Sonos Roam Connected But No Sound
When it comes to smart speakers, Sonos has been a major role player in the field for a while. The Sonos Roam has a few things going for it, most notably built-in support for voice assistants along with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. This is the company that basically created the niche category of "rugged, portable smart domicile speaker," after all.
Branding aside, does this lilliputian speaker stand out in a sea of small sound boxes? After using the Roam for a few weeks, nosotros're here to tell you what'due south skillful and aggravating about this speaker.
Editor's annotation: this Sonos Roam review was updated on July 20, 2022, to address an FAQ about the Bose Portable Smart Speaker.
- People already in the Sonos ecosystem will probable observe that the Sonos Roam makes for a handy add-on to their setups.
- First-time smart speaker buyers can take advantage of lots of features in a small package with the Sonos Roam.
- Outdoor partiers who want something that can go from sitting at dwelling to the embankment and back while syncing with a larger ecosystem.
- Anyone who finds Wi-Fi connectivity preferable to Bluetooth will like the Sonos Roam.
What's it similar to employ the Sonos Roam?
The Sonos Roam is minor and built like a rounded-off triangle, and it comes in a diverseness of colors (Shadow Black, Lunar White, Sunset, Wave, and Olive). Information technology's also pretty portable thanks to its 429g weight. Oddly, there is no place to attach a carrying strap to the speaker itself, though a strap is attached to the box. An IP67 rating means you can employ this abreast a pool or at the beach. The compact pattern survives falls onto hard surfaces, simply information technology shows scratches and dings easily, given the overall minimalist artful.
The control buttons on the Sonos Roam all sit on the left-hand side of the speaker, except the power push on the dorsum next to the USB-C port.
Where the Sonos Roam diverges from many models of speaker is a rather frustrating setup process. Both the in-house testing team at SoundGuys and I had an adventure trying to get it to sync up with a smartphone. Theoretically, the included instructions pamphlet makes it seem simple: turn on the speaker, download the Sonos app, select the Sonos Roam in the list of bachelor models and y'all're adept to go. Information technology isn't that simple (more on this later on).
Another interesting characteristic is that when you connect the Sonos Roam over Wi-Fi, it won't automatically play everything when a device starts streaming multiple kinds of content. If yous utilise your phone's Wi-Fi connection to stream Spotify to the Roam, and then play a video from your Reddit app, the Roam will go along to play your Spotify music, while your phone'southward speaker will output the Reddit video's audio. If you want all sounds to come through the speaker, you have to sync it as a Bluetooth device.
Yep, one time the Roam leaves the achieve of a Wi-Fi connexion, information technology volition office as a standard Bluetooth speaker without admission to its smart functions.
How exercise you control the Sonos Roam?
The control buttons are all shaped differently form each other, simply but the mic mute button has an LED indicator.
The speaker has a minimalist look, with the control buttons on the left side and the power button sitting on the back correct side near the USB-C port. The controls consist of a play/pause button, volume up and down, and microphone mute. All of them have unlike shapes and sit in different locations, but they don't take any distinguishing colors or lights, except the mic mute push button which turns off a white LED to indicate the speaker is no longer listening.
If you've used a smart speaker from Amazon or Google before, yous're familiar with the vocalism assistant. Using Google Assistant, I tin leave my phone anywhere and bark commands at my Sonos Roam. However, I tin can't examination the controls in the table above related to sending sound to unlike Sonos products with simply this speaker.
Keep in heed that connecting to the speaker via Wi-Fi too ways your device'southward volume and content playback controls won't affect the Roam. For that, you'll need to use the app's controls or the buttons on the speaker itself.
The play/pause push button is multi-functional in addition to those two functions:
| Number of presses | Function |
|---|---|
| Once | Play/pause |
| Press-and-concord | Group with other speakers; continue to agree to move playback to and from the nearest Sonos speaker |
| Double press | Side by side runway |
| Triple press | Previous track |
To the left of the "Sonos" logo, another LED illuminates to indicate the speaker is on and shows its battery status, and to the far right, a status LED illuminates to bespeak certain types of alerts.
The table beneath outlines what these LEDs indicate:
| Light color | Battery LED | Status LED |
|---|---|---|
| Lite color Solid white | Battery LED Speaker on | Status LED |
| Light color Blinking blueish | Battery LED In Bluetooth pairing mode | Condition LED |
| Light color Solid blue | Bombardment LED Connected via Bluetooth | Status LED |
| Light color Flashing orange | Bombardment LED Speaker overheated (will too chirp three times) | Status LED Depression bombardment |
| Light colour Solid orange | Bombardment LED | Status LED Charging |
Should y'all download the Sonos app?
You lot will need the Sonos app (iOS/Android) to use the Sonos Roam, even for bones Bluetooth functionality. The app is how you select which vocalization banana to use and what streaming services will exist available on the Roam. For example, if you use Google Assistant and YouTube Music, selecting these as your smart banana and streaming service will brand them available on the speaker. Past default, Sonos Radio is also included. It's also where you'll adjust configuration options including Wi-Fi setup and firmware updates. Yous tin pair 2 Roam speakers together for stereo playback, but I couldn't test this with simply one speaker.
Sonos Radio is a streaming service, and the free version lets you find playlists, heed to songs, and relish radio stations from many places around the earth. It's pretty fun to explore. The version included for free with purchase is limited, and ownership a Sonos Radio Hard disk drive subscription gives you Hard disk playback (16-bit CD-quality sound at 44.1kHz), the ability to skip songs, and more content to explore. It would be handy for people with large Sonos setups already or if you plan on edifice one yourself. The app provides a basic EQ besides, which is overnice to have, simply it merely works with Sonos Radio.
What Bluetooth codecs does the Sonos Roam back up?
The Sonos Roam works with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
The Sonos Roam uses Bluetooth v.0 and supports the SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs. That'southward not unusual for pocket-size Bluetooth speakers, but information technology'south a flake of a bummer for Android users. Considering you can play locally stored songs and content over Wi-Fi, all the same, it's non a huge consequence—especially if you have a large library of FLAC files on your device. Information technology besides supports Apple tree AirPlay 2, simply I'chiliad unable to examination this without a compatible AirPlay device. In that location is no back up for Bluetooth multipoint. You don't go an aux jack, either, only many modest speakers these days don't offer one.
How practise you pair the Sonos Roam?
During testing, we had to manufacturing plant reset the Roam more than in one case before the Sonos app registered it. That'due south not exactly intuitive, and it'south of import because the speaker connects to your devices in two ways. Ane is via Bluetooth, and the other is by Wi-Fi. Of course, to connect to Wi-Fi, you need to tell the speaker your connectedness details and password via the app. One time information technology connects via Wi-Fi, you can employ the full suite of smart features it offers, unlike on Bluetooth.
According to Sonos, the setup process for this speaker should be pretty elementary:
- Press the ability button to plough the speaker on.
- Download the Sonos app on your mobile device.
- Open the app and tap Settings > Organization > Add Product.
- Select the Sonos Roam from the list and the relevant details for your Wi-Fi connection.
If you want to connect the speaker to your device without Wi-Fi or when Wi-Fi isn't available, the Sonos Roam will function every bit a Bluetooth speaker:
- Plow on Bluetooth for the device you want to connect to.
- Press and concord the ability button on the Sonos Roam for around ii seconds until the status LED starts blinking blue and you hear a tone.
- Open your device'southward Bluetooth devices list and select the Sonos Roam from the list.
- The two should sync and you can start using your device to play content.
How long does the battery terminal on the Sonos Roam?
Inside of the box, you'll get the Sonos Roam speaker itself and a charging cable, but no Air conditioning adapter.
Sonos claims the Roam tin can get upwardly to 10 hours of playback fourth dimension when you listen at "moderate volumes." In our testing, we got five hours, 23 minutes of usage from the Sonos Roam with the abiding playback of existent music, peaking at 75dB(SPL). Your mileage may vary depending on how loudly you listen to your music. That falls well short of the claimed 10 hours, though the definition of "moderate volume" Sonos uses may differ from out testing.
Yous get a charging cable in the box, only no Air conditioning adapter. Sonos sells 1 separately, forth with a wireless charging pad. Charging is pretty quick, with one hour of charging via cable providing l% battery according to Sonos—information technology'll have two hours via the wireless pad to accomplish the same level. Some chargers may not output enough power to charge the Roam while playing content. The app will pop up a find if that's the case.
How does the Sonos Roam audio?
The midrange and treble output are consistent, though there'due south virtually no sub-bass response (typical of portable speakers).
Being a small, portable speaker means in that location are some tradeoffs when it comes to sound quality. These sorts of speakers lack sub-bass, and most people will notice this. The Roam has a tweeter and a mid-woofer, which makes sense given the compact size of the speaker. Yet, the Sonos Roam reproduces all instruments pretty well.
Lows, mids, and highs
While the lack of bass might run counter to consumer expectations, for its size, the Sonos Roam sounds decent and clear. In v Dollars past Christine and the Queens, information technology's easy to conspicuously distinguish Chris's vocals from the synthesizer. There are points in which some auditory masking occurs if I listen outside, but information technology's non major. You will find that the bass isn't quite every bit loud, but it doesn't detract likewise much from pop like this.
The lack of bass does have some of the fun out of genres like punk rock, however. Banana by The Kominas, for instance, doesn't accept its low notes reproduced with the loudness i would expect for the genre. You lot'll still hear them, but they won't accept the wall-shaking oomph punk rock is known for.
The Sonos Roam is small and portable, and fits into one hand without as well much trouble.
For both of these songs, I experience the best bass response with the Roam on my floor a few centimeters away from a wall. The speaker has "Automatic Trueplay" according to Sonos, which uses the microphone to adjust the speaker'southward playback depending on the environment it'south in (if the mic isn't muted). It'southward hard to say how noticeable this might be across every possible scenario, nevertheless. Speakers sound different based on a variety of factors. These include the room itself, piece of furniture, and others—being outside adds even more variables.
For its size, the Sonos Roam gets surprisingly loud. It likely won't brand it over the din of a large indoor political party, but for small gatherings, it'll likely practice well. When outdoors, it would probably fill pocket-sized a patio with pleasing groundwork tunes, only over again don't look it to fill up a large park.
Tin can you use the Sonos Roam for phone calls?
Weirdly, fifty-fifty though the Sonos Roam has a "far-field microphone array" (according to the user guide), y'all cannot use it for telephone calls. The mic is only for interacting with the vocalism assistant and the Automatic Trueplay feature. If you ask information technology to call someone, you'll get a message alerting you that's non possible.
Should you buy the Sonos Roam?
The Sonos Roam can indeed roam thanks to its small size and robust build quality.
If you already have a Sonos organization setup, the Roam makes for a adept addition. That's specially true if you lot want to extend your smart dwelling house's reach just a fleck further—similar to a patio or sleeping room. Similarly, if you desire to dip your toes into the waters of smart speakers, the Sonos Roam will fit nicely into that niche. With its well-featured app and reasonable audio quality, this speaker sounds good and gives y'all plenty of conveniences right away. It tin be a bit abrasive to prepare up, just in one case you get everything working, information technology all flows together nicely. The power to accept it off Wi-Fi and effectually town using Bluetooth is overnice, only don't expect this to be a camping speaker given its battery life. Plus, it is a bummer you can't employ it for phone calls.
Sonos Roam
All prices listed in USD unless otherwise specified. Prices may alter over time, and vary by region. Unfortunately, we cannot list Amazon prices on the site, equally they vary greatly by currency.
What should yous get instead of the Sonos Roam?
The Sonos Roam created a niche and filled it, and there aren't too many exactly equivalent speakers. If you want a smart home starter, for instance, a Google Nest Audio, Amazon Repeat (fourth Gen), or Apple HomePod mini would fill that role. However, while all of these options are cheaper than the Roam, they make you choice a vocalisation assistant and stick with it. Furthermore, none of them can actually motility around; they're designed to sit down in a single spot in your home at all times.
The JBL Flip 6 survives dunks into saltwater and sand doesn't get behind its grille, cheers to its IP67 rating.
On the other hand, if you lot desire a small, portable speaker, then at that place are plenty of those. The JBL Flip six doesn't distinguish instruments quite too every bit the Sonos Roam, just information technology can go nearly anywhere thanks to its carrying strap, cylindrical shape, and IP67 rating. Plus, it's cheaper than the Roam. As well, there'southward the even smaller Clip 4, which over again doesn't sound quite as good but it fastens easily to a bag and also has an IP67 rating.
Simply if your center is gear up on something sleek with the looks to match the Sonos Roam (I go information technology, that minimalist artful is appealing), so try the UE Blast iii. It also has an IP67 rating, and it fifty-fifty floats. While it is cheaper than the Sonos Roam, information technology doesn't sound bang-up, with auditory masking being a trouble.
Frequently asked questions nigh the Sonos Roam
The Bose Portable Smart Speaker has an IPX4 rating, so information technology tin can withstand splashes and drips, only it's best to bring information technology inside when you're done.
These are two very unlike types of portable speakers, with the Sonos Roam weighing half as much as the Bose Portable Smart Speaker. Price is vastly different between the two products, too: Bose's costs $399 USD while the Roam costs $179 USD. That extra money for Bose's speaker gets you a louder bass output and starkly different design. The Roam is more durable than the Portable Smart Speaker from Bose, which has an IPX4 rating. This degree of durability is fine for some splashes, but information technology tin can't officially withstand submersion or prolonged exposure to dirt and dust.
The frequency response chart shows our quasi-anechoic, 1m tweeter on-axis measurements of the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin. Only the left aqueduct is driven.
The chief reason to buy Bose's speaker over the Sonos Roam is that it'southward easier to set up, gets louder than the Roam, and features a carry handle. Otherwise, the Roam has a greater pick of streaming services, is more compact, and supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth but like the Portable Smart Speaker.
Overall, yes. The IP67 rating ways you could proceed the Sonos Roam on a shelf just outside your shower, for case. The vocalization command options will allow y'all play and pause content without having to fumble around with any buttons. The Roam is non rated for long-term contact with water, however. So, it might exist best not to keep it directly in the tub with you or annihilation similar that.
Technically, no. You could use the Sonos Roam as a purely Bluetooth speaker, but yous won't have admission to whatever smart features if you lot do. However, the Roam must exist prepare up via Wi-Fi earlier it will part equally a Bluetooth device, co-ordinate to Sonos.
Source: https://www.soundguys.com/sonos-roam-review-71653/
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