At night time, I might place it again on its charging cradle and I might do all of it once more the following day. It by no means fell beneath 15 % on me.
That stated, I’ll throw in a little bit of a caveat right here: the battery lifetime of the Transfer 2 is just necessary for those who use it as a conveyable speaker. I am guessing that the overwhelming majority of individuals can have the Transfer 2 docked 85 % of the time. Should you’re not bringing it from room to room in your own home, or taking it exterior and streaming through Bluetooth, the additional juice won’t be the largest promoting level for you.
The Transfer 2 has a brand new stereo sound
The Transfer was already one of many best-sounding transportable audio system within the sub-$500 realm, and the Transfer 2 takes that up a notch. Sonos gave it the identical remedy because the Period 100 in comparison with the One, including a second tweeter and one other Class D amplifier to the Transfer 2. These tweeters are additionally angled outwards in order that the Transfer 2 can play true stereo sound.
Admittedly, I do not personal a Transfer speaker — regardless that I’ve examined it prior to now — so I wasn’t in a position to take a look at the audio system facet by facet. However the Transfer 2 does play a wider sound the place you may really hear the left and proper channels. There is a depth and vibrancy that you do not usually get in most transportable audio system.
The opposite necessary factor to level out is that, just like the Transfer and Roam, the Transfer 2 helps Automated Trueplay, that means you do not have to continuously calibrate the speaker each time you progress it — the Transfer 2 will auto-calibrate itself in order that it at all times sounds finest for the area it is situated. And sure, Automated Trueplay works when the Transfer 2 in both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth listening modes.
It is a sensible speaker, however do not anticipate Google Assistant
Should you’ve acquired an ear to the bottom on Sonos information, you will know all about its ongoing authorized battles with Google. The result’s that the final a number of Sonos audio system, together with each Period audio system and the Transfer 2, do not help Google Assistant. You’ll be able to solely add Alexa and/or Sonos Voice Management (“Hey Sonos”) as your sensible assistants.
Admittedly, it’s kind of of a bizarre state of affairs contemplating you should purchase the unique Transfer — which Sonos will proceed to promote whereas provides final — and configure it with Google’s voice assistant, however you may’t do the identical on the Transfer 2. And it is really fairly irritating for any individual like me who has Google Assistant arrange on quite a lot of different Sonos audio system, as a result of you may’t work together with each Sonos speaker the identical means.
It is positively a bummer, however not a game-changer. I have been utilizing “Hey Sonos” voice instructions to regulate music greater than I’ve ever prior to now, but additionally utilizing it to do extra. Enjoyable reality: you may ask ‘Hey Sonos’ in regards to the battery lifetime of your Transfer 2 and it will let you know.
The USB-C port is extra versatile that you simply suppose
The Transfer 2 and Transfer each have USB-C ports on their again, however the one on the Transfer 2 is considerably higher. It helps a line-in connection, which is a function on Sonos’s Period audio system as nicely, and permits you to join the Transfer 2 to analog supply, like a turntable, CD participant and even your pc. I have never been in a position to take a look at the Transfer 2 on this means, nevertheless, as you want Sonos’s particular Line-In Adapter ($19) … and I haven’t got it. I want it had been as simple as connecting to the 5 or Play:5 (which I’ve related to a turntable), however alas.
The opposite neat factor in regards to the Transfer 2’s USB-C charging port is that it helps reverse charging. When you’ve got a smaller machine like an iPhone or different smartphone, you may merely plug in a USB-C charging cable and cost your different gadget. It is really a reasonably handy function that takes benefit of the Transfer 2’s prolonged battery life.
The Transfer 2 is a extra versatile Bluetooth speaker
It is admittedly area of interest, however one different factor the Transfer 2 can do this the unique Transfer cannot: stream Bluetooth audio to different Sonos audio system. Primarily, Sonos has improved its Bluetooth integration in its transportable audio system and, like with the Roam, you may really group the Transfer 2 with different Sonos audio system in your house and play Bluetooth audio to them in a multi-room group. Mainly, it is a option to play Bluetooth audio to Sonos audio system that do not help Bluetooth audio.
Why would you ever use this capability? You in all probability would not. The one lifelike purpose I may see any individual profiting from it’s for those who’re having a celebration and any individual desires to play their very own music however you do not need to give them your Wi-Fi credentials. They might swap the Transfer 2 to Bluetooth mode and, whereas it is already grouped with different Sonos audio system through Wi-Fi, they may play Bluetooth music to all of the audio system all through the social gathering.
The Transfer 2 is not precisely a small speaker
The Transfer 2 is roughly the identical measurement as the unique Transfer — which is not small. It weighs the very same 6.61 kilos; mainly, you are not going to place it in a backpack and truck lengthy distances. An ultra-portable speaker just like the Roam, which weighs lower than a pound, is a a lot better match for these conditions.
Sonos Transfer 2: Alternate options
An apparent different to the Transfer 2 is considered one of Sonos’s different transportable audio system: the Roam or Roam SL. Each have related “magic” because the Transfer 2, permitting you to play music indoors and open air. Nevertheless, they’re considerably smaller, extra reasonably priced and extra waterproof (IP67 vs the Transfer 2’s IP56 score), and I simply suppose they’re in all probability a greater match for most individuals with an current Sonos system.
Nearly as good of a speaker because the Transfer 2 is, I additionally suppose it is just about made for a particular viewers. You actually should need to use it in and round your private home. And also you additionally should be able to drop $449 on it — you may get two Period 100s ($249/ea) for practically the identical value.
