Again in 2019, Sonos launched its first moveable speaker, the aptly named Transfer, which had quite a bit to love about it, however its considerably excessive $400 value. 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 moveable 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 have been launched this previous June, the Transfer 2 options the identical new contact management system on prime of the speaker. You need to use the contact controls to play, pause or skip a monitor, and swipe your finger alongside the quantity slider to regulate the quantity ranges. As earlier than, you’ll be able to management the speaker together 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 selected area, whether or not it is indoors or outdoors.
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The Transfer 2 is available in a brand new olive shade in addition to black and white.
I reviewed each the Transfer and the Roam, Sonos’ smaller moveable speaker that retails for $179. Each the Transfer and Roam are designed for use as Bluetooth audio system whenever you’re outside away from your private home WiFi community and built-in into your Sonos multiroom system whenever you’re at house. Nonetheless, it was a bit of difficult to maneuver from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth, a difficulty Sonos seems to have addressed with the Transfer 2 (it ought to be simpler now however we’ll have to check that). Apple customers may straight stream audio from their gadgets to the speaker utilizing AirPlay 2 by way of Wi-Fi.
I have not used the Transfer 2 but however we’re getting a overview pattern prematurely of its Sept. 20 ship date. Evidently, I am most intrigued by the way it sounds and whether or not it could actually produce stereo sound (you may also 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 arduous to create any stereo separation. The unique Transfer had mono sound.
Transfer 2 within the backyard.
For Sonos customers, the enchantment of the unique Transfer was that it appeared like an indoor speaker and slot in properly from an aesthetic standpoint together with your current Sonos wired audio system. However it was additionally deceptively rugged and held up properly outside.
Like the unique, the Transfer 2 has an IP56 score, which makes it each water- and dust-resistant (it isn’t waterproof, nevertheless). It weighs 6.61 kilos (3 kg) together with its battery, which is replaceable, and has an indentation close to its prime that serves as a deal with, making it pretty straightforward to hold from location to location.
The Transfer 2 is designed for indoor and outside use.
As I mentioned, 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, in accordance with Sonos. That is up from the unique Transfer’s 11-hour battery life score.
Whereas the speaker comes with a wi-fi charging dock, you may also cost by way of the USB-C port, which doubles as charge-out port for charging your gadgets. On prime of that, Sonos confirmed 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 gadgets as a turntable).
Search for CNET’s full overview of the Sonos Transfer 2 round Sept. 20. Within the meantime, here is a fast rundown of the speaker’s key specs.
Sonos Transfer 2 key specs, in accordance with 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.
- Prices by way of USB-C or included Wi-fi Charging Base
- IP56 score (water- and dust-resistant)
- Constructed to resist unintended falls, bumps, rain and moisture, mud, UV rays and excessive temperatures
- Automated Trueplay tuning frequently 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
- Value: $449/£449/499 euros/AU$799
