Sonos Transfer 2 Moveable Speaker Guarantees Higher Sound and Battery Life

Again in 2019, Sonos launched its first transportable speaker, the aptly named Transfer, which had quite a bit to love about it, however its considerably excessive $400 worth. Now the sequel is right here with some modest design upgrades, a lot improved battery life (as much as 24 hours) and a brand new dual-tweeter acoustic structure that Sonos says permits the Transfer 2 to ship “huge, spacious stereo sound, a primary for a Sonos transportable speaker.” It ships on Sept. 20 in black, olive or white with a wi-fi charging dock for $449 (£449, AU$799), or $50 greater than the unique.

Like Sonos’ new wired Period 100 and Period 300 audio system that had been launched this previous June, the Transfer 2 options the identical new contact management system on high of the speaker. You need to use the contact controls to play, pause or skip a observe, and swipe your finger alongside the amount slider to regulate the amount ranges. As earlier than, you’ll be able to management the speaker along with your voice, with each Amazon Alexa or Sonos Voice Management supported, although not Google Voice Assistant. The built-in microphone array can also be used when calibrating the speaker’s sound with Sonos’ TruePlay sound calibration system that customizes the sound for a specific house, whether or not it is indoors or exterior.

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I reviewed each the Transfer and the Roam, Sonos’ smaller transportable speaker that retails for $179. Each the Transfer and Roam are designed for use as Bluetooth audio system if you’re outdoor away from your own home WiFi community and built-in into your Sonos multiroom system if you’re at house. Nevertheless, it was slightly difficult to maneuver from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth, a difficulty Sonos seems to have addressed with the Transfer 2 (it must be simpler now however we’ll have to check that). Apple customers can even immediately stream audio from their units to the speaker utilizing AirPlay 2 by way of Wi-Fi. 

I have never used the Transfer 2 but however we’re getting a overview pattern prematurely of its Sept. 20 ship date. For sure, I am most intrigued by the way it sounds and whether or not it will possibly actually produce stereo sound (it’s also possible to hyperlink two Transfer 2s wirelessly to create an actual stereo pair). Sometimes, as a result of the drivers are so shut collectively in a single speaker, it is exhausting to create any stereo separation. The unique Transfer had mono sound. 

For Sonos customers, the enchantment of the unique Transfer was that it regarded like an indoor speaker and slot in properly from an aesthetic standpoint along with your present Sonos wired audio system. However it was additionally deceptively rugged and held up properly outdoor.

Like the unique, the Transfer 2 has an IP56 ranking, which makes it each water- and dust-resistant (it isn’t waterproof, nonetheless). It weighs 6.61 kilos (3 kg) together with its battery, which is replaceable, and has an indentation close to its high that serves as a deal with, making it pretty straightforward to hold from location to location.

As I stated, the opposite huge enchancment is to its battery life. The speaker is now rated for as much as 24 hours of use at average quantity ranges, based on Sonos. That is up from the unique Transfer’s 11-hour battery life ranking.

Whereas the speaker comes with a wi-fi charging dock, it’s also possible to cost by way of the USB-C port, which doubles as charge-out port for charging your units. On high of that, Sonos confirmed which you can do audio over USB-C by connecting your USB-C-equipped laptop computer, pill or smartphone on to speaker with a USB-C cable (Sonos additionally sells a Line-In Adapter accent for connecting such units as a turntable). 

Search for CNET’s full overview of the Sonos Transfer 2 round Sept. 20. Within the meantime, this is a fast rundown of the speaker’s key specs.

Sonos Transfer 2 key specs, based on Sonos

• 6.61 kilos (3 kg)
• Overhauled dual-tweeter acoustic structure permits Transfer 2 to ship stereo sound
• 24 hours of playback on a single cost.
• Fees by way of USB-C or included Wi-fi Charging Base
• IP56 ranking (water- and dust-resistant)
• Constructed to face up to unintentional falls, bumps, rain and moisture, mud, UV rays and excessive temperatures
• Automated Trueplay tuning regularly optimizes the Transfer 2’s sound for its environment
• Contact controls
• Stream by way of Bluetooth to a stereo pair of Transfer 2 audio system when linked to Wi-Fi or seamlessly group Transfer 2 with the remainder of your Sonos system
• Detachable and replaceable battery 
• Worth: $449/£449/499 euros/AU$799