Sonos has added a new version of its smallest portable speaker, called the Roam SL. Much like the company’s One SL and Arc SL, the Roam SL is essentially the same speaker as the Sonos Roam, but without any voice assistant capabilities. The Roam SL will be available starting March 15 for $159, and pre-orders start March 1 on Sonos.com. That’s a $20 saving over the $179 price of the original Sonos Roam.
Other than the absence of the top-mounted microphone (and the two assistants it enabled — Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa), the Roam SL looks identical to its smart speaker cousin. The same easy-to-grip triangular shape remains, as does the choice of black or white colors. You can also use the Roam SL with the optional wireless charger that Sonos sells for the regular Roam.
Sonos
You’ll be able to add the Roam SL to any existing Sonos system that uses the S2 version of the Sonos software, and you can stereo-pair it with either another Roam SL or a regular Roam. Unfortunately, portable speaker pairs can’t be used as a set of rear channel speakers in conjunction with one of the company’s soundbars like the Beam Gen 2 or Arc — for that you’ll need a pair of non-portable models like the One SL, or perhaps a pair of Ikea’s Sonos-powered Symfonisk speakers.
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The Roam SL gets up to 10 hours of continuous playback on a single charge and up to 10 days of battery life when in sleep mode. It also benefits from a Battery Saver setting that Sonos introduced shortly after the launch of the Sonos Roam, which powers down the speaker completely when not in use.
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The Roam SL lacks the Roam’s microphone.
Like the Roam, the Roam SL is dustproof and fully waterproof with an IP67 rating. It can be placed vertically or horizontally for more placement options.
So far, Sonos hasn’t chosen to release a mic-free version of its larger portable speaker, the Sonos Move.
It’s been a quiet 2022 so far for Sonos, but that could change if the company decides to finally release the wireless headphones that it has been working on. Sonos CEO, Patrick Spence, has previously hinted that the company will be aggressively rolling out new products over the coming months. The company has also recently committed to a sweeping campaign to make its products more environmentally friendly as it looks at ways to reduce its overall carbon footprint.
Can you use any Bluetooth headphones with the Sonos app?
The Sonos app now shows an option for Bluetooth headphones, but it's not for just any old Bluetooth headphones. Phil Nickinson / Digital Trends
Prolific fans of Sonos — particularly those who are on the hunt for the latest app updates in hopes of vast improvements — may have noticed a new feature. And it's one that's definitely cause for excitement, though perhaps not quite in the way some have hoped.
In (mostly) eschewing its app, Sonos did the Ace headphones a favor
The idea of Sonos headphones has been around for years. Back into the previous decade, even. And while we await the first Sonos Ace review to arrive, it’s worth pondering a few things.
No, not why Sonos is making headphones. That comes down to basic business strategies, and it’s something that CEO Patrick Spence has been plenty clear about in the months leading up to the Sonos Ace announcement. You make things to make money, and Sonos expects the Ace to “drive immediate revenue.” (In other words, Sonos expects people will definitely buy them.)
Sonos Roam 2 gets a surprise release alongside an app update
Alongside today's launch of its first headphones, the Sonos Ace, Sonos has also quietly unveiled the second generation of its popular portable wireless speaker, the Sonos 2.
The Sonos Roam 1 launched in 2021 and has been a mainstay on out best best Bluetooth speakers list ever since for its portability, excellent sound, and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, which allows it to connect to your Sonos network system. The second generation of the Sonos Roam remains largely the same (which isn't a bad thing), except for a couple of key features.
