Sonos Move 2 Vs Sonos Roam

You’re out there for a new Sonos speaker, however let’s see which transportable possibility is sensible for you, the Sonos Transfer 2 or Sonos Roam. Each are extra than simply Bluetooth audio system working the similar app, however there are some vital variations. So right here’s the whole lot you want to understand.

Editor’s notice: this text used to be printed on November 10, 2023, and is the primary model of the object. Updates will observe because the marketplace adjustments.

For a transportable speaker, you may well be shocked to find in individual the Sonos Transfer 2 weighs 3 kg and stands 240mm tall. It’s technically transportable, in that you’ll be able to run the speaker off the interior battery, however the Transfer 2 may also occupy maximum of a backpack. There’s a hidden take care of at the again which makes it a lot more uncomplicated to hold the Transfer 2 in comparison to the differently clean housing. A ring-shaped charging stand comes with the Transfer 2, which plugs right into a USB-C cable and wall adapter, and this frees up the USB-C port at the again for a line-in. You’ll want a separate $20 USB-C adapter if you need a hardwired connection.

Alongside the again is the facility button, and a mute button for the mic machine. The speaker has a large number of connectivity with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, line-in, and it’s a sensible speaker. Google Assistant isn’t to be had, however Amazon Alexa and Sonos SmartVoice are hands-free. You’ll use Siri too, however it’s no longer fairly as seamless because the HomePod Mini (2d era).

The Sonos Roam weighs considerably much less (429 g) and stands best 168mm. It’s additionally a lot slimmer than the Transfer 2. To that finish, the Roam wins out at the portability entrance. With a rugged IP67 ranking, you’ll be able to drop the Roam with out a lot fear into water or use it in a dusty workshop. It’ll select up scratches and dings, however proceed to paintings.

Very similar to the Transfer 2, the Sonos Roam is not only a Bluetooth speaker. It additionally works as a Wi-Fi speaker and with AirPlay 2, however in contrast to the Transfer 2, there’s no line-in. Plus, it’s a sensible speaker too. Additionally, you will have fewer bodily controls at the Roam.

At the Sonos Transfer 2 each and every contact keep an eye on or button has a unmarried operate. You get a singular slider to keep an eye on quantity by way of dragging your finger left or proper, or faucet both pole for a extra exact adjustment. But even so that, you’ve were given monitor skipping, voice assistant keep an eye on, pause/play, and toggles at the again to mute/unmute mic, and to Bluetooth pair.

The Sonos Roam strips again the controls rather with pause/play, quantity buttons, turn on mic, and a multi-function button. Listed here are the multi-button controls. Distinctive to the Sonos Roam is toughen for Google Assistant, which is absent from the Sonos Transfer 2.

Must you utilize the apps of both Sonos Transfer 2 or Sonos Roam?

Each the Sonos Transfer 2 and Roam paintings with the similar Sonos app. To be able to attach you’ll want the app; it’s crucial. Sadly, the app calls for you to enroll with an e mail deal with, give up your information, and also you’ll get nearly day by day emails. It’s irritating.

In the course of the app you’ll be able to attach Sonos audio system in combination, and minimally regulate EQ. There’s a loudness operate on by way of default, however you’ll be able to flip it off. When you stay the mics on, you’ll be able to make the most of the Trueplay operate during the Sonos app. This makes use of the mic machine to repeatedly regulate the tuning to optimize it (in line with the perfect frequency reaction of Sonos’ personal making) for the distance. We don’t blame you you probably have privateness considerations referring to leaving mics on.

Each audio system paintings with the loose model of Sonos Radio within the app, however you’ll be able to’t skip tracks until you get a paid model.

The Sonos Transfer 2 and Sonos Roam connect to Bluetooth 5.0. In addition they attach the use of Wi-Fi or AirPlay 2. Moreover, you will have the choice of a line in connection with an adapter from Sonos (bought one by one) that connects by means of USB-C at the Transfer 2.

Each the Roam and Transfer 2 make the most of AAC and SBC Bluetooth formats. Neither are top of the range formats, despite the fact that you probably have an iOS software the AAC is perfect. Android customers must make do, as each are lacking upper high quality formats similar to aptX. Nonetheless, the Wi-Fi connection is forged at house anyway.

Because of its bodily huge battery, the Sonos Transfer 2 has a 24-hour battery lifestyles in keeping with the producer. You’ll additionally acquire a substitute battery for the Transfer 2, which is a superb step in prolonging the whole lifespan of the speaker, if no longer fixing the environmental considerations with batteries as entire. Nonetheless, that’s higher than throwing the entire unit away a couple of years down the street when the battery depletes. The Transfer 2 comes with a ring charging stand, liberating up the USB-C port. You’ll fee it by means of USB-C as smartly.

Consistent with Sonos, the Roam battery reaches 10 hours at “average volumes,” however in our standardized battery check the Roam controlled 5 hours and 23 mins of battery lifestyles. The Roam is at a drawback in comparison to the Transfer 2, by way of distinctive feature of getting a bodily smaller battery. It comes with a USB-C charger, however too can fee wirelessly with a Qi charger or a devoted Sonos Roam charging pad as a separate expense.

The Sonos Transfer 2 is stereo, which the Sonos Roam isn’t. Because of the bodily shut proximity of the 2 angled tweeters at the Transfer 2, the stereo imaging is relatively delicate. Nonetheless, with a devoted midwoofer, the Transfer 2 manages to output a just right quantity of low finish for its measurement. The Sonos Roam frequency reaction starts to roll off bass beneath 200Hz.

Treble at the Transfer 2 sounds no longer solely correct, with cymbals coming via with out sufficient element, however on the identical time, for what it’s it sounds lovely respectable. For the general public, the Transfer 2 sounds higher, however the comparability is nearly unfair because it’s a miles greater speaker, so it may well reproduce bass frequencies higher.

Whether or not you must nab the Sonos Transfer 2 or Sonos Roam depends upon what you need to do together with your speaker. When you see your self loading up a automobile together with your speaker and likewise in need of a speaker that has a devoted spot in the house, the Sonos Transfer 2 is the simpler sounding selection, with a better battery lifestyles.

Alternatively, if you need one thing smaller to chuck into the bag and if you want Google Assistant, the Sonos Roam suits the invoice. Needless to say the Sonos Roam sells for greater than part the common value of the Sonos Transfer 2, so that you’re getting very equivalent features however in a smaller bundle with a very much decreased battery lifestyles. So, you’ll wish to test in with your self if you need higher sound in a much less transportable speaker (the Transfer 2) or save your self a bit of cash with much less bass.

Usually Bose is the primary title that involves thoughts when debating possible choices to Sonos audio system. In the similar approach that the Sonos Roam and Transfer 2 are enormously in a different way sized, the Bose Moveable Good Speaker is smack in the course of the 2 audio system. It’s less expensive ($399 at Amazon) than the Transfer 2, and each lighter than the Transfer 2 and heavier than the Roam at 1.06 kg. It sports activities equivalent connectivity and a lesser IPX4 ranking. The battery reaches 13 hours, 6 mins which outdoes the Roam. With a in a similar fashion complete app, it’s price a glance.

In a different way, the general public have to select whether or not they would like a sensible house speaker or a Bluetooth speaker. In most cases talking, the Roam and Transfer 2 are slightly distinctive on this admire.